New Orleans is an amazing, bustling city like no other. The European influence, along with a Cajun zest makes the culture its very own. There is a dichotomy of the laid-back atmosphere mixed with a willingness to party for any and every reason. I think this might be part of the allure that draws so many people to visit. It certainly didn’t hurt when I decided to head down for a great time!

I have visited New Orleans a couple times, but with Jazz and Blues being everywhere in the city, I knew I had to visit again after I was 21. My recent visit was incredible: great food, awesome drinks, and even better music (not to mention going with one of my best friends)!

I met my friend in the city the week leading up to New Year’s Eve (if you’re down with a little debauchery, I really recommend visiting during this time). As I knew we would only have 4 days to see everything, I made a list of things I deemed important:

• French quarter – stayed within a mile, got a great amount of this!
• Jackson Square – yep!
• New Orleans City Park – just drove through quickly
• Garden District –did not get to visit
• Louis Cemetery – nope
• Audubon Aquariam

If you go off of this list, it would appear that the trip was certainly no success as we did not make it many of the places I wanted to go. WRONG! It was PERFECT!

First, let me say that if you are planning on visiting New Orleans, be prepared to spend handsomely! I was fortunate to have my hotel paid through reward points, yet I still spent easily over $200. And this was not including the cost for parking at the hotel.

IF POSSIBLE, DON’T BRING A CAR

Otherwise, see how expensive your hotel is to hold it, you won’t really need it. Yes, we used my car to see more of the city, but most of our time was spent in or near the French Quarter – something I’d recommend because there is so much to see there! Our hotel was a little over a half-mile from Café Du Monde (and therefore the French quarter).

BE PREPARED TO WALK

This kinda comes with leaving the car at home. Yes, things are relatively close, but each street has things to do that are completely different from the next.

ENJOY THE MUSIC, FOOD, AND ALCOHOL

Music is everywhere! It is not hard at all to find live music: on the street, in many bars, and many places have free entertainment as long as you pay for drinks or dinner. Try the Cajun food and have a beignet (or fifty), you won’t regret it! Lastly, Alcohol is everywhere in the Quarter. And what’s better is the open container laws for plastic containers. So grab a drink and get to walking!

I cannot give a more glowing recommendation of an amazing place to travel that will give you as different (but incredible) of an experience. As you can see, I only saw a small slice of the whole city, and will need to return to see the rest. I have included all of my meals on the trip – yeah, I actually ate it all, don’t judge! And a few notes, that might be useful. ENJOY!!

LUNCH – Day 1

The Galley Seafood- https://www.thegalleyseafood.net/

• Crawfish Etoufee
• Soft-shell crab po’boy (Jake)
• Shrimp and oyster po’boy
• Frog legs

DINNER – Day 1

Clover Grill – http://www.clovergrill.com

what would basically become as much of a tradition as eating beignets!

• Many, many daiquiris (this was a nightly occurrence, but the first night included a couple more and therefore led to bed @ 9:30…)
• Chicken fried steak, eggs, hash browns, and toast (AWESOME drunk food!)

PRE B-FAST – Day 2

St. James Hotel – https://www.choicehotels.com/louisiana/new-orleans/ascend-hotels/la282?source=gyxt : Amazing location, and gorgeous, check it out!

• Croissant
• OJ (needed to help my headache)

B-FAST – Day 2

Café du Monde –  where else!?!

• 6 beignets (yes, you read that right, I couldn’t stop!)
• Café au lait (New Orleans signature, I recommend the frozen one though!)

LUNCH – Day 2

Stall in the French Market – http://www.frenchmarket.org/

• Creole okra gumbo (crab, chicken, andouille, and shrimp)

SECOND LUNCH – Day 2 (I had to start making up meals…)

Port St. Peter – http://portstpeter.com/

• .5 lb burger w/ hash browns, eggs
• Loaded baked potato

LATE-NIGHT SNACK – Day 2 (Happy New Year! – this was at around 12:30 a.m.)

Café du Monde

• 3 beignets (great way to start off the year!)

PRE B-FAST – Day 3

St. James Hotel

• Croissant
• OJ

B-FAST – Day 3

Café du Monde

• 6 beignets
• Frozen café au lait

LUNCH – Day 3 (nice bathrooms, something which is sparse in the city!)

Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe – http://www.cafeenvie.com/

• Alligator and pork po’boy
• Fries
• Peach mimosa

DINNER – Day 3

Restaurant on Bourbon, near Toulouse: quick bite!

• Hand Grenades – Delicious mixed drink at Pirate Island on Bourbon St.
• Andouille on a bun
• Lays chips

SECOND DINNER – Day 3 (@ 12:30 a.m.)

Clover Grill

• Biscuits and Gravy

MIDNIGHT SNACK – Day 3 (@ 1:30 a.m. because it’s always open!)

Café du Monde

• 3 beignets

PRE B-FAST – Day 4

St. James Hotel

• Croissant
• OJ

B-FAST – Day 4

Café du Monde

• 6 beignets
• Frozen café au lait

LUNCH – Day 4

The Blind Pelican – https://theblindpelican.com/

• 6 oysters on the half-shell

 

I followed this eating frenzy by not eating for 24 hours, but what a delicious 4 days!! Now go down there and get your fill of food and booze!