After several requests to join my husband on a business trip to New Orleans over the years, this year I got the invite. It was not because I wanted to join him on a business trip but New Orleans is a city that is on my bucket list and thought this would prove to be a way for me to explore it on my own. It would be quick 48 hours and not knowing where to start, I asked friends for help. One thing I did not ask was what to wear. I had purchased some Dr Schols wedges I had seen in a magazine as the prefect sandals for running errands. Heck, running errands and walking around New Orleans sound about right, wrong. One newbie mistake was to wear shoes that did not have an flexibility. My dogs were barking up a storm on the uneven brick roads
While I loved strolling Magazine Street and the Garden District, I was not sure I would be able to walk to dinner. Thanks to the trolleys for the true New Orleans experience and brief tour to the Garden District. Because my feet were killing we skipped the old cemetery tours.
We avoided Bourbon Street as that would have been fun 10 years ago, most likely longer than that, and focused this trip on food. Are you at all surprised? But not wanting to hit only the touristy ones, we used yelp to guide our taste buds and glad we did .
For lunch we headed for a hole in the wall Johnny’s Poor boys. We shared a shrimp PoBoy and it was laden with fried shrimp. Not something I would normally order, but when in New Orleans.
Be sure to make dinner reservations as early as you can if headed to the Crescent city, making us feel even older, the only reservations we could get were at 6pm at Cafe Amelie. We were seated in the courtyard and we were immediately found quite in a busy city. The food and drinks there only topped off the atmosphere.
Allowing our waiter to guide us, our mouth was delighted by traditional tastes of shrimp and grits, beet salad and fresh fish.
Dessert was another surprise, the berry cobbler set off the evening and a welcomed walk back to hotel, not first stopping at a shoe store. Yes I bought a pair of flat sandals. There are so many fun and artsy shops along the streets of the French Quarter.
No visit to New Orleans is complete without beignets from Cafe Dumonde. I had no idea what to expect, and yet after 150 years the place is probably still run the same. Coffee and cream is a must, my husband thought he would go old school and got it black!! Forget the diet as you indulge in the baked dough beauty of a beignet covered with powdered sugar.
Avoid cabs in the quarter if you can, there is so much to see on foot in New Orleans you might just miss that hidden gems and small parks full of history and charm.
I joined my husband at his work dinner, a traditional New Orleans restaurant, that was open only for us. While it was good, I would recommend finding that restaurant that was a little off the beat and path. It was not even Mardi Gras and check out the trees.
While I never drank a Hurricane or frozen drink on Bourbon Street I saw a lot of fun art, and music that will always be a memory. My time was short and I am sure I missed a lot but so pleased to have this culinary adventure with my husband.
What do you look for when visiting a new city?
We’ve never been. Looks like a great city to scope out!
We’ve never been. Looks like a great city to scope out!
I think you just made up my mind for me! I was considering going there in July!
I think you just made up my mind for me! I was considering going there in July!
Yum! I love to eat and those shrimp and grits look amazing!
Yum! I love to eat and those shrimp and grits look amazing!
I’ve been dying to go to New Orleans. I would be eating all the time! I love creole food.
I’ve been dying to go to New Orleans. I would be eating all the time! I love creole food.
Looks like you had so much fun! The food looks deelish too 😀 Would love to visit sometime during the Mardi Gra season and see all of the festivities.
Looks like you had so much fun! The food looks deelish too 😀 Would love to visit sometime during the Mardi Gra season and see all of the festivities.
Beignets! I need some of that. It looks like you had an amazing trip! I’ll visit New Orleans one day. 🙂
Beignets! I need some of that. It looks like you had an amazing trip! I’ll visit New Orleans one day. 🙂
My brother’s girlfriend is from New Orleans and they just got back from a visit. I would love to see that culture up close some day!
My brother’s girlfriend is from New Orleans and they just got back from a visit. I would love to see that culture up close some day!
Holes in the wall really do often have such treats. That po boy sounds/looks good. 🙂
Holes in the wall really do often have such treats. That po boy sounds/looks good. 🙂
This is also a bucket list trip for me. Looks like you all made the best of 48 hours
This is also a bucket list trip for me. Looks like you all made the best of 48 hours
I was in New Orleans for 24 hours and loved it! I need another 24 hours to see the rest of your suggestions!
I was in New Orleans for 24 hours and loved it! I need another 24 hours to see the rest of your suggestions!
I would have loved to see Pictures of the famous Boubon Street .. I’m so happy you finally got to go. I’ve heard about Po Boys but never had it .. looks good
I would have loved to see Pictures of the famous Boubon Street .. I’m so happy you finally got to go. I’ve heard about Po Boys but never had it .. looks good
OMG the beignets….I’m drooooling!! How I love New Orleans, can’t wait to get back again…and you’re absolutely right, not hitting up Bourbon Street was perfect!
OMG the beignets….I’m drooooling!! How I love New Orleans, can’t wait to get back again…and you’re absolutely right, not hitting up Bourbon Street was perfect!
Sounds like such a fun experience. I would love to go to New Orleans someday.
Sounds like such a fun experience. I would love to go to New Orleans someday.
I would love to experience the food down in New Orleans. I want one of those masks too.
I would love to experience the food down in New Orleans. I want one of those masks too.
I have to go soon. Had a trip planned last year but had to cancel.
I have to go soon. Had a trip planned last year but had to cancel.
It looks like you had a great time. Those shrimps look delicious
It looks like you had a great time. Those shrimps look delicious
I’ve always wanted to visit new Orleans… Maybe someday. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about it! Sounds like a great place to visit!
I’ve always wanted to visit new Orleans… Maybe someday. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about it! Sounds like a great place to visit!
Maria! I grew up in New Orleans. Isn’t it beautiful! Did you see this?: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2015/06/04/breaking-stephen-colbert-eats-beignets-names-new-orleans-jon-batiste-as-the-late-show-bandleader/#more-54079 Stephen Colbert is having New Orleans own Jon Batiste as his band leader (and some bigets in the clip)
Maria! I grew up in New Orleans. Isn’t it beautiful! Did you see this?: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2015/06/04/breaking-stephen-colbert-eats-beignets-names-new-orleans-jon-batiste-as-the-late-show-bandleader/#more-54079 Stephen Colbert is having New Orleans own Jon Batiste as his band leader (and some bigets in the clip)
The food is worth the trip! Such a fun city
The food is worth the trip! Such a fun city
New Orleans is on my to visit list. What a fun time you had and so much beauty here.
New Orleans is on my to visit list. What a fun time you had and so much beauty here.
I would love to go to New Orleans. It looks so fun and has so many things to learn about!
I would love to go to New Orleans. It looks so fun and has so many things to learn about!
I have been wanting to go to NOLA for years. One day I will….
I have been wanting to go to NOLA for years. One day I will….
I’m sure it would depend on the city if going to a new place, but I would do as you if I had only a short time in New Orleans – you picked some good eats!!! Too bad about the shoes, I need to keep that in mind, and to make sure they are properly broken in!!!
I’m sure it would depend on the city if going to a new place, but I would do as you if I had only a short time in New Orleans – you picked some good eats!!! Too bad about the shoes, I need to keep that in mind, and to make sure they are properly broken in!!!