New Orleans
A perfect day in New Orleans
H
ome to scores of jazz music, a plethora of history and piles of mouth-
watering treats. New Orleans is a true melting pot of cultures and has
an enchanting atmosphere. Try all the classic New Orleans flavours –
beignets, po boys, gumbo and jambalaya all whilst listening to some toe
tapping jazz or blues. New Orleans is a vibrant, buzzing, history laden
city and is a fantastic place to spend some time.
Start the day by wandering through the French Quarter, it is only a 13
block by seven block area and the buildings are just gorgeous. There are
many different styles of architecture blending Spanish, French, Creole
and American styles together with walled courtyards, intricate cast iron
balconies, cottages, mansions and lots of bright colours.
Jackson Square is the central point of the French Quarter, and has plenty
of buskers and artists selling their works all around the square and just
across the street is the famous Café du Monde. Opened in 1862 it is famous
for its beignets and chickory coffee, this is all they sell and there is often a
queue, even though it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You will also want to explore the Garden District, this is a gorgeous part
of town, full of beautiful old mansions, with lovely gardens. You can
easily get to the Garden District by street car, it’s a fun way to get around
the city.
In the evening you will be ready to hear some music! Bourbon Street is
the famous central street that has many bars and music venues and this
is party central. If you prefer something a bit more low key, then head
to Frenchmen Street. Just a 10 minute walk from the heart of French
Quarter, there are two blocks of great live music venues.
Our favourite places to stay:
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Wyndham French Quarter
Maison Dupuy Hotel
Hotel Monteleone
Our favourite things to see and do
Cooking Schools – If you’re interested in the local food then this is a
great way to not only learn how to make the local delicacies but to also
learn about the history of the food and culture.
Royal Street – Running parallel to Bourbon Street it’s bursting with
boutiques, art galleries, antique stores and restaurants.
Walking or Biking Tours – These are a great way to learn about the
fascinating history of the city and to see some little hidden gems you may
not find on your own.
Cemeteries – Some of the cemeteries in New Orleans are also tourist
attractions with their elaborate crypts and mausoleums. St Louis
Cemetery #1 and Lafayette Cemetery #1 are the most popular.
World War II Museum – This museum is consistently rated as the top
thing to do in New Orleans and is an incredible interactive museum.
Mardi Gras World – This gives you a great history of the Mardi Gras, you
can even watch artisans making the floats.
Preservation Hall – This is an amazing 45 minute acoustic show in an
historic, intimate venue in the French Quarter. It’s been around since 1961
and has three shows most nights, you need to queue as it’s first-in-first-
served or there are very limited seats on a pre-sale basis.
Swamp Tours – Head out to the nearby swampland (bayou) where
you’ll go by boat into the bayou. Cruise along checking out the wildlife
(including alligators) and flora and hear about the Cajun history.
Plantation Home Tours – Within an hour’s drive of the city you can see
a number of beautiful plantation homes. Some of the most famous ones
are Laura Plantation, a creole style home with a fascinating family history
and Oak Alley Plantation. This stunning mansion is in a very picturesque
location at the end of an oak liked drive.
Local Delicacies – Food in Louisiana is different to anywhere else in
the U.S. The Creole and Cajun food is prevalent on menus in all levels
of restaurants and you will see things such as crawfish etouffee, gumbo,
jambalaya, mufulettas and po-boys.