New Orleans was my very first trip when I turned 18. My friends and I rented a car and made the 6 hour drive from Houston, Eastbound on I-10. I wandered around the French Quarter in amazement as people stumbled out of bars laughing and spilling those tall grenade shaped cups on themselves while live music flooded Bourbon St. I loved it!
Since then, I’ve been to New Orleans over a dozen times. For holiday weekends, birthdays, Bachelorette turn ups, conferences and more – it’s a city I’ve experienced in so many ways.
I love that New Orleans always offers restoration when my spirits are low, and that’s exactly what I needed from this getaway: Rest with a side of good food and drinks.
Where I Stayed:
JW Marriott New Orleans
Located right on Canal St, the JW Marriott New Orleans delivers 4-star accommodations with easy access to all the French Quarter fun. The rooms are decently appointed, and the high floors have great views of the city and Mississippi River.
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Where I Played:
The National World War II Museum
If I was ever on a game show and the million dollar question was about anything that happened between 1939 to 1945, I’m calling my best friend, Brittany. She’s one of those people who knows everything there is to know about World War II, and she’s the sole reason I included this stop on the itinerary.
BGMW Tip: Tickets are $30/each so consider buying one of the tourist packages (e.g. GoCity) for discounts.
To my surprise, the National World War II Museum was an expansive and immersive museum experience. The installations covered a wide range of topics, including US military strategy, American life during the war, and a fairly transparent depiction of the racism Black, Latinx, and Asian service people and citizens faced during the era. If you’re a history buff or just love museums like I do, I think you’ll enjoy adding this one to your itinerary.
Southern Food and Beverage Museum
By now, you know I’m going to “museum mami” it up wherever I go. New Orleans’ Southern Food and Beverage Museum explores the culinary history of the South. For $10.50, it’s an inexpensive itinerary filler and a great place to duck into when those random rain showers blow through the city.
Each Southern state is highlighted through thoughtful installations showcasing their unique cuisines and classic food brands. The exhibits are filled with lots of interesting facts that make for good “Did You Know” moments that spice up good conversations.
Did you know that brunch or “second breakfast” originated in New Orleans to serve the butchers and other service people working the French markets?
southernfood.org
Museum of the American Cocktail
Housed inside the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, the Museum of American Cocktail (MOTAC) celebrates the history and culture of the cocktail and its global influence in art, music, and politics.
After you’re done nerding out on cocktail history, grab a drink at the MOTAC‘s bar before browsing the gift shop. As an added bonus, a stop here means you can tell your friends you’ve visited one of the largest absinthe collections in the world!
Baldwin & Co. Bookstore and Café
Baldwin & Co. is a Black-owned independent Bookstore and Cafe in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood. With James Baldwin murals well-organized sections, lots of seating, and a podcast recording studio, it’s one of the most adorable bookstores I’ve visited. I’ll definitely be back!
Where I Ate & Drank:
Up & Adam Eats
Catch the trolley down Canal St to grab a lowkey breakfast at Up & Adam Eatz. From chicken biscuit sandwiches to shrimp & grits, it’s your typical Southern family breakfast café. The pineapple mimosas and fried green beans were my favorite, and Brittany liked the Shrimp & Grits.
Fried Green Beans from Up & Adam Eatz 
Cranberry Mimosa from Up & Adam Eats
What to order: Southern Fried Green Beans, Shrimp & Grits, Mimosas
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21st Amendment
While walking to dinner, we stopped in 21st Amendment, a popular bar on Iberville that pays tribute to the end of prohibition. The live jazz bands and friendly bartenders made this spot an unexpected favorite stop. I also got to try the official cocktail of New Orleans – The Sazerac – a rye whiskey cocktail with simple syrup and Peychaud bitters. I loved it!
What to order: The Sazerac, obviously!
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Palm & Pine
Just on the outskirts of the French Quarter, this dive is a hotspot for locals and tourist. Weekend brunch may be their biggest draw, but I preferred the more laid back vibe during their late dinner service.
BGMW Tip: This is a great late(r) night dining option if you're looking to duck off from the Bourbon St crowds.
What to order: Sticky Grilled Rib Tips (Appetizers) and the Chocotorta (Dessert)
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Brunch at Gianna
Gianna is a rustic Italian restaurant in New Orleans’ Warehouse District on Magazine Street.
While they’re most known for their woodfired pizzas, they recently added a brunch offering with several exciting dishes and great drinks.
Read: Good Eats: Brunch at Gianna – New Orleans, LA
Observatory Eleven
Observatory Eleven is the restaurant and bar inside the Westin Canal Place hotel serving up great views and vibrant craft cocktails.
BGMW Tip: Observatory Eleven's views of the Mississippi River are especially beautiful around sunset.
I don’t usually go up for hotel restaurants, but the friendly service paired perfectly with the bar bites, especially the boudin wontons.
Yes, boudin wontons! The seasoned pork and rice mixture most often served as a link, but Observatory Eleven reimagined the Cajun staple! Served in a crispy wonton, topped with tangy kimchi, and served with a spicy mustard reduction – this was one of the best things I ate in 2022!
What to order: Ponchatoula Cooler and Boudin Wontons
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Loretta’s
Loretta’s is no frills counter service spot serving up classic New Orleans pralines and hot beignets – not just any type of beignets, though. Instead of covering the beignets in powdered sugar a la Cafe Du Monde, Loretta’s butterflies the beignets and stuffs them with delicious savory fixins’.
I ordered the fried chicken beignet and it was EVERYTHING foodie dreams are made of. I should have ordered one for the plane ride home.
BGMW Tip: Loretta's is just around the corner from Baldwin & Co. Bookstore.
If you’re the “now I need something sweet” type, but pralines aren’t your thing, try one of Loretta’s baked goods – I really liked the King Cake cookie.
What to Order: Fried Chicken Beignet, Pralines, and King Cake Cookies
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Drinks at Effervescence
A cocktail lounge specializing in sparkling wine? Say less!
Effervescence, a woman-owned wine lounge, is the perfect addition to your Good Eats & Drinks NOLA itinerary. Order one of their fun sparkling wine cocktails or get really familiar with bubbles by trying one of the Effervescence flights. There’s no wrong choice!
What to order: Sparkling Wine Flight
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New Orleans feels different, but it’s still magical.
New Orleans is a city that always brings me comfort and rejuvenation when I need it most. The first half of 2022 has been personally terrible, so I’m glad one of my favorite cities hasn’t lost its healing powers.
Let me know if you check out any of the places I mentioned! I love when y’all tag me on your BGMW-recommended adventures!
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