The city of New Orleans is known by many names. NOLA, Crescent City, or, my favorite, The Big Easy. Songs have been written about this city for generations. Take a walk along the streets, and you’ll soon know why many consider this destination a must-visit.
24 hours is not a lot of time to explore any city, so I crammed as much as possible. Throughout the years, I’ve visited and even worked in southern Louisiana several times. I knew the highlights that I wanted to revisit. Here is my itinerary, which is packed with food, music, and history.
I am one of those Reward Points people. I try squeezing every drop of value I can out of the system. I used Marriott points to stay at Moxy on O’Keefe Avenue for this trip. With the option of valet parking for $42, I opted for a close parking deck at 412 O’Keefe for $30 a day. If you’ve never stayed at a Moxy, they will gift you a wooden nickel for a free drink at the hotel bar. Both locations are on the Central Business District side of Canal St, which is only a jump, skip, and hop to the French Quarter.
My walking route in the city started on the world-famous Bourbon St, known for bars, balconies, and beads. If people have told you that it smells, well, it does, a little. It’s nothing that a few local drinks won’t remedy. Tourists seem to be carrying mixed drinks called hurricanes or hand grenades. The unmistakable sazerac cocktail compliments some. Remember that you’ll need to dodge a few cable cars in some parts of the Quarter.
Moving on to the tasty stuff, I ventured to Royal St. The music and food smells cut through the humidity. This particular day was the last day of Jazz Fest, and street performers were on nearly every corner. The direction of my desire now had me in Jackson Square. Art for sale hung off every vertical space, tarot cards being read on small tables, and the brass bands hitting those notes that move souls. That is Jackson Square in a nutshell. The views are arguably better if looking out of the park or looking into the park from the vantage points of high ground near the Mississippi River. From there, you can see the Paddleboat Natchez, Cafe Du Monde, and the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral.
Speaking of Cafe Du Monde, known for great beignets and long lines, know that those delicious pastries can be found all over the French Quarter. If you opt to wait in line, have cash on hand, and you’ll not be disappointed. For lunch, I took a friend’s recommendation and grabbed a seat at Stanley restaurant, where I could people-watch while deciding what to eat. After conversation and consideration, I ordered boudin croquettes and a fried oyster po’boy sandwich. After that meal, I desperately needed a stroll.
Most folks have heard of Bourbon St, but many are unaware of Frenchmen St. Frenchmen is the epicenter of live music year-round and, in my opinion, one of the best destinations in New Orleans.
Have you visited NOLA? Do you live in Louisiana and have suggestions on what to see and do? We would love to hear about them in the comments section. What would you like to know if you’ve never traveled to New Orleans?
Here are some online references to help plan a trip.
Captain G is a licensed Merchant Mariner who has sailed over 10k nautical miles. His early career took him to Iceland, Italy, and the Caribbean. Like most sailors, his hobbies include damn near anything around the water, cheap rum, and breaking tools. As a self-proclaimed foodie, Captain G plans to eat around the globe after retirement.
Certainly does look like you made the most of your time! Great post!