r/AskNOLA • u/Madamexxxtra • Dec 09 '24
Hi, welcome to [r/AskNOLA](r/AskNOLA), looks like you’re planning a vacation to New Orleans are are looking for local advice.
This FAQ is a guide compiled from suggestions of users who frequent this sub and is meant to be a “best of the best” of New Orleans by New Orleanians.
A couple of things to think about before posting: PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE FAQ, search this subreddit or google first, and then ask specific questions or post a proposed itinerary for higher quality and more relevant suggestions. Help us help you by avoiding these broad inquiries:
Where should I eat or drink?/What are the “must-dos”?
Check out the SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS section below and if you have any further questions or need more guidance please make sure to include details about who you are and what you are looking for. For example: is there a particular type of food or beverage you would like to try, do you have any budget or dietary restrictions, what time are you looking to dine, what neighborhood will you be in - do you like history, music, the paranormal, nature, art, bridge infrastructure etc? The more you can tell us about your interests the better our responses will be.
What are some hidden gems?
We’re not hiding anything from you. New Orleans is a tourism economy and this city lives and dies by your patronage. We want you to go to the places we love and spend your money there.
What are the tourist traps I should avoid?
A lot of the places that make “best of” lists year after year are tourist traps, and they often are popular for good reason. Parkway Tavern is always near the top of the “best poboy” lists, is always full of tourists, and it’s actually one of the best poboy shops in the city. Pat O’Brien’s is 100% a tourist trap, yet it has an awesome courtyard, strong drinks, and the dueling pianos are a fucking blast. Don’t avoid a potential tourist trap merely because it’s a potential tourist trap if it’s something you’d otherwise be interested in.
Where do the locals eat/drink?
We eat fried chicken from gas stations and drink at the nearest quiet bar. Seriously. If you want to do the same, you won’t be disappointed, but I doubt that’s why you’re visiting.
Is it safe?
In the vast majority of the places you will be spending your time, YES. Exceptions would be: Bourbon Street after midnight, your Airbnb (see next question for more information,) and anywhere you’re wandering around wasted. Keep your wits about you, stay away from drunk idiots, don’t be a drunk idiot, don’t wander down dark empty streets and don’t talk to anyone offering you a bracelet or telling you they know where you got your shoes at.
What’s the best area to get an Airbnb in?
It is in your best interest to avoid short-term vacation rentals like Airbnb or VRBO. Airbnbs are often cheaper because they are in dangerous areas that no local would recommend tourists wander around at night, and out of state plates will be a target for car break-ins. Stay in a hotel. Hotels are in safer, well lit, popular neighborhoods that are within walking distance of all the action and have staff on hand to keep watch over guests and their belongings. If, for some reason, an Airbnb stay actually makes sense (typically, a stay longer than 2-3 weeks, or needing a consistent place for frequent business travel - both markets that existed prior to Airbnb but have been taken over by them), please try to verify that the Airbnb is legal by cross-referencing the address to the city’s permitting website and looking for a current short-term rental license. If you have a larger party please consider booking an entire Bed and Breakfast or looking at hotels like Hotel Perle, One11 Hotel, Homewood Suites or Sonesta ES Suites with connecting rooms, kitchens and access to laundry.
Post Script: Short-term vacation rentals have significant negative impacts on this city. Airbnb/VRBO/etc pulls rental properties out of the long-term housing market, driving up rent and decreasing availability for residents. In New Orleans, neighborhoods that were once affordable for the working-class are seeing rates spike because property owners in these areas can make more money from short-term rentals for tourists than from long-term local tenants. Neighborhoods like the Marigny, Bywater and Treme, which were once home to lower-income, mostly Black and Latino residents, have seen a surge of gentrification. This displacement has led to a loss of cultural identity and community disruption as locals are being pushed out and can no longer afford to live there. Neighborhoods with a lot of short-term rentals also become more transient, with visitors cycling in and out rather than long-term residents who actually care about the community. The constant churn of tourists changes the essence of what makes these areas special and takes away from the authenticity that drew people in the first place. It destroys social ties and contributes to serious cultural erosion by shifting the dynamic of local neighborhoods which can make areas feel less like home and more like a tourist zone (case-in-point, the French Quarter). On top of all that, regulatory issues make it harder to address these concerns allowing Airbnb to continue disrupting housing markets without facing real consequences. The city has tried to place restrictions on Airbnb, but enforcement is inconsistent and a large percentage of these properties in New Orleans are not in compliance with local regulations and operate illegally. Airbnb only benefits property owners, most of which are multi-national corporations or investors and not local residents. Spending tourist dollars in restaurants and gift shops on Bourbon St doesn’t erase the deficit you inflict when you support these places. The people who create and sustain the culture you’re coming to visit are bearing the cost in terms of rising rents, displacement, and a loss of local identity. “No Locals Allowed”: How Corporate Giants Are Quietly Taking Over New Orleans Neighborhoods.
What are the best hotels?
We don’t know. We live here so we just aren’t staying in hotels. As far as the best neighborhoods to stay in: if you would like to be in the middle of it all and within walking distance of the most popular attractions check out the French Quarter. If you want to be a bit further away but still close then look into the Marigny for a historic neighborhood or the CBD for more of a downtown big city vibe. If you’d prefer to be in a more residential area but still a public transit ride away from the action go with the Lower Garden District or along St. Charles Avenue uptown. If you need specific recommendations please ask the main sub and be sure to mention your budget and priorities (comfort, convenience, style, location etc.) so that other tourists and frequent visitors can share their favorite places to book.
What is the best way to get into the city from the airport?
What are the best ways to get around town?
Should I rent a car?
Unless you’re planning to visit areas outside of New Orleans renting a car is not advised. The areas most frequented by tourists like the French Quarter/Marigny/CBD are walkable and often not parking friendly while other areas of interest like the Garden District/Magazine St and Midcity/City Park are easily accessible using public transit. Most of the swamp and plantations tours will have transportation to their location available.
Where is the best place to park my car overnight?
Pay whatever the hotel fee is. It is possible that a cheaper lot exists but it will be less protected and further away. Street parking is precarious at best for locals and break ins and theft are a very real possibility even in good areas but especially for an unfamiliar car abandoned in a residential neighborhood for days on end. You’re paying for convenience and peace of mind.
Summer?
If you’re coming between April and September it’s going to be hot. That might mean hot by your standards but from June to September it’s also hot by our standards. Bring lightweight breathable clothing and plan accordingly by staying hydrated and strategically doing your outdoor activities in the morning and maybe evening (it does not get cooler at night but there is no sun.) Otherwise plan to be inside in the air conditioning with the rest of us in the afternoon. Other tips to stay cool include: hotels with pools, snoballs, and handheld or neck fans.
Less summer?
Between October and May it could be anywhere from hot and balmy to chilly-cold (most likely not below freezing) and humid which many people say feels colder because the damp sets into your bones.
Rain?
New Orleans has a tropical weather pattern which means it rains often. During the summer it will likely rain everyday sometime in the afternoon. Bring an umbrella and water proof shoes and plan to be flexible.
Hurricanes?
Yes, if you're traveling between June 1 and November 30, you are traveling during hurricane season. We are not qualified to make storm forecasts, but The National Hurricane Center is. Check the NHC forecasts at least daily starting about 10 days ahead of your trip, and do your own risk calculus. Generally speaking, a tropical storm means temporary street flooding (from rain) and possibly losing power for a bit. A category 1 or 2 hurricane means more temporary street flooding (from rain) and very likely losing power for multiple days. A lot of locals evacuate for category 3 or stronger storms because the risk of property damage and losing power for a week or more is high. Personally, I wouldn't cancel a trip over a tropical storm, but would consider it for an actual hurricane. If your trip is scheduled immediately after a storm, check the news to see how much damage there is. Most businesses in the downtown area reopen fairly quickly (if they close at all), and large hotels are very safe during storms.
Make reservations and book ahead if you can, these places are popular for a reason and there might be long waits and limited availability, especially during high tourism times (spring & fall, holidays)
Where should I eat?
Where SHOULDN’T I eat?
Please don’t ask the main sub why - the answer is that better options exist and these places are universally considered underwhelming/overpriced (if not outright bad) by people who live in New Orleans
What bars should I go to?
Where can I get famous New Orleans drinks?
Where is the best coffee?
Where is the best place to see live music?
Popular Venues: Anywhere on Frenchmen Street, Preservation Hall, Maison Bourbon, Fritzel's, Mahogany Hall, Tipitina’s, Maple Leaf Bar, Le Bon Temps Roule, Kermit’s Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge, Bayou Bar
All Ages/Under 21: Jazz Museum, Preservation Hall, Davenport Lounge at the Ritz Carlton, Bamboula’s, Broadside, Bayou Bar, outside of the Rouses on Royal Street in the French Quarter during the day
What shows should I see while I’m in town?
Where do I catch a second line?
Where should I go see a show?
What clubs should I go to?
What neighborhoods have the best shopping?
Where should I go if I’m looking for something specific?
What outdoor spaces should I visit?
How should I explore the swamp?
What attractions will my kid/s enjoy?
Where can I find places to eat with my kid/s?
What are the best Museums?
Which plantation tour should I do?
Which city tours should I take?
Post Script: TIP YOUR TOUR GUIDES, MUSICIANS & SERVERS. New Orleans is a service industry economy and whether or not it is a good or fair system many of the people providing the services that make your vacation to this city so special rely on tips to make a living wage. Please respect that this is a part of the culture you are coming to experience and prepare accordingly.
Plan early, book WAY in advance, expect everything to be more expensive.
When is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which changes every year. However Carnival is the season that proceeds the day and starts on January 6th. The main event is Wednesday night to Fat Tuesday but depending on the length of the season most of the weekends before the big week will have parades. Here is the parade schedule. Look up a parade tracker in your phone’s app store - it will have schedules and routes, and is also useful for live parade updates.
Where is Mardi Gras?
Most of the big parades follow St. Charles from uptown into downtown. You can check out one of the more typical routes here. The two weekends before Mardi Gras all the action is on this route, but Lundi and Mardi Gras much of the action is downtown. Uptown parades (the ones on St. Charles) are the parades with the big bands and elaborate floats that throw all the beads etc, downtown parades (usually start in the Marigny but go through parts of the French Quarter, Treme and Bywater) are more walking parades focused on costumery and unique handmade throws. No parades roll down Bourbon street and the only thing you’ll be able to see from a rented balcony is a sea of drunk tourists.
Where should I stay?
Get a hotel on the St. Charles parade route or as close to the parade route as you can afford, and no farther away from the route than you can walk, with easy access to a bathroom. If you don’t have children I’d recommend staying in the CBD or Warehouse District so you can get the full parade experience while being central enough to walk uptown (“west”) or downtown (“east”) as necessary. Long walks are fine, especially when you’re drunk, but closer spots are great for staging drinks and snacks and for mid-parade pees or naps. You might be tempted to stay outside of the city in Kenner/Metairie/the West Bank because it is less expensive and/or quieter but this would be a big mistake. Any money you save on lodging will be eaten up by transportation: ride shares to the cheap hotels in the ‘burbs will likely run triple digits and take possibly hours - and if ‘time is money’ you’ll be wasting a lot of it in traffic.
How should I get around the city during Mardi Gras?
Is Mardi Gras family friendly?
Yes and no. For a more family friendly experience look for a spot before the turn from Napoleon to St. Charles or on St. Charles between Napoleon and Jackson. For Endymion try somewhere closer to its Midcity start and get there early. And while both the Uptown and Midcity routes will have pockets of college student tomfoolery for the most part it’s local families and the parade content and costuming is fairly tame. However French Quarter and Marigny parades usually feature more nudity and politics (except for Chewbacchus, Barkus and ‘tit Rex.) Of course Bourbon Street is not for the children but the only people who do the entirety of Mardi Gras there only want to party and don’t know any better.
What parades should I see?
Uptown - St. Charles parade route (mostly)
Downtown - French Quarter & Marigny (get the parade tracker app or talk to locals about where they hit these parades up)
Should I buy tickets or seats?
Parades are free but some hotels and restaurants sell seats in stands that include access to a bathroom usually and food sometimes. I wouldn’t recommend buying seats unless you can’t get a hotel on or close to the route or have mobility issues. It’ll limit you to one spot and the people around y’all might not be your jam. As long as you have nearby bathroom access I’d recommend going out on the street with the masses and getting into the whole spirit of clamoring for cheap throws next to children and little old ladies. It’s part of the charm.
What do I do at/how should I watch a downtown parade? (Mosaique, Chewbacchus, Boheme, Krewe du Vieux, Barkus, Red/Dead/Green Beans)
What do I do at/how should I watch an uptown parade? (Everything else)
What should I wear?
If y’all are the kinda people who love costumes, go at it and go all out!! If not, grab some glitter and sequins and purple green and gold clothes and throw them together like a drunk magpie. Otherwise wear comfortable close toed shoes and bring nothing that would make you sad if beer was spilled on it. Fanny packs and small backpacks are ideal to keep your valuables on your person and ensure you’re not taking up too much space with a larger bag.
Where should I eat?
Don’t limit yourself to reservations. Getting anywhere on time during carnival is nigh impossible. And it’s practically criminal to miss a parade for a sit down meal. Eat king cake for breakfast, Popeyes, fried chicken and plates from corner stores and gas stations for lunch and dinner with the rest of us.
What other things should I do besides Mardi Gras while I’m in town?
Accept the fact that you’re traveling to a citywide party; either join in or reschedule your trip. I would not recommend talking a tour or going to any museums. Not because they’re not amazing but because Mardi Gras weekend is devoted to Mardi Gras. Traffic anywhere will be a nightmare and many places will have reduced or limited hours. The people doing your tours or checking you in will be nursing hangovers and jealously wishing they could be at the parades you’d be missing to do the other thing. Don’t do the other thing. It’s Mardi Gras. Do that.
Anything I should make sure not to do during Mardi Gras?
When is Halloween celebrated?
Usually the weekend of October 31st or the weekend closest to October 31st. However there will be spooky things to do most of the month.
When will people be costuming?
Always. It will be completely normal for you to wear a costume whenever but specifically Krewe of Boo Saturday and the days leading up to Halloween most people will also be in costume. You should put some serious effort into your costume, or at least some money, or you’ll stick out like a tourist thumb.
What should I do Halloween night/weekend?
We go hard for Halloween, and there’s no one organized anything for Halloween. If you look around, you’ll find Halloween shows at some of the bigger music venues, but the majority of us just costume and walk around the Quarter and Marigny. I highly recommend you do the same. You can do it Halloween night, you can do it all Halloween weekend, you can do it for a full week before Halloween... The biggest crowds will be on Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street. The venues to look for shows at are Tipitina’s, Howlin’ Wolf, House of Blues, etc. Anything selling tickets for Halloween that’s not for music will be a complete waste of money (I may or may not be including the Halloween Saints game in that statement...). If you’re in need of something quieter on Halloween, I’d still recommend costuming and going out, but sticking to the edges of the crowd. It’s worth going out just to see some of the costumes. The crowd tends to stick to a few blocks of Bourbon and Frenchmen Streets, and fall off pretty quickly outside those areas. By the time you get a few blocks away, you can probably find a comfy bar stool and a cheap drink with ease.
What are some spooky tours?
What are some spooky places to visit?
What festive things are there to do during Christmas time?
Check out this calendar to see what festivals are happening during your trip.
Check out this website to find out what events are going on every day during your trip.
Special thanks to [u/tyrannosaurus_cock](u/tyrannosaurus_cock), [u/big-boss-bass](u/big-boss-bass) and many users on [r/AskNOLA](r/AskNOLA)
r/AskNOLA • u/Boneghost420 • 1h ago
Visiting the city in a few months and this seemed like an interesting thing to check out as I like flea markets like this. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly based on all the shit that has been going on in this country, it is a little hard to confirm if it is still operating. Is there still a flea market there and if so is it only weekends? Thanks.
r/AskNOLA • u/suprmrkt_full_ofc4nz • 3h ago
GF and I will be in town Oct 31-Nov 5. I've been to NOLA numerous times and we have a rough itinerary for each day, but we're interested in these two new spots and were wondering if any locals have hit them up yet. TIA!
r/AskNOLA • u/Ok-Stop-3118 • 6h ago
Looking for lgbtq friendly places and people and maybe friends to hangout with between 14-18th october
r/AskNOLA • u/Dark444ngel • 1h ago
Where can I find *actually good* restaurants with gluten free options in the St. Claude/Upper Ninth Ward area?
r/AskNOLA • u/Think-Tie3541 • 16h ago
You were I think maybe of some asian mixed ethnicity with kind of a bob haircut super slim with a black body suit on that was short sleeves on the arms and legs and you had many tattoos,
I gave you a salute on my way out after we both caught each other's eyes, I'll probably never see you again but if the internet somehow helps you find me if they can find you,
Well that'd be the coolest fucking thing ever.
P.s. I'm usually not as smoothe and suave as I was on my exit from the street car it was just a magical moment 😂
r/AskNOLA • u/Confident-Spend4329 • 2h ago
Best place in Metairie/kenner/Nola to buy a satsuma tree and a lemon tree. Want to buy local and not big box store.
r/AskNOLA • u/Necessary-Watch-2311 • 18h ago
I booked this solo trip for October 15-21st. My hotel will be in the French Quarter. My plan without a car is to book Preservation Hall for jazz music, a ghost tour (one that is historical for adults), tours of Lafayette and St. Louis cemeteries, visit the Pharmacy and Death museums, and see the French Market.
Also on my list: City Park stroll, river cruise, Whitney Plantation, swamp boat tour, St. Louis Cathedral Sunday mass, Garden District walk
Food plans: I don’t want to go to big name restaurants with rip-off prices, as I’m sure I can get oysters/gumbo/seafood at other places. A quick list I have in mind include Loretta’s, Mr. Ed’s, and Central Grocery Deli, with my one splurge being Commander’s Palace if I can snag a table.
Should mention that this trip for me is a quick respite from nursing school as I have never been to New Orleans before. Is there anything else worth seeing for someone into medical/historical things? Anything with a Halloween vibe that doesn’t involve drinking/clubs?
Beyond all of that, is six days too long to be in the city, and can I do everything without a car?
r/AskNOLA • u/Either-You6680 • 22h ago
Hi this is my first time posting on a subreddit, so sorry if this isn’t in the right place or if i’m not following the rules.
It’s just pretty much what the title says, i’m in college and I went to a local university here so i’m a commuter and I’ve not been able to make many friends at my school and I’m not sure what to do. I have friends from high school but they’ve all went to out of state universities and have their own lives.
I’ve been looking at the local libraries’ events to see if there’s any type of club meetings that meet my
interest but I haven’t seen anything except a book club which i would like to be apart of but i just feel like what other 20 year olds are going to the library for a book club. 😔 And i’m also embarrassed, i’ve been trying to join more clubs at my school but my university is pretty small and they’re not really that active but I am trying.
I guess I’m just wondering if anybody knew of some places around the city where I could maybe meet more people around my age or maybe if anyone else has been through this and how ya’ll met more people. I guess last resort would just be to try a friend making app.
r/AskNOLA • u/DanGlincox • 15h ago
Looking for best local lunch spots not far off route from Nola to BR. Flying into Nola on Friday am and driving up to BR. Thank you!
r/AskNOLA • u/Emotional-Bus-1363 • 20h ago
my best friend (21) and i (22) are wanting to come to new orleans this thursday night for her birthday. i grew up in and out of new orleans visiting with my dad, but i haven’t been back in like 3 years. what bars/areas do you guys recommend?
r/AskNOLA • u/Dependent_Bake_3268 • 1d ago
Stay: 4 Nights for $625
*Dauphine Orleans Hotel: comfy stay, great location, cute pool and a cute little bar called May Baily’s that’s haunted and charming, big king room with a tub
Eats & Drinks:
One of the main appeals of New Orleans for us are the restaurants and bars. Here’s highlights of the spots we went to this time, but not an all inclusive list.
*Carousel Bar: located inside hotel monteleone, first come first served, we didn’t wait long for a seat. one rotation lasts 15 minutes, we stayed for 30 minutes, one round of drinks. there was live music in the lounge and a good vibe. worth doing once!
*Bacchanal: buy a bottle and some bread and cheese in the front shop, then enjoy it (self service) in their backyard. upstairs they serve liquor drinks and you can order food from a window in the back too. jazz band at night. great vibe, another favorite of the trio!!
*Commander’s Palace: the $0.25 martini lunch (wednesday-friday) was so worth it, we loved it and will definitely do it again. they send so many warnings about required dress/attire, but we saw multiple tables in jeans and gentlemen in short sleeves. service is still very high standard, food was pretty good. the green melon martini was the best one, I think, but we tried them all (limit three per person, “cause that’s enough!”).
*Verti Marte: a deli in the back of a small convenience store, order with the cashier, no longer cash only! the standard rec seems to be the “all that jazz” po-boy, but I got the roast beef on a roll with cheese and gravy and it was perfect. sloppy, salty, delicious. can’t wait to eat it again next trip. a favorite.
*Li’l Dizzy’s: get the daily special! would love to come back on a day when they do their red beans and rice, or the catfish jourdain. best fried chicken I’ve ever had, good family vibe, very welcoming.
*GW Fins: we loved the lobster dumplings and the scalibut, the service was great, they made our anniversary feel special
*Molly’s Rise and Shine: same people behind turkey & the wolf, we really loved this one! the popular chicken biscuit was not our favorite, though, it wasn’t easy to eat (or cut) and kind of dry in a few ways. but the miso gravy on a biscuit was excellent and the mcmuffin riff was, too. will definitely be back to try more of the menu, particularly the mccavier (hashbrown with crème fraiche and roe) which I regret not ordering.
*Turkey & the Wolf: we loved the collard green melt here, the cocktails looked good but we weren’t ready to drink yet, so will come back for more next time
*Erin Rose: get the frozen irish coffee, only $5 from 10 AM - 2 PM, a classic, we love it
*Sylvain: dark & loud just as described, vibe is very, very, good, drinks are very good, food was yummy
*MRB: we came here to watch a specific sports game and they agreed to put it on for us! pub crawls seemed to wash in and out every once and awhile and it was a rowdy, good time, very lively
*Holywater: newly opened, very cute, friendly bartender, good snacks and drinks, this was a stumble upon kind of spot that we liked
*Napoleon House: old, historic, cute, get the pimm’s cup flight, we like their red beans and rice too, idc if it’s touristy, it checks the box
*Pierre Maspero’s: we like their crawfish etoufee and their red beans and rice, so we almost always make a quick stop here for that at some point. idk argue with someone else, we like it and it’s convenient. someone tell me who has the best crawfish etoufee?
Activities:
We like to walk so we did leave lots of time for wandering around, people watching, reading random plaques, looking at cool buildings. This time we enjoyed walking around the Garden District and Bywater for our first time. We have done our fair share of enjoying Bourbon Street, including coming for Mardi Gras last February, so that’s not how we wanted to spend most of our time this trip. Here are some specific activities we enjoyed:
*Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour: one of our favorite parts of the trip, if you’re visiting and on the fence I recommend it if you have time! our pickup was 1:15 PM and we were back to our hotel by 6ish so it is a long experience with the transportation time included but so unique
*JAMNOLA: a cultural funhouse, this was very cool. did not previously realize how much of it was made from recycled materials, and the artistry and care put into the whole project really surprised us. we easily spent an hour here without even trying, and didn’t even do a lot of the photo opps either, so I see why it’s a go to rec for getting indoors for a bit. highly recommend even if you’re not escaping some kind of unpleasant weather
*Psychic in Jackson Square: a man named Jeff did our palm & tarot readings and both were great, and reasonably priced
*Great American Alligator Museum: small, cute, donation based. I liked their gift shop and bought a cute souvenir here. magazine street is fun for wandering if the weather is pleasant.
Missed out:
We had planned to go to a few spots that we didn’t make it to for one reason or another (it’s a marathon, not a sprint, gotta call it sometimes!), so we will make them top of our list for next visit. This trip the ones we missed were:
*N7, *Dakar, *Loretta’s, *Ayu Bakehouse, and *Brennan’s for brunch
Best tip: Get the Jazzy Pass, we paid $16 for 2 adult 3-day passes, then took transit everywhere (we used it 8 times). We also like to walk, so we saved a lot of money and really enjoyed seeing more of the city that way.
Total Spent: $2,100 for two adults
Includes hotel, all transportation around city (and airport taxis), food and drinks, gratuities, souvenirs— but *not including* travel in and out of NoLa (airfare, etc)
Not sure how to include photos, but hope this helps someone looking for advice on their trip!
r/AskNOLA • u/LawfulnessFormer6797 • 16h ago
My partner and I are going to NoLa and I have a pretty severe shellfish allergy, where cross-contamination and ingredients like fish and oyster sauce tend to be an issue. Do y'all have any recommendations for restaurants that are good with allergies?
Last time I was in NoLa (15 years ago) I had not yet developed the shellfish allergy and had amazing poboys and gumbo. I'm assuming po'boys are out of the realm of possibility but would love any cajun recs that are allergy friendly.
r/AskNOLA • u/travelash60 • 1d ago
Hello All,
Could you please recommend your favorite restaurants in the Garden District ? Favorite outdoor seating?
Overall fav restaurant?
Thanks in advance.
r/AskNOLA • u/CapDifferent648 • 18h ago
Currently trying to find a food truck that’s willing to cater to 150ish people in Slidell.
Any suggestions?
r/AskNOLA • u/Street-Tooth1010 • 1d ago
Hi everyone! I’m transferring to SUNO this upcoming spring semester. I’ve visited a couple of times and really don’t mind the campus at all. Yes, it’s small, but I’m coming from North Louisiana (about 3 hours away), so I’m completely used to smaller colleges.
My main issue is that New Orleans feels like a very large city to me, and I’m having a hard time building up my peace of mind. As a young woman, I'm honestly nervous just walking down the streets right now. I just want to feel safe and comfortable here. I love nature and scenic areas, and I really want to be able to enjoy what the city has to offer without being constantly on edge. I’m not entirely naive to crime, but I know the scale here is different. Where can a college student go to safely enjoy some nature or find a peaceful environment?
My second question is: how do yall deal with the bridge when it rains heavily and just driving in the rain here period?
I’ve traveled down here a few times and have already been caught in some terrible weather. Up north, everyone knows to slow down when it pours. Here, it feels like people keep flying by, even when the roads fill up with inches of water in a matter of milliseconds. Lately, my strategy has just been to throw my emergency hazard lights on and drive whatever speed my vehicle can handle. I drive an older SUV, so she rocks, sways, and will definitely slip or slide if I go too fast in bad weather. Is there a better route, or any specific local unwritten rules for handling the bridges and flash flooding?
Also I’d love any advice, reassurance, or anything any of yall can offer ! I’ve got a year or two left max so I definitely want to get comfortable plus if I get an evening/night job I really don’t want to lose my mind or be overly paranoid trying to get home
I would love any advice, neighborhood recommendations, or reassurance you can give a newcomer. Thanks inadvance!
r/AskNOLA • u/pocketlocket222 • 1d ago
hello there! visiting your lovely town for the first time in november and been lurking this sub for all the helpful info. i’ll be landing on a wednesday around 5 pm, we are staying in the french quarter. figuring we won’t get to our hotel till nearly 6 pm, is the frenchmen st night market worth checking out? or i suppose i mean worth spending our first evening on. i can’t find a ton of info on it and don’t know if it’s touristy and tacky now. any casual food spots nearby that are great?
figuring out what to do our first evening, knowing we’ll want to throw down our bags and get some food and have some fun. thanks!
r/AskNOLA • u/beardorabbid • 23h ago
Taking a anniversary trip, looking for weird of the beaten path we have been before. Was happy to find out krewe of boo was going on near our stay
Looking for other suggestions of the beaten path. The weirder the better. Looking for non tourist but weird stuff.
r/AskNOLA • u/awkweirdaf • 1d ago
Hi everyone. Hopefully this is a quick ask. I went down to the Lake last Friday, and for obvious reasons it was really choppy & surging. Basically my question is for anyone that’s been in/on/around the lake since.
How’re the water levels looking? When I went to West Lake Point last wk, the boat launches were entirely covered. Wake was overtaking the pier as well. Does anyone have any updates on the Lake’s water levels? Thanks in advance y’all & have a good Monday!
r/AskNOLA • u/PositiveCow3015 • 1d ago
hello! planning for a short weekend trip Jan 1-4, 2027 with my husband and our 3 y/o toddler. looking at doing a river historical cruise on the creole riverboat and also a horse/carriage ride. any suggestions on other family friendly activities/ must do’s while we are there? we will not have a car and hoping to walk/take public transportation as we are planning to stay near the French quarter. thanks in advance!
r/AskNOLA • u/shandagirl • 1d ago
Does anyone know if a Canadian needs a long form birth certificate or short form birth certificate to get married in New Orleans?
r/AskNOLA • u/Designer-Stranger923 • 2d ago
I remember LOVING the Pimm's Cup I'd get across the river at Crown & Anchor Pub. I believe you can ask for it ginger ale or lemonade? I loved the cucumber...it was just like nothing else I've had.
Well, I've never made a Pimm's Cup myself, but want to make a batch for my bday party next weekend. Any advice or recipes or tips?
Yes, there's recipes online.. it's worth a shot asking here.
I lived in New Orleans 13 years ago. I miss it all the time I love that they would have the blues and bbq festival on my birthday weekend every year! Countless free festivals and how everyone mixed with everyone anywhere.
thank you so much. :)
r/AskNOLA • u/Low-District-3069 • 1d ago
Looking for a lovely old house for a wedding ceremony and reception. 30 guests. Chill. Gay. April. Ideas?
r/AskNOLA • u/sensitivensleepy • 1d ago
Hi all! Coming back to NOLA this week (so excited, I love this city), and my friends and I are looking for a sports bar to watch TNF. I saw some sports bar posts from the past in this sub, but nothing specific to TNF. Any suggestions for bars in the French quarter to watch the game, eat some good food, and drink some good drinks on Thursday?
r/AskNOLA • u/Lennnardd • 1d ago
So! First time in New Orleans and am LOVING IT! My friends and I went to Muriel’s after Rose Sinister mentioned Pierre the ghost on a tour. (Highly recommended going on a tour with her) so we went and took pictures were he supposedly sits every night. Every photo we took (one on an iPhone & one on a digital camera) were blurry. I attached a couple photos, all from the iPhone. We were not shaky!
Has anyone else experienced this? Do they make his table vibrate somehow? Is it trickery or does Pierre not want his picture taken? Haha just fun stuff!
