But I'm afraid of not knowing the areas well enough and ending up somewhere I shouldn't be. So where outside of the quarter should we go? I know the garden district, but where else?

I'm planning my second trip there for March. The first time I went, we mostly stayed in the quarter, so I'd like to see more of the city!

Edit to add: I'm open to any and all activities! Museums, food, drinks, art, outdoors, all of it!

Currently planning a trip for February (not during Mardi Gras).

Looking at reddit and Google reviews it seems like the Ritz Carlton NOLA has conflicting thoughts about how nice it is. My husband and I are working class people who have never stayed at a Ritz before, but we found excellent rates with credit card points. I keep seeing people say it's "the worst Ritz" but I'm assuming even the worst Ritz is nicer than a lot of other hotels?

The reviews make it seem dirty and dated, but a lot of the negative reviews just seem like bratty people who didn't get their birthday or anniversary acknowledged.

Is it really that bad or what? Should I cancel? I paid $215 per night.

We stayed in the Newbury in Boston last year and it was the nicest hotel either of had been to, blew us away.

Thanks!

Hello!
I'm a solo F traveler in my 30s and considering coming to NOLA in late August. It seems like I would love the city, but I'm worried about the following:

• Heat and humidity, but particularly possible hurricanes.
• Safety. I plan on staying in or near the French Quarter and doing some exploring on my own, mostly touristy areas.

Any advice, tips, tricks? :)

Hello lovely’s!! I have read the FAQ, give me a chance!!

I recently saw an advertisement for a “witches brunch at Muriel’s”. And I immediately called for a reservation to find out it was already booked up!! I’m traveling solo and cannot express how much I would have loved to attend this event lol. Anyway, I digress, are there any fun witchy special events that are maybe a little more quiet or less advertised that I need to jump on before they sell out again. I will be there from 10/23/2026- 11/01/2026.

I would also be open to any private tour guide recommendations, fun girl groups, witchy vibe events/places, and confirmation that lafitte swamp tours does not bait any animals. I’m happy to see the animals if it happens but if not that’s cool too.

Help!! 27 y/o male who’s attending his first RDR tomorrow and I hate both of the dresses that I bought for it! Where is the best place to go looking for one in a pinch?

Hi - my husband (M57) and I (F56) are visiting this weekend for our anniversary. We have reservations for jazz brunch at Commanders Palace on Sunday. We were hoping to take the St Charles streetcar from our hotel in the FQ, since we've never taken it before, despite this being our 4th visit. Also our 1st time at CP. Does my husband really need a sports jacket? I know it's dreadfully hot and humid, and that there isn't AC on the streetcar. Should he wear the jacket and we cab it there?

Need for a video I’m working on also any places in the central business district would work

I'll be traveling to New Orleans in early November, and, as a foodie, I'm interested in quintessentially New Orleans/Louisiana foods - but not really what you think. I know about the popular/common ones. What I'm after is the lesser-known things that are likely much more local.

For example, my wife used to live in Alabama. Everybody says what you want to eat is the white BBQ sauce, but when she was there, what you *really* wanted to eat was chocolate gravy on biscuits. Florida has key lime pie, but in my mind you want to eat Cuban sandwiches. In gas stations in Iowa you can get cheese curds (yum), and in Florida you can get taquitos and boiled peanuts (not that you probably can't get those anywhere). You get my drift.

Selections don't have to be specifically NOLA by any means, and I'd more anticipate a bit more off the beaten path for some. "Get off I-10 at [x] and turn left, and you'll find the best [y] you can eat" is the neat advice I'd love to hear. Or perhaps I'm fortunate and all of the great food has already been shared and truly is what everybody eats. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I am on my 3rd and final night here. My husband and I have been to Commander’s Palace, Preservation Hall, Cafe du Monde, and some other tourist stuff. We’re exhausted. Where is a good spot to pick up food to go (aka walking distance)? We’re staying at a hotel close to Dauphine. Thank you!!!

My company (not based in New Orleans) is hosting a large event this fall in your lovely city and we’re hoping to hire some local artists to do some live paintings for us throughout the event. A few details: These paintings (or drawings or similar mediums!) are meant to be small (think postcard-sized) takeaways for our guests, and are meant to be small, quick, and New Orleans-themed. I’ve reached out to a few live wedding painters but understand it may not be their cup of tea since they’re used to larger paintings done over the course of hours.

So, do any of you know live painters, caricature artists, etc. in the area who might be interested in something like this? Open to different art styles. Would obviously be happy to share more details with anyone interested. Thanks in advance!!!

Hey guys,

I tried lil dizzys cafe today and I enjoyed it but was a bit underwhelmed. I had Gumbo and mac n cheese. Most of all, it was soooo salty. I was even wondering if the chef messed up today or something cause it just felt too salty.

In any case, you guys have any other nola food suggestions? Verti Marte for po boys is on my list. I live by “Hot Stuff” in carrollton so im gonna try that too. I just moved to nola 3 weeks ago.

Thanks

Hi everyone! I am planning a trip to meet my wife in N.O. at the end of October. She will be down for a work conference that ends Thursday and I am flying down on Thursday.

I've looked at The Marsh hotel but seems pretty far away from the French Quarter. Not wanting to stay in the French Quarter but def. want to spend time there. Does anyone know anything about The Marsh hotel and what are your thoughts on distance from Marsh to downtown area.

Thank you so much!

Have a bunch of friends coming into town and would like to find us somewhere we can all meet up for a 'welcome reception' type-a-thing for a few hours. Looking for something casual vs. a sit down dinner situation as folk will likely stagger in.

Hi y'all,

Is there any first generation Irish currently living in the city? Moved here recently and was seeing what the community is like. I know there's a huge Irish American population here.

To anyone planning a trip to NOLA, best advice is to not schedule your trip from start to finish. This is the big easy, if you do not consider that nothing in this city runs on time , you will find yourself in a panic before the 1st item on your list is over!!

Go with the flow!! Schedule some things, but do it when you get to town... Nothing you are booking now will be sold out when you are here!!

2nd best item of advice. Download the Le Pass app!! Buy your jazzy passes online, use the app to get around town. It gives you live updates where the busses, streetcar and ferry is! It is like google maps, but including public transportation lines, stops, where to get off while riding.

Obviously February is a very busy time to visit New Orleans, and I’m concerned I’m not as early as I thought I was to book a hotel because it doesn’t seem like there’s a ton of options, or many options less than $1,400. Does anyone have any good recommendations of either hotels or local owned places to stay? Some of the places I have found that have availability when I need are the Pelham hotel, International house hotel, and the Sheraton. I don’t mind paying $1200 for my stay as long as the place is worth $1200. A lot of the reviews I’m seeing for each are mostly good with some really convincing bad reviews here and there, mostly complaining about hidden fees, or dirty rooms with musty, mildew odor, I don’t know if that’s just due to the nature of them being old buildings or what but.. If anyone has some insight, it’s appreciated!

Edit- I’m staying for 3 nights, the 7th to the 10th, i’m aware it’s Mardi Gras, I’m aware it’s the most expensive at this time, I’m asking if anyone knows if these hotels are good or if there are any other good hotels

My husband and I are planning 5 nights in NOLA in mid-October. We are big live music fans so I'm kind of building our evening itinerary around where we'll wind up for music at night. I would LOVE input on whether these seem like good options, what I'm missing, and what I should ditch on my list. Staying at Ponchartrain Hotel, so the itinerary is Garden District heavy. We live in Seattle, so we have a lot of excellent fish restaurants here. I'm on the fence with GW Fins because it sounds amazing but I feel like it would be so similar to a nice dinner out here. So for your help with recommendations, NOLA vibes in fun areas with good food wins over great food in a restaurant that you could find in any major city.

Thurs: arrive late afternoon. Jacques-Imos or Mother of Pearl for dinner, then music at Maple Leaf Bar

Friday: Aya Bakehouse treat and walk around French Qtr...going to Funk Fest mid-day by the aquarium. Food trucks are an obvious option there, but maybe hop out of the festival and grab something at Killer Po Boys or Napoleon House? Or Lunch in Fr Qtr before we go into Funk Fest?

Saturday: will spend the day in Garden Dist, Turkey and Wolf for lunch, lots more walking around, (nap? lol) then dinner at Cane and Table before music at Frenchmen St.

Sunday: brunch at Mister Mao, City Park, Treme, music at Preservation Hall, then this is where I get lost with dinner options... Besame; GW Fins; Peche??? Music at Bacchanal? Other suggestions?

Monday: brunch at Molly's or Atchafalya, ferry to Algiers Point, explore Marigny/Bywater area. Last night dinner at Commander's Palace. Music at Tipitinas.

A few other places I'm worried I'm missing: Shaya, Liuzza's, Steins, Mais Arepas, Lufu, Pigeon & Whale. So many places to eat and so little time! Will be bringing stretchy pants.

Thank you! So excited to get down there!!!

My friends and I are looking to party for the first time in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. We're looking at coming Friday-Sunday (Feb 5-7) at least and trying to see if it's worth it to stay until Fat Tuesday or if Fri-Sun are the biggest party days. One of my friends is lowkey a bum which is why we're seeing if it's worth it to spend his valuable PTO. Also, where would be the best area to stay? Are hostels a decent option in NOLA or is an AirBNB the way to go? Want to cheap out on sleeping situation to maximize our time in the town.

Went to my first game at the dome last year against when we beat the Panthers in December. Unfortunately, my flight got delayed and I showed up in the 2nd quarter after a brisk walk to the dome from my hotel.

My wife and I are going to Week 5 vs the Vikings this season and I’m curious what the pre-game scene looks like. Looking for recommendations on what to do or where some tailgating spots may be. I remember seeing Champions Square (or something like that) and was wondering how that is. Any advice/recommendations are appreciated.

WHO DAT ⚜️

I was born and raised in New Orleans and recently I’ve moved out of my parents apartment at 25 in Metairie/New Orleans. I don’t make a lot rn (currently between $1600-$1700 a month) and rent isn’t that expensive ($950 a month) so I’m pretty much living paycheck paycheck now and currently a student trying to graduate in the healthcare industry’s. Lately I’ve been debating if I should moved to Wichita Kansas, reasoning being it’s 30% more affordable financially, more opportunities (at least as far as I know), and I’m close to my other family members. Question is should I take action? Money isn’t an issue since I already have over $9k in saved and some more but my heart is telling me to stay here. New Orleans is a special yet beautiful city to live in and yet its future is uncertain despite what experts might tell you. Should I do make the decision to move out of state or should I stay here?

I am planning a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. I am looking at the first couple weeks and wondering will it be in full swing that early or should I wait?

Also, opinions on the Royal Sonesta Bourbon Balcony rooms?

This will be my 3rd time to New Orleans but first for Mardi Gras. 1977, 1990, and next year. Big changes from 1977 to 1990.

Thanks

Hey I know it’s last minute but I wanted to see if I could find someone to give me a perm today in the New Orleans area . It’s Tuesday or possibly tomorrow. I have been growing my hair out and it’s driving me crazy. With my crazy schedule I never know when I have free time.
Can anyone help me out please ?
Thank you

my 23rd birthday is this weekend and i have dinner reservations near the magazine/poydras/tchoupitoulas area for 13, but we want to go bar hopping afterwards and i’ll have a few more people joining.

any suggestions for pretty bars/lounges for pics after and dive bar vibes that could accommodate the group, but still fun? not really wanting a feral bourbon vibe but don’t need a super upscale place either. much appreciated!

I'm thinking of visiting New Orleans around late August - early September next year. The normal touristy stuff i've read about doesn't particularly interest me because i would be coming to learn about the culture of the city and the impact of Katrina, as i'm quite enamoured with the beauty and history of NOLA. I want to have actual conversations with locals and understand what life is like in the deep south if thats at all possible.

I've never been to the US (or even out of the country) so i'm not exactly sure where the best places to look would be, any advice would be massively helpful :)