NEW ORLEANS CITY GUIDE WITH BB DAKOTA

I am thrilled to partner with  BB Dakota to share a Nola city guide featuring some of my favorite spots to eat, to lodge, to explore and to shop!!! Since so many you ask for a list of what I love to do in Nola, here is a fun Q +A, and I’ll be sharing parts of that list while I am showing off a few of my favorite pieces from BB Dakota.

** updated with more of my favorite spots- March 2022**

Well, I have been living on the outskirts of New Orleans my entire life, and I still love all that it has to offer. Daily and weekly trips to downtown NOLA are one of my daughter and I ‘s favorite things to do together.

Artistic, Lively, and Food

As a young girl, my family and I would visit the French Market, Jackson Square and Cafe Du Monde often. And, I can honestly say that even though the city is continually adding new, trendy restaurants and hotels, it has never lost its southern charm, rich culture, and good eats.

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It’s hard to choose one favorite thing. But, I would have to say the people. NOLA folks are like family to all those that they meet. I just love the “at home” culture that exudes from our city. We love it so much that we plan weekend staycations often. Boutique hotels are the way to go too. The staff are so warm + friendly. A few of our favorite hotels are Hotel Monteleone, Catahoula, Henry Howard, Hotel St Vincent (this one is newer AND amazing), and Eliza Jane.

My favorite boutique is by far Hemline French Quarter.

A couple of other ones would be Lucy Rose, Shopelle and Stone Free. And, most of those boutiques carry BB Dakota.

So, I am not a coffee drinker, but I am definitely a tea drinker. And after visiting so many states + large cities, I feel that we have some of the best coffee/tea spots. To name a few, District Donuts + Brew is a great choice {coffee lovers like this place}, but their sliders are also quite amazing. A few other hot spots are French Truck coffee, Mammoth Espresso, Park Island Brew, The Orange Couch, Up&Adam Eatz, and
Funny Library inside the Virgin Hotel.

Who doesn’t love to people watch?!? Our city is filled with very interesting people so this is something that I love to do.

The best spot to take in all of those who make NOLA so unique is in Jackson Square. You will see artist, street performers, mime artist, live music and more. My kids are mesmerized each time that we hang out in this location.

We are known for our cuisine so it is hard to pick one restaurant, and y’all, my list of favorite restaurants is quite extensive. I tend to be a foodie so the food has to match the overall feel of the restaurant, and it has to be pleasing to the eye. I’ll list a few places that I would bring a friend visiting the city.

For breakfast/brunch, Willa Jean, Ruby Slipper, Bearcat (best blueberry pancakes ever), and Birdy’s are all amazing. At Willa Jean, the Hangover Bowl or the crispy boudin biscuit is delicious.

For lunch, I would suggest Elizabeth’s at Hotel St Vincent, Turkey and the Wolf, St James Cheese Company, Rum House or The Daily Beet.

And for dinner, I would have to go with Shaya, Compre’ Lapin or Paladar511 {this is my FAVORITE restaurant}.

And, here are a few other great choices:

Merils
Peche’
Cochon

Seafood Sally’s

Miss River

Saint John

Fritai

Otra Vez
Jacques-Imo’s
Saba
Josephine Estelle

Being a mom to four kids who detest boredom, I have discovered a few favorite spots for the entire family. City park has a mini golf along with a small amusement park with rides and an adorable Storyland for the younger ones. We also love to make frequent visits to the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium, and the Insectarium. And, for those who have younger kids, the Children’s Museum is also a fun place. And, I can’t forget about the famous trolley ride. This is always a great experience for the entire family.

Our city is known for jazz music + lively entertainment. For a chilled atmosphere, we frequently visit the Carousal bar located in Hotel Monteleone, and The Ritz Carlton also offers live music throughout the week and weekends. But, Frenchmen street is probably the hottest spot in the city when it comes to finding the best musicians and atmosphere. Here are a few other places that are perfect for after dinner:

Hot Tin, Monkey Board, Piscobar and Effervescence.

And, I have to include the most Instagrammable hotels:
*Pontchartrain Hotel {my fav}
2031 Saint Charles Avenue (Uptown)
*Drifter Hotel {only allows iPhone pics}
3522 Tulane Avenue (Mid-City)
*Catahoula Hotel
914 Union Street (CBD)
*Ace Hotel
600 Carondelet Street (CBD)

Along with a few sightseeing/tourist suggestions:
*Bike Tours are awesome.
*I love the buggy rides because they share so much history about the city.
*Never have done a ghost tour, but some friends have loved it.
*Royal street has a bunch of art galleries.
*Cat’s Meow is the famous karaoke place on Bourbon. It’s not for everyone though.
*Have to ride the Streetcar!!
*French Quarter Market
*Swamp tour which is not my favorite thing to do but some people love it.

Hope that you enjoyed this travel guide for my favorite places in Nola. And, let me know if you have questions. I love to share my suggestions. And, for size reference in each outfit, I am wearing a size 6 or size medium.