Things I learned during my first visit to New Orleans:
1. It's its own little pocket of culture. The city as a whole has an atmosphere that is unlike anywhere I've ever been. I get why people love it.
2. "Ay baybeh" will never sound as adorable coming from a man who was born and raised in NOLA.
3. Catching an Uber to or from anywhere in/near the French Quarter will take just as long as it would take you to walk there. Save your coin.
4. Because of number 3, even if you're not trying, you will get anywhere from 18,000 to 20,000 steps in a single day.
5. Bacon and Shrimp Bloody Mary's are a thing.
6. Having a hurricane with your breakfast is acceptable. Nobody judges your meal accompaniment choices.
7. There's really no point in bringing your DSLR along. With all the walking and darting in and out of different establishments, you won't take nearly as many pictures as anticipated.
8. There's a little slice of Atlanta in these streets.
9. People are incredibly helpful and willing to give directions. Locals know where to find exactly what you're looking for.
10. Bourbon Street is for the bars and the booze. Frenchman street is for the live music lover.
11. The view from a French Quarter apartment is amazing.
12. If the Yelp Review only has a 3-star average, don't take a chance and try it anyway just because you're getting hangry. Tough it out and wait in line at a 4+ star establishment. Otherwise you probably won't finish your meal out of dissatisfaction. (I'm looking at you, The Praline Connection.)
12. When you're the most sober person of your group of friends, the nightlife doesn't come close to being all it's cracked up to be.
13. BUT, if you can find a spot with a good live band, you can get a good musical buzz going.
14. Musicians really can play those horns in New Orleans!
15. A weekend is really all you need in the city. Nothing more, nothing less.
I love all the photos and bullet points, definitely makes me want to book a trip in the near future. I do think I've been before, I don't quite remember, but not in terms of a vacation or anything. And my favorite bloggers keep putting it on my radar so...I'll have to find a way to make that happen as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteIt was on my radar HARD but still wasn't a place I had the urge to visit for some reason. If a friend hadn't arranged this trip for her birthday, I'd probably still have it on my "eventually" list. Glad I went though. You'd love all the live music, for sure.
DeleteLove to see travel pictures!!! I stay around here, amazing blog!!!
ReplyDeletewww.lacaleya.com
Thanks, darling!
DeleteI loved your Praline Connection shade! LOL...I wish you guys would have came out to Frenchman for the first night to hear more amazing music. Glad you came, friend! <3
ReplyDeleteI want to go badly but adulting is catching up to me this year. I'm putting it in the universe. From your photos its a gorgeous city. Thanks for the pointers, surely will you this post and Rae as a guide!
ReplyDeleteYour photos make me miss home so much more! And I'm so happy you did go and enjoyed yourself.
ReplyDeleteGahhh. One of these days, I'm gonna make it to NOLA. Loved your list. I've heard so much about how the music/arts scene is a wonderfully preserved bubble of artistry to experience. So glad you were able to visit and enjoy the city!
ReplyDeleteI gotta make it out there one day...
ReplyDeleteDid you try the beignets? I'm not a huge fan, but when I'm down in New Orleans and fresh off bourbon street and need something to eat, I grab one. The coffee is pretty amazing too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree with you -- the best music will be in Treme.
Next time, come out for Mardi Gras.