Getting Around the City:
New Orleans has a great public transit system (Well, FAR better than Nowhere, Ohio where I grew up, but not quite as great as other big cities in the U.S.)
The RTA system has an app you can download that allows you to purchase passes for the bus, ferry, and streetcar, these passes include: 1 day, 3 day, 5 day, and 30 day.
- The Jazzy Passes cover the buses and the streetcar.
- The Ferry Passes cover the ferry (obviously).
- The Integrated Passes cover all three (buses, streetcar, ferry).
Sometimes there is construction, there are parades, or (of course)there are mechanical failures and some of the lines are down. Usually, if a streetcar line is down, they will have a shuttle bus for those people to continue on their journey. Sometimes, if you are in the French Quarter and must get back uptown, your best bet is to walk to Lee Circle and catch it there (if you don't see streetcars closer to Canal).
Now, this part is important. The St. Charles line is older and has no air conditioning (BUT the windows open easily if you push the tabs and slide them up)
(This is important in the summer when it's literally wet hell fire outside.)
Also, the St. Charles line has no wheelchair access.
Fun fact: You can also slide the backs of the seats to face your friends!
The Canal line has air conditioning and wheelchair access, as well as doors that open automatically at the front ENTRANCE and back EXIT of the streetcar.
The St. Charles line has a front ENTRANCE and back EXIT-- this is IMPORTANT. The back exit feels like it won't open, but when the light above the door lights up green, you must push VERY HARD. This is an important note because people don't realize it functions and shove their way angrily to the front ENTRANCE. Don't be that person. Cranky tourists shoving locals because they don't know the exit works can cause a lot of frustration. We like tourists and welcome them, just try to be polite, please. Many people use these lines every day to get to work and feel the same frustration you do.
Alternatively, Uber and Lyft do exist in the city and can be great options if you can afford it, but of course, during Mardi Gras and special events, you'll pay more.
Recommendations for Dining and Tourist Attractions:
There are many, many great things to see in this city. A lot of which I have yet to see! But here are some ideas off the top of my head, and I will add more as I go here.
Café Du Monde: Delicious beignets that everyone has heard about and chickory coffee. It's delicious! Beware, there are often long lines, but it's worth it. And also note, that is pretty much all they serve so don't go expecting much else.
Muriel's at Jackson Square: This is right on the corner by Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral (founded in 1720, opened in 1794 and a beautiful sight to see too!). At Muriel's you'll find delicious Cajun/Creole/Southern dishes-- it is a bit pricey but yummy. And if you ask to go upstairs there is a balcony overlooking the square-- and a very "sexy" little lounge with red lighting for nightcaps with a romantic partner. This is the view from the balcony at Muriel's:
Café Amelie: Also located in the French Quarter, this is a more upscale café with a beautiful courtyard, brunch, coffee, and drinks served.
Frenchman Street: Frenchman Street is where you find the music! The street is lined with clubs and street musicians, I like the Spotted Cat, myself. And if you go further (opposite direction of the quarter), you'll find the Marigny area that is recently revamping and has some great trendy places like Pizza Delicious.
Bourbon Street: Bourbon Street is what everyone thinks of when they think New Orleans. It is tourist central. Here you find gigantic daiquiris, 24-hour bars, strip clubs, bright lights, some music, Voodoo shops, psychic readings and more. It's a fun experience for what it is but it is certainly NOT all NOLA has to offer-- and with the drinks 24 hours and constant tourists, it can be smelly and dirty- so don't be shocked, but that shouldn't deter you from going, it can still be good fun and a very different experience from your non-vacation life. Here is one photo on took on Bourbon:
The French Market: The French Market is lovely because they offer food, drinks, groceries, souvenirs and almost anything you can think of, it's a more European-open-air type market (shown here)
Now, there are MANY AMAZING restaurants throughout the Quarter and the CBD (Central Business District) so feel free to adventure out and about!
Haunted Tours: I've done these before and they can be lots of fun, though a bit pricey. Make sure to tip your tour guide, it's a lot of talking and memorization and they are often quite funny and energetic!
The Garden District:
The Garden district is along the way to Uptown if you're taking the St. Charles line toward Tulane and Loyola (by the way this is a beautiful ride (lots of very large, old, beautiful buildings, mansions, etc). The Garden District stretches from St. Charles south towards Tchoupitoulas St. (Shortened often to "chop") and the river. There are many beautiful historic sights, and if you head to Magazine Street which is in the middle, you'll see a couple of above ground cemeteries, along with wonderful restaurants, coffee shops, and more!
I highly recommend District Donuts (you'll be amazed!) and Juan's Flying Burrito on Magazine-- I also like Rum House (Carribean Taqueria.
Also up on St. Charles in this area is a place called the Pontchartrain Hotel. Obviously, it's a hotel. But if you enter and take the right (not left) elevator you can go to what was the Penthouse Suite at the very top that is now a bar called "Hot Tin"--styled circa 1940s trendy-- with a great view of the city!
Uptown New Orleans:
This is more of my domain because I live in this area-- although I'm always learning more and don't have too much time or money to venture out.
On Tchoupitoulas and Napoleon, you'll find a place called Tipitina's. This is a great music venue. Many of the Jazz and Blues greats have and do play here, although many other genres are involved. It is a great spot for music if you don't get to the quarter.
In this area, you'll find some great restaurants like Shaya (award-winning Israeli Restaurant)($$$), Rum House ($$), Dat Dog ($$) (well known local hot dog joint). There are bars along the way. A couple of bars I like in this area include Ms Mae's (this bar is a 24-hour place, and is divey, a pool table, air-hockey table, and often with a cyclical group of regulars. It is CASH ONLY and you must have your ID to enter, but the drinks are cheap and strong), Le Bon Temps Roule (a historic neighborhood bar with live music 4 nights a week, a couple of pool tables, and a divey atmosphere), Buddha Belly (this bar is cool because they have comedy night, karaoke night, and you it is a laundromat-bar, with pool tables. Again, divey.) ** DIVEY to me is a good thing, sidenote.*** and Kingpin (this is a little neighborhood bar with pleasant people and a nice place to feel like a cozy regular).
I've still got many more places to check out.
On Prytania Street you'll find the historic Prytania Theater- it only has one theater and shows one movie at a time but also plays old classics on certain days and does a midnight showing of Rocky Horror regularly. It's also BYOB.
Uptown also includes Audobon Park and Zoo-- an absolutely beautiful park with a running/biking track (it's worth it to check out!). This park is located on St. Charles and is across the street from Loyola University (fantastic architecture!) and Tulane University.
I recently went to a couple of places in the Bywater I'd like to recommend although I don't know the area very well yet.
Bratz Y'all: This is a German Beer Garden and Restaurant, it's tucked behind another great restaurant which will be mentioned next. You might not notice it right away but I highly recommend it. The food there is FANTASTIC authentic German food and beer, some of the large plates are a bit pricey (for my salary) but worth every penny! Here are some images:
In front of Bratz Y'all, is Pizza Delicious. And the name doesn't lie! The pizza is fantastic. There are also choices of wine and beer as well. And the slices are big!
One major attraction in the downtown (CBD) area is the WWII Museum, it is a beautiful museum that has a pretty cool set-up. You are given dog tags and a story to follow, you can listen to your person's story as you walk through several buildings to see the many exhibits.
Other areas of interest include: The Marigny, City Park, Treme, CBD, and Midcity which I don't know much about yet but I intend to!
Mardi Gras
Many tourists see Mardi Gras as an opportune drunk-fest, but there is much more to it than that!
If you find yourself interested in some of the history, this link contains a bit of history. It also shows the dates of parades and parade routes, along with other tourist information. http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/schedule.html#
Most of the parades within the city (as there are others in other areas outside of the city), travel along Magazine, Napoleon, St. Charles and down to the Quarter to Canal.
There are some things you should know. If you attend Mardi Gras in the CBD/ French Quarter area, there are bleachers, scaffolding, and stands set up for you to perch upon to enjoy the parades- though you pay. If you find yourself watching in the uptown area you can watch from the sidewalk and the neutral zone/area (the median) but often people set up seats, tents, and ladders for the kids and camp out until the parades start-- so always get there early (unless you don't care about a good spot).
Some basic rules that should be followed:
1. While everyone enjoys drinking throughout Mardi Gras, remember that children and families will be in attendance, especially during the day, so don't knock the children over (OR ANYONE for that matter), or steal their throws. This is a happy time for everyone and many families have members on the floats that they are waiting to see.
2. Do not flash boobies. This is something you will get arrested for if seen by an officer- public indecency is a real thing. Of course, there are sexual innuendos and double entendres, etc. within the themes and costumes of the parade, you can still get in trouble. You don't actually have to do anything but stick your hands up and shout "hey" to get beads.
3. The beads aren't the best part. They throw some really cool stuff, like decorated shoes, purses, cups, hats, koozies, bags, candy, glass beads, and themed items.
4. Bring a bag to carry your throws. Trust me your neck will get sweaty, tired, and red if you wear them all night (and you'll be pinpointed as a tourist). Bring a bag. You'll want it.
5. Costume it up! While of course, these are not necessary, it adds to the fun-- but choose costumes that are not racist, please. There are many important cultural aspects to this event, don't be offensive :)
6. Be kind to the officers and local restaurants. Some restaurants on the parade routes stay open and serve during parades. Keep in mind that thousands of people are walking around, running in to use the bathrooms, and they can't prepare food for thousands all at once SO BE PREPARED TO WAIT PATIENTLY. I saw some very horrendous attitudes towards restaurant workers this past Mardi Gras, don't be pushy, they're doing more than the best that they can.
7. Use garbage cans when possible. This seems obvious, and the city does a wonderful job cleaning up post- Mardi Gras, but it's just frustrating to see piles of trash NEXT TO the trash can. Remember that people live here.
8. Don't pick up beads off the ground. Now, this is another way to spot a tourist. Think about it, what will you do with all the beads you collect in the end? Just leave them there OR there are occasional empty floats that roll through for the sole purpose of throwing the un-caught beads back. Also, if it's muddy and rainy and people are running in and out of port-o-potties.. well the beads are probably pretty gross.
9. It's not a sprint. It's a marathon. Pace yourself. If you're here for all of Mardi Gras week, Wednesday through Tuesday, there are many, many parades and events to attend. Don't feel guilty taking a day off, or missing a parade, if you want to last all the way through Mardi Gras Day (Zulu -one of the coolest- rides at 8 a.m. Mardi Gras Day). And make sure to hydrate, if you're drinking four days or five days straight, eat, drink water, stay afloat.
10. Be prepared rain or shine. The parades will roll no matter the weather (unless it is dangerous for the riders). Bring a raincoat, be prepared.
This list will be updated with every adventure I take. I hope this helps. And any friends with comments or additions please send me a message and I'll add it!
Also remember, you can drink as you walk through this city. Publicly drinking is a city-wide thing, but please be sure to be kind and throw your plastic cups in garbage cans located on sidewalks and keep our city clean :).
Some images from above were taken by me personally, while others were obtained through Google and I claim no rights!
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