The ultimate travel guide to New Orleans, Louisiana
When you think of New Orleans, there are a few things that might come to mind — Bourbon St, beignets, Mardi Gras, and, of course, jazz.
For adventurous souls like ourselves, this guide is your ticket to getting the most out of your time in New Orleans. Enjoy these personally curated, up-to-date recommendations, featuring our favorite stays, restaurants, cafes, experiences and more, based on extensive research and personal experience!
In this free, in-depth travel guide, we’ll be covering:
Where to stay in New Orleans, Louisiana
Best dinner spots in New Orleans
Our favorite coffeeshops and bakeries in NOLA
Can’t-miss experiences while exploring New Orleans
Helpful tips while exploring The Big Easy
Are you planning a vacation to New Orleans? Leave your questions in the comment section at the end of this post, and we’ll do our best to answer them!
BEST HOTELS IN NEW ORLEANS
HENRY HOWARD HOTEL
Located in the Garden District, this building was built in 1867 and has since been renovated into an 18 room boutique hotel. Traditional meets modern with beautiful wood floors, high ceilings, large windows, four poster beds with metal posts, antique armoires, and fresh white cotton bedding. Beautiful white walls offer an airy escape, with a hint of brickwork throughout. Elegant steamboat wallpaper behind the bed and brass instruments on the walls add a local flair. The Henry Howard Hotel is a luxurious experience at a fair price.
MAISON DE LA LUZ
Previously a law office, each of the 67 rooms are styled in a manner reminiscent of Art Deco. High ceilings paired with rich decorative details and bold hues like deep blues, pale purple, and burnt oranges create a sort of regal feel. Bathrooms are tiled, with marble countertops and bespoke toiletries. But it’s the small details make this establishment stand out, such as the circular wood tables etched with zodiac signs, or serpent shower handles fixed to the glass doors. Maison De La Luz offers a private breakfast room for hotel guests, a living room for lounging or enjoying refreshments from the bar, and for pool access you can visit their sister brand across the street. This establishment, part of The Ace Hotel group, creates a unique atmosphere unlike anything else in New Orleans. It will certainly inspire your curiosity.
WHERE TO EAT IN NOLA
Molly’s Rise & Shine
Molly's Rise and Shine in New Orleans is a charming breakfast and brunch spot. Known for its creative twists on classic comfort food, this cozy diner is an ideal spot to start your day with a breakfast sandwich or fried chicken biscuit!
DOMILISE’S PO BOYS
You can’t visit New Orleans without trying a po boy, and Domilise’s Po Boys is a GEM! Don’t let the exterior of this dive fool you. Converted into a restaurant from a grandmothers garage, when you walk through the door, it might seem a little bare-bones. Grab a number, find a seat, and wait to be called up to place your order. If it’s especially busy, that could be up to an hour, but once you receive your delicious meal and portions big enough to share, you’ll have no regrets! Our recommendation: the shrimp po boy and a Barq’s root beer.
Turkey and the Wolf
Turkey and the Wolf, located in New Orleans, is a culinary gem that has made waves in the food scene with its inventive take on classic sandwiches and comfort food. Known for its playful atmosphere and bold flavors, the restaurant prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients to craft creative culinary concoctions like their fried bologna sandwich — a bologne sandwich with mayo, shredded lettuce, house-made hot mustard, and chips for added crunch — showcasing a blend of nostalgia and innovation that has garnered a loyal following of food enthusiasts.
CAFE DU MONDE
We will start off with a disclaimer that Cafe du Monde is definitely a tourist hotspot, but we still think you should go once for the experience. This open-air coffee shop is famous for their for their beignets and café au lait. While the lines are long, they move fairly quickly. If you plan on waiting for a table, a little bit of patience may be required, otherwise, there are plenty of spots in walking distance to sit down and people watch while you eat.
Costera
Bring a taste of the ocean to your table at Costera, a New Orleans Spanish restaurant and bar that brings a fresh take on coastal cuisine, blending local ingredients with international flavors. Highlighting Southern and Mediteranean influence, with a focus on local produce and Gulf seafood, the menu boasts an array of dishes elegantly crafted to showcase both bold and subtle tastes.
Saba
With influences that stem from the Middle East, the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean and Israel can be found throughout the menu at Saba. Reflecting moments where food and culture intersect, their signature hummus with spicy lamb ragu is served alongside fresh wood-fired pita bread, baked steps from the table, and is a crowd-favorite. This cuisine may not be what first comes to mind when you think of NOLA’s cajun-creole food scene, but if you want to mix it up a bit, it’s worth the stop!
K PAUL’S LOUISIANA KITCHEN
One of the most prominent restaurants in New Orleans, K-Pauls is located in the French Quarter. The late Chef Paul Prudhomme is famous for his impact not just on local cuisine, but culinary history. Fusing together Cajun and Creole, he was the inventor of blackened redfish and credited with the rise in popularity of cajun food. The blackening process is one you’ve likely heard of or even tried yourself, but until you’ve had it here, at its birthplace, you’ve not had an authentic version.
Update: Sadly, K-Pauls has permanently closed it’s doors.
Creole Creamery
A charming ice cream shop with three locations (Uptown, Lakeview, and Old Metairie), Creole Creamery in New Orleans handmakes their ice cream in small batches.
WHAT TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS
JACKSON SQUARE
A must-see while visiting New Orleans, Jackson Square is located just across the street from Cafe Du Monde. Right away you’re greeted by the Saint Louis Cathedral, one of the tallest and most recognized landmarks in the French Quarter. Past the park — a great place to sit down with your lunch and people watch — you’ll find live music from talented artists, street performers.
FRENCH QUARTER
The heart of New Orleans, the French Quarter is a vibrant and buzzing cultural hub, full of life. With so much to offer, no matter what you’re here for, there’s something for you — you’ll find beautiful architecture, shopping and outdoor markets, beignets, culture, ambiance, and charm! Whether you join a tour group or stroll at your pace, you’ll be hard-pressed not to have a good time.
FRENCHMAN ST
Bourbon Street is famous for it’s party-scene. If you’re looking for a night out drinking with friends, this might be for you, but stay safe and be aware of pick pockets, scammers, or petty thieves. If, like us, you prefer to avoid the sloppy drunks, loud tourists, and sweaty crowds, and instead find entertainment that’s a little less rowdy, the locals will tell you that Frenchman Street is the way to go. About a 15 minute walk away, it’s the epitome of NOLA, and you actually get to enjoy the bars, live music coming from every venue, jazz clubs featuring talented musicians, and authentic creole cuisine.
M.S. RAU
Essentially a high-end museum with artifacts available for sale at million dollar price tags, M.S. Rau has three floors of expertly curated antiques and collectables— from Napoleons desk, to the Popes Cross, Faberge, Monet, and more! Sure, most of us couldn’t afford what’s in here, but it’s absolutely worth spending an hour or two admiring. Not to mention, it’s a great opportunity for a break from the heat.
LAKE LAWN METAIRIE
New Orleans is well-known for their above-ground cemeteries, and visiting these monuments of mortality is a rite of passage for any visitor in this city. If you’re in need of a brief respite from sensory overload, take a short drive up the highway to Lake Lawn Metairie. You’ll be greeted with manicured lawns, flowing fountains, shaded crypts, peace and quiet. There’s even a butterfly garden. Entrance is free and parking is easy, but remember where you are and be respectful of this hallowed ground.
GARDEN DISTRICT
If a quiet stroll down the picturesque streets sounds like your cup of tea, get away from the hustle-and-bustle of downtown by visiting the Garden District. Home to historic architecture and beautiful mansions belonging to famous celebrities, ensure you don’t miss out by taking a guided walking tour! After you’ve seen the homes, stop by Lafayette Cemetery, also in the district, or the shops along Magazine St.
JAZZ CLUBS
When you think of New Orleans, there are a few things that might come to mind — Bourbon St, beignets, Mardi Gras, and, of course, jazz. It’s an integral part of New Orleans culture, and while here, it’s essential to dedicate at least one night to live music. D.B.A., Preservation Hall, Snugg Harbor, and Maple Leaf Bar are just a few of the most well-known jazz clubs in the area. Take a look on their websites to get a feel of their atmosphere or the bands playing. A cover charge might apply.
GHOST TOUR
With New Orleans rich history, it’s one of the best places for a ghost tour. For a spooky late-night activity, we recommend the Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Walking Tour, which ends around 10pm. The guides are not only incredible storytellers, but highly knowledgeable about local history, unsettling events and legends, and skilled at making each stop along the route come alive.
MARDI GRAS
Parades and floats. Elaborate masks. Costumes. King cakes. Music and decorations. Beads and throws. Purple, green, and gold. If you’re in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, there will be no shortage of excitement. This is the carnival New Orleans is known for.
NOLA Travel Tips
PARKING
Parking in the French Quarter can be difficult. Instead of wasting time trying to find a metered spot on the street, splurge on paid parking in the lot by the Steamboat Natchez.
DRIVING
You’ll find various speed cameras throughout the town so be mindful of your speed if you don’t want an added expense on your vacation. If you can, also avoid highway travel during rush hour.
CLIMATE
You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfy shoes! In addition, New Orleans is hot and humid, so make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to keep hydrated and prevent heat sickness.
Travel Photography
There is an undeniable link between travel, tourism and photography. A single image has the power to help visitors connect emotionally with your destination, and envision themselves immersed in your unique experiences — from charters and expeditions, to curated journeys and immersive travel experiences.
Tourism campaigns are a strategic promotional campaign designed to attract visitors to a specific destination — your destination. With our tourism photography services, our approach seeks not just to create a marketing strategy, but to celebrate the unique heritage and culture of your destination in a more authentic and meaningful way.
Let’s move your destination to the top of travelers’ bucket lists!
