Eat your heart out!
NOLA’s food scene has blown up in the past few years. It is home to some of the world’s best cuisine and chefs. Below are some of the items you should try when you’re there:
- Alligator: is served a variety of ways and the fried alligator at Cochon, alligator cheesecake at Jacques Imo’s, and alligator sausage at Parkway Bakery or Oceana Grill have been perfected.
- Cajun food: is associated with traditional French techniques and local ingredients and resources that were at hand in the mid-1700s. Cochon and Mulates both serve Cajun.
- Turtle Soup is an iconic example. The best spot for this is Commander’s Palace and ideally a .25 cent martini to pair it with.
- Creole: emerged from French culinary practices as well, but a good rule of thumb for distinguishing the two is the use use of tomatoes. Antoine’s, Galatoire’s, and Arnaud’s serve traditional Creole cuisine.
- Jambalaya (with tomatoes) is offered at Coop’s Place or Mother’s
- Muffulettas or Po Boys: are two sandwiches that will be enough sustenance all day. For a traditional salami, ham, mortadella, olive salad and cheese on bread combo, Central Grocery or Cochon Butchery both get it right! On the other hand, a po boy or cheap “poor boy” sandwiches come in a sub-like roll and trend towards roast beef or shrimp. You won’t be disappointed with Guy’s Po-Boys, Parkway, Killer Poboys or Mahony’s Po-Boy Shop
- Beignet: Cafe du Monde reigns supreme, but New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co. has a competitor worthy version, or for a slightly crunchier beignet in a quaint shop, Cafe Beignet is a good spot…at the very least for beignet “research” purposes.
- Bananas Foster: was invented at Brennan’s in the 1950’s when NOLA served as the main port for bananas from Central and South Americas. The bananas are flambéed in dark rum and banana liqueur with sugar, and cinnamon and vanilla ice cream. Brennan’s still serves the original recipe – why mess with a good thing? For the sake of argument, Arnaud’s has its own version and the table side presentation thing down.
Drink the original cocktail
So many cocktails were created or perfected in New Orleans! From the laborious-to-make cocktails to the ones usually served in bright plastic goblets, there’s something for everyone. These are the cocktails to try in NOLA and best places to get them:
- Vieux Carre at the Carousel Bar
- Brandy Milk at Brennan’s
- Sazerac at The Sazerac in the Roosevelt Hotel or Bombay Club
- Ramos Gin Fizz at Tujague’s or The Sazerac in the Roosevelt Hotel
- French 75 at Arnaud’s French 75 Bar
- Grasshopper at Tujaque’s
- Or for something a bit stronger and a lot flashier, the Hand Grenade at Tropical Isle, a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s, and a Bourbon Punch at Bourbon House.
Listen to jazz
The bars along Frenchmen street, the world-famous Preservation Hall and the unique Bacchanal Wine are great places to start but don’t underestimate the power of some awesome street music performances.
People watch
There are some fantastic green spaces and public parks in NOLA. Take advantage of the natural beauty of the city…and the lack of open container laws! Sit and sip while watching the buzzing scene at Jackson Squre, City Park and Audubon Park.
Experience the Dark Side
- Walking through a “City of the Dead” NOLA cemetery is both eerie and fascinating. Since there are no underground burials in New Orleans, the above ground stone mausoleums and tombs resemble that of a marble city. The most famous tomb is that of Marie Laveau, a voodoo priestess who lived in New Orleans in the 19th century. People continue to seek her advice even in death. On another note, Nick Cage already has a pyramid mausoleum tomb ready to go!
- Because of NOLA’s history and older buildings, many establishments are said to be haunted, from restaurants like Muriel’s and Arnaud’s to the popular bar Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. It’s not unusual to find older homes with gruesome history in the French Quarter or Garden District, such as the The Lalaurie House. Landlords sometimes hang “Not Haunted” signs on For Sale/Rental properties.
- Voodoo was brought to New Orleans in the early 1700s, through African slaves and then infused with NOLA’s major religion to become a Voodoo-Catholicism hybrid. The objects associated with voodoo, or gris gris, can be found throughout the city to cast spells or ward off evil spirits.
Take a cablecar to the Garden District
The St. Charles Streetcar, the oldest in the world, will take you straight through the Garden District neighborhood, with custom homes built in the mid-1800s to early 1900s. The oak-shaded streets are famous for the historic mansions and lavish gardens of St. Charles Avenue, all located on the renowned Mardi Gras parade route.
Learn about the history
Go back in time, unlock the secrets and hear the tales of New Orlean’s history and culture with one of the many tours available. Understanding the stories behind the old mansions, the cemetery tombstones, dark past and haunted establishments, and distinctive cuisine will make you appreciate the city even more. Tours are often led by proud local residents and give a worthwhile glimpse into a fascinating past.
Have a water adventure
The Mississippi is the second longest river and brings giant paddlewheeler boats that offer 2-hour tours throughout the day with live jazz band and a Creole/Cajun buffet option. Or a short drive out of the city, tour companies offer unique swamp rides on boats or the faster fan-operated airboat. Otherwise, opt for a kayak tour to reach the more remote parts of the bayou surrounded by the incredible cypress trees and swamp wildlife.
