Things I Did in New Orleans
1. Pat O' Briens
Pat O'Brien's is a popping outdoor bar that serves giant hurricanes and GIANT hurricanes. The exterior is cute and mardi gras appropriate, complete with a flaming fountain. The atmosphere is more of a social scene for white college students during the peak of Mardi Gras. Seriously, I felt like I was at a Vandy frat party. I found the place way too crowded for my liking but I can see the appeal for this place. and the drinks! They also have a nice bathroom, so we always went there when we need a bathroom break on Bourbon Street.
2. Cafe du Monde
This wonderful place is situated just outside of the chaos but is close enough to visit after late-night antics. Running 24 hours in the day, this is the place to visit for piping hot, delicious beignets. They also serve coffee, which I haven't tried, sounds like a great accompaniment to the beignets.
3. Bourbon Street
This is the street that everyone goes to get Litty Titty, My fave experience was walking through Bourbon during the day. The atmosphere is vibrant without being too chaotic (like it is at nighttime), and the colors, people, and buildings are truly a sight to see. Take your time catching beads from balconies, drinking daiquiris and hurricanes, and watching street performances. Also, lots of boobs and naked people. It was the experience of a lifetime.
4. Saints and Sinners
Saints and Sinners plays hip-hop (bless). It's right across Pat O'Briens and there a stripper pole (!!!). I really enjoyed this bar.
5. Katie's Restaurant
Katie’s Restaurant is a Creole-Italian restaurant that serves dishes like Po Boys, It’s best known for Crawfish Beignet and The Barge (a giant sandwich with fried shrimp, crawfish, and oysters) both dishes featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. We ordered the Eggplant Fries, Delta Queen (fried oyster, shrimp, and crawfish tossed in a spicy garlic cream). and The Bordeaux (cochon de lait, roasted garlic, spinach, red onions and scallops with garlic butter sauce). The pizza was bomb. You can’t go wrong with pulled pork on top of a pizza. The eggplant fries were good, but honestly not worth getting. Delta Queen was a hella mediocre pasta dish and is only expensive because the volume of seafood. The food here just seems like classic American dishes and I remember not being impressed. I’m still bitter about not having tried really good Creole food on this trip.
6. Hustler Shop
This is entertainment at its finest. The Hustler Shop is one of the most elaborate and largest sex stores that I've ever been to. I was slightly creeped out but I also learned so much about the phenomenon that is sex. It's definitely worth a visit.
7. The Gumbo Shop
This place seems to be pretty popular among tourists. All I can say is the wait was pretty long and the food was terrible. The service was great and the ambiance was nice, but I KNOW there is better gumbo somewhere out there and I'm pissed that I never got to try it. This stuff tasted as if it came out of a can. Maybe I’m not understanding Creole food? GREATEST REGRET OF THIS TRIP.
My trip to New Orleans was truly a spontaneous trip. I made a last minute decision to join my friends on their drive to New Orleans the night before, and it was one of the greatest decisions I made in college. New Orleans is a truly beautiful city. The buildings are so unique and colorful and the festivities of Mardi Gras are unforgettable. Aside from the mediocre food I had, this trip was truly worthwhile.
Tips
When you head to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you will either prioritize sightseeing or partying. My group prioritized the partying, so we didn’t go out of our way to visit famous restaurants, enjoy jazz, etc. Partying for three days in a row was exhausting so be prepared.
Getting around requires lots of Uber rides. So make sure to account for that in your budget. Try to get an Airbnb closer to downtown to lessen the cost.
Be safe! Don’t take more than you can handle and always travel with a friend or two.
Places I Wish I Visited, but Didn't Have the Time :(
1. Maison at Frenchmen Street for jazz music
2. Willie May's
3. Parkway
4. Dooky Chase