Six Essential Experiences to Have on Your First Trip to New Orleans

There is no other city in the world quite like New Orleans. Take a mix of French, Spanish and Afro-Caribbean influences; add in some of the world’s best food, and a vibrant music scene and you get one of the most unique cities in the United States. While one can never fully know NOLA, you can certainly get to know New Orleans in a weekend and I’ve partnered with my friends at Hotels.com to share my tips to make your first trip to New Orleans one to remember. New Orleans is the kind of place that gets in your soul, and once you’ve experienced her joie de vive you’ll be longing to return again. Now as they say “laissez les bon temps rouler!”, or let the good times roll!

This post was sponsored by Hotels.com but all opinions remain my own.This post may contain affiliate links, when you make a purchase or book a hotel through these links the Casual Travelist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

Where to Stay in New Orleans

If you want easy access to everything New Orleans has to offer then staying in the French Quarter is a natural choice. The Hotel Monteleone exudes Creole elegance but even if you don’t stay here a drink at the Carousel Bar is a must. Another great choice is the Hotel Le Marais, a boutique property that is both modern and timeless. Near the French Quarter the Central Business District is also a good option. Check into the Intercontinental New Orleans for understated luxury or go for the Cambria Hotel, a modern yet comfortable hotel in New Orleans Warehouse District.

French Quarter

The distinctive architectural style of the French Quarter is reflective of its fascinating history and heritage. Spanish and French architectural styles blend with Caribbean influences to create the Creole style that dominates the French Quarter;  narrow streets flanked by colorful townhomes with lush greenery languidly draped over cast-iron balconies. While Bourbon Street may best be known as a party hotspot; I recommend  bypassing that and exploring the quiet elegance of Royal Street or the the boutiques and art galleries of Chartres Street .  Everyone from artists, and musicians to tourists and locals all can be found enjoying Jackson Square and the Spanish colonial beauty of St. Louis Cathedral.

Garden District

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In Uptown New Orleans the grand mansions of the Garden District comprise the country’s largest collection of antebellum architecture and you might even spot a celebrity or two (both Sandra Bulloch and John Goodman have homes here).. Lavish gardens, grand mansions and effusive Southern charm are the hallmarks of this uptown neighborhood. Stroll past the sumptuous and often whimsical antebellum mansions in the Garden District, enjoy a meal at the famed Commander’s Palace and be sure to explore Lafayette Cemetery for a look into how New Orleans continues to honor its past.

Food and Drink in New Orleans

If you like to eat and eat well then New Orleans is your kind of town. You can’t go wrong with a po’boy from Johnny’s( I recommend the fried oyster or alligator sausage po’boy for a true taste of NOLA); or go for a muffuletta, a giant sandwich stuffed with Italian meats, cheese and an olive salad (Central Market is the original and best).

Cocktails more your speed? New Orleans has you covered. The Crescent City lays claim to creating several classic cocktails, most notably the hurricane and Sazerac. The hurricane, a mix of rum, passionfruit, lime and orange juices finished with a splash of grenadine is best enjoyed at Pat O’Brien’s, a legendary piano bar in the French Quarter Head to the iconic Carousel Bar at the Hotel Montelone for one of the best Sazeracs in the city. The combination of rye whiskey (or bourbon), absinthe, Peychaud’s bitters and sugar was named New Orleans’ official cocktail in 2008.

Beignets at Café du Monde

A stop at Cafe du Monde is a must for any trip to New Orleans. The original cafe, located near the French Market, has been operating since 1862. Café du Monde does two things only and does them very well – beignets, square doughnuts covered in powdered sugar, and coffee laced with chicory served black or au lait. Lines to get your beignet fix can be long but move quickly. Take your beignets to go or grab a table and enjoy your bites of fried, airy deliciousness with a view of Jackson Square.

Mardi Gras

It’s a well known fact that New Orleans will throw a celebration for just about anything and every February New Orleans throws one of the best parties in the world-Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is the culmination of the Carnival season in New Orleans which starts on January 6; I recommend you get your party on during one of the many smaller local parades throughout January and February if you don’t want to deal with the massive crowds on Fat Tuesday. Miss Mardi Gras season completely but still want to be a part of the festivities? Stop by one of several Mardi Gras museums including Mardi Gras World, The Backstreet Cultural Museum and The Presbytère .

Experience NOLA’s Music Scene

Best known as the birthplace of jazz and Louis Armstrong, New Orleans more recently has inspired decades of soul, funk, rock and hip hop artists. Street musicians of all genres can be found on nearly every corner while brass bands(along with second line revelers) accompany traditional funerals and weddings. More than any other city music is woven into the very soul of New Orleans. Catch a jazz show at Preservation Hall, a New Orleans institution in the French Quarter that has been central to the promotion of traditional jazz since 1961. The Faubourg Marigny neighborhood is home to some amazing live music venues; some of the best can be found along Frenchmen Street including The Spotted Cat Music Club, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, and Blue Nile.

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