Across the World and Back: New Orleans 

If I had to choose a city as my favorite in the United States, New Orleans would be my pick. I am not including New York City because that is where I am from and I am very biased and think it is easily the greatest city in the world. 

When it comes to the best food that I have tried across the United States, New Orleans wins that debate by a mile. Creole food is flavorful and no matter what restaurant you go to, you will find food that will make you forget all your problems. 

I am a foodie at heart and love trying new dishes and New Orleans has an endless menu of food to try. The best part is that there are many places that have live musical performances that you can enjoy while you eat your food. Café Beignet is a must visit If you are in New Orleans for breakfast.

New Orleans is where Jazz was birthed and you have to go to a Jazz performance when in NOLA. Bars and restaurants have live performances happening most of the time and you definitely have to take advantage of it. Even if you don’t like Jazz, hearing it live and seeing the passion that these performers have will stay with you for a long time.

There is a lot of history in New Orleans and you can see it as you walk around. The city was founded in 1718 by French colonists and has been vulnerable to flooding because of high rainfall and low elevation. The weather is mostly hot but the humidity is something else and you will sweat a lot, especially if you go in the summer.

Bourbon Street extends 12 blocks and it is almost always packed with people. At night, people are partying, street performers are out and about, and it is a sight to see. This is where you go for the best bars and you’ll find many restaurants right off Bourbon Street. There is nothing else like it and you can see the past and the future congregating here.

Besides the amazing food and history, there are tons of things to do. You can do cemetery tours, swamp tours, and visit the St. Louis Cathedral. There is a spectacular zoo that is worth visiting nearby if you have a day. Near the zoo is one of the best parks that I have seen. Audubon Park is gorgeous and it feels like stepping into a painting. You can spend a whole day there and forget that you are even in New Orleans.

If you like the arts, then you will love New Orleans Museum of Art. It is scenic around the area and there is great food all around. And if you want to explore bookstores, then there are a ton of options. My personal favorite was Baldwin & Co. coffee + bookstore and if you do visit, you should get their newsletter of recommendations!

It is hard to talk about New Orleans without talking about The Sazerac House. It is free to visit, all you have to do is book a reservation. The tour is fun and you get to try a few cocktails. You will get a history lesson and discover why the Sazerac is the official drink of New Orleans. 

I’ve been to New Orleans twice and it is a city that I want to visit annually. The food alone is worth it but the city has so much to offer besides food. New Orleans is gorgeous at night and it makes sense why it is very popular with tourists. Whether you like history, food, or the nightlife, there is something for everyone in the Crescent City! 

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