Oh my word! I am still laughing! We are in town for the Fried Chicken Festival ( my daughter is a…read morejudge) and a local friend of hers ( also a judge) brought us here after oysters and cocktails. So entertaining. They had scores of skeletons with outfits, funny sayings and everything else you could think of. Whoever designed this display is a genius. Don't miss it.

Super fun place just to stop by and visit. This isn't a business, it's someone's residence that…read moredecided to start placing skellies around the yard. The names that are added are fun and playful. There are a lot. There is even a sign of retired names of skeletons. Definitely visit when in town.

The French Market is one of those main stages of New Orleans culture. It's one of those…read moreestablishments that has been around forever. From the moment you walk into this space, what you are confronted with is tons of all kinds of great and unique everything. Much of it is not only sold by local artisans, but made by them, as well. French market is predominantly an open air location. What you will find here are small shops that each offer a very unique collection of items that are very specific to their own shop. The items that are sold here span the gambit from jewelry, to artworks, to ethnic pieces that represent the culture from where the shop owner comes from. There is really a lot of everything at the French Market. Meaning, this is a great place to get that really unique gift that you wanna get for that special someone or to find that unique piece of whatever that you will personally use. As there are numerous shops here, each business provides a unique buying experience. Each one represents what they offer, and do it from their own perspective. From this, you'll find some shop merchants that are super friendly, very cordial, and more than willing to make deals with you. Others, not so much. But, that's what makes this location truly interesting. All the personalities that make up this shopping establishment. More than simply a place to shop for gifts, artworks, souvenirs, and the like, French Market also offers some great food stalls. So, if you need a snack, drink, or even a full meal, you can find it here. As this is open air, in the summer, it can get kinda hot inside this establishment. This is not bad or good, this is just something to keep in mind. This is the same during the winter months. You can't get kind of cold in there. But, at least from my perspective, that's a little bit easier to deal with. You just have to wear a jacket. Overall, this is one of the main stays of NOLA. It's truly a must see location. And, for people who know the city well, this is a place to go to when you want to find that truly unique item. Truly, you never know what you'll find.

Costume jewelry, artwork, brickabrac, t shirts booths, Mardi Gras trinkets and masks, graphic…read moreplaying cards, cute printed colorful or revealing dresses for sale. This past year I've had a thing for purchasing copper jewelry- most bracelets from South Korea, Mexico City, Tijuana and Mt. Charleston. Wondered if anyone ever made copper necklaces. I saw a few vendors that had thick linked chains. I bought the medium $45 length- tax is high in New Orleans. Far cry from dainty but copper is supposed to be good for arthritis and health. Ok let's see.

*from a non-vegan eater... My friend is vegan, likes to walk…read moreand we thought a mini tour of NOLA would be cool. Let's just say... Mark was GREAT, the food was DELICIOUS, the walk was less than 3000 steps (easy, spaced out and flat), there was cool history bits throughout, and the food. Wow. So. Good. We had so many different flavors, everything was Do yourself a favor and try something that you might not have experienced before, this one is an easy win!!! *would do any of Mark's tours, he's just that good!

Date of tour: December 21, 2024…read more After a wonderful food tour in Prague last year, we wanted to replicate the magic stateside while visiting New Orleans, a city with a rich food history and scene. As requested, I will keep the individual location names secret as to not spoil your potential food tour but also because the stops can change and I don't want to have you disappointed if you don't get the same places on your tour. Ty was a great guide, providing us with local history and culture as we ate our way down Magazine Street. The only complaint I have is that they didn't really interact with us during the food portions, standing or sitting off to the side, or running to the next location to make sure we were all set. To me, the guide should be not only the bridge between the locations and food with us, but also a bridge between the different groups on the tour. Ty told us before the tour started that the other folks joining us were from Michigan, but we found out from them later that they were actually from New York. Had these connections been made earlier, it would have enhanced the tour. On to the food, wonderful that it all was! Please note that I may make some errors in the actual names of the food, while I took pictures, I did not write down the names and there wasn't a post-tour recap to assist me! Stop #1: A local sandwich and a seafood side. Both quite good, especially since I don't like olives! Stop #2: An unusual meat that was shockingly good! Stop #3: Seafood options. I've had a different version of one of these items in Asheville, NC. This wasn't quite as good but still tasty. Stop #4: Southern favorites that were so good! I didn't think I would like these but I did. Stop #5: A peppermint fudge cupcake. Sadly, the weakest stop on the tour. Other that tried the gelato came away disappointed and my cupcake was neither overly fudgey or pepperminty. It looked pretty, though!

The eastern border of the French Quarter, these few blocks are packed with a variety of…read morerestaurants, bars, tattoo parlors and alleys that have art and other goods for sale, this is a lovely place to wander day and night. There is always something going on. Always music playing, food being served. I always suggest this to visitors from out of town as an experience away from Bourbon Street. This is a more refined nightlife. Close enough to all other popular locations. I could spend an entire evening within the confines of these 3-4 blocks and be fully entertained. Some of the event venues you can eat in the dining area and listen to the music in the next room.

Frenchman Street is really alive after dark. Lots of jazz venues with music pouring out onto the…read morestreet. Many creative and artsy gift shops. There is a lot of construction and the sidewalk is irregular and dangerous. But after 9 pm the streets came to life, musicians played jazz on the corners.

My first visit to the French Quarter was a blast! The parades, the people, and the energy there was…read moreunparalleled! "Ain't no party like a Mardi Gras party!" Until next time...

What can be said about the French Quarter that hasn't already been written a thousand times?…read more Plenty--once you see it the right way. If you've never been, skip the chaos of Mardi Gras and visit during the quieter stretches of mid-spring, preferably during the day. That's when the Quarter reveals itself. The crowds thin just enough to let you move at your own pace, to look up at the wrought-iron balconies, to hear the music before you see the musician, and to take it all in without fighting your way through it. History here isn't something you read about--it surrounds you. Spend time at Jackson Square, anchored by its iconic statue of Andrew Jackson, and framed by the stunning St. Louis Cathedral. Artists line the square, musicians fill the air, and street performers remind you that this city doesn't separate culture from daily life--it lives it. And then there's the food and music--both deeply rooted, unapologetically bold, and unmistakably New Orleans. Yes, the flavors can lean spicy, but the kitchens here know their audience. Just speak up, and they'll meet you where you are. But here's the truth: no photograph, no movie, no travel piece ever quite captures this place. The French Quarter isn't something you observe--it's something you experience. And once you do, you'll understand why people keep coming back, trying to put into words what is, at its core, impossible to fully explain.

If you're looking for a quieter and calmer vibe than Bourbon Street, look no further than the…read morestreet right next to it. There are no chicken/pizza and daiquiri shops, there is no loud music, there are no huge flashing signs, and there are fewer crowds. Instead, there are a lot of small boutique shops and art galleries. It still has all the vibes of New Orleans with the architecture and balconies but none of the craziness and partying. It's definitely refreshing and better for your ears.

This is a more laid back street to me…read more Lots of boutiques and art galleries scattered for blocks. Residential 6-8 blocks down from Canal street l. This is more like my kind of street.

Many of the old warehouses have been converted to hotels, shops & residences. A lot of the old…read morewarehouse charm is still intact. A lot of the warehouses are near the docks where the ships would come in. Fortunately this area looks pretty cleaned up there aren't people passed out on the street here.

I stayed in the Warehouse District on two separate occasions while visiting New Orleans: to run the…read moreRock 'n' Roll Marathon New Orleans which just happened to have its starting line within the district, and to celebrate my birthday. On both occasions I picked out hotels within the district because of what attractions are within and nearby. The Warehouse District has a very trendy and artsy vibe. I absolutely adored how these warehouses are being utilized in the form of galleries, boutiques, studios, hotels, innovative restaurants, and coffee shops. After the 1984 World's Fair, the neighborhood was revitalized and transformed into what it is now. The city of New Orleans has certainly set a standard that other cities should follow rather than letting old warehouses go unused in my opinion. There are plentiful sights, activities, restaurants, and shopping centers within the district, or within a radius of it. Some that I took note of and experienced were Fulton Street, Julia Street, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, The New Orleans Ernest N Morial Convention Center, Mississippi River Heritage Park, the World War II Museum, Harrah's, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Lafayette Square. And if you wish to visit the crown jewel of the city known as French Quarter, the Warehouse District sits just south of it within walking distance. ~Blessings~   Thomas G

Take this from somewhere close to Bourbon to the NOMA from - New Orleans Museum of Art. It's only…read more1.25 each way. Exact change only. But also do it just to do it. Not only will you most likely get to see some interesting "characters" on the ride back and forth but also get to a different view from the main tourist center. PS- it's rarely staying on schedule so just go with the flow! Sometimes your driver will just get out at one of the stops if he has to use the facilities!

All I can say is take a ride on a trolley cuz riding in it is an adventure in itself! It's only…read more1.25 each way. And sometimes, without any warning it's free! We too NOMA and the big city park. It was a terrific way to spend half a day.

These are nice and extensive fields of flowers, and one of those things that isn't world famous but…read moretourists ought to stop by to appreciate.

Brief and beautiful! I stopped in 2x last weekend since I think they'll mostly be done by next…read more Tulips take a huge amount of work in South Louisiana. You have to chill the bulbs to get them to bloom and cannot leave them in the ground over the summer because the moisture will cause them to rot. Huge thanks to City Park and its gardeners for working to have this short moment of beauty and exuberant spring into our lives.

The full extent of Magazine Street is six miles long, but Jamie W and I weren't ambitious enough to…read moredeal with the Nawlins heat of such a journey. We spent most of our time focused on the busy stretch between Jackson and Felicity in the Lower Garden District since we were already admiring the architecture in the neighborhood. If you're big into eclectic boutiques and cozy cafes but not into the French Quarter crowds, this is the place to hang for an afternoon. We peeked through locally owned, independent shops with fanciful names like Imperial Woodpecker and Sesame the Opossum. Truth be told, we're not that big on shopping, but we are world-class browsers. For fellow browsers, the downtown end of the street leads to more significant cultural sights like the National WWII Museum (review: https://yelp.to/YedRbqqY-N) and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (review: https://yelp.to/l7_pkjG2Sc). RELATED - Exploring New Orleans? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/d6k4OzFtUZ

Magazine Street in New Orleans is a 6 mile stretch known for its unique shopping, dining & local…read morecharm. It's a popular destination with a mix of local businesses, vintage shops, art galleries & restaurants. The street also offers a taste of New Orleans culture with its historic buildings & lively atmosphere. Many of the buildings along Magazine Street are historic, contributing to the area's unique character. It is a shopper's paradise with a wide array of locally owned boutiques, antique stores, and specialty shops. There is a variety of restaurants, from casual eateries to fine dining establishments, offering everything from classic New Orleans cuisine to international flavors. The street boasts numerous art galleries & studios, showcasing the work of local artists.