I’ve never met a city I didn’t like! New Orleans is so rich in history, culture, food, and…. humidity. It’s always been on the list of places I’ve wanted to visit and I finally did when invited to go to a bachelorette party there.
Traveling to New Orleans
From talking to people living in there area, it seems that more affordable flights to and from the area can be difficult to find. The airport is new and modern, but many don’t think that there are enough flights. Layovers are also very common as there are so few flights that connect directly to the MSY airport.
After arriving, there are a few transit options to the main downtown New Orleans area. The bus system is pretty standard, but the only confusing piece is that there are two different public transit operators. They both have buses out of the airport area to downtown, but bus fares for each service will differ and modes of payment/passes accepted will differ as well.
Food
I had a list of foods I needed to eat when in New Orleans and I’m proud to say that I tried them all!
Beignets have got to be the most iconic food of New Orleans, with the most famous place to get them being Cafe du Monde at the French Market location with the outdoor cafe seating area right on the water. Hot take: better beignets can be found elsewhere. The line at the French Market location Cafe du Monde is overwhelming on a weekend and definitely not worth the wait. If you really want to try Cafe du Monde, I recommend just going to a different location or just have some at the airport when you leave! I thought the best thing to get was the frozen coffee – perfect for a hot & humid day. The best place I think to grab a beignet is at Cafe Beignet in Musical Legends Park. The line is short there are plenty of tables to sit at, and there is always live jazz music! The beignets were also lighter and fluffier (and better) than the ones at Cafe du Monde.
Fried chicken!! We’re in Louisiana so of course we have to visit Popeye’s. The location on St. Charles Ave is the biggest Popeye’s I’ve ever seen, with options to order on tablets or order at the counter. They also had a sign up that they were planning on filming a Popeye’s commercial there later this week. On a late night, we also found some fried chicken at Willie’s Chicken Shack. There are multiple locations throughout New Orleans, with most open until 2 AM. They serve drinks all day and all night, and the chicken comes out fresh and hot!
The other items on my list to try were alligator, crawfish, crab cakes, oysters, jambalaya, and gumbo. Alligator and Louisiana oysters were two things that I hadn’t tried before. Alligator had a flakey, “fish-like” texture, but definitely was not fishy tasting. Louisiana oysters were smooth and not briney at all compared to the oysters I’ve harvest on the shores of the PNW.
Drinks and Bars
The night life in New Orleans really doesn’t compare to anywhere else I’ve ever been. The open container/public consumption can be found in Las Vegas, but the streets of New Orleans are so small and narrow that it’s so much more wild of a party.
There are also so many fun drinks with New Orleans origins to try:
Hurricane: From Pat O’Brien’s, containing a mystery concoction of rum, passionfruit, orange, and more. Grab one and sit in the outdoor courtyard or grab a table at the dueling piano bar!
Hand grenade: One of the strongest drinks I’ve ever had in a yard cup from Tropical Isle. The ingredients are additionally a mystery, but it’s sweet and strong and you can get it frozen or on ice.
Bourbon milk punk: Creamy, sweet and refreshing, this is a perfect drink on a hot and humid day in New Orleans. Find it at Bourbon House!
Sazerac: The Sazerac cocktail, made of whiskey/cognac with absinthe, sugar cube, and Peychaud’s bitters, has origins in New Orleans. You can learn about the history of Sazerac and the Prohibition with free tours at the Sazerac House. The free tour requires reservations and includes free tastings of popular cocktails and a gift shop!
Sights & Museums
If it’s your first time like mine, I would highly recommend a walking tour of the French Quarter. We found our tour via Groupon and it was amazing! Our guide, Moira, was the best. We learned a lot about the history of New Orleans as well as some spooky, scary stories and encounters that have occurred in different areas.
In the French Quarter is the French Market, along the waterfront. Here, you can find some good snacks (including the busiest Cafe du Monde) and vendors selling fun gifts. It’s nice to talk a walk through the shaded markets and see the fun souvenirs to take home.
There are plenty of museums in New Orleans. I visited two of them: the Voodoo Museum and the Museum of Death. The Voodoo Museum was very informational, explaining voodoo origins and its connection to religion & Catholicism. Our bachelorette also got a complimentary palm reading while here! Dragged to the Museum of Death, there was a lot of focus on serial killers and embalming. There were some specimens/skeletons of creatures native to New Orleans, but most items featured here were not directly New Orleans related.
A short trolley ride away from the main downtown area is New Orleans City Park. Exploring the entire park would take a whole day, at least. The space includes a children’s theme park, pedal boats, mini-golf, a sculpture park, and a Cafe du Monde. The park is perfect for strolling with a coffee!
Next Time
New Orleans is definitely a fantastic location for a party – bachelorette, birthday, any celebration! Food and drinks are definitely delicious (and not healthy). In just a few days, I felt as if I really experienced tourism in New Orleans, learning about the history and culture. Next time I’m back, I need to go on a swamp tour and meet a gator.
Last travel: A Weekend in Las Vegas (August 2022)