If you’re coming from out of town: We’re so glad you can make it to our wedding! While we can’t personally show you around, we put together a local’s perspective on where to stay, what to do, and most importantly where to eat and drink. Please note that all these suggestions were based on our pre-COVID experience. Check their website and Instagram account for the most up-to-date information.
Where To Stay
We recommend staying in a hotel or Air Bnb in either Downtown or Uptown to get the most out of your New Orleans experience. Please be aware that we can’t speak on the rooms or service of these hotels. We just recommend the location and vibe.
Downtown Hotels
The Hilton Riverside is smack dab in Downtown, right across from the casino, and is close to the French Quarter. The hotel is also home to Drago’s Restaurant, a New Orleans classic with one of the best chargrilled oysters.
NOPSI Hotel is another spot we frequented for its rooftop bar and ambiance.
The Ace Hotel is an instagram-worthy spot with an amazing restaurant (Josephine Estelle). Guests can access their rooftop pool and bar. On weekend nights, you can hear live music at The Three Keys.
Loews New Orleans Hotel. Fun fact, my cousin worked here and he had many celebrity sightings. It’s very close to the Hilton Riverside, so it’s in a bustling section of Downtown.
Selina Catahoula. Our engagement spot! I loved our stay here. The rooms were modern but still had a vintagey, Nola vibe. Bonus: dogs are allowed.
The Troubadour is another hotel with a fun rooftop bar.
Uptown Hotels
The Pontchartrain Hotel is as Nola as it gets. We love the rooftop bar and the Jack Rose restaurant is very instagrammable.
The Columns Hotel has more of a bed and breakfast vibe but we have many memories from all the time spent at their bar. The location is in a great spot to explore the Garden District.
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To Do’s
For history and art buffs:
The National WWII Museum
Ogden Museum
New Orleans Museum of Art
Sculpture Garden
Contemporary Arts Center
For the kid at heart:
Louisiana Children’s Museum
Audubon Zoo
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Storyland
Music Box Village
For the neighborhood stroller and bar hoppers:
Bourbon Street (if you must go, PLEASE please PLEASE wear closed-toe shoes)
Some favorite spots include:
Bourbon Heat: if you want to dance and are ok with dirty floors
Pat O’Brien’s: if you want to sing along at the piano bar and sip on
super sweet hurricanes that’ll f*ck you up
Tropical Isle: do NOT get your hand grenades from anywhere else;
this is another Nola-famous drink that is deceptively light and sweet in taste but heavy on the f*ckery
Lafittes Blacksmith Bar: oldest operating bar in the U.S.
Frenchmen Street for live music and artsy stuff
30/90: Downstairs is live music; upstairs is the club (Friday nights are best)
The Maison: always a good set here
Three Muses: heard the food was good; only been for their music + drinks
d.b.a, Cafe Negril, Apple Barrel Bar, Bamboula’s, Vaso: live music + drinks
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Recommended Restaurants (along with our suggestions):
Acme Oyster House: chargrilled oysters
Barracuda: crispy fish tacos, mushroom tacos
Big EZ Seafood: Viet-Cajun crawfish
Blue Oak BBQ: brisket, ribs, brussel sprouts, mac n cheese
Café du Monde or Morning Call: beignets, duh
Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop: chicken and sausage gumbo with fried shrimp on top
Central City BBQ: naked wings with white bbq sauce, combo plates
Dat Dog: crawfish sausage; Guinness dog
Drago’s: chargrilled oysters
Dian Xin: xiao long bao, crabmeat + crawfish bao, wonton with spicy sauce
Elizabeths: praline bacon, boudin balls, bloody mary
Get Stuph’d: crawfish beignet
Gris Gris: oyster BLT
Herbsaint: cornmeal fried oysters, duck leg confit
Josephine Estelle: any and all pasta
Luke: raw oysters, happy hour every day from 3pm to 6pm
Mr. B’s Bistro: bbq shrimp, $1.50 martinis during weekday lunch
Parkway Poboys: shrimp poboy
Peche: whole fried fish
Pizza Delicious: the name checks out; margherita pizza is mmmmmm
Saffron: everything
Seaworthy: oysters, crawfish roll
Shaya: everything
Superior Seafood: happy hour oysters and drinks
Surrey’s: the best shrimp + grits
Sweet Handkraft: mochi donuts, mochi waffles, Jasmine tea with sea salt foam
Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco: everything
Vals: beef belly tacos
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Bars:
Bachannal: wine bar, cheese plates and live music in the cutest courtyard
Bar Marilou: Parisian speakeasy; super expensive, but super cute interiors
Barrel Proof: whiskey is their speciality; we’ve been regulars since college
Bar Tonique: known for their cocktails
The Bulldog: home of the free glass on Wednesdays; extensive beer list
Bywater Brew Pub: cajun/vietnamese food with unique drinks
Carousel Bar: carousel seats fill up quickly during weekends but there is a
lounge area to listen to live music
Hot Tin: rooftop bar with lovely city views and expensive cocktails
Miel Brewery: we have many pop-ups here; kid-and-dog friendly with a cute courtyard
Nola Distillery: pizza + beer, amen
Shamrock: per Kabrina’s request, get the chicken tenders
The Vintage Nola: munch on fries and beignets while sipping on coffee, wine, or beer
Tchoup Yard: massive outdoor space
Urban South: another kid-and-dog friendly brewery
Wrong Iron: impressive beer list + massive courtyard
Vessel: church turned into a bar that sparked the crazy rich becca union
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