Our New Orleans Trip

I went to New Orleans back in 2007 for a summer conference with some of my friends from school. We spent a lot of time in the hotel for the actual conference, but did get out a little bit.  I was excited for a chance to visit again last week. Garrett had a conference there, and I decided to tag along and make it a vacation.

Even though we both had “work” things to do, it did feel like a vacation. I remembered a few things about the city well (like, not surprisingly, the beignets) but forgot a lot. It’s funny how the city also feels so different as an adult versus being a teenager. Visiting New Orleans wasn’t high on my list of places to go since I had already been there before, but I’m so glad I got to go again. It’s SUCH a fun city.

When I announced I was going, I got a ton of restaurant recommendations. It quickly became apparent that this was going to be a trip rooted in great food. (Spoiler alert: I’m going to have to work out quite a bit for the next few weeks to repent for my sins!)

Here’s where we went:

RESTAURANTS:

– Cafe du Monde: beignets for snacks (open 24 hours, go during off hours for fewer crowds)

– District Donuts: doughnuts for snacks (you can’t go wrong)

– Pêche: for lunch (the Brussels sprouts and key lime pie were standouts)

– Restaurant R’evolution: for dinner (not my favorite and a bit overpriced, but still a fun experience)

– Willa Jean: for breakfast (the avocado toast and banana bread were both favorites!)

– Willie Mae: for lunch (ridiculously delicious fried chicken– worth the wait)

– Brennan’s: for dinner (they invented Bananas Foster, and it was my favorite thing of the trip)

– Ruby Slipper: for breakfast (delicious by all accounts)

– Le Petite Grocery: for lunch (get the French fries!)

– Jacques-Imos: for dinner (super fun spot and the alligator cheesecake is SO good)

See what I mean? A ton of food. Everything was so good, though; I just couldn’t say no to anything!!

PLACES:

Honestly, the restaurants and Garrett’s conference took up the bulk of our “places” category. But we made time for the zoo since I had gone to the aquarium in high school. It was super hot and eerily empty, but still a wonderful location! We also went to the WWII Museum, and I was blown away by it. I highly recommend dedicating at least a few hours here if you’re in New Orleans. It’s intense… but so well done. There’s also a ton of great boutique shopping on Magazine Street. Even though I didn’t have that much time for shopping, I did make time to see my friends’ shop Grove Street Press!!! It’s even cuter in person, if you follow them on Instagram!

The giraffes at the zoo were my favorites.

A blurry picture, but I’m posting for the beignets!!! We also got the frozen cafe au lait and OMG, for a 90-degree day, it was delicious.

I think the number one most recommended spot that I received was District Donuts. We almost didn’t have time, but I’m so glad we squeezed it in. I am glad, however, that we waited until the last day because I would have gone every single day!!! Unbelievable doughnuts.

While Garrett was in a session at the conference, I decided to walk through the Garden District. The houses are seriously dream homes. The colors, the landscaping, the sheer size! This pink one above really caught my eye for obvious reasons!!!

I did an impromptu meet and greet at Grove Street Press. It was so nice to meet everyone, and the Grove Street girls brought a king cake which was the perfect touch for a New Orleans meet up!!!

Did I mention that we ate a lot of food?!?!? 

Have you ever been to New Orleans?!

PS Vlogs from New Orleans on Youtube!