Beyond Bourbon Street: A Magical Seven Days Unveiled in New Orleans
New Orleans stands out as one of the most culturally rich cities in the U.S., and I’ve had it on my must-see list for ages, largely due to several beloved movies I adore.
Interview With the Vampire; A Streetcar Named Desire, The Princess and the Frog
), along with their L.A. friends who developed a fondness for it and relocated there. Many come to partake in the festivities.
Mardi Gras
In February—but the beads, alcohol, and tourists can sometimes eclipse some of the city’s warmth and charm.
Other occasions can also be used as reasons for planning trips.
Jazz Fest
Which has just concluded, for instance, but I decided to attend during
French Quarter Festival
, which highlights local music and cuisine. Nearly every prominent restaurant in the vicinity takes part, offering the area’s distinctive fare such as crawfish and po-boys—
Acme Oyster House
from alligator nuggets to beignets,
Café Du Monde
) and jambalaya—dropping into various parts of this specific event offers a multi-dimensional experience and taste of New Orleans’ cultural essence, making it a week I’ll always remember.
Quirky architectural designs merge French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences, ranging from vibrantly painted Creole townhouses to quaint “shotgun” houses adorned with Victorian elements. While Airbnb could be your initial choice for lodging, the service-oriented amenities provided by local hotels add an extra touch of luxury to your experience. Additionally, numerous casino-friendly establishments cater to visitors since gambling is permitted here, much like Las Vegas.
Caesars
and
Boomtown
being the most popular.
For my trip, the
One11 Hotel
It makes for an ideal selection. Located just beyond the boundaries of the French Quarter, this intimate boutique hotel occupies a building that dates back over a hundred years as a sugar factory. The property showcases original elements like exposed brickwork, wooden rafters, and substantial steel structures. Combining its historical industrial heritage with modern trends, it offers an excellent bar service, complete with happy hours, along with a continental breakfast each morning. Additionally, guests can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Mississippi River from the eighth-floor terrace.
New Orleans has always evoked vivid imagery and enticing experiences that captured my imagination. Voodoo, ghosts, cemeteries, swamps, the bayou, art, music, bars—all these are part of my bucket list. I begin with exploring historical burial grounds—the
Metairie Cemetery
, where
Vampire
Author Anne Rice lies within an exquisite mausoleum adorned with stunning stained glass, and the
Greenwood Cemetery
, showcasing numerous historical Civil War memorials. Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau rests in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the city’s oldest burial site and often regarded as New Orleans’ most haunted location. In line with all things eerie, voodoo dolls serve as quirky keepsakes; I find some excellent examples at the
Voodoo Museum
and
Voodoo Authentica
, which also sells various mystical merchandise.
In the French Quarter, along Magazine Street and within the Garden District, numerous distinctive family-owned stores and intriguing facades invite you at every turn. Taking a stroll through these areas reveals their charm.
Hotel Saint Vincen
t
exposes a traditional Southern Gothic setting along with two themed drinking areas, one characterized by its reddish ambiance and sultry vibe, and another marked by its vibrant green tones and welcoming atmosphere.
Regarded as the cradle of jazz, New Orleans could boast having the highest concentration of musicians relative to its population compared to any place globally. To truly experience its musical essence firsthand, make sure to stop by.
Preservation Hall
, where local legends go to jam. In general, though, NOLA residents steer clear of Bourbon Street and go to bars on Frenchman Street.
Additionally, in the Garden District, you can find
Tipitina’s
known for Cajun and Zydeco music along with fais do-do dancing; and the
Maple Leaf
,
not far from Tulane University, which also draws a college crowd. There are also street players everywhere, including the
French Market
, a farmers market for locals and tourists alike with food, art and activities.
A visit to the
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
reflects the city’s spirit as well, with an impressive showcase of international and local works, including, through Aug. 10, “New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations,” a collection that feels very Mardi Gras-adjacent in terms of costuming and pageantry. I also recommended the
Besthoff Sculpture Garden
At the museum grounds, enjoy a delightful and visually striking walk among numerous statues.
When the Super Bowl took place
Caesars Superdome
(Home of the New Orleans Saints) In February, NOLA received significant focus, particularly for its culinary landscape. An elegant French restaurant caught many eyes.
Lilette
This is where Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift shared a romantic evening out, inspiring my partner and me to do the same, savoring the delicious steaks and charming ambiance of this upscale restaurant.
The following evening, the vintage atmosphere at
Brennan’s
In the Quarter suits me perfectly. This eatery, decorated in shades of pink and green, is famous for inventing the legendary Bananas Foster dessert. The tabletop demonstration and history lesson are thrillingly flamboyant. It’s also where I found one of my most cherished culinary surprises, the
Vampire Apothecary
, creates an enchanting dining experience with tasty sandwiches and calming tea beverages amidst alluring décor featuring dried flowers and mystical natural elements. New Orleans classics such as fiery beet-pickled eggs are paired with Vampire brand tea to complement the meal.
Additionally, worthy of mention but not included here are:
Deanie’s Seafood
in the section dedicated to crawfish;
Commander’s Palace
,
which nurtured chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse and is renowned for its weekend Jazz Brunch and 25-cent martinis on certain weekdays;
Antoine’s
founded in 1840, this is the city’s oldest restaurant; and
Algiers Central Market
, known for the muffaletta, an Italian sandwich featuring round sesame-seed bread filled with cured meats, provolone and mozzarella cheese, topped with a zesty olive salad spread.
In New Orleans, consuming alcohol in public spaces is permitted, which you can observe prominently along Bourbon Street through the use of disposable drink containers, frequently stemming from establishments.
Pat O’Brien’s
,
which created the notorious Hurricane. (Cannabis, though, is still illegal.) But beyond touristy takeout sippers, a bar tour is a must, whether you’re looking for dive vibes or award-winning mixology.
Jewel of the South
, which received the James Beard Foundation’s accolade for top bar program, has an appropriately chosen name, while
Latitude 29
, creates the most delicious tiki beverages in town, crafted by the master of tropical mixology — Beachbum Berry. For a gritty ambiance, the locals flock here.
The Dungeon
,
a dark hovel with a heavy metal soundtrack,
Holy Diver
with live music and campy themes nightly, and
The Saint
,
a gritty and gregarious hangout with a free jukebox that rocks, which is where I end the whirlwind week.
Everything seems to pass much too quickly, and I still find myself captivated by the city’s charm, which will probably draw me back before long. For now, consider these additional notes about the Big Easy for your future visit, listed below.
Airboat Adventures
– Take a close-up and intimate tour of the nearby swamps and alligators!
Street Cars
– Similar to San Francisco’s cable cars, they offer an exhilarating and spontaneous means of navigating the city. (The St. Charles line is the one featured in)
A Streetcar Named Desire
).
City Park
– Family fun with botanical gardens, rides and more.
The National
WWII Museum
– All the knowledge and sights of World War II condensed into an astonishing, multi-building complex.
Hansen’s Sno-Bliz
– You’ll experience the most velvety sno-cones here, which will definitely induce a brain freeze. All the regulars come to this spot. Be prepared for a lengthy queue.
Drive-Thru Daiquiris
– You’ll find numerous walk-up locations, but if you want a quick chill in your vehicle, opt for a drive-thru instead.
A version of this story was published in the May Travel edition.
Los Angeles
magazine, on stands now.
Check out the photo gallery below for images of all the items discussed earlier and even more. (Photos 1-14 by)
Lina Lecaro
; photo 15-37 courtesy
Visit New Orleans
.
original article