Why Go?
A colorful and truly original city, New Orleans embodies some of the best of America. Hurricane Katrina may have devastated this cultural landmark in 2005, but the ever-resilient city has rebuilt and managed, for the most part, to get back to its roots as the jazz-playing, gumbo-cooking spot that's loved the world over. And while fabulous zydeco music and the bustle of Mardi Gras are some of the city's defining attributes, there's a whole lot more to New Orleans than these pillars of its culture. From the many different festivals throughout the year to the Art District, travelers find tons to see, experience, and taste in a revitalized New Orleans.
Vacationing foodies will be particularly delighted with one of the NOLA's major charms, its dizzying culinary options. A city of gregarious dining, finding everything from down-home soul food to true Creole fare is easier in New Orleans than in many other southern locales, and a rich history of different cultures means that the exciting variety on one's dinner plate comes from years and years of influences melding in a melting pot fashion. Post-Katrina New Orleans has everything from upscale fusion cuisine to sandwich shacks that have been open for decades, and eating one's way through the city is a true gastronomical delight.
Insider Tips
- Forget renting a car: New Orleans is really a walking city. Almost everywhere you want to go is within walking distance of your hotel room. If you do need to cross town, there are cabs. Fares may run you about $20, depending on the distance. The Regional Authority Transit Bus (RTA) is $1.25 one-way. Street cars are a fun way to get around the city as well. A one-way fare is $1.25 but one-day, three-day, and five-day unlimited ride passes are also available for $5, $12, and $20, respectively.
- New Orleans can be quite hot and humid in summer, with temperatures in the low 90s. Spring and autumn are nice times to visit, as the weather is mild. Winter lows can average 43 degrees, so visitors should bring light coats and jackets. The summer months are the wettest, so be sure to bring an umbrella if you decide to visit during that time.
- Mardi Gras is the most popular festival in New Orleans, and also the most expensive time to come to town. It usually takes place for about two weeks at the end of February or in beginning of March. Although Mardi Gras is great fun, consider visiting at another time of year to avoid the crowds and high prices.
Where To Stay
The most popular and perhaps the most exciting area of New Orleans is the French Quarter. Most restaurants, stores, and clubs are within walking distance of the neighborhood's numerous charming hotels. A great pick in the neighborhood is The Ambassador Hotel, which features open spaces, exposed brick, ceiling timbers and steel, and room rates include complimentary continental breakfast. The deluxe queen bedroom costs around $84 a night, making it a reasonable option for travelers on a mid-range budget. Better yet, many guest rooms offer a view of the Historic Arts District and downtown New Orleans.
The Royal Sonesta Hotel is another fantastic French Quarter. Frequently referred to as the “Jewel of the French Quarter,” the hotel stands regally as one of the most beautiful examples of traditional French Quarter architecture. Its charming gabled windows, French doors, and wrought-iron balconies create a wonderful sense of place, whisking guests back to a different age altogether. The modern age is very much present, too, as rooms come equipped with flatscreen TVs, writing desks, Wi-Fi, and a mini bar. There are also four restaurants and a jazz club located within the hotel. Deluxe guest rooms start at $129 a night.
For a bit of a splurge, The Bourbon Orleans Hotel offers a true taste of New Orleans at its finest. This delightfully decorated hotel is located in the heart of the French Quarter, just one block from historic Jackson Square. Within easy reach are live music venues and historic buildings such as the Jax Brewery building. No two rooms in the Bourbon Orleans Hotel are alike, although all feature the finest in modern amenities, including delightfully comfortable beds. Rooms start at $199 a night.
Where To Eat
New Orleans is probably known as the Creole capital of the United States, and getting delectable Cajun dishes here is easier than in many other cities across the country. Those looking for traditional dishes and upscale fusion takes will find a plethora of both, so get ready to do some eating. Do you want some great gumbo, jambalaya or crawfish? Here are some of the best spots in the city!
Located in the French Quarter, The Gumbo Shop is a small, laid-back, and inexpensive restaurant that is absolutely amazing. From gumbo to jambalaya, everything on their menu scrumptious. It's the perfect spot to grab an unassuming lunch that will blow minds and delight taste buds. Their seafood gumbo is a customer favorite.
Jaques-Imo's Cafe is not your typical New Orleans restaurant. It is known for its eclectic mix of creole and Cajun specialties. Although it has an unusual dining room setup fun, upbeat restaurant with the enthusiastic servers makes this restaurant a place you MUST eat at. It's gourmet food in a casual atmosphere. There a lot of specialities, but my favorite and perhaps the most popular amongst the customers is the Alligator Cheesecake. Don't worry, it taste better than it sounds. It is just alligator sausage, cheese, peppers and onions mixed together and baked in a pie crust. It is an excellent must have!
If you want a more upscale vibe and restaurant, a great place to try is Antoine's, where meals have been served since 1840. Their elegant take on traditional New Orleans cuisine includes regional specialties like turtle soup and other fine Southern dishes. Enjoy a centercut tenderloin of beef, served with Antoine's special fried potatoes and sauces, or go for the grilled trout with crawfish or shrimp in white sauce. As one of the most famous restaurants in town, Antoine's tends to get packed, so make sure to make reservations in advance.
Some may consider Port Of Call a hole-in-the-wall and walk right past it. But they'd be missing out, since this restaurant is home to the best burgers in New Orleans. It is a small space, but it's packed with energy and fun. The staff are friendly and accommodating, and food is served very fast. All of the burgers come with a baked potato and are fully loaded or with whatever toppings you want. Sometimes there is a wait around dinner time, as reservations are not accepted. But if you want great burgers in a fun atmosphere, it's well worth the wait.
Mr. B's Bistro provides weary travelers with a casual yet elegant dining experience. From the traditional New Orleans decor to their great ambiance, dinner will be spectacular. The variety of the menu is sure to please all foodies. There are many stunningly tasty specialities, like their fantastic shrimp and grits. Their jumbo shrimp wrapped in applewood bacon and served with creamy yellow grits and a red gravy are a personal favorite of mine. For dessert, try the apple and blackberry pie, which comes withs vanilla bean ice cream. Reservations are accepted, but not required; however, I recommend that you do plan ahead, because they get busy for dinner.
Looking for something different than the usual Cajun seafood? Sara's is a beautifully decorated restaurant that serves Indian fusion dining at its finest. They offer creative Indian food with a Cajun influences. Their signature dishes include a sesame-crusted salmon with wasabi buerre blanc and pepper crusted stuffed pork chops with Creole mustard sauce. For dessert, try the Chocolate Sin Cake. For vegetarian foodies, this is an excellent choice.
Sometimes you may just want to satisfy your sweet tooth. Angelo Brocato's Italian Ice Cream and Pastries is the perfect place to go when that need arises. It is a family-owned business with a small-town feel, meaning they treat every customer greatly. Their 24 flavors of ice cream are made daily from the purest and freshest ingredients. In my opinion, they have the best gelato I've ever had–my favorite is the tiramisu.
Miyako Sushi Bar & Hibachi is a fantastic sushi restaurant overlooking St. Charles Street. The atmosphere is open and fun, the staff is great, and the chefs are always funny and entertaining. But more importantly, the food is scrumptious. Shrimp avocado rolls and the spicy tuna crunchy rolls are highly recommended. For your entree, Hibachi steak and shrimp are a delicious must-have, as the chefs season and cook them to perfection.
What To Do
In addition to the usual partying in the French Quarter, there are a variety of things to do in New Orleans. One obvious pick: shopping! Magazine Street is a popular place for browsing and buying. The street took its name from an ammunition magazine located on the street in colonial times. The street is filled with shops, bars, restaurants, and even parks. Magazine Street maintains local character and impressive charm with a mix of older houses from the later nineteenth century and similarly-aged commercial buildings consisting of antique shops and clothing boutiques. It's great just for a stroll, too.
One of the best unknown secrets of New Orleans is their Art District. The neighborhood is a thriving mixture of art galleries and world-class museums, with great restaurants, shops and private residences, too. It is a short walk from the New Orleans Convention Center and Louisiana Super Dome, and a lovely neighborhood to spend an afternoon exploring.
Jackson Square is also a great place to go. There are many street vendors, merchants, and shops here. It is also home to the St. Lois Cathedral. The cathedral is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States and also the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans. People often visit the church to view its magnificent 1700 structure and learn of its history.
Foodies who love eating Cajun food might delight in learning how to prepare it, too. For that, there is the New Orleans School of Cooking, located in a renovated molasses warehouse in the heart of the French Quarter. Here, they specialize in the basics of Louisiana cooking. Creole/Cajun experts teach New Orleans specialities such as gumbo and jambalaya. Between the hours of 10:00 am and 12:30 pm, the cost for the class is $29.00 per person. From the hours of 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, the price is $24.00 per person. Their motto is “fun is a primary ingredient in our kitchen,” and fortunately, it's definitely the case.
Family-friendly options also exist in New Orleans. The Audubon Zoo and Aquarium is a spot that people of any age can go to and love. Birds, snakes, fish, turtles, and more animals are there for you to see. Adult tickets to the zoo are $14.95 per person.
Photo Credit: decidida, Zennish, Southern Foodways Alliance, Infrogmation, robbiesaurus, vxla, Ken Lund, Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans, Ambassador Hotel, Bourbon Orleans Hotel, quinn.anya