Travel Diaries: New Orleans 2020
Before the start of the pandemic, I was luckily able to visit the southern city of New Orleans, Louisiana back in March 2020. It was before all the necessary lockdowns and restrictions were put in place; before all the chaos occurred and life changed as we all know it. It was my latest trip, and I attended a school conference for marketing undergraduates. New Orleans is a charming and seriously underrated city, and to be frank, I would deem it has America’s hidden gem. The city is full of live music, being known as the birthplace of jazz. It also has unique and lively people, old-fashioned French inspired architecture that perfectly captures the combination of history and modernity. Here are some of my recommendations to visit in New Orleans.
Top Places to Visit in New Orleans:
Garden District- In the charming Garden District, oak-shaded streets are lined with a diverse mix of homes, from single-story cottages to the grand historic mansions and lavish gardens of St. Charles Avenue, on the Mardi Gras parade route. Lafayette Cemetery is filled with ornate, 19th-century tombs. The Garden District is the very true definition of Southern Belle Beauty with the grand architecture of its mansions. Any American Horror Story fans? Well, you will be able to find “Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies” or Buckner Mansion as it’s formally known.
Magazine Street- Boutiques and antique shops sit alongside fine-dining restaurants, casual cafes and local bars on and around Magazine Street. Here you will find funky and unique artisan boutiques!
Bourbon Street- if there’s on anything you’ll take away from your experience in New Orleans, it’s that they know how to throw a party! It’s Mardis Gras, all day erryday! It’s an historic street in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans. Bourbon Street is famous for its many bars and night clubs!
French Quarter- is the city’s historic heart, famous for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings with cast-iron balconies. Crowd-pleasing Bourbon Street features jazz clubs, Cajun eateries and raucous bars serving potent cocktails.
French Market- is a market and series of commercial buildings spanning six blocks in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded as a Native American trading post predating European colonization, the market is the oldest of its kind in the United States.
Café du Monde- It is a New Orleans landmark and tourist destination, known for its café au lait and beignets. Be prepared to experience heavenly goodness packed in a fried, rich and soft beignet topped with LOTS of powdered sugar… hope you don’t mind getting a little messy!
Frenchmen Street- is best known for the three-block section in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood which is home to some of the city's popular live-music venues including Favela Chic, Cafe Negril, Blue Nile, Snug Harbor, the Spotted Cat, and the Maison in addition to restaurants, bars, a record store, a book shop, and other local businesses
French Truck Coffee- to this day I am still dreaming of their iced coffees with chicory, but French Truck Coffee is a must to visit if you want to have by far the best coffee of your life! They have multiple locations around the city but I prefer the one in Chartres Street!
Not to mention that New Orleans has the best seafood ever! Of course all cooked in the old-fashioned Cajun style with spices, sauces and boiled to perfection! New Orleans is the city for music-lovers, party-goers, urban bohemians and artists. If you are an adventurer and are wanting to seek out visiting any city in America, I highly recommend New Orleans! It showcases the southern charm and hospitality that is well-known for but my overall experience definitely exceeded my expectations. I didn’t expect that I would enjoy my visit, and I also made great friends while attending the conference I was originally there to attend. We had the best time exploring all the wonder of New Orleans, and I would love to visit this cute city again… perhaps with a couple of my best girlfriends for a night out on good ole’ Bourbon Street!
