For Memorial Day Weekend, we are heading to New Orleans! I had been listening to Condé Nast Traveler’s Podcast, Travelogue, at the beginning of the year and they highlighted New Orleans as a place to go in 2018. New Orleans was founded 300 years ago so all year long the Big Easy has been celebrating its Tricentennial! I had been to NOLA in 2006, six months after Hurricane Katrina hit to do relief work with Volunteers of America, but have not had a chance to make it back since. Zach’s parents used to live in New Orleans and have raved about what a time they had. Decision made – we are heading to NOLA.
Whenever we travel to a new city, I do an obnoxious amount of research beforehand so I feel like I am somewhat familiar with the city when we arrive. I had heard of Mardi Gras and the Jazz Festival and of course the elaborate cemeteries and hauntings but had never really looked too extensively into what makes New Orleans so one-of-a-kind.
I thought it would be fun to do a little “Know before you go: New Orleans” post for others looking to head to New Orleans for the first time. If there are things that are missing that you think any traveler should know, please comment below!
NEW ORLEANS
Photos clockwise from top: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
Neighborhoods:
Map Courtesy of New Orleans Online
French Quarter
Warehouse/Arts District
Uptown
Central Business District (CBD)/Downtown
Garden District
Mid-City
Marigny and Bywater
Treme
Lake View/Lakefront
Algiers
Central City
Popular Spots to Visit:
Jackson Square
City Park
National WWII Museum
Bayou St. John
Crescent Park
New Orleans Museum of Art
Jazz Halls (Preservation Hall, Spotted Cat, Tipitina’s…)
Cemeteries (St. Louis 1, 2 & 3, Lafayette, St. Roch)
Haunted Spots (Pharmacy Museum, Lalaurie Mansion, The Sultan’s Palace, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop to name a few)
Classic New Orleans Foods:
Gumbo & Jambalaya
Po’boys
Oysters
Beignets
Pralines
Fried Chicken
Snoball
Classic New Orleans Cocktails:
Sazerac
Hurricane
Vieux Carre
Pimm’s Cup
French 75
Milk Punch
Ramos Gin Fizz
Creole vs Cajun (simplified):
Creole = “City”
Cajun = “Country”
Historical New Orleans Home Styles (click names for images):
Creole Cottage
Creole Townhouse
Greek Revival House
Shotgun House
Double Gallery House
Center Hall Cottage
Major Festivals:
Mardi Gras (January-February)
Bourbon Festival (March)
French Quarter Festival (April)
Jazz & Heritage Festival (last week of April)
New Orleans Food & Wine Festival (May)
New Orleans Oyster Fest (June)
Voodoo Art & Music Festival (October)
AND MANY MANY MORE – find a full and up-to-date list here
I can’t wait to get home and write up a post with all of my recommendations. For now, happy wandering!
