LOUISIANA. USA
NEW ORLEANS
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Discover the best restaurants, hotels and things to do with our travel guide
New Orleans is unlike any other city in the United States. While it’s claim to fame is being the home to Mardi Gras, it’s a city offering way more than endless boozing and dancing in the streets (not saying there is anything wrong with that).
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From the sounds of live jazz on Frenchmen Street, over to the beautiful backdrop of historical homes and landscapes by Audubon Park and the Garden District… Get ready to immerse yourself in non-stop fun, rich culinary experiences, and incredible cultural adventures.
We visited New Orleans during Jazzfest, their annual super-festival celebrating the incredible jazz culture (+food, activities and more). With a mix of local tips, recommendations, and some good ‘ol self-led exploring, here’s a full breakdown of where to stay, what to do and most importantly, where to eat while New Orleans!
BUCKET LIST
Café du Monde
Bacchanal Wine Bar
Central Grocery Co. or Cochon Butcher
Casamento’s, Dragos, Galatoire’s
Domilise’s, Parkway Bakery
Willa Jean, Bywater Bakery
Shaya
Creole Creamery
District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew.
Hansen's Sno-Bliz
Willie Mae's Scotch House, Dooky Chase
Jacques-Imo's
TOP 5's
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Southern - $$ - Warehouse District
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SURREY'S
Modern American - $ - Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
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Southern - $ - Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
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Southern - $ - Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
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Bakery, Cafe $ - Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
LUNCH
DINNER
Cajun, Deli - $ - Warehouse District
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LILLY'S CAFE
Vietnamese - $ - Garden District
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Southern - $$ - Uptown
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Modern Israeli - $$$ - Garden District
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Diner - $ - Uptown
French - $$$ - Central Business District
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Upscale Creole - $$$ - Garden District
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Cajun - $$ - Warehouse District
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Upscale Cajun - $$$$ - French Quarter
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Upscale Creole - $$$ - Garden District
LIVE MUSIC
Live Music Venue - $$ - Uptown
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Wine Shop, Outdoor Grille- $$ - F'burg Marigny & Bywater
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Jazz Club - $ - Uptown
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Jazz Bar - $ - F'burg Marigny & Bywater
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Jazz Venue - $$ - French Quarter
STAY-SEE-DO
ACTIVITIES
French Quarter
Historic, romantic, vibrant, and downright decadent, the French Quarter is many things –“boring” is not one of them
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Café Du Monde
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CityWalk/ Jackson Square
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Antique Shopping Royal Street
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Bourbon Street
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French Market
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Audubon Aquarium
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Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
Garden District
Home to NOLA’s rich and famous. The homes sit among ancient oak trees and picturesque streetcars. It is considered one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods
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Shop Along Magazine Street
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Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, (good starting point for discovering this neighborhood)
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Southern Food & Beverage Museum
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District Donut
Warehouse (Arts) District
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National World War II Museum
Bywater & Faubourg Marigny
Revitalized section of town downriver from the French Quarter is home to many small galleries, coffee shops, a new waterfront park and some of the best examples of Creole architecture and colorful homes in town. It’s the perfect place to see the city’s vibrant use of color
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Crescent Park
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Live Jazz on Frenchmen Street
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Frenchmen Street Night Art Market
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Cake Cafe, Bacchanal Wines, Bywater Bakery
Uptown
Great spot to relax and take a break and have incredible views of the Mississippi River
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Audubon Park (near Tulane, jogging path, picnic tables)
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The Fly (on the water and near the Audubon Zoo. It’s a local favorite)
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Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, Creole Creamery
Mid- City
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Bike around City Park
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New Orleans Museum of Art
Tours
Swamp Tour · Cemetery Tour · Haunted Mansion Tour · Witch Tours
HOTELS
The Roosevelt Hotel
★★★★
French Quarter
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W New Orleans
★★★★
Urban-chic in the heart of the French Quarter
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The Troubadour
★★★★★
Trendy boutique hotel with rooftop bar in CBD
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Ritz Carlton
★★★★★
French Quarter
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Hotel Monteleone
★★★★
Classic Luxury in the French Quarter
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The Soniat House
★★★★
Picturesque Southern-style townhouses in the French Quarter
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The Ace Hotel
★★★★
Boutique, hipster vibes with a poolside rooftop garden in the Arts District
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Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery
★★★★
19th-century warehouse turned boutique digs in the Arts District
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Royal Sonesta
★★★★
French Quarter
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SHOP
Exodus Goods
Womens, Gifts, French Quarter
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Nadine Blake
Gifts, Home, French Quarter
Krewe du Optic
Independent chic eyewear, French Quarter
Fifi Mahony’s
Funky wig shop, French Quarter
Porter Lyons
Jewelry, French Quarter
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United Apparel Liquidators
Designer discounts, French Quarter
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Re:Fresh
Mens streetwear, French Quarter
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Peony
Womens, Garden District
Tchoup Industries, DVRA, Disko Obscura
Gifts, Garden District
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Saint Claude Social Club
Womens, gifts, Garden District
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Monomin
Womens, Garden District
Hattie Sparks
Womens, Warehouse District
Stonefree
Womens Fashion, CBD
Defend
Gifts, Warehouse Districts
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Friend
Mens, Warehouse District
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Freda
Womens, Warehouse District
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Neon Heart
Womens, Mens, Uptown