I’m so excited to finally share our New Orleans trip with you guys! This was our first time visiting NOLA and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I researched a lot before the trip, but nothing could prepare me for the energy you feel in this city. The streets are scattered with street performers, Mardi Gras beads hang from trees, and the sweet scent of candied nuts wafted out of the numerous praline store fronts.

This was a quick trip, lasting only two and a half days, but Ian and I tried to squeeze in as much culture as we could. We flew into the city around 4pm so we wanted to take advantage of the remaining daylight by walking along the riverfront path of Woldenberg Park, trying our first beignets at Cafe du Monde, grabbing a patio table at the Crescent City Brewhouse for dinner, and catching a jazz performance at Preservation Hall.

Out of everything we experienced in New Orleans, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band was by far my favorite. The venue is small and quaint, so you have to stand in line half an hour before the show to grab tickets, but the wait is well worth it. The band members are extremely talented, and it’s a great way to dive into the jazz culture of the city.

Ian and I started out our first full day in the city at the French Market. We strolled around looking at the different food vendors before settling on a strawberry nutella crepe. My only regret was not buying two! It was so delicious!

After the market, we walked around Jackson Square and popped in and out of the little shops while listening to a jazz band performing on the street. At 1pm we stopped by the Pharmacy Museum for their daily tour and spent the next 45 minutes learning about blood letting, leaches, and the scary practice of using lead needles for injections! If you have some time to kill on your visit, I would highly recommend stopping by for a tour!

We ended the night on Frenchmen Street and we were so happy we chose to forgo Bourbon Street. While Bourbon Street a famous tourist attraction, Frenchmen Street is more of a local hangout that is lined with bars featuring live music performances and an art market! Before we settled into a bar, Ian and I wandered through the twinkle light lit art market looking at local art pieces and hand crafted jewelry. Once we got our art fix, we grabbed drinks at Masion and danced the night away to a lively jazz band.

Our final day in New Orleans started off with a streetcar ride to the Garden District, where we grabbed donuts and coffee at District Donuts before walking along Magazine Street to gaze at the colorful homes and boutique shops. 

Once our feet started to get sore, we made a pit stop at the Columns Hotel for a drink and to feel like a true southerner on their expansive balcony patio. There was a derby party going on at the hotel, and more than anything I wish I would have had a fancy hat to fit in with the celebration.

After our little rest, we took the Canal St. streetcar to Audubon Park. Ian and I love wandering through tree lined paths and this park was no disappointment! The trees were massive and decorated with hanging moss which made the experience feel magical. I was told there was an ancient tree called the Tree of Life in the park, but upon further research the tree is located in the zoo which sadly was closed by the time we got there. Nevertheless, walking through the park was a great way to end our New Orleans trip!

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