Somewhere between a Sazerac-fueled evening and an early morning of rich, powdery beignets, New Orleans won me over. I had put off visiting this city for far too long, and arriving late to the party, my eyes were set on doing it all. New Orleans has a way of dazzling you. The azalea-lined streets sing out with a constant tune of jazz, and with no surprise, the invitation from locals to join in the fun is distinctly contagious. Historic buildings provide stories from the past, and while some have newer occupants sharing fresh energy, it’s a perfect marriage of the two. The old and the new, blending in a way that makes no better time to visit New Orleans than now. Here’s a look at what I got up to for a long weekend in the Crescent City.
Eat + Drink
Dining in New Orleans is wild. It’s the kind of food scene you’ll be talking about for weeks to come, like the beloved pita bread from Shaya. Who knew you’d find incredible modern, Israeli food in New Orleans?
When it comes to the classics, places like Commander’s Palace, a formal restaurant where they serve .25 cent martinis is a must. Café du Monde still reigns as a highlight and my best tip is to show up late or early for those warm, cloud-like beignets. Then there is Cavan, a restaurant housed in a former mansion built in 1883 that showcases coastal American cuisine with cocktails to match. It’s hard to go wrong with lunch or dinner here.
Southern cuisine is at its finest here. The line at Willie Mae’s Scotch House is worth the wait for the best friend chicken in America named by the James Beard Foundation. And if you’re feeling a quick snack, a po-boy always does the trick at Johnny’s Po-Boys in the heart of the French Quarter.
New Orleans’ bar scene is equally as impressive as the dining. Institutions like Cane and Table, Cure, or Rendezvous are ones to check out. And don’t forget the local Tiki Bar, Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 — this place is a classic.
Stay
On our trip to New Orleans, we stayed in an apartment from Sonder. This beautifully designed apartment ran more like a hotel. Sonder curates these short-term rentals in the city and outfits them with amenities like fresh linens, coffee, and 24-hour concierge service. Choosing the neighborhood of Marigny, we loved being centrally located in the city and footsteps away from Frenchman Street.
Do
There is plenty of things to do in New Orleans. Whether you spend time strolling through the mansions of Garden District or hop onto a cemetery tour at St. Louis or Lafayette (yes, this a thing here), you’ll get a sense of the city’s past. If you’re there to hear live music, head straight to the Marigny District and just stroll Frenchman street. Every night of the week there is always a live jazz band playing at most bars.
One highlight was heading out of the city on a few hours tour of the bayou with Beyond the Bayou. One of the only companies who does not bait the alligators, we spent some time on the boat learning about the local swamp area.