Laissez les bon temps rouler in my favorite city!! Lots of recommendations for exploring beyond the French Quarter!
Map
Sections
6
Must see
Restaurants
Bars
Coffee shops
Things to Bring
Mardi Gras Specific Essentials
Must see
This place is too cool! There are many great spots in City Park, but this might be my favorite!!
New Orleans Museum of Art
Missed the parades? No ya didn’t! Explore the floats up close and learn about all that goes into building them!!
Mardi Gras World
Tucked in the back of Audubon Park, this is the perfect place to watch a sunset over the Mississippi! Just don’t forget your bug spray!!
The Fly
Shopping, lunch, coffee, beignets… it’s all here! If you’re lucky you’ll catch Champagne Stroll!
Magazine Street
Great venue to hear some live and often local music. They have free Friday concerts in the summer!!
Tipitina's
Super fun, interactive tour with samples
The Sazerac House- Free Tours!!
Don’t waste your time on Bourbon St. when this is just around the corner! If you want to see the true essence of New Orleans you have to check it out!
Frenchmen Street
Restaurants
This place is so underrated. Great service and food!
Cafetomas Uptown
This has been THE spot lately. And right down the street from Tipitinas
Barracuda Taco Stand
With locations all over there’s no excuse to miss out on the best hot dog of your life!! They also have vegan and gluten free options! The mexi cali is my go to
Dat Dog
Great grub spot on Magazine! They have great cocktails and beignets!
The Vintage Restaurant
DELISH! If you’re visiting the universities you have to know this spot!
Fresco Cafe & Pizzeria
Some of the best Italian I’ve ever had! A great Mid-City spot
Venezia
If you want good crawfish, this is the spot!!
Frankie & Johnny's
Trust me when I say this place is even better than it looks. In the Marigny near the French Quarter!
Nola Mia Gelato Cafe
Such a cute diner!!
Ted's Frostop Diner
Bars
Perhaps the most famous Nola bar. You have to check it out!
Pat O'Brien's
This is a great start for a Magazine St. bar crawl!!
The Bulldog, Uptown
This is a great college spot!
F&M Patio Bar
They have such fun trivia on Wednesdays!
Fat Harry's
You can’t leave New Orleans without going to a balcony bar. This place also makes for such cute photos!!
Hot Tin
Coffee shops
Nola has some of the best coffee! Check out the creativity in espresso form!!
This is my go to beignet spot!! I love the minis!!
Uptown Coffee and beignets
Great coffee spot with cool art!!
Cherry Coffee Roasters
So spooky cool! You’ll always find students studying here.
Z'otz Cafe
Such a cute spot in mid-city!
The Bean Gallery
I’M. OB. SESSED. Phenomenal coffee shop by day, comedy club by night!
SPORTS DRINK: Café & Comedy Club
Another Magazine St. hot spot!
Trumpet and Drum
Things to Bring
The weather here is super unpredictable. These small rain ponchos are perfect for on the go!
Rain Poncho
These are super great for jazz fest or just explore in the hot times (aka most of the year)
Wearable fan
Shareable alternative to the neck fan!!
Portable Mini Fan
New Orleans is still pretty swampy. Don’t want those critters all over you!
Bug Spray!!!
Ask quickly as it starts pouring, the sun will come scorching down. This is my favorite sunscreen to keep in my purse!
Sunscreen
Thank me in the morning
Liquid I.V.
Mardi Gras Specific Essentials
You will want to keep the essentials on you at all times. I prefer the drawstring over a fanny pack bc it’s big enough to hold your favorite throws!!
Drawstring bag
You will be doing so much walking and blisters are bound to come
Band Aid
This got me and my girls through Mardi Gras!!
Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick
There is nothing more stressful than losing your friend with a dead phone. It’s so important to make sure you know where everyone is
Portable Charger
Unfortunately, port-a-potties will be your only option at some point. Make sure you’re prepared when they run out!
On-The-Go Facial Tissues
Between the bathrooms and sticky throws, you’ll want this!!
Hand Sanitizer
Refuel on the route! I also like to bring mini quesadillas or turkey rolls
