New Orleans is still one of my favorite American cities. Since my first trip to NOLA in 2007, it’s been a place of great memories, music, and moments. I’ve visited for some major events; VooDoo Fest, an NFL football game, Halloween, and now for a Bachelorette. New Orleans is a laid back party town with amazing culture, food, and people! Below are some key places if you are going for your first time, but there are so many things to do in NOLA!
Key Tourist Spots:
Cafe Du Monde
A huge tourist spot, usually with a line, provides their famous beignets (picture above left and center). If you are meandering through the old Jackson square in the French Market, stop by for a coffee and what i call, "left over fried dough."
Pat O' Briens
Great place for day drinking in the courtyard or singing along with the dueling pianos at night! Home of the original Hurricane, this place is a NOLA staple (picture on the above right).
Bars and Restaurants on Bourbon:
Saints and Sinners
This is the perfect place for fun dining, especially for a bachelorette! The Pictures above are from Saints and Sinners, and everything was wonderful! The balcony was overlooking Bourbon Street and allowed our party to watch NOLA's electrifying atmosphere and we grabbed bottle service on the outdoor patio on Bourbon Street; which put us in the middle of all the excitement.
The Swamp
This place has a little bit of everything! Great deals on drinks before 9 (three for one), bull riding, giant Jenga, and a DJ with a hype man all day! This is a great spot for day drinking!
Erin Rose
Erin Rose is just off of Bourbon and has a variety of beverages including a great selection of Irish whiskey, excellent Bloody Marys made with a secret recipe, traditional hot Irish coffees, and an amazing Frozen Irish Coffee! This small neighborhood bar has a juke-box, and a great feel!
Airboat Adventures: Gator Tour
We were in a group of 14 so we decided to book the private tour which allowed us to bring a cooler for the ride. The airboat tour through the swamp was such an exciting experience - fun, beautiful, peaceful scenery, and GATORS! The tour was expertly led by our fabulous guide Corey! It is a little under $100 but well worth the time and money. Base the trip on the weather and pack a backpack: sunglasses, sweatshirt, hat and water; just in case.
