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

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Having lived most of my life in New Orleans, I would consider myself somewhat of an expert on my city. When I went into real estate in 2011, it became even more so because I got to know many parts of the city that I would have likely never have known. People tend to stay in their bubbles - in whatever neighborhood they live - much of the time. It’s rare that someone can identify things to do and places to eat in multiple areas of the city. However, I can do this! I love bopping around the city to see different things and experiencing new and familiar scenes. This is what I’m going to share with you: authentic New Orleans experiences from my local perspective.

Addis Nola

Dinner - Off the Beaten Path

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 and Antoine’s are staples, but have you been to Dakar? What about Cafe Degas? Rosedale is wildly delicious and tucked away in a neighborhood. Addis Nola is perfect for the vegetarian palate as it’s Ethiopian and has many options. Clancy’s 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.

Trumpet and Drum - a Favorite!

Sip Some Coffee

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. Here is a list of my favorite coffee shops around the city. 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

Shopping on Magazine Street

There’s a good bit of shopping in New Orleans. Some is good, some 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 is definitely for locals and tourists alike, which is why I have added it to authentic New Orleans experiences. I have my favorites, and I discover new places all the time. Alice and Amelia is a great place for New Orleans style items like tea towels and door hangers. Magpie, which is near, is great for pre-owned and vintage clothing and jewelry. Many an item have been bought and sold there by moi. With our French connection, hit Aux Belles Choses and pick up linens or soaps. For some locally made products, try Home Malone. Everything she carries is made within a relatively small region of the southeast. Zèle is a great one too for local products. You've got options.

From Morning Call

Yes, Locals Eat Beignets

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 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). Because Cafe du Monde is conveniently located in City Park, I also will go there, but that’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!

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City Park on a Beautiful Day

Walk Around City Park or Audubon Park

If you want to feel serenity and peace, go for a walk at either City Park or Audubon Park. Me, I go to both. 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 the loop. There are also a bunch of birds that hang out around the lake at one part of the loop that I absolutely love listening to when I pass. As a New Orleanian, I consider this under the category of authentic New Orleans experiences. City Park is overall magical on its own. Frankly, most of my time spent there is at the Sunday farmers market that I won’t miss unless I’m out of town. Walking around the 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.

Even the Street Signs are Art

Take Photos in the Neighborhoods

Since we have all become photographers with our smart phones, I would encourage a walkabout in any one of our beautiful neighborhoods. Our architecture and quirky features of the city area such a great place to hone the skills of your picture-taking. One of the things I do is update the photos I sell on my website as well as plan for my next round of photos for my notecard sets, so I am always snapping photos wherever I go. 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

Enjoy a Cocktail or Mocktail

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 drinking, 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 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.

To Be a New Orleanian (or an Honorary One)

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 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.

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