New Orleans is not for the faint of heart. Before I visited i had no idea how much energy and craziness this small city inspires. From a gorgeous old town to incredible jazz to cheap oysters, New Orleans does everything amazingly well. My advice is to go for a weekend, it will give you enough time to see everything and leave you with just enough energy to make it through the following week. We opted for a weekend just before Mardi Gras to avoid the craze, but we still experienced some parades. The city is pretty small so you can get a lot done in a weekend and commuting between different parts is easy and cheap by uber. What are your favorite places in this vibrant town?
Where to Stay
Catahoula Hotel - prettiest boutique hotel
Ace Hotel - one stop shop in CBD with a great restaurant and several bars and a rooftop pool
What to Eat
Sylvain - beautiful backyard dining with great takes on southern food
Compere Lapin - amazing comfort food brunch
Shaya - Israeli food worth the trek
Josephine Estelle - stunning Italian inside the Ace Hotel
Balise - a meat lover's dream dinner
Willa Jean - best pastries and brunch
Cafe du Monde - obviously, beignets (go at night to avoid the crowds)
Where to listen to Jazz
Bacchanal - buy wine and cheese and enjoy in their backyard with jazz
Preservation Hall - incredible experience in one of New Orleans' oldest jazz halls
Fritzel's European Jazz Club - fun little jazz club on Bourbon Street
Where to Drink
Arnauld's French 75 - obviously go for the French 75
Seaworthy - amazing oysters and daiquiris
The Sazerac Bar - have the sazerac, but don't stick around too long it's a little stuffy
Cane and Table - eclectic drinks menu
Elysian Seafood - grab a plate of oysters and get drinks from the surrounding venues
