One Time, in New Orleans

"You can live in any city in America, but New Orleans is the only city that lives in you."

People flock from all over the world to New Orleans to devour po-boys, gumbo, and beignets; listen to jazz music and experience the decadence of Bourbon Street; sip on some chicory coffeeand au lait and so much more. Known for the great food, music, and culture, New Orleans has a lot to offer its visitors. The city has it's own regional identity influenced by the French, Caribbean, and Spanish cultures. And, with 2018 being the 300th anniversary of the city, there couldn’t be a more perfect time for me to travel to NOLA.

Where I Stayed...

Eliza Jane Hotel

Two blocks from the French Quarter, and minutes away from Bourbon Street, The Eliza Jane is a boutique hotel that is built within nine historic warehouses that have been united to create a luxurious oasis for vacationers and alike. It has a great combination of character and modern conveniences. I really appreciated the personalized note in my room when I arrived and the chic decor of the hotel in general. Prices vary depending on when you book, the type of room you request, and how many nights you will be staying. Generally, prices range from $150-$500 per night. Whether you stay at the hotel or not, you must grab a seat at the Couvant, the on-site restaurant, which offers authentic French cuisine and enjoy handcrafted New Orleans classic cocktail.

Things I Did...

StudioBe

As a result of the success of his exhibit projects, BMike - the artist behind these exhibits - continued to StudioBe, his most recent art exhibit, a warehouse in the Bywater District. Touring the exhibit was touching. It included socially conscious artwork that captured black history. It was poignant and emotional and is a must see. There are multiple video and interactive art installations, but the warehouse-ceiling paintings are the show-stoppers.

Bourbon St.

This monumental street sits at the heart of the French Quarter and dates back to the early days of 1718 when New Orleans was founded. Everyone knows this is one of the most popular streets in America for hosting bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthdays and girls' night out. It is loaded with bars, hotels, Burlesque Clubs, and endless celebration opportunities.

Walking down Bourbon Street, you are bound to hear music that makes you want to move those hips. However, if you are in for some good old-fashioned Jazz, go to Fritzel’s European Jazz Club. This Jazz Club hosts live jazz music every night of the week.

Bourbon Street has more than Jazz to offer. It has restaurants with excellent French Creole cuisine reputations, musical acts on almost every block, and let’s not forget you can walk out with your drinks on this street.

The Neighborhoods

The historic district in New Orleans, best known for Bourbon Street and the quintessential NOLA experience, the French Quarter is a must see for its rich culture, opulent architecture, renowned jazz clubs lively nightlife and restaurants in the city. Streetcars can take you down to St. Charles Avenue to the Garden District to see diverse architectures with both Spanish and French influence. Magazine Street is a 6 mile stretch of boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants. There are places to wine and dine and of course, if you need a change of scenery, just hop on a streetcar heading to Tulane University and take in the beauty of the giant oak trees on both sides of the street. The Bywater District is swampy neighborhood downriver that is relatively close to the French Quarter, and is considered an up and coming neighborhood for art and food.

The Whitney Plantation

The history of the enslaved is told through museum exhibits, artwork, and first person narratives giving visitors a unique perspective about life in Louisiana in the 1800s.

Visiting the plantation was hands down the best decision I made for an excursion while visiting New Orleans. As a black woman, my knowledge of slavery in America was evoked which was embodied by profound sorrow - then, respect! The tour was moving, emotional and thought-provoking.

Where I Ate...

Cafe Du Monde 

Do you have a sweet tooth for beignets? Don’t fret, you are not the only one. Cafe Du Monde serves beignets 24 hours a day 7 days a week. One serving comes with three beignets drowning with lavishly powdered sugar. They are flavored deliciously, are the right amount of sweet and are very filling. The cafe serves white or chocolate milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a traditional dark roasted coffee. They also have au lait (half and half with hot milk), which taste amazing paired with those beignets.

New Orleans School of Cooking

Voted number 2 in the 2018 Traveler’s Choice Award by TripAdvisor, this cooking school attracts visitors from around the world and introduces the food and rich culture of New Orleans. The Cajun and Creole expert, Ricardo Fredericks, taught New Orleans food specialities such as corn and crab bisque, jambalaya, pecan pie and pralines seasoning them with tall tales. I didn’t just learn about Creole cooking, but had a lot of fun learning about the folklore of New Orleans and its history. 

Phythian Market

This is a food hall in downtown New Orleans. It is a neatly designed space for a semi-quick lunch that has food stalls. Vietnamese, Japanese, Latin, Mexican, Jamaican and so many other cultural food options are available. I really like the open space vibe this place has. It is pretty well-lit and group friendly. All of the vendors have something unique to offer, and one of my favorites was Edison’s Espresso & Tea Bar. They serve coffee and small snacks for anyone on the go. I tried the Looking Through Rose Colored Glasses tea with edible flowers. This drink gives you the feels of booze with no booze. The bar is female owned and opened pretty recently.