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items Highlights of NOLA from someone who's traveled with and without kids, 3 times.
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NOLA
NOLA
If its NOLA your headed to, these are our bringbacks everytime: Benginet Mix and Coffee from Cafe Du Monde. Bring a little NOLA home to your kitchen. Mardi Gras Beads……cuz when in Rome. Pralines- enough said. There is no limit of amazing Hot Sauces. There is also a year round Christmas Store- bring Christmas early.
Visit New Orleans | Official New Orleans Tourism Website
To see the NOLA cemeteries, you can choose a guided tour, or do what we did. We had a map and just strolled around the lawns. Be sure to take a peek at Marie Levaus Tomb. The cemetery is locked at night, and I do suggest bringing some water as it does get hot. The graves being above ground due to NOLA being below Ocean Level is interesting for a first timer.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Official Tour
NOLA is no different than most old cities. There are the stories of the hauntings. There is no limit of ghost tours available, not sure why but they seem extra spooky during the fall. Learn about the Casket Girls, Vampires, and more.
French Quarter Phantoms - Famous New Orleans Walking Tours
I am not saying the ladies wont have fun, but if your bringing a man or a boy, this is a must! The speed, the swamps, and the glances of gators - Its the safari of the swampy south. A little scary, a lotta cool……
New Orleans Airboat Tours - Louisiana Swamp & Bayou Adventures
We spent a half a day at Audobon Park one trip. Its nice to sit and nice to stroll. Activities for the kids. Drink and Ice cream stands for a cool treat. We particularly enjoyed taking photos under the Large Love Oaks, some of us may have even hopped in a tree or two.
Audubon Park
My very first trip to NOLA I got beignets from cafe beignet. A sweet little open door cafe- this is also where I had my first and last Chicory coffee…….just not a fan. Its a very tasty and sweet cafe without lines as long as Cafe Du Monde.
Cafe Beignet, Royal Street
We went here for our 2nd trip. This is the tourist place, in the middle of everything. They are very good, the lines can get very long. There is also a little store, we brought back some goodies. Benign Mix, the coffees, mugs and more. We did make them the following “Fat Tuesday” and easy to make, fry, and of course eat. Not as good as NOLA but darn close.
Cafe Du Monde
As you'll eventually notice from all of our travel- we love a city with a trolley/subway. If your planning a NOLA trip, 1st download the app. 2. See where your staying and find the nearest Trolley stop. 3. Find a Walgreens and get the multi day Trolley Passes- SO much easier to hop on and off. The NOLA trolley has a few lines but easy to find where you need to go- if you're staying anywher... We did venture to a few surrounding cities a few times and for those we did UBER and Lyft.
Explore New Orleans by Streetcar: Routes & Itineraries
When in the Streets (of Bourbon)
Cafe Bourbon St
Boudain YES Please
Boudin Balls New Orleans, LA - Last Updated December 2025