Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler: Letting the Good Times Roll in New Orleans

My Top Picks when Visiting the Big Easy

A Mom’s Guide to Visiting New Orleans

A little over a decade ago, I was researching New Orleans, LA and, before even setting foot on Louisiana soil, I fell in love with it right there in the written word. Years later, in 2010, I visited The Big Easy and my love affair with the city has only grown. The only way I can describe it is that I have cajun in my soul.

My husband took me to The Crescent City in 2010. We had absolutely no plans, no rules, and no children on this trip–not that taking your little ones should be off the table. As you read on, you will find not only my picks for some of the best food that ‘Nawlins’ has to offer, but also some of the best family friendly activities to fill your entire NOLA trip.

Best Eats in Town

Nothing seems more synonymous with New Orleans than fresh seafood and beignets. And when there is a restaurant on practically every street corner, the list of places to eat is neverending. One of the first places that I had to try was Cafe Du Monde. The beignets were sweet, soft little pillows of heaven. When feeding the need for fresh seafood in a laid back atmosphere, my go-to has to be Acme Oyster House.

Other top picks for grubbing in New Orleans are:

• Court of Two Sisters – The Jazz Brunch is an absolute must.
• Redfish Grill – The Double Chocolate Bread Pudding is more than well worth the 20 minute wait.
• Reginelli’s Pizzeria – When you are wanting an amazing slice of pizza, look no further.
• NOLA – If you are wanting life changing Shrimp & Grits, this is your place.
• Bourbon House – The Bourbon Surf & Turf has become the Gold Standard that I measure all other steak and seafood dishes against.
• The Kupcake Factory – All of the cupcakes look and smell amazing. But, if you are trying not to overindulge too much, I suggest the Goin’ Bananas or the Strawberry Chocolate.
• Mother’s Restaurant and Mike Serio’s Po-Boys – Both of these establishments are top of the list when looking for an authentic New Orleans Po’ Boy. And at Mother’s, you can sample all the ‘Nawlins’ soul food your stomach can hold.
• Deanie’s Seafood – Flavorful seafood that won’t break the bank has been the driving force of Deanie’s for over 50 years.

There are so many more places to find absolutely amazing food that this list could truly go on for days. But these are the places that will always be on my list to nosh at when in New Orleans.  

Best Drinks in Town

“Here’s to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Beautiful and Damned

New Orleans is a destination that can be enjoyed with or without a drink in your hand. For those of you that would like to wet those parched lips, these of the establishments I suggest stopping at:

• Sazerac Bar & Restaurant – Touted as the Official Drink of New Orleans, the Sazerac is a mixture of Cognac, sugar, herbsaint, and bitters. And where better to try it then it’s namesake bar and restaurant.
• Carousel Bar – Nestled inside the Hotel Monteleone in the heart of the French Quarter, this is an experience you just have to see to believe. The floating bar is an enjoyable place to sit while you enjoy your Vieux Carre (meaning Old Square) off the Drinks menu and Blue Crab & Crawfish Beignets off of the Bar Bites menu.
• Tropical Isle – If you want to take a step on the adventurous side, stop in here to try the Hand Grenade, Shark Attack, or Tropical Itch. The Hand Grenade is said to be the most powerful mixed drink The Big Easy has to offer.

HONORABLE MENTION:

• Cafe Du Monde – While not alcoholic, the Chicory Root Coffee is an absolute must try drink for any coffee lover while visiting ‘Nawlins’. The root of the Endive plant is where Chicory can be found. It has been said to almost add a chocolate flavor to the coffee. If you don’t happen to be in the French Quarter, I also suggest Still Perkin Cafe in the Garden District to give Chicory a try.

Fun for the Family

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

So now to the section that all the mommies are really waiting for, the “Where can I take my kids” section. I won’t make this long and boring on anyone. Here are the must visit places when you are taking your tiny humans to NOLA.

• Audubon Zoo – Not only does this zoo have any animal that you can think of, it has some of the most amazing gardens you will ever see.
• Riverwalk New Orleans – When needing a little retail therapy while on vacation, The Riverwalk has something for everyone.
• Audubon Aquarium of the Americas – Sitting on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River, the Audubon Aquarium is the epitome of bringing the outside in.
• Louisiana Children’s Museum – Over a dozen exhibits are geared to helping your little one explore and imagine. And with a $10 entry fee (children under 1 are free), it’s a no-brainer.
• Carousel Gardens Amusement Park – If you happen to visit the Crescent City during the spring, this little alcove of the City Park will keep everyone in the family busy.

Tour, Tour, Tour!

“Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans. When that’s where you left your heart. The moonlight on the bayou a creole tune that fills the air. I dream about magnolias in bloom and I’m wishin’ I was there.”

– Louis Armstrong

So that brings me to the final part of my must-do advice. If you are truly wanting to immerse yourself in the local culture, you have to take at least a tour or ten to see life through the eyes of a Cajun. The top attraction on my tour list was a swamp tour. After doing a bit of researching the options, we went with Jean Lafitte’s Swamp Tour and will do so any time we visit ‘Nawlins’.

The next must do on the list was to enjoy the French Quarter in all of its glory. For this, we hopped on a Royal Carriages horsedrawn carriage at Jackson Square. The always lovely and informative tour guides will have you loving their hometown just as much as they do. As with food and other activities, the tour options are endless as well.

Here are just a few of the must-do tours while you are in town:

• Ghost City Tours and French Quarter Phantoms – In a city where ghost stories abound, either of these are definitely a priority for anyone feeling adventurous.
• New Orleans Voodoo Tour – This is where it’s at for anyone wanting an indepth look at the legends and folklore that is Voodoo.
• Two Chicks Walking Cemetery Tours – New Orleans is almost as infamous for its cemeteries as it is famous for its food. This is one of highest rated and most worth-your-money tour options when wanting to walk among the dead.
• Witches Brew Tours – When looking to get the most bang for your buck and looking for an all-in-one Ghost/Voodoo/Cemetery tour, Witches Brew has both a 3-in-1 and a 4-in-1 tour option.

“Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.”

― James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room

New Orleans is one of those cities that slowly creeps in to your mind, digs down deep in your heart, and buries itself within your soul. It will forever be my home-away-from-home, regardless of where I live on any given day.

Have you ever visited a city that just felt like home, like you have somehow been there before and everything just feels right? If so, drop the city name in the comments below.  I would love to add it to my list of places to explore.