My husband and I just got back from a four night stay in New Orleans. Yes - without our children. Although we missed them like crazy, it was really nice to spend time together- just the two of us!
Our primary reason for the destination was a fitness conference, but neither of us had ever been and we made sure we found lots of time to play tourist.
Here are our Top recommendations if you ever visit - in no particular order ❤️
- Two Chicks Walking Tours Cemetery Tour - One thing to note is that you need a certified tourguide to get into the cemetery, so don't just think you can show up and waltz right in. You can thank all the hudlums who vandalized the graves. Anyway, our group met at a tiny cafe where you could use the restroom and they had umbrellas for you to use as they go rain or shine. They're free, though so we could return our $30It worth of ponchos to the Sheraton Hotel giftshop! Also, bring cold water and plenty of it. It gets super hot and humid and there's little to no breeze. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot!
Mercedes Benz Superdome was one of the main conference venues, so while we didn’t witness a sporting event there, it was incredible nonetheless. If you’ve never been in a dome stadium, it’s worth it. It’s absolutely MASSIVE. The Smothie King Center is also right next door if you wanted to try and hit two birds with one stone.- Acme Oyster House is known for their hand-shucked oysters, but I’ll be honest, I wasn’t brave enough to try them :) The ones the table right next to us ordered, however, smelled and actually looked amazing! I stuck with red beans and rice and smoke sausage - a Louisiana staple.
Cafe du Monde Ah-mazing! Give me fried dough rolled in powdered sugar all the days! Beignets for the win! We stood in the to-go line for about 30 minutes, so of course we had to order two orders to make it worth our while :) The to-go line is cash only - so be prepared! That would be terrible to get close enough to smell them and have to walk away :( If we had had more time, we definitely would have stayed and gotten a table. Superb people watching! PS you can buy the mix to make your own beignets at home!!- Jackson Square is a must! It's in the heart of the French Quarter and sits right next to the Missisippi River. You can count on live music, artists and beautiful architecture including the stunning St. Louis Cathedral and is designated as a National Landmark. If you're looking for a relaxing afternoon this is where you want to be. While there are lots of tourists, you'll still be able to find a quiet spot to relax take it all in.
St. Louis Cathedral Catholic or not, this Cathedral is a must-see. It stands tall and proud in Jackson Square and boasts a rich history that dates back to the 1700s. Mass is still said there and the church still allows weddings, so there are "hours" for tourists as far as just viewing the church. Photography is allowed and I highly encourage it - just be respectful :)
GW Finns This was hands down my FAVORITE place we ate. It does have a collared shirt dress code for men, but they have some on hand - at no cost - if you forget. The drinks were potent and the food was AMAZING. I ordered the Local Drum and would have licked the plate had it been socially acceptable. My better half ordered the Pork Chop which was also very good. And let's talk about the biscuits that melted in your mouth...pretty sure I ate at least half a dozen - oops! They just kept bringing them out and I do love my carbs :) I also had the Bird Dog Peach Old-Fashioned cocktail which was quite potent. It's probably the reason I had six biscuits.- WWII Museum My better half took the better half of one day and toured the National WWII Museum, which also was pretty close to our hotel. Plan to spend several hours there to see everything. The museum was fascinating - it lays out the war in chronological order - including the events leading up to the war. The Final Mission Submarine experience was an extra $5 but was a little disappointing. It was awkward because they try to assign you tasks that you would perform as part of the sub, but if you did that, you missed out on the video that was playing above you.
Bourbon Street - 21st Amendment Bar You didn't think I'd leave Bourbon Street off the list, did you? We were told to try and stay away from Bourbon Street after dark, but we're rebels and were in a fairly large group - aka safety in numbers - so we did ok. This is a pretty low key place with live music where you can just go chill without the craziness that I feel the rest of Bourbon street is while still feeling like you've still got it :)
The Blake Hotel This is where we stayed. It was a pretty centralized location - with a lovely cafe/restaurant inside the hotel and a Starbucks and other little cafe just steps away. The convention center and Superdome were in opposite directions, but only about a mile away - as were Canal Street shopping etc. The hotel also has ice water in the lobby 24/7 which is awesome since it's so hot this time of year. And while most people wouldn't think much about this, the fitness center was fairly large with free weights and a view! And it was steps away from our room on the 11th floor. Our room wasn't huge by any stretch, but it was clean, the staff was friendly and we didn't have any issues. I'd definitely stay there again!
How about a BONUS? Be sure to check our Mother's. It's definitely touristy, but the food is good and it's a fun atmosphere - for my Kansas City peeps, it reminded me of Gates. They're famous for their baked ham - so make sure someone in your party orders it!
Ok - so that's a wrap! Bottom line, I'd definitely go back. We saw and experienced a lot, but there's a lot more to see!
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