A First-Timer’s Guide to New Orleans

By: Valeria Ramos

If I had to describe New Orleans in one word it would be electric. Live music, voodoo, rainbow-colored houses, and strong drinks are plentiful in this sultry, swampy city. They say life is better in the Big Easy and there is an energy in NOLA that is so vibrant it’s tangible. New Orleans’ rich history and culture combined with a population of people who love to party create a destination incomparable to any city in the world.

Walking through the French Quarter and dancing throughout Bourbon Street with three of my best friends this year is one trip I will always remember. Although there were a couple of places we didn’t get a chance to see (our excuse to go back as soon as possible), I’ve gathered some highlights from our time in New Orleans that made me fall in love with the birthplace of jazz, creole cuisine, and Mardi Gras. Keep reading for ten things to do on your first trip to NOLA.

Explore the French Quarter

If you’re wondering where to start your trip, the French Quarter is a no-brainer. At the heart of New Orleans, this historic area is home to boutiques, souvenir shops, and amazing food and bars you can explore from day to night. The colorful buildings with wrap-around iron balconies make the perfect backdrop for Insta-worthy pictures. Just a few highlights from the FQ include Cafe du Monde, French Toast (see crepes & mimosa above), the French Market, and Pirates Alley!

Walk around Jackson Square

At the center of the French Quarter lies Jackson Square. Littered with cafés, day-drinkers, street artists, and performers, this is a great place to grab a bite to eat and check out St. Louis Cathedral – the oldest cathedral in the United States.

Take a haunted night tour

A great way to pre-game for a night out in NOLA is to take a haunted night tour. Thanks to the city’s public drinking laws, you can take a drink and sip it throughout the streets while exploring the French Quarter’s eerie history at night. I recommend touring with DJ from New Orleans Ghost Adventures. Not only did we get to see and hear all about the horror of the Lalaurie mansion, but we also learned the history of iconic New Orleans landmarks and made a pit stop at Molly’s Pub for some shots of bourbon.

Visit the Garden District

Stunning, tree-lined Victorian homes and mansions make up the garden district, as well as some nice restaurants and bars. More relaxed than the FQ, this area was developed in 1832 for nouveau-riche Americans settling into the area. The Buckner Mansion is a great photo-op in the area, as it is now famously known as the house from American Horror Story: Coven.

Eat at St. Roch Market

Because NOLA is a melting pot of vibrant cultures, there is no shortage of choices for foodies. One spot my friends and I frequented was St. Roch Market. From tacos to po’boys, this food hall offers options from different vendors at a lower price than most French Quarter eateries.

Party on Bourbon Street

Bourbon street is not for everyone, but as college students on spring break, my friends and I could not get enough. If you love to party and don’t mind crowds of people, Bourbon Street is a must. My friends and I found ourselves ending every night of our trip on Bourbon Street, people-watching and dancing into the wee hours of the morning. Check out this Bourbon Street Survival Guide for the best bars and drinks in this area.

Get your voodoo on

A trip to New Orleans is not complete without a visit to the historic voodoo museum. Check out historic artifacts from the queen of voodoo, Marie Laveau, and make a wish on her wishing stump (yes, really). For all your voodoo/souvenir needs from incense and books to shrunken heads, stop by Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo! (Pro tip: take your student ID with you to get museum entrance discounts).

Head to the swamps

If you want to get away from the bustle of the city for a day, take a drive out to a swamp tour and explore Louisiana wildlife. I highly recommend not partaking in this activity while hungover, but getting to see and feed alligators up close (we even held a baby gator) was worth pushing through any discomfort caused by a bit too much vodka and tequila.

Visit a historic cemetery

There are a handful of historic cemeteries throughout New Orleans, but the most well-known is Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1. Due to the city’s high water table, coffins here are not buried but kept in stunning mausoleums, or as they’re often referred to, “cities of the dead.” The most visited sites here are voodoo queen Marie Laveau’s grave and Nicolas Cage’s controversial pyramid tomb, which he plans as his final resting place.

Tour Oak Alley Plantation

Located in Vacherie (a one-hour drive from New Orleans), the Oak Alley home has tours that give insight into life in Louisiana pre-Civil War. The Oak Alley grounds are beautiful and the tour displays details of its dark past. While horrific, the history of sugar plantations and slavery should not be forgotten, and visiting this place was overall an educational experience.

---

Having only spent a handful of days in the Big Easy, I’m fully aware there is so much more this city has to offer and I can’t wait until my next adventure in this vibrant city. Until then, leave any New Orleans travel tips and recommendations below!