Travel Journal: New Orleans
NOLA! A cultural hub that Beyoncé openly loves. The home of jazz, a rather good beignet and Hurricane cocktails – which provide a serious rival to the “two shots of vodka” lady, because these things are freakin’ strong. A couple of these bad boys from Pat O’brien’s and PHOAR, everything got a little bit tilted for us all. You’re in for a silly night if you start it there.
New Orleans is a weird yet wonderful place.You’re never quite sure what’s going on, but you just sort of go with it. Me and a group of friends went for its most renowned and iconic holiday… MARDI GRAS [insert tacky DJ air horn here]. Parades, crazy costumes, beads, food and lots booze and dancing. It’s basically organised chaos.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a place to have a giggle with your friends, I’d recommend.
One small word of advice though – don’t be shocked if you see women flashing people for some cheap, plastic beads.
“Fantastic!” I hear some of you say! Well, for those of you already packing your bags to catch the next flight, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but by women, I don’t mean Miss Perfect Polly who’s a part-time model, part-time social media influencer…
I’m talking 50-year-old women with super leathery skin from sitting in the sun too long.
Prepare yourselves for that.
SO, WHAT’S THE 411 ON NOLA:
Where Did We Stay?
IHSP French Quarter House. For only $18 a night, this place is an absolute steal. Great for students booking last minute and on a budget. It’s a great location and also provides breakfast. FREE FOOD, NEED I SAY MORE?!?
A group of 6 of us got a private room with an en-suite, which was totally ideal, because the room soon looked like a hoarders den. I would have felt soooo bad if we had a stranger in our room, because there was glitter EVERYWHERE, and that stuff sticks to you for life.
I mean, how is it that 5 minutes into a night out, your makeup has completely melted off of your face… but you still find glitter on your body from Leeds Festival 2012. BEATS ME.
Anyway, getting sidetracked. My main advice on where to stay during Mardi Gras is to just stick in the French Quarter, as this is where most of the events are happening. Party on.
Airbnb also has some gems! But if you fancy something a bit more luxurious and treaty…
Here are a few more options:
1. The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery
2. Q&C HotelBar
3. Bourbon Orleans Hotel
(Ignore the year 8 IT project vibes of their website, this place has recently been done up and is looking on point)
4.The Ritz-Carlton
5.The Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria Hotel
6. Hotel Monteleone
Where Did We Eat?
1. Café Du Monde – nosh on some of their famous beignets. BOOM, party in your mouth & everyones invited. They’re basically a fancy-named doughnut with sugar sprinkled on top.
2.Pat O’brien’s – decent food, but what you really came for is the ‘Hurricane Cocktail’. You stay classy San Diego. Don’t underestimate these bad boys.
3. Backatown Coffee Parlour – great place to grab a coffee, tea or snack. Has a great, cozy atmosphere.
4. Drip Affogato Bar – COFFEE… AND ICECREAM?!? Drip, you know the way to a girls heart. Go and witness many a person capturing a #foody instagram shot here.
5. Auction House Market – BRUNCH! I love brunch. This is a solid place for that. Cool, modern vibes. Even their website oozes oOoo stylish.
6. Commander’s Palace – Fancy being, well, fancy? Fork out some cash and head over here for a fab lunch or dinner.
7. Willa Jean – Super picky? Need a pretty condensed menu? Willa will do the trick. Very modern chic. Tasty food in a tasty environment. Edgy, industrial-interior-thing going on.
8. GW Fins – Fancy. Tasty. Cool. Go here for an 11/10 meal. P.S. wear something nice.
Where To Shop?
Hit up ROYAL STREET in the FRENCH QUARTER.
Where To Go Out?
1. Pat O’brien’s – HURRICANE COCKTAIL.
2. Preservation Hall – Go here for some groovy jazz.
3. The Spotted Cat Music Club – You guessed it… more awesome jazz.
4. The Carousel Bar, Hotel Monteleone – What it says on the tin. Quite literally a fully-functioning carousel bar. Fancy some classy drinks with your friends? Here’s your spot.
5. Saints & Sinners – It really is as tacky as it sounds. Great for a silly night.
6. Tropical Isle Bar – Go and order yourself a Hand Grenade and a Shark Attack. Thank me later.
7 + 8. Razoo Bar & Patio AND The Courtyard Grill at Bourbon Heat – These are the TWO bars/clubs we spent most of our time. They’re cheap, cheerful and a great place to have a laugh and a dance. Night = sorted.
What To See?
1. Jackson Square
2. The National WWII Museum
3. Catch a street car
4. St. Louis Cathedral
5. St Louis Cemetery
6. Alligator tours (CHECK THE SEASON! Don’t make the same mistake we did. I expand on this later…)
7. New Orleans Museum of Art
What To See Continued…
8. City Park
9. Steamboat Natchez
10. GO SEE SOME JAZZ
11. Garden District
12. Audubon Park
New Orleans additional personal tips:
- Getting a lil’ serious, but if you are going to Mardi Gras and you are staying outside of the French Quarter, I’d get a taxi to events! Like you get in most places, there are some nice areas in NOLA, and some not so nice areas. Coming from a group of girls who drove through these places to get to our hostel, It’s something I’d recommend!
“This is a swamp tour, not an alligator tour…”
2. If I can offer you one solid piece of advice that sticks, it would be to NOT go on an “alligator tour” during February. I repeat, do not go on an “alligator tour” during February. Want to know why? Because alligators hibernate during this particular month. Did we know this? absolutely f*cking not. And neither did all the other soaking wet people on the boat. Why on earth would anyone in their right mind pay $75 to look at a dull, grey swamp when it’s absolutely pissing it down? I mean, just look at this utter sh*te…
“No, we will not be seeing any alligators. We will be doing a tour of the swamp… and if y’all don’t want to come along, then feel free to just hop right off…”
Oh fabulous, can I grab my $75 on the way off too? Cool. Great. Thanks mate.
“… and no, we do not offer refunds.”
Excellent.
But to be honest, we did find the entire experience absolutely hysterical. Even though we were extremely hungover and it was chucking buckets, we still had fun. But yeah, just a word of warning.
peace + love
xoxox
The Atomic Blonde
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The Atomic Blonde
