New Orleans

There's a lot of hype about New Orleans, and it hasn't been overstated. There's some magical about the city that's endured much over the last decade. If you're travelling through USA, New Orleans is a must for its other-worldly charm and jazz. 

Music Walking Tour

Look, I’m not the biggest fan of walking tours honestly. Something about the walking. But this free music walking tour in New Orleans made our trip. Andrew, our guide, had music playing from an iPad as he was taking us to the key music and arts spots in New Orleans and describe the history of both. This was the first thing we did in New Orleans and it helped form the foundation of how we looked at the city and the music. 

Our guide was also amazing at giving us a run-down of shows going on at the different jazz clubs for the next couple of days, with timing, type of jazz, and area of the city it’s located. It helped us so much when we made our itinerary. 

Walking tours often feels touristy to me, but this one gave us a good starting point and let us feel like locals when we went to choose which jazz clubs we wanted to check out. It also saved us a lot of time because we can go to the bands and venues that would interest us. 

You’ll need reservations to this tour that only happens at 2:30 pm Friday and Saturday. It’s 2 hours long and it’s a pay what you want type of tour. I would say an average tip starting point would be $10, but it’s ultimately up to you, your personal experience with it, and your budget. Our guide, Andrew’s contact information is below as well. We only had experience with Andrew, and he really made the tour special. So maybe connect with him to see if he’s going to be the guide when you’re there. 

I highly recommend putting this at the beginning of your trip if at all possible. 

Reservations: http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/live-music-new-orleans/
Guide: Andrew Farrier (andrew.d.farrier@gmail.com) 
Address: Mr. Gregory’s Coffee Shop, 806 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, USA
 

Beignets in the Morning

Somehow, some way, you’re going either end up at Café du Monde or be exposed to it. Café du Monde is a New Orleans institution and for very good reason. An order of beignets and a cup of café au lait can be life-changing. 

However, Café du Monde is also busy and chaotic when you are there when everyone else gets there too. You might also feel pressured to eat/drink and go, especially if you have a seat right by the long lineups by other tourists waiting to get a table. 

Café du Monde is opened 24 hours. The very first time I went, it was at 4:00PM and it was the classic busy environment, get-in/get-out situation. The next time we went in the morning when there was no line-ups, we can sit and enjoy our beignets and coffees at our leisure in the light of the morning sun, and a saxophone player lingering in the background. The second time was perfect. 

That’s the experience I would recommend. Make it a goal to get there early at around 7:00AM and take your time to enjoy that experience. Bring cash and get ready just to sit down at any empty table you might see. There is no host/hostess, but if you sit down at a table, clean or dirty, someone will come help you. 

Address: Café du Monde, 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, USA
Website: www.cafedumonde.com

BBQ and Houses

Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street are the places to go for sure. It’s worth heading out further from the French Quarter to the Bywater District. About a 20 minute by bus or 30 min walk, to someone from out of town, it feels like the hip part of town with some really good restaurants/bars and a cool neighbourhood just to walk through. During the day, the neighbourhood is full of houses popping with colour and cafés along the way. Bywater District is also home to a vibrant, thriving art scene. 

Explore during the day, but definitely hit up two spots for dinner and music respectively: The Joint and Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits. The Joint is a well-known BBQ “joint”, so expect line-ups most days, but it’s a comfortable, no-frills spot with a brisket that makes the wait so worth it. 

After dinner, head over to Bacchanal for some drinks and jazz. Behind the wine store is a full courtyard and 2nd floor bar. It has a great selection of wine and a good, hip spot located seemingly in the middle of nowhere on the edge of the river. You can either pick up a bottle of wine and have a seat in the outdoor courtyard or head upstairs for cocktails and more sit-down food inside. 

I love the liveliness of Frenchmen Street jazz clubs, but Bacchanal brings its own experience where it’s more laid back and surreal in its “out of the way-ness”. 

There’s live music 7 days a week, but keep in mind that it’s 21+ and a bouncer will check for IDs. No reservations so it’s first come, first serve for seating. There’s a short standing patio on the 2nd floor that might be a good option. 

Address: The Joint, 701 Mazant Street, New Orleans, USA
Website: alwayssmokin.com

Address: Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits,600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, USA
Website:  bacchanalwine.com
 

Extra Note: Jazz Clubs in New Orleans are a must. But what you get out of it really comes down to the type of jazz you like and the environment you want to be in. It’s definitely worth just walking around, popping your head into a venue and seeing if you like it. If you do, go in and have a seat. Andrew (the tour guide) gave us a good rundown of the highlights around the city for that weekend, and that really helped.

Let me know if you have questions or other gems via my socials: