Authentic New Orleans Experiences: My Favorite Things to Do as a Local

Having lived most of my life in New Orleans, I know this city incredibly well. I also spent more than 15 years working in real estate here, which gave me an even deeper knowledge of neighborhoods and parts of New Orleans I may never have discovered otherwise. People tend to stay in their bubbles, in whatever neighborhood they live in, much of the time. Real estate took me all over the city, while my natural curiosity kept me exploring it. And I love bopping around New Orleans. I’m always trying a restaurant, wandering through a neighborhood, stopping into a shop, taking photos, or returning to places I’ve loved for years.

So instead of giving you another list telling you to visit Bourbon Street, these are the authentic New Orleans experiences I recommend from my perspective as a local. This is a guide, not a dictation. Pick what interests you, explore neighborhoods beyond the French Quarter, talk to people, eat well, and leave yourself enough free time to stumble onto something you didn't plan.

That is one of the best ways to experience New Orleans.

New Orleans Cemetery

Sharing my experiences and interests of New Orleans is something I realized years ago I needed to do. My knowledge is vast, and I love that there's always room to grow. The city is dynamic in many ways, and while many things stay comfortable and the same, there are so many new and exciting things happening all the time.

Staying abreast of this information is important to me, and sharing it is even more important. You'll see the things I recommend here. And remember, this is a guide, not a dictation, of what to do when you visit New Orleans. You're not getting a "visit Bourbon Street" style blog here, so let's see what I have in store for you.

Off the beaten path is the way to go, in my opinion. No matter where you are visiting, if you are the type of person who wants a local feel, you want to get off the touristy grid. Part of the authentic New Orleans experiences that I love recommending to visitors and locals alike is trying something a little less assuming than the usual suspects of eateries.

Sure, Commander’s Palace in the Garden District and Antoine’s in the French Quarter are staples, but have you been to Dakar in its newer location along the river? What about Cafe Degas in Bayou St. John? Rosedale is wildly delicious and tucked away in the Navarre neighborhood. Addis Nola is near the Fairgrounds and perfect for the vegetarian palate as it’s Ethiopian and has many options. Clancy’s Uptown is an all-time favorite for an upscale meal, and if I were doing it up one night I would go there over any other restaurant in the city for a meal and service that will knock your socks off.

My point is: check around, ask me, ask another local where to go. We have such good food and we know just where to tell you to go.

Shrimp Poboy

Outside of what I mentioned above regarding eating in New Orleans, there are so many places you can dine, and I'm going to let you into my little secret club of places I enjoy the most. New Orleans is very much a foodie town, so this is going to be your favorite section if food is at the top of your list of things to enjoy. I cannot blame you - there are so many amazing places.

Bywater/Marigny

N7

Cozy French restaurant located near Bywater neighborhood. This place is amazing for any type of evening: girls night, date night, or even a solo evening where you sit at the bar and eat frites alone.

Sneaky Pickle/Bar Brine

A local favorite in Bywater neighborhood for casual eats and drinks. I absolutely love the food here, and it's a nice spacious place where you don't feel like you're on top of your neighbor.

Paladar 511

Always a good meal when you go here. Located in the Marigny, it has something for everyone. I also mention Paladar in my favorite restaurant list here. Be sure to pop into Grande Krewe wine shop before or after for some curated wine picks.

French Quarter

Doris Metropolitan

Not only a phenomenal steakhouse, they have good vegetarian options as well. They are located in the heart of the French Quarter. This one is also on my favorite restaurant list.

Italian Barrel

If you want fantastic Italian food while you're in New Orleans, make a reservation here. I've gone for years, and I continue to crave the pasta dishes.

CBD/Warehouse District

Compère Lapin

Compère Lapin is one of these places where you go when you need to know every single item on the menu will light up your taste buds. The service is great, the food is a knock-out, and the husband and wife owners (SHE is the chef) make this place an experience.

Pluck Wine Bar

Pluck is on my list of the best bars in New Orleans for a reason. Their food is outstanding, and their wine selection might be the best in the city. The staff recommends budget-friendly options and makes you feel like you belong.

Garden District (ish)

Tito's Ceviche & Pisco

Tito's has been a favorite for years. Everything there is good. It's Peruvian and fresh as can be. I love the simplicity and no fuss, and who doesn't love a little break from New Orleans style food now and then?

The Bower

They lean into the farmers market ingredients. I enjoy the atmosphere and sitting outside on a nice evening. This place is sleek and can be dressed up or down, which I love having the option.

Mid City

Katie's

Katie's is in the midst of Mid City and a local favorite for very New Orleans fare. Go hungry, leave stuffed. It's very authentic New Orleans style, and one of the places I'd send someone when they say they want that type of food.

Queen Trini Lisa

I'm just going to take the perfect description from their website: Award-winning Trinbagonian Island Soul Food by Queen Trini Lisa - blending Caribbean, African, East Indian & Asian flavors to bring the vibrant taste of Trinidad & Tobago to New Orleans.

Uptown

Casamento's

One of my favorite places to get oysters is at Casamento's. They shuck them in front of you. The rest of their menu is delicious too. This is a very local restaurant, and I've been going since I was a kid.

St. James Cheese

A fantastic lunch spot, I often get a turkey sandwich or grilled cheese and a glass of wine and sit on the front porch of their restaurant. Or outside in the patio on a nice day. Don't forget to order some Bret's Chips that come from France. They are addictive.

Miss Shirley's

Looking for great Chinese food? Some of the best in the city is Miss Shirley's! All the locals go here at some point, some going repeatedly. And do say hi to the one and only Miss Shirley. She is always there fussing over her patrons.

The Rum House

I've eaten so many loaded nacho plates at The Rum House that I can't believe I am not a loaded nacho. It's a great casual lunch or dinner spot. Sit inside or outside. Get a cocktail, and enjoy people-watching on Magazine Street.

Domilise's

For one of the best poboy places in New Orleans, hit Domilise's. It's one of a few places I'll go to eat one. Not all poboy places are created the same, but this one is worth a visit.

Avegno

I really loved my meal at Avegno. They have creative items on the menu like their black truffle dip I can't get out of my head, and a great drink list. Eating at the bar was perfect. Their happy hours are amazing, too, especially during the summer.

Trumpet and Drum - a Favorite!

Having authentic New Orleans experiences includes hitting coffee shops and savoring the morning or afternoon. We absolutely love our coffee shops, and they are woven into our culture and our neighborhoods. To go to local coffee shops in New Orleans is to be part of our community. We meet there for work, for pleasure, and on our own to relax. Sipping delicious coffee is as important as sipping a cocktail in our city. Both are of essence as a New Orleanian.

A few of my favorites around the city are Congregation on Magazine Street, Trumpet and Drum, also on Magazine, French Truck (which you can find in many locations around the city), and Fourth Wall in the CBD. Each neighborhood has its own spots, and part of the fun is finding the coffee shop that becomes your place while you're in town.

I have a whole list of my favorite coffee shops around the city if you want more options. If you can't make one of the ones on my list, you'll surely find another around you that is equally as good and communal.

Sip sip!

Magpie Vintage

There’s a good bit of shopping in New Orleans. Some of it is great, some of it is hokey and touristy. Magazine Street is a great place to pick up some great items, and that is often where you’ll find me if I’m shopping in real life (not online), at actual stores. It’s definitely for locals and tourists alike, which is why I have added it to authentic New Orleans experiences. I also have my favorites, and I discover new places all the time.

Magazine Street runs for about six miles, from downtown to uptown, so knowing where you’re headed is helpful. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Alice and Amelia — 4432 Magazine Street: A great place for New Orleans-style items like tea towels, home decor, clothing, and gifts.
• Magpie — 4529 Magazine Street: Great for pre-owned and vintage clothing and jewelry. Many an item has been bought and sold there by moi.
• Aux Belles Choses — 3912 Magazine Street: With our French connection, hit Aux Belles Choses for beautiful linens, soaps, and other French-inspired finds.
• Home Malone — 4610 Magazine Street: A great stop for locally made products. Everything she carries is made within a relatively small region of the Southeast.
• Zèle — 2841 Magazine Street: Another favorite for local products, with work from a large collection of local artists and makers.

You’ve got so many options, so don’t feel like you need to cover the entire street. Pick a section, walk around, and pop into whatever looks interesting. That’s half the fun of shopping on Magazine Street. And if you are asking me which section to pick in particular, I usually say ~between Louisiana Avenue and Napoleon Avenue.

Beignets from Morning Call

Did someone say sugar, baby? Outside of my personal addiction to sugar, locals very much love beignets and consider eating them part of our authentic New Orleans experiences. We have our favorites, and since this is my blog, I get to share mine. Morning Call will always be my favorite place to get beignets and cafe au lait because I grew up with them. Although they moved locations from what I was used to, I still love them the most.

My second favorite is The Vintage. Sometimes they have the s’mores beignet that I devour in seconds. You may think I haven’t eaten in days, but it’s not that. The beignet is just that good. Another perk is they sell one at a time, so you’re not stuck eating three (because that’s how most people sell them, in quantities of three).

Cafe du Monde has a location conveniently located in City Park, so I’ll go there when I’m in the park, but it’s third on my list. Some other places of interest are Cafe Beignet, which has several locations, and Loretta’s. You can’t go wrong, really!

City Park on a Beautiful Day

If you want to feel some serenity and peace, go for a walk in one of New Orleans’ parks. Me, I have my favorites depending on what part of the city I’m in and what kind of walk I want.

I love Audubon Park because it has a large two-mile loop, so I know I can get a really good walk in by going once around. There are also a bunch of birds that hang out around the lagoon at one part of the loop that I absolutely love listening to when I pass. You can get to the Audubon Park loop from St. Charles Avenue or Magazine Street.

City Park is overall magical on its own. Frankly, most of my time spent there is at the Sunday farmers market, which I won’t miss unless I’m out of town. Walking around Big Lake and the Sculpture Garden are two of my other favorite things to do in City Park. On a beautiful day, they are the places to be.

Then there’s Crescent Park, which gives you a completely different experience. It runs along the Mississippi River through the Marigny and Bywater, and it’s a great place to walk or bike with views of the river and downtown. I especially like it if you’re already spending time in the Bywater because it’s an easy way to get outside and see another side of New Orleans.

All three are also great ways to experience the city without spending money. If you’re looking for more ideas like these, I have an entire guide to free things to do in New Orleans from a local.

Even the Street Signs are Art

Since we have all become photographers with our smartphones, I would also encourage a walkabout in any one of our beautiful neighborhoods. The architecture and quirky features of the city make New Orleans such a great place to hone your picture-taking skills. You don't have to look very hard to find something interesting to photograph here, from the houses and colorful doors to street signs, balconies, gardens, and whatever random thing you stumble across.

I am always snapping photos wherever I go so I can update my blog photos or get new ideas for notecard sets that I make. Whether it's with my iPhone or my actual camera (yes, they do still exist), I never get tired of walking around one of my favorite cities in the world.

Be what the French call a flâneur and walk around with no purpose, only to enjoy yourself. Trust me, it's the best way because you never know what you will stumble upon, and that is most of the enjoyment in having authentic New Orleans experiences.

A Perfect Cocktail

Would it be New Orleans if you didn’t have some kind of a tail? Since drinking less has been on the rise, I could be talking to you cocktail or mocktail lovers. I am in both camps, as I frequently go extended times without drinking booze. Our city has made it much friendlier to not feel like a weirdo for not drinking, and I so appreciate that. Socially there can be a pressure to drink, so it’s important to feel comfortable.

Anyway, bellying up to a nice bar and having a drink and some light bites is one of my favorite things to do alone or with friends. New Orleans is one of the easiest cities to be alone because most people are so friendly. Most restaurants have great bars - you can also check out my favorites here, so pick one from my list or find one that you’ve been wanting to go to and have yourself one of the best authentic New Orleans experiences in the books. And tip your bartender.

There are so many little things that make New Orleans New Orleans, and not all of them fit neatly into a list of restaurants, attractions, or places you have to see. Sometimes it’s getting a snowball on a hot afternoon, browsing a neighborhood bookstore, or taking a ferry across the Mississippi just because you can. Here are a few more experiences I think are worth adding to your time in the city.

Get a Snowball

New Orleans is warm or hot much of the year, so a snowball is going to scream your name, just like it does locals' all over the city. We are collectively obsessed with snowballs and we have our opinions on the best. Do not mistake it as a snow cone - it's a snowball. The ice is shaved so, so finely and flavored syrup is drizzled over it to drench it. Get some condensed cream for the full effect.

Some of my favorites are Chance in Hell, Hansen's, Pandora, Plum Street. Any of these will assist in your own addiction to these sweet treats we all love as New Orleanians.

Browse a Local Bookstore

New Orleans has a great literary history, but you don’t have to be a literary buff to appreciate our independent bookstores. I love popping into a bookstore when I’m wandering around a neighborhood, and there are some great ones around the city.

Perhaps a trip to Blue Cypress, Faulkner House, or Baldwin & Co, will be on your short list when visiting our city. Make sure to follow my New Orleans book influencer friend on Instagram, too! She knows all the good book events going on in town.

Take the Ferry to Algiers Point

One of the easiest ways to get a completely different view of New Orleans is to take the ferry across the Mississippi to Algiers Point. The ferry ride itself is part of the fun because you get out on the river and can look back at the French Quarter and downtown skyline. Once you get across, walk around Algiers Point for a while before heading back. It feels remarkably removed from the other side of the river even though you were just there a few minutes ago.

Spend Some Time Around Bayou St. John

Bayou St. John is one of my favorite places to walk, take photos, or just relax for a while. It’s close to City Park but has a completely different feel, and on a nice day you’ll see people walking their dogs, sitting along the water, kayaking or paddle boarding, or just hanging out. You don’t necessarily need anything to do here. That's kind of the point.

Have a Glass of Wine at Swirl

If you’re already around Bayou St. John, stop at Swirl Wine Bar. This has long been one of those places I think of as very neighborhood New Orleans. Grab a glass of wine, sit for a while, or pick up a bottle to take with you. It’s the kind of place I’d send someone who wants to get away from the more touristy parts of the city and just hang out somewhere locals actually go.

Experience Music Box Village

I've been to Music Box Village, and let me tell you, it's an experience. If you want something a little weird and wonderfully New Orleans, check out this venue. This outdoor art space is filled with interactive, musical structures created by artists, and the structures themselves become instruments you can explore and play. They also host live music and special events throughout the year. It’s creative, quirky, and one of those places that’s hard to adequately explain until you experience it yourself. I had to go to understand it.

Visit the Storyville Museum

Some of my favorite New Orleans history is in the Storyville Museum. If the grittier side of the city's history interests you, this is a good place for you. Storyville was New Orleans' infamous red-light district, and the museum digs into that history and the people who were part of it. And if this part of New Orleans history fascinates you, read The Last Madam. It gives you an even deeper look into the Storyville scene and is one of my favorite books to recommend on the subject.

Snug Harbor Jazz Performance

It's sort of a badge of honor we carry as New Orleanians that you can find live (and exceptionally good) music many places in the city. Anytime I'm traveling and I hear live music, you best believe I drop my New Orleans heritage around to let everyone know this is in my DNA. This is essentially how it goes in my head:

No one:

Me: Am I better than everyone because I'm from New Orleans and know good music?

Anyway, I digress. You can’t talk about authentic New Orleans experiences without talking about live music. And while you’ll certainly find plenty of it around Bourbon Street, that’s not where I’d send you. Live music is everywhere in New Orleans, from dedicated music venues to neighborhood bars and restaurants where you might stumble onto a band you weren’t even planning to see.

Frenchmen Street in the Marigny is an easy place to start because you can walk around and see what sounds good. The Spotted Cat and d.b.a. are two longtime options there. I also love Snug Harbor. Tipitina’s Uptown is one of our iconic music venues and worth checking to see who’s playing while you’re in town. I've gone there many times for ABBA dance parties, friends. Maple Leaf Bar on Oak Street is another local favorite, especially if you want to get farther away from the French Quarter.

One of the best things you can do is check the live music calendar while you’re here instead of trying to plan everything months in advance. Pick a show, wander into somewhere that sounds good, or ask a local what they’re going to see. Some of the best nights in New Orleans are the ones you didn’t plan.

There really isn't one best time to visit New Orleans because it depends on what you want to do. Well, ok, if you insist on me answering, and we're talking purely about weather, I love fall through spring. You can actually walk around the city without melting, and locals are in much more pleasant moods. Carnival season brings an entirely different experience, spring is packed with festivals, and summer is hot, humid, and not for the faint of heart.

I've written an entire guide to the best time to visit New Orleans, including weather, festivals, crowds, and what to expect throughout the year, so head there if you're trying to decide when to plan your trip.

Yes, New Orleans is worth visiting. Whether you're with a large group, a friend, a partner, or solo, we have something for you. This is a city that offers fun, history, art, and so much more. You can also come and be yourself and relax. We take you as you are and meet you where you are. This is a place where you might feel immensely at home, like so many others who visit feel. Give us a shot - we can't wait to welcome you.

It’s really cool to be from such a rad city. Growing up in New Orleans, we didn’t think a thing of it. Being friendly, talking to strangers that quickly become friends, it’s all in our DNA and how we have authentic New Orleans experiences ourselves. We also have the best food arguably in the whole world, and you can get it at any corner. Come with an open mind, heart, and empty stomach to get the most out of your visit. Enjoy every second. Say hi to people on the street. And you’ll leave happy. We can’t wait to see you here.

If you liked this blog, you might also like the one I wrote about what to wear in New Orleans or the best coffee shops.

When you're ready to book your hotel, see my guide for where to stay in New Orleans to walk everywhere.

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