Sorry we waited so long to visit New Orleans until this year. Wow, what a fun place!
If you have not made your reservations yet for New Orleans, highly recommend you stay in a VRBO in the Arts District off of Magazine Street, unless you are totally into Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, which we found crowded and typical of touristy areas, with lots of street performers, toursity t-shirt shops and people hustling for money.
Download the Le Pass (that's French for "The Pass"
) App on your phone, and the street cars will take you anywhere you need to be, including Bourbon Street/French Quarter.
We enjoyed the Arts District much more. See who is playing at Tiptina's, one of the many legendary clubs. Find out who is playing the week you are there. There is an older, more established and totally run down club nearby called Le Bon Temps Roule, which is owned by one of my favorite musicians. Interesting vibe there, and it took a beating during Katrina. Also try to make a pit stop at Creole Creamery, which had some of the most
interesting ice cream flavors.
tipitinas.com
www.creolecreamery.com
If you like music like we do, Stanton Moore is a local drumming legend in multiple genres of music, including his own funk band Galactic. He owns Tiptina's. But he may be performing somewhere while you are in town. He commands the stage from behind the drum kit. Did I say we like music?
www.stantonmoore.com
The Camelia Grill, which is right off a streetcar stop is a must go. Fantastic diner food, and the servers and very entertaining and pleasant.
The Camellia Grill is a fabled Landmark Diner in Uptown New Orleans. It's famous for it's classic diner fare dished out by bow-tied servers.
www.camelliagrillnola.com
Oak Street is a short walk from the Camelia Grill, with a lot of interesting shops and restaurants.
Audubon Park is also a pleasant walk and place to hang out. It's across from the Loyola University Tram Stop, and Tulane University is close by.
www.leveebakingco.com
www.rubybrunch.com
