Snippets of… New Orleans, LA

We get down to NOLA as often as we can, which, in my opinion is not enough. I’m trying to figure out how we can move there for like six months, just to fully experience all the art, design and culture that the city has to offer. One thing is for sure though, when we go, we try to just relax and not fill our whole day on the move. It might mean we have a picnic in the park for awhile, then Tom can run around while we relax. We stick to our home schedule and still give Tom a nap each day too. In the evening, Tom still goes down at his normal bedtime and we get take out and a bottle of wine to enjoy on the porch of our Air bnb or patio of our hotel room. We’ve stayed in both in New Orleans and I have to say, I think Air bnb is the way to go. You can find the most charming, little shotgun homes to rent, in sweet neighborhoods, like the Garden District. There are a few hotels opening or just opened though, that I can not wait to stay at, so I might be eating my words soon.

Eat: 

Sucre – for the sweets!

Parasol’s Po Boys – our favorite po boy shop.

Bouligny Tavern – for a nice night out.

Slice – seems crazy to suggest pizza while you are in NOLA, but it’s just so good!

Cafe Beignet – less busy than Cafe du Monde, but just as good. Very cute spot.

Domilisce’s – our next favorite po boy shop. Crystals hot sauce is their secret, I do believe.

Surry’s – Brunch at its finest.

Slim Goodies – Great diner with amazing waffles.

Sno Wizard – When in Rome…

Superior Seafood – Great oysters and their happy hour prices can’t be beat.

Play: 

City Park

Daneel Playground

New Orleans Zoo

New Orleans Aquarium

Audubon Park

Do: 

You have to ride the streetcars. Sure it’s touristy, but it’s also magical. We like to ride early, so that you can see people commuting to work, before all the tourists pile in. It feels more local and you can get a seat. Our favorite line is St. Charles. My son loves to sit and just watch everything passing him by. If you can, riding around dusk is also really nice. All the homes are lit up and have this certain glow about them. It feels transportive.

Magazine Street is a local haven within the city.

Ogden Museum and New Orleans Museum of Art are both two of our favorite art stops when visiting the city. Check their sites for special events going on when you are in town… there’s always something cool to attend.

 

Places we want to visit next time we are in town:

Audubon Insectarium

St. Roch Market

Morning Call

Coquette

Henry Howard Hotel

** I left the French Quarter off my lists because there is so much more to New Orleans than just the Quarter and I think some people ONLY go there. There are alternatives in the city.

What are some of your favorite New Orleans spots?