Guidebook for New Orleans
Food Scene
A four-block walk from my place, located right on the streetcar line.
Sells mixed drinks during Mardi Gras.
Tasty coffee/tea + breakfast/lunch options, along with seriously good baked goods.
Selection of craft beer/wine available.
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Gracious Bakery
2854 St Charles AveA four-block walk from my place, located right on the streetcar line.
Sells mixed drinks during Mardi Gras.
Tasty coffee/tea + breakfast/lunch options, along with seriously good baked goods.
Selection of craft beer/wine available.
Really great breakfast/brunch spot complete with healthy options (“good cat”) and unhealthy options (“bad cat”).
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Delicious coffee and tea beverages that they make in house.
Tell them Rachel sent you – I was one of their first ever customers!
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BEARCAT CAFE UPTOWN
2521 Jena StReally great breakfast/brunch spot complete with healthy options (“good cat”) and unhealthy options (“bad cat”).
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Delicious coffee and tea beverages that they make in house.
Tell them Rachel sent you – I was one of their first ever customers!
Amazing daily happy hour special (4pm - 6:30pm). 50¢ raw oysters, $3 house wine/beer, and 2 for 1 frozen drinks.
Go on the earlier side and grab the first seat you see!
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Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar
4338 Saint Charles AvenueAmazing daily happy hour special (4pm - 6:30pm). 50¢ raw oysters, $3 house wine/beer, and 2 for 1 frozen drinks.
Go on the earlier side and grab the first seat you see!
My vote for best happy hour in New Orleans (Tues - Fri, 4:00 - 6:30pm). Restaurant has nice outdoor space and looks over Lake Pontchartrain; you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to a beach town! 60¢ raw oysters, $1 chargrilled oysters, $5 fried okra, and good drink specials.
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The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar
7900 Lakeshore DrMy vote for best happy hour in New Orleans (Tues - Fri, 4:00 - 6:30pm). Restaurant has nice outdoor space and looks over Lake Pontchartrain; you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to a beach town! 60¢ raw oysters, $1 chargrilled oysters, $5 fried okra, and good drink specials.
Humble Bagel
4716 Freret StTasty bagels that potentially rival NYC bagels :)
Best place for po boys!
Dressed usually means with lettuce, tomato, and pickle; undressed is plain.
If the line is out the door, grab a seat at the bar. You can order food and drinks at the bar, and eat there. Either way, the line is worth the wait.
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Parkway Bakery & Tavern
538 Hagan AveBest place for po boys!
Dressed usually means with lettuce, tomato, and pickle; undressed is plain.
If the line is out the door, grab a seat at the bar. You can order food and drinks at the bar, and eat there. Either way, the line is worth the wait.
Best pizza in the city
They also have some pasta and salad dishes, and some beers on tap.
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Pizza Delicious
617 Piety StBest pizza in the city
They also have some pasta and salad dishes, and some beers on tap.
The place for beignets (think funnel cake only smaller) and a café au lait!
It is open 24-hr, and is cash only.
If the line for a table is long, head to the take out window. Find a bench along the river and enjoy!
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Cafe Du Monde French Market
800 Decatur StreetThe place for beignets (think funnel cake only smaller) and a café au lait!
It is open 24-hr, and is cash only.
If the line for a table is long, head to the take out window. Find a bench along the river and enjoy!
Classic NOLA spot for snoballs (aka snow cones)
Line can be long, but it will be worth it
Local tip: get condensed milk on your snoball!
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Hansen's Sno-Bliz
4801 Tchoupitoulas StClassic NOLA spot for snoballs (aka snow cones)
Line can be long, but it will be worth it
Local tip: get condensed milk on your snoball!
Best fried chicken in the city. This is my mom’s favorite lunch spot; we go every time she visits. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Willie Mae's Scotch House
Best fried chicken in the city. This is my mom’s favorite lunch spot; we go every time she visits. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Tasty bagels that potentially rival NYC bagels :) Near the Greenway - take a stroll and enjoy your breakfast!
Flour Moon Bagels
Tasty bagels that potentially rival NYC bagels :) Near the Greenway - take a stroll and enjoy your breakfast!
My favorite NOLA coffee chain! Less than a mile from the house. If you're into chai tea, get one!
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French Truck Coffee
1200 Magazine StMy favorite NOLA coffee chain! Less than a mile from the house. If you're into chai tea, get one!
Drinks & Nightlife
Low-key bar with outdoor seating within walking distance of the house.
Good for a beer or an unpretentious well drink-- very reasonably priced.
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Verret's Lounge
1738 Washington AveLow-key bar with outdoor seating within walking distance of the house.
Good for a beer or an unpretentious well drink-- very reasonably priced.
Swanky, NOLA-inspired rooftop bar of the Pontchartrain Hotel. Great views of downtown skyline & tasty cocktails.
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Hot Tin
2031 St Charles AveSwanky, NOLA-inspired rooftop bar of the Pontchartrain Hotel. Great views of downtown skyline & tasty cocktails.
Frenchmen is a four block area in the Marigny right next to the French Quarter. It used to be just a local scene for music, but now you can catch both locals and tourists there enjoying the music. The Frenchmen area has become an extension of the French Quarter. You can reliably show up there at any time of day and there will be live music.
Music venues include: d.b.a, Blue Nile, Café Negril, 30/90, Apple Barrel, Bamboula’s and a few others.
Most are free to get in. Tip the band if you like them!
There is also a great art market in this area too.
Note: Bourbon Street is intentionally left off this list because locals don’t spend too much time on Bourbon! Locals much prefer Frenchmen Street!
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Frenchmen Street
Frenchmen is a four block area in the Marigny right next to the French Quarter. It used to be just a local scene for music, but now you can catch both locals and tourists there enjoying the music. The Frenchmen area has become an extension of the French Quarter. You can reliably show up there at any time of day and there will be live music.
Music venues include: d.b.a, Blue Nile, Café Negril, 30/90, Apple Barrel, Bamboula’s and a few others.
Most are free to get in. Tip the band if you like them!
There is also a great art market in this area too.
Note: Bourbon Street is intentionally left off this list because locals don’t spend too much time on Bourbon! Locals much prefer Frenchmen Street!
Essentials
Located 0.6 mile away at St. Charles & Louisiana Ave, this is an upscale, Whole Foods-type grocery store chain. Lots of organic options. Great for high-quality produce, snacks, or prepared lunch items. Great selection of wine and beer - alcohol is located on second floor.
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The Fresh Market
3338 St Charles AveLocated 0.6 mile away at St. Charles & Louisiana Ave, this is an upscale, Whole Foods-type grocery store chain. Lots of organic options. Great for high-quality produce, snacks, or prepared lunch items. Great selection of wine and beer - alcohol is located on second floor.
Located 0.9 mile away at Magazine & Pleasant St.), this is a locally-owned, small grocery chain. Standard grocery store items. Good selection of alcohol.
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Breaux Mart on Magazine
3233 Magazine StLocated 0.9 mile away at Magazine & Pleasant St.), this is a locally-owned, small grocery chain. Standard grocery store items. Good selection of alcohol.
Largest grocery store in a two-mile radius. Located 1.6 miles from the house.
This is another locally-owned grocery chain with good produce and prepared foods. As always, great selection of alcohol.
Pro-tip: Rouses boils their own seafood in their stores. They have really good crawfish in season (~March - June) at a decent price. Check out seafood section for other tasty items, too.
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Rouses Market
400 N Carrollton AveLargest grocery store in a two-mile radius. Located 1.6 miles from the house.
This is another locally-owned grocery chain with good produce and prepared foods. As always, great selection of alcohol.
Pro-tip: Rouses boils their own seafood in their stores. They have really good crawfish in season (~March - June) at a decent price. Check out seafood section for other tasty items, too.
Walmart Supercenter
1901 Tchoupitoulas St1.8 miles from the house.
Located 2 blocks up and one block over from our house. All convenience store items plus full refrigerated beer/alcohol selection. It’s also a meat market so you can get fried chicken and other deli items at the counter in the back.
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Red Zone Meat Market
2733 Baronne StLocated 2 blocks up and one block over from our house. All convenience store items plus full refrigerated beer/alcohol selection. It’s also a meat market so you can get fried chicken and other deli items at the counter in the back.
Get your favorite Starbucks items 0.8 mile away while also checking out the Garden District. After getting your coffee/tea, take a stroll down Magazine St in either direction to check out local stores and restaurants!
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Starbucks
2801 Magazine StGet your favorite Starbucks items 0.8 mile away while also checking out the Garden District. After getting your coffee/tea, take a stroll down Magazine St in either direction to check out local stores and restaurants!
Getting Around
Our house and neighborhood (Central City) is centrally located to many New Orleans attractions. If you walk 4 blocks to St. Charles, you can hop on the streetcar ($1.25 per ride or $3 day pass) and check out the iconic street with grand houses and oak trees! You can head downtown (toward the French Quarter) or uptown (toward Tulane) on the street car.
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Saint Charles Avenue
Saint Charles AvenueOur house and neighborhood (Central City) is centrally located to many New Orleans attractions. If you walk 4 blocks to St. Charles, you can hop on the streetcar ($1.25 per ride or $3 day pass) and check out the iconic street with grand houses and oak trees! You can head downtown (toward the French Quarter) or uptown (toward Tulane) on the street car.
Blue Bikes is the name of our city-wide bikeshare program. There are two bike kiosks close to our house - 1832 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd and 1530 Jackson Ave. Hourly renting is currently priced at $8 per bike. Monthly renting is $15. Google Bike Easy for protected bike lanes. Be aware that New Orleans loves a good pothole, so be sure to pay attention and wear a helmet!
1832 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
1832 Oretha Castle Haley BoulevardBlue Bikes is the name of our city-wide bikeshare program. There are two bike kiosks close to our house - 1832 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd and 1530 Jackson Ave. Hourly renting is currently priced at $8 per bike. Monthly renting is $15. Google Bike Easy for protected bike lanes. Be aware that New Orleans loves a good pothole, so be sure to pay attention and wear a helmet!
Parks & Nature
Check out the swamp on foot! If you want to see snakes and alligators while taking an easy hike through a cypress swamp and along a bayou, this is the place for you.
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Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve French Quarter Visitor Center
419 Decatur StCheck out the swamp on foot! If you want to see snakes and alligators while taking an easy hike through a cypress swamp and along a bayou, this is the place for you.
Outdoor hang out spot along the river adjacent to the Audubon Zoo.
Great spot to enjoy a beautiful day.
Grab a daiquiri, play Frisbee, or just hang out by the river.
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The Fly
Outdoor hang out spot along the river adjacent to the Audubon Zoo.
Great spot to enjoy a beautiful day.
Grab a daiquiri, play Frisbee, or just hang out by the river.
Home to beautiful old growth live oak trees, the New Orleans Art Museum, the Botanical Gardens, and lots of other things.
Free sculpture garden adjacent to the art museum that we love, or you can just stroll around through the oaks.
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City Park
1 Palm DrHome to beautiful old growth live oak trees, the New Orleans Art Museum, the Botanical Gardens, and lots of other things.
Free sculpture garden adjacent to the art museum that we love, or you can just stroll around through the oaks.
This is relatively new park, and it stretches from the back of the Bywater all the way to the back of the French Quarter.
There are three entrances:
Entrance at the end in the Bywater near Alvar St. with parking lot (conveniently located near the Joint, BJ’s, and Vaughn’s).
The middle entrance with a parking lot (conveniently near Markey’s and Pizza Delicious).
An elevator and stairway near Elysian Fields (conveniently located near Frenchmen St. and the French Quarter).
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Crescent Park
2300 N Peters StThis is relatively new park, and it stretches from the back of the Bywater all the way to the back of the French Quarter.
There are three entrances:
Entrance at the end in the Bywater near Alvar St. with parking lot (conveniently located near the Joint, BJ’s, and Vaughn’s).
The middle entrance with a parking lot (conveniently near Markey’s and Pizza Delicious).
An elevator and stairway near Elysian Fields (conveniently located near Frenchmen St. and the French Quarter).
Arts & Culture
Several galleries are located on Julia St., and there is a monthly art walk (see website). The Contemporary Arts Center and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art are also close by.
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Julia Street
Julia StreetSeveral galleries are located on Julia St., and there is a monthly art walk (see website). The Contemporary Arts Center and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art are also close by.
New Orleans is home to the Higgins boat, the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in many WWII battles.
Interesting exhibits and great IMAX movie!
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Museo Nazionale della Seconda Guerra Mondiale
945 Magazine StNew Orleans is home to the Higgins boat, the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in many WWII battles.
Interesting exhibits and great IMAX movie!
A series of museums and historic homes located at multiple addresses in the French Quarter.
The main building is free, and full of great historical information about the city. It closes at 4:30.
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The Historic New Orleans Collection
410 Chartres StA series of museums and historic homes located at multiple addresses in the French Quarter.
The main building is free, and full of great historical information about the city. It closes at 4:30.
In our opinion, this is the only plantation tour worth taking, as the guided tour centers around the lives and perspectives of enslaved laborers who toiled in Louisiana. If you visit other plantations, this history is largely ignored.
It’s about a 50 minute drive west of the city; note that you can get an Uber there, but probably not back, so it’s best to drive yourself or set up transportation through a tour company.
Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended, as the only way to visit is through a guided tour. It’s worth the $22 admission charge.
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Whitney Plantation
5099 LA-18In our opinion, this is the only plantation tour worth taking, as the guided tour centers around the lives and perspectives of enslaved laborers who toiled in Louisiana. If you visit other plantations, this history is largely ignored.
It’s about a 50 minute drive west of the city; note that you can get an Uber there, but probably not back, so it’s best to drive yourself or set up transportation through a tour company.
Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended, as the only way to visit is through a guided tour. It’s worth the $22 admission charge.
The famous French/New Orleans artist, Simon (pronounced See-moan"), has his gallery here. His typography and art are seen across the city. Pick up a magnet or a sweet wood-mounted poster.
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Antiques on Jackson
1028 Jackson AveThe famous French/New Orleans artist, Simon (pronounced See-moan"), has his gallery here. His typography and art are seen across the city. Pick up a magnet or a sweet wood-mounted poster.
In my opinion, this is the only plantation tour worth taking, as the guided tour centers around the lives and perspectives of enslaved laborers who toiled in Louisiana. If you visit other plantations, this history is largely ignored.
It’s about a 50 minute drive west of the city; note that you can get an Uber there, but probably not back, so it’s best to drive yourself or set up transportation through a tour company.
Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended, as the only way to visit is through a guided tour. It’s worth the $23 admission charge.
70 persone del luogo consigliano
Whitney Plantation
5099 LA-18In my opinion, this is the only plantation tour worth taking, as the guided tour centers around the lives and perspectives of enslaved laborers who toiled in Louisiana. If you visit other plantations, this history is largely ignored.
It’s about a 50 minute drive west of the city; note that you can get an Uber there, but probably not back, so it’s best to drive yourself or set up transportation through a tour company.
Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended, as the only way to visit is through a guided tour. It’s worth the $23 admission charge.
New Orleans is home to the Higgins boat, the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in many WWII battles.
Interesting exhibits and great IMAX movie!
804 persone del luogo consigliano
Museo Nazionale della Seconda Guerra Mondiale
945 Magazine StNew Orleans is home to the Higgins boat, the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in many WWII battles.
Interesting exhibits and great IMAX movie!
The famous French/New Orleans artist, Simon (pronounced See-moan"), has his gallery here. His typography and art are seen across the city. Pick up a magnet or a sweet wood-mounted poster.
14 persone del luogo consigliano
Antiques on Jackson
1028 Jackson AveThe famous French/New Orleans artist, Simon (pronounced See-moan"), has his gallery here. His typography and art are seen across the city. Pick up a magnet or a sweet wood-mounted poster.
Sightseeing
Frenchmen is a four block area in the Marigny right next to the French Quarter. It used to be just a local scene for music, but now you can catch both locals and tourists there enjoying the music. The Frenchmen area has become an extension of the French Quarter.
Music venues include: d.b.a, Blue Nile, Café Negril, 30/90, Apple Barrel, Bamboula’s and a few others.
Most are free to get in, but you are supposed to buy a drink. Tip the band if you like them – they aren’t making money off of cover charges or ticket sales.
There is also a great art market in this area too.
655 persone del luogo consigliano
Frenchmen Street
Frenchmen is a four block area in the Marigny right next to the French Quarter. It used to be just a local scene for music, but now you can catch both locals and tourists there enjoying the music. The Frenchmen area has become an extension of the French Quarter.
Music venues include: d.b.a, Blue Nile, Café Negril, 30/90, Apple Barrel, Bamboula’s and a few others.
Most are free to get in, but you are supposed to buy a drink. Tip the band if you like them – they aren’t making money off of cover charges or ticket sales.
There is also a great art market in this area too.
The Garden District was a former town called Lafayette, which was annexed by the City. The area used to be owned by a couple and was a plantation. The couple divorced, and the plantation was developed into what is now one of the most popular and high-end neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Walk the blocks between Washington Street and Jackson Ave, and between Magazine St. and Prytania St. There is a Starbucks on the corner of Washington and Magazine, and bars along magazine. Grab a drink and take a walk. Many of the homes are beautiful and historic.
There is also a cemetery (Lafayette Cemetery #1) on Washington St. across from Commander’s Palace.
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Garden District
The Garden District was a former town called Lafayette, which was annexed by the City. The area used to be owned by a couple and was a plantation. The couple divorced, and the plantation was developed into what is now one of the most popular and high-end neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Walk the blocks between Washington Street and Jackson Ave, and between Magazine St. and Prytania St. There is a Starbucks on the corner of Washington and Magazine, and bars along magazine. Grab a drink and take a walk. Many of the homes are beautiful and historic.
There is also a cemetery (Lafayette Cemetery #1) on Washington St. across from Commander’s Palace.
The Garden District was a former town called Lafayette, which was annexed by the City. The area used to be owned by a couple and was a plantation. The couple divorced, and the plantation was developed into what is now one of the most popular and high-end neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Walk the blocks between Washington Street and Jackson Ave, and between Magazine St. and Prytania St. There is a Starbucks on the corner of Washington and Magazine, and bars along magazine. Grab a drink and take a walk. Many of the homes are beautiful and historic.
There is also a cemetery (Lafayette Cemetery #1) on Washington St. across from Commander’s Palace.
260 persone del luogo consigliano
Garden District
The Garden District was a former town called Lafayette, which was annexed by the City. The area used to be owned by a couple and was a plantation. The couple divorced, and the plantation was developed into what is now one of the most popular and high-end neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Walk the blocks between Washington Street and Jackson Ave, and between Magazine St. and Prytania St. There is a Starbucks on the corner of Washington and Magazine, and bars along magazine. Grab a drink and take a walk. Many of the homes are beautiful and historic.
There is also a cemetery (Lafayette Cemetery #1) on Washington St. across from Commander’s Palace.