Last November Ryan and I took a quick weekend trip to New Orleans and every day since, we've been dreaming of going back. Today i'm re-capping our trip, highlighting our favorite places to eat, things to do, and where we stayed.
Our hotel: The Astor Crowne Plaza was the perfect location for our stay in the French Quarter. Our hotel sat on the corner of Canal St. and the beginning of Bourbon, allowing us to be close enough to jump right into the exciting atmosphere yet keeping us far enough away to be able to sleep at night.
The Food: The food in NOLA was by far the best food I've ever had! From charbroiled oysters and BBQ shrimp to gumbo and Po Boys, everyday Ryan and I decided to try something new, really immersing ourselves into the cajun lifestyle.
Restaurants we loved:
- Desire Oyster Bar - Serves Cajun-Creole dishes and famous cocktails like Hurricanes! Get a window seat while you eat so you can have a view overlooking Bourbon.
- The Ruby Slipper - Famous for their brunch, the southern style dishes and strong mimosas were perfect for a late breakfast. Ryan ordered the shrimp and grits and I had the banana foster pain perdue, which were both soo good!
- Emeril's - If you're looking for more upscale dining, I would suggest any one of Emeril Lagasse's 3 restaurants located in New Orleans. Ryan ordered the duck and it fell right off the bone, it was delicious!
- Cafe Du Monde - When in NOLA you must try the beignets! The deep fried dough fritters are covered in powder sugar and served warm, you'll want to keep going back for more!
Touring the city was so exciting, the history and culture of the big easy filled the streets, giving us an authentic experience day in and day out. Below is a list of things we did while exploring the streets of the French Quarter!
The French Market: The market was my favorite part of the trip. Ryan and I ate our way through the multiple vendors, giving gator on a stick a try (it was so good!) and looked through a wall of hot sauces! From handmade crafts to local produce and authentic creole snacks to retail shopping, there's so much to do!
Jackson Square: A beautiful church stood tall in the center of Jackson Square surrounded by cute shops, restaurants and little vendors selling unique pieces of art sold by the locals.
Festivals: If you're heading to New Orleans check out what festivals are happening during your stay, there's always something going on! While we were there, we were able to check out the Gumbo festival in Armstrong park! It was by far the spiciest food I have ever had, but so delicious!
Frenchman Street: This street avoids the crazy crowds on Bourbon and offers peaceful soul music. The relaxed atmosphere is a great way to take a break and sip on a few drinks!
Voodoo Museum : Small but very informative, this museum is filled with facts and a variety of dolls! Believe it or not, the culture is trying to stray away from the dark magic behind the dolls and move towards positivity dolls.
