By Beth Doane and Kelly Gibbons
With 2018 right around the corner many have already started planning travel for the year to come. New Orleans remains a top trending destination and truly one of our favorite cities in the world so we wanted to share our list of top places to eat stay and play in incredible Nola! From the food to the music and the culture and history it has absolutely everything.
Here are a few of our top tips for planning your ultimate New Orleans experience.
Where to Stay
The Ritz Carlon
Set within the historic 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche building, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans retains the grace and charm of an antebellum mans. Guests of this French Quarter hotel have the advantage of staying near popular area attractions including Bourbon Street. The hotel is home to M Bistro, a farm to table dining experience, the largest destination spa in the city offering more than 100 treatments including the indigenous Voodoo Ritual, an outdoor courtyard, and Davenport Lounge where guests can sip on cocktails while enjoying live music by Grammy award winning musician, Jeremy Davenport. Guests can even book a private trumpet lesson with Jeremy himself! For guests wanting an elevated experience, book the Club Lounge, otherwise known as the Maison Orleans, which provides a ‘hotel within a hotel’ experience with separate entrance, and lounge serving cocktails and culinary offerings all day.
Where to Play
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is a street extending thirteen colorful blocks through the heart of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood, the French Quarter. Beginning from Canal to Esplanade Avenue, it’s known for its bars and clubs, but also provides insight of the vibrant city’s rich history. This monumental street dates back to 1798, when New Orleans was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, it is filled with historic venues, social tales, and iconic buildings that can’t be missed. From the Royal Sonesta Hotel dating back to 1721, to the luxurious Galatorie’s Restaurant that specializes in French Creole cuisine, every nook is worth seeing!
Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is a popular stomping ground for locals and tourists alike. Located on the corner of Bourbon Street and St. Phillip Street in a classic Creole cottage, following the old French Provincial Louis XV style used in French Louisiana. The building itself dates back to 1722 and is rumored to be where the Lafitte brothers opened a blacksmith shop to carry out their privateer efforts without being noticed. Combining a mixture of different cultures and customs, the walls of this restaurant and bar are full of legends and memories of old New Orleans.
Fritzel’s European Jazz Club
It’s no secret that New Orleans is the heart and home of jazz music. Every corner of Bourbon Street offers places to catch eclectic performances of jazz that would make you dance the night away. But if you’re looking for some authentic, old-fashioned jazz, visit Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub. The 200 year-old building hosts live traditional jazz performances seven days a week in a laid-back environment that is equally exciting and relaxing.
Where To Dine
Borgne
Borgne is one of the best places to eat local seafood in New Orleans. With a laid back, casual atmosphere that invites locals and tourists alike, the original menu celebrates coastal Louisiana cuisine with a touch of Isleño twist. Chef Brian Landry grew up fishing on Lake Borgne which sparked his lifelong dream of opening a restaurant that would become a staple of authentic coastal cuisine. From signature dishes including shrimp toast rissoles, oyster spaghetti and seafood stuffed flounder to varying $10 lunch plates every day of the week, your taste buds will never be disappointed. Whether you’re looking for a private dining experience, or grabbing $5 tapas during happy hour with your friends Borgne is at the top of the list for places to eat.
