Come to NOLA with my husband and me, and find the best hotels, food, sights, and everything in between to help you plan your next trip!

Why NOLA

Simply put, we’d heard about the great food, welcoming people, and beautiful architecture, AND that it’s a quick flight from Chicago! This made it the perfect spot for us to grab a few days together, sans kids! 

a man and woman looking up and smiling at a camera

Travel Details

We flew United direct from Chicago, and it was about 2.5 hours. Same sitch on the way home. We usually fly United Airlines so that we can make the most of all those miles.

Where we Stayed

We spent one night in the French Quarter at The Ritz Carlton and the rest of the time at the Hotel Saint Vincent in the Lower Garden District. While researching the trip and getting recommendations, there was a bit of a divide on staying in the French Quarter or not. Ultimately, we preferred staying in the Lower Garden District and relying on Uber rides or the streetcar.  We found it quieter, more of a neighborhood feel, and overall less of a party scene, which is more our vibe!

a beautiful staircase in a NOLA hotel
the front of a building with a red door in NOLA
an ornate bathroom
a seat and coffee table

The Food

Sweet mercy! This place is FULLLLLLLL of delicious food! Highlights include beignets at Café du Mode, tabouleh salad at Shaya, and banana foster at Arnaud’s.

a plate of powdered sugar covered beignets
steak with tabbouleh salad on a white plate with an orange and red sauce around the edges
banana pudding

What We Loved

The gorgeous Southern Live Oak Trees were magical. In their search for the sun, they begin growing outward, allowing them to create vine-like branches that scream ultimate climbing tree!

The hospitality was terrific. From those working at the airport to our uber drivers, hotel staff, tour guides, streetcar drivers, and beyond, there was an easy conversation that didn’t feel like small talk and a warm exchange that most definitely will bring us back.

The food was amazing. From traditional to fusion, casual to Creole, I can see why NOLA is known for the food that makes a statement and leaves you more than satisfied.

Riding the streetcar up and down St. Charles – the wind blowing through the open windows making the humid morning seem completely comfortable, small talk with locals, and the biggest draw of all, the scenery! The fantastic homes that line St. Charles Avenue are breathtaking. The architecture pulls you back in time and gives you inspiration for your someday dream house! We also drove past Tulane University and snuck a few glimpses into what seemed to be a gorgeous campus.

The architecture all around was incredible. You can see the French and Spanish influence and feel like you’re wandering through an old European city. Known as the Creole style, it’s a French Colonial style that combines French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences. The ornate details and bold colors make just wandering around a dreamy activity.

Antiquing was so much fun, too. So many beautiful pieces from England and France have found their way to some unique antique shops. I even managed to score a vintage French painting for a recently updated builtin.

What We’ll Do Next Time

We would love to take in some music with local concerts, perhaps a swamp tour, and explore some of the other neighborhoods.

Our Itinerary

Day One:

  • Arrive and check in at The Ritz Carlton.
  • Relax, grab an iced coffee and a snack at the hotel.
  • Dinner at Arnaud’s. We had the Escargots En Casserole, Oysters Bienville, Turtle Soup, Seafood Gumbo, Meuniere, and Pompano Duarte with dirty martinis!

Day Two:

  • We had breakfast at Cafe Du Monde by City Park and enjoyed the world-famous benights and café lattes.
  • Explore Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral.
  • Tarot card reading in the park.
  • Walk through the French Quarter and explore antique shops.
  • Lunch at Curio. We had the shrimp po’boy, crawfish etouffee, fried alligator, and drank the 4th Ward and Mule in Heat cocktails (seriously delicious)!
  • Iced coffee and macaroons from Sucre. We got all eight flavors! Vanilla, salted caramel, and almond were the best!
  • Check in and relax on the balcony.
  • Dinner at Shaya. We had smoked labneh, crispy halloumi, slow-cooked lamb (the salad that came with this was INSANELY DELICIOUS, and I will do my best to recreate it), hanger steak, and dirty martinis.

Day Three:

  • Grab a coffee at Elizabeth Street Cafe (on-site) and lounge.
  • Brunch at Surrey’s â€“ a short walk from the hotel. We had the crabmeat omelet (something I never knew I needed but will always crave), biscuits and gravy, and the Boudin breakfast with home fries.
  • Number 1 Cemetery Tour + Voodoo Museum
  • Shop and wander some more.
  • Back to the hotel to relax – snacks and cocktails. We had the bbq pork spring rolls, spicy chicken crunch spring roll, and broiled escargots with the Shady Blonde and Red Dragon cocktails.
  • The lounge on the balcony took a VERY long amazing; I’ve had too many cocktails nap.
  • For dinner and drinks at San Lorenzo (on-site), we had the prosciutto and summer melon (out of this world), scampi Milanese risotto, and the red snapper piccata (ASTOUNDING).

Day Four:

All in all, New Orleans did not disappoint Three days was the perfect amount of time to explore, wander, adventure, eat, drink, and spend some time together – just the two of us! Please let me know if you’re planning a trip or some must-see/do/eat spots for the next time we’re there!

In the meantime, enjoy.