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Essential New Orleans Travel Tips: Explore the Big Easy like a local.
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items Discover the vibrant charm of New Orleans with this curated list of travel tips. Whether you're exploring the historic French Quarter or indulging in the city's world-famous cuisine, these insider recommendations will help you make the most of your v...
Sections
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Hotels
restaurants
experiences
Hotels
Home of the Carousel Bar…this Hotel is a must grab if you are spending time in NOLA. Located on Royal street, it is one block up from Bourbon and much more quiet and exquisite! Everything is within walking distance! You will NOT be disappointed with ...
HOTEL MONTELEONE $189 ($̶7̶1̶9̶) - New Orleans, LA
The Omni Hotel is fantastically located off of Royal Street which is my personal recommendation as it is close to Bourbon but not as noisy. This hotel is gorgeous and very close to all of the French Quarter must sees. Cathedral Square is right down the street and the Street Car is right on Canal. Everything is within walking distance!
OMNI ROYAL ORLEANS $197 ($̶2̶2̶8̶) - New Orleans, LA
This hotel is fantastic and very close to Cathedral Square and the middle of the French Quarter. Stay away from Bourbon Street because it is so loud there. This hotel is perfectly located and highly rated! Easy to get to all of what New Orleans has to offer!
PLACE D'ARMES HOTEL $133 ($̶1̶8̶0̶) -New Orleans, LA
restaurants
Antoine's is a MUST! A historic gem – don't just eat there but visit all of the fine rooms filled with Mardi Gras history and Pizazz! I highly recommend the Oysters Rockefeller. Their wine cellar is amazing! Make reservations well in advance.
ANTOINE'S RESTAURANT, New Orleans - French Quarter - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews & Reservations - Tripadvisor
I had the wonderful experience of a Sunday Jazz Brunch at Arnaud's and the experience was absolutely wonderful. We had the best waiter and the food was absolutely amazing! We also had the opportunity to visit the museum on the second floor of Germaine Wells Mardi Gras museum which has several years of her gowns. Absolutely stunning and a must see!
ARNAUD'S RESTAURANT, New Orleans - French Quarter - Restaurant
If you are headed to New Orleans, you want to make a reservation at Commander's Palace months in advance. This is where the locals eat and celebrate special events! If the locals are eating there---YOU want to eat there! It is located right in front of Lafayette Cemetery #1 which is also a site to see! I had the opportunity to sit at the most beautiful table in the house on the second floor overlooking the huge ... You will not be disappointed with the service or your meal! It is a must try!
COMMANDER'S PALACE, New Orleans - Garden District
Located off of Poydras street and an easy walk from the French Quarter, this is a local restaurant that you can dine in or take out. There is usually a line during popular eat times! There food is absolutely amazing. I had grits that were outstanding. They serve all of the NOLA favorites and have Barq's Red Cream Soda on tap! Make sure you go hungry as you will most likely be taking out a to go bag!
MOTHER'S RESTAURANT, New Orleans
You go to the Napoleon house for a Muffuletta sandwich, red beans and rice & a pimms cup! The muffuletta's here are the largest I have ever seen and I can only eat about ¼ of it. This historical house was built for Napoleon himself although he ne...
NAPOLEON HOUSE BAR & CAFE, New Orleans - French Quarter
This is a local favorite and recommended by Anthony Bourdain himself. The Poboys here are made fresh and delicious. You will not see this place on any recommendation list as it is in the Garden District and off of St Charles Ave. It would be mostly missed as it is in a residential neighborhood. I recommend this place as it has one of the best Poboy sandwiches I have ever eaten.
DOMILISE'S PO-BOYS, New Orleans - Uptown / Carrollton
Port of Call is right off of Esplanade and Bourbon Street. There is usually a wait because the Burgers are that good. Last time I was there, they had outside seating on the street which made it convenient but we still had to wait. It is worth it because these are the best burgers and baked potatoes I have ever had!
PORT OF CALL, New Orleans - French Quarter - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor
This is a must eat! We enjoyed a brunch on a Wednesday and had their world famous Banana's Foster! They created it in 1951 and make it at the table for you!
Brennan's
We enjoyed a delicious Jazz Brunch at this location today! I had an amazing Chicken and Waffle dish! The deviled eggs were amazing! Service was outstanding!
Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard
Friday lunch is very boisterous! And you will need a reservation. The food was outstanding and the service fantastic! You cannot go wrong here!
Galatoire's Restaurant New Orleans
The Jambalaya is outstanding here and under $10! A great buy!
Coop's Place
experiences
This is by far one of the best World War II museums out there. The only one that is better is the Pearl Harbor Museum in my opinion. The exhibits are fantastic. There are immersive experiences and multimedia experiences. Great for kids as who is not completely fascinated with all of the artillery on display here! A Must see for anyone!
The National WWII Museum, New Orleans
Basin Street Station is right next to St Louis Cemetery #1 and you must purchase a ticket to get into the cemetery. These do sell out quickly so make reservations in advance as St Louis Cemetery #1 is a must see. The station has a fantastic visitor center and is a quick walk from the French Quarter.
Basin St. Station - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
In my opinion, this is the city center. If you had only a few hours to be in NOLA this is where I would go. You have so many street performers in the square. The park there is amazing to sit in and just people watch. Located just a few steps away is Pirate's Alley. There are restaurants and shops that line both sides not to mention all of the artists that have their work for sale all over the fences. I co...
Jackson Square - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
I highly recommend a show at Preservation Hall. Established in 1961 to honor Jazz, there isn't a performance here that is a disappointment. One thing you need to be aware of is that the hall is small and seating can be a bit challenging for some (on the floor) so make sure you are aware of that in... Highly recommended!
Preservation Hall - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
City Park is worth a full day in New Orleans. The museum there is outstanding! There is a Cafe Du Monde in the center where you can get fresh Beignets (it's better than the one in Jackson Square). City Park also has a wonderful sculpture museum to vi...
New Orleans City Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Want to see all of the floats for Mardi Gras in one place? Then this is where you want to go! Located right by the river, this warehouse is full of all of the floats for Mardi Gras AND they show you how they make them! Give yourself a couple of hours to get through this and it will be totally worth it!
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
This historical plantation is dedicated to preserving it's history and definitely worth the visit. You will have to drive here. I rented a car for the day and planned to spend the whole day. Get a ticket for the grounds as well as the Big House. I got to step outside on the Porch and look at the Oak Trees from the Master Bedroom on the second floor. Walk down the walk and get a picture at the end of the lane with the iconic Oak Trees and... A Must see!
Oak Alley Plantation - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Hands Down THE best cemetery in the entire United States! It is a must see and you need to book a tour to get in otherwise you wait outside and can only look through the gate. The history of this cemetery is amazing and it is creepy in the daytime! I have had the fortunate experience of seeing it in the Twilight as well. Take lots of photos of every corner! Totally worth the walk!
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans
Metairie Cemetery is home of the burial place of beloved Anne Rice. The cemetery is beautiful to just walk through but there is so much history it is worth to spend some cash on walking tour. I love the Weeping Angel in the Chapman Hyams Memorial but... Definitely a must see.
2024 New Orleans Metairie Cemetery Tour: Millionaires and Mausoleums