By: Luis Mercado
Sorry if this text is too long, but please read it to the end so you can learn from my experience.
I just returned from a week-long solo trip to NOLA, or New Orleans. And this was my experience:
I stayed at the Hi New Orleans for $148 for the week, and it’s already one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed in. It is centrally located on Canal Street and includes breakfast.
I must say that I felt safe all the time, the staff is very friendly. Additionally, the hostel gave me the option to bring drinks to the lobby and share them with others.
For trips I have always said that you should start and end early to give you the opportunity to enjoy all the attractions without many people. So my itinerary was as follows:
I took a free tour of the French Quarter with Free Tour by Foot – New Orleans. It was a very interesting experience.
The tour ended at the French Market where I bought some souvenirs.
Afterwards I went to eat something at Coop’s Place, where the food was a little spicy for my taste. I tried gumbo, jambalaya, beans, rice and fried chicken.
Later I went to Cafe du Monde and treated myself to coffee and beignets.
Later I decided to walk and practice contemplation on Bourbon Street, where I saw many bars and in the end I ended up at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, the oldest bar in the United States; It dates back to 1772. There I tried the voodoo daiquiri and the Hurricane. It is not something you should see before you die but it is worth visiting for its historical importance and good atmosphere.
Already in the afternoon, around 5:00pm I went to The Spotted Cat Music Club on Frenchmen st., here you can find good cocktails and live music.
On the way back to my hostel I stopped at Verti Marte to try a sandwich called “All that Jazz.” Don’t leave New Orleans without trying it! It’s quite a delight.
The next day I took a half-day tour to Oak Alley Plantation, since I had always seen it in movies and photographs and I really wanted to get to know it and the truth is it was an incredible experience; If you have the opportunity, visit it.
I returned to the hostel and took a shower to go to Napoleon House, where I tried the Sazera ocktail, too strong for my taste. I also tried the Muffuleta, Italian, delicious!
Next I went to Harry’s Corner, a local bar with good prices and a great atmosphere.
And guess what? I returned to the hostel and then went to Verti Marte for an All that Jazz, it’s very good!
The next day I took a car to travel almost all of St. Charles Street, I arrived at Audubon Park.
At 1:30 I took the Garden District Free Tour, with Free Tours by Foot – New Orleans. These tours are a must in New Orleans, the guides know a lot and teach you about the history of the city.
At 6:00 pm I went to Commander Palace for dinner; To be honest, it was one of the best dinners I had. The food is very good and the experience unforgettable.
The next day I started with a brunch at The Court of Two Sisters, where there is very good food, and the place and atmosphere are pleasant.
Then I went to Vue Orleans and the Observatory, the experience is very interactive. I recommend it!
On my way out I went to Mardi Gras World. A very interesting tour, they were already preparing for 2025. The ticket includes the shuttle that returns them to Canal Street, which was very convenient for me because it rained all day.
I visited Chart Room, a bar that doesn’t offer food but the atmosphere and prices are good.
Later I went to Erin Rose, near Bourbon Street. They have the best cocktail in all of New Orleans, the iced Irish coffee. It’s so good! Alex, the bartender is very friendly. They also have the famous Poboys, I tried one with fried shrimp. Very good! I stayed there the rest of the night for the iced Irish coffee.
The next day I took the streetcar down Canal Street to City Park. This park is huge, I could only see a third of it. It has the largest number of oak trees in the world.
You can’t miss the sculpture garden. There is also a larger Cafe du Monde and it accepts cards as a payment method. Being there among nature, drinking coffee, was something sublime.
Later I returned to the hostel to shower and go to Acme Oyster House. Wow! The grilled oysters are delicious and huge. An excellent meal!
Then I went to Brennan’s to try the Banana Foster, delicious! Don’t leave NOLA without trying it. To go you need to make a reservation, but if you are only going for dessert, it will not be necessary.
I returned to Erin Rose for another Iced Irish Coffee.
With that cocktail in hand I went on the Natchez Steamboat Jazz Cruise. A great experience! I saw the skyline from the Mississippi River.
And guess what? I returned to Erin Rose for another Iced Irish Coffee.
On the last day, I checked out at 11:00 am and left my luggage at the hostel to continue exploring the city, since my flight left until 7:00 pm.
¡Caminé mucho! por Warehouse District, Central Business District. Visité the Lafayette Park, Piazza d’Italia, Mississippi River Heritage Park, Riverwalk Food Court y the Riverwalk Outlets.
My last visit was to Jackson Square, where I saw an amazing jazz band.
Afterwards, I was starving and went to the Gumbo Shop, and for the first time I tried the alligator sausage, I also had the Gumbo and the Etoufee.
I returned to the hostel and ordered a taxi to the airport, it arrived in less than 10 minutes and charged me 36 dollars.
Other recommendations:
There are many amazing street artists so pay attention, they are very talented, tip them as they make a living from it.
Don’t be afraid of the city and the people, I always felt safe, just be careful.
Enjoy your next trip to New Orleans!
Source: https://alanxelmundo.com/viaje-en-solitario-por-nueva-orleans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=viaje-en-solitario-por-nueva-orleans