travel

Our New Orleans Trip

I went to New Orleans back in 2007 for a summer conference with some of my friends from school. We spent a lot of time in the hotel for the actual conference, but did get out a little bit.  I was excited for a chance to visit again last week. Garrett had a conference there, and I decided to tag along and make it a vacation.

New Orleans

Even though we both had “work” things to do, it did feel like a vacation. I remembered a few things about the city well (like, not surprisingly, the beignets) but forgot a lot. It’s funny how the city also feels so different as an adult versus being a teenager. Visiting New Orleans wasn’t high on my list of places to go since I had already been there before, but I’m so glad I got to go again. It’s SUCH a fun city.

French Quarter

When I announced I was going, I got a ton of restaurant recommendations. It quickly became apparent that this was going to be a trip rooted in great food. (Spoiler alert: I’m going to have to work out quite a bit for the next few weeks to repent for my sins!)

Here’s where we went:

RESTAURANTS:

Cafe du Monde: beignets for snacks (open 24 hours, go during off hours for fewer crowds)

– District Donuts: doughnuts for snacks (you can’t go wrong)

Pêche: for lunch (the Brussels sprouts and key lime pie were standouts)

– Restaurant R’evolution: for dinner (not my favorite and a bit overpriced, but still a fun experience)

– Willa Jean: for breakfast (the avocado toast and banana bread were both favorites!)

– Willie Mae: for lunch (ridiculously delicious fried chicken– worth the wait)

– Brennan’s: for dinner (they invented Bananas Foster, and it was my favorite thing of the trip)

Ruby Slipper: for breakfast (delicious by all accounts)

– Le Petite Grocery: for lunch (get the French fries!)

– Jacques-Imos: for dinner (super fun spot and the alligator cheesecake is SO good)

See what I mean? A ton of food. Everything was so good, though; I just couldn’t say no to anything!!

PLACES:

Honestly, the restaurants and Garrett’s conference took up the bulk of our “places” category. But we made time for the zoo since I had gone to the aquarium in high school. It was super hot and eerily empty, but still a wonderful location! We also went to the WWII Museum, and I was blown away by it. I highly recommend dedicating at least a few hours here if you’re in New Orleans. It’s intense… but so well done. There’s also a ton of great boutique shopping on Magazine Street. Even though I didn’t have that much time for shopping, I did make time to see my friends’ shop Grove Street Press!!! It’s even cuter in person, if you follow them on Instagram!

Audubon Zoo

The giraffes at the zoo were my favorites.

Beignets Cafe du Monde

A blurry picture, but I’m posting for the beignets!!! We also got the frozen cafe au lait and OMG, for a 90-degree day, it was delicious.

District Donuts

I think the number one most recommended spot that I received was District Donuts. We almost didn’t have time, but I’m so glad we squeezed it in. I am glad, however, that we waited until the last day because I would have gone every single day!!! Unbelievable doughnuts.

Garden District New Orleans

While Garrett was in a session at the conference, I decided to walk through the Garden District. The houses are seriously dream homes. The colors, the landscaping, the sheer size! This pink one above really caught my eye for obvious reasons!!!

Grove Street Press

I did an impromptu meet and greet at Grove Street Press. It was so nice to meet everyone, and the Grove Street girls brought a king cake which was the perfect touch for a New Orleans meet up!!!

Willa Jean

Did I mention that we ate a lot of food?!?!? 

Have you ever been to New Orleans?!

PS Vlogs from New Orleans on Youtube!

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28 Comments

Devon Hembury

New Orleans is the best! I’ve been twice now and I absolutely love it. The food seriously can’t be beat! 🙂 You’ve got me craving beignets now!!

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Karen J

Looks amazing! But I swear, all your posts and videos this week have left me craving doughnuts!

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Mary

My son attends TULANE in NOLA and I welcome every opportunity to visit. I enjoyed your write-up and pictures and I look forward to visiting again soon!

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Ariana

I went this summer with my family for an impromptu overnight trip! The night life is definitely something else. We made a mistake and didn’t research restaurants enough so we at at the Hard Rock (A+ still as always)! But we ate Louisiana cuisine in Baton Rouge which was amazing! The beignets, the music, and the architecture was my favorite part!

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Rachel

I absolutely love the architecture (and the beignets) in NOLA! So glad you enjoyed your trip!

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Amanda Croteau

I’m so glad you went to Brennan’s ! It was my favorite as well. The table side bananas foster was magic. Regretted not ordering two servings !!!

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Tiffany

I really want to go to NO as an adult. I went when I was maybe 8 when my grandmother lived there. This is such a great list.

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Ruth

I went to NOLA this summer with a bunch of friends before we all left for college and had a great time! It was VERY hot while we were there so we tried out a different snow cone or ice cream place every day, Hanson’s was hands down the best by far! If you ever go again, stop by and get a snow cone.

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Emily

Looks like a great place to visit. And I surprised the giraffes didn’t just walk over that railing! Always down for good food….

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Kelly in the City

This makes me so happy! My brother lived in New Orleans for a while and he and his wife are moving back this summer. So excited to get back — You’re right; it’s SUCH a fun city!! 🙂

Kelly | Kelly in the City

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Caitlin

Love this post! I’m going to NO early next year and have been looking for great places to go! Cafe du Monde is honestly the first thing on my list . . . straight from the airport and right to the beignets!

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Tay

I went to New Orleans last year with my friend who had a conference there, I basically tagged along as well! This city has so much character and such great food! Your pictures made me nostalgic, thanks for sharing! 🙂

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Sara

We are headed there in two weeks with our 10 month old! Can’t wait to check out some of these places!

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