NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans was a whole other experience. We didn’t expect half of the amount of culture and history to take place in such a fun environment. We had an absolute ball exploring every nook and cranny in this vibrant (and HOT!) southern atmosphere. Bring your drinking shoes, boys, we’re heading to NOLA!

M | K | N


DAY 1

8:00 am | Housed in a historic church compound off the beaten paths of New Orleans, Hotel Pater and Paul is everything you didn’t expect in this secluded environment. The convent and the rectory both house beautifully restored rooms in what used to be the former home of the Marinate nuns and where the clergy used to reside.  Every inch of this project is absolutely stunning, and worth wondering about. Pro Tip: Part of the development includes an actual decommissioned red brick Catholic Church which hosts plenty of events for you to enjoy during your stay- sunrise yoga, anyone?

2317 Burgundy St. 

DSC_5179-2.jpg
DSC_5165-2.jpg
DSC_5170-2.jpg
DSC_5187-2.jpg
DSC_5209-2.jpg
DSC_5174-2.jpg
DSC_5181-2.jpg

10:00 am | Cavan is a coastal American restaurant located in a beautifully fragmented mansion constructed in 1883. Walking up to the wrap around porch, we felt like we were situated in a southern movie. We savored every bite of our crawfish Benedict and buttermilk pancakes as we stared out of the window into the lush surroundings. 

3607 Magazine St. 

DSC_4844-2.jpg
DSC_4833-2.jpg
DSC_4826-2.jpg
DSC_4912-2.jpg
DSC_4919-2.jpg
DSC_4837-2.jpg
DSC_4922-2.jpg

11:30 am | The surrounding 6 miles of Magazine Street is filled with unique shops and activities. Spend some time strolling the sidewalks and wandering into the various boutiques to find hidden treasures and trinkets for your loved ones!


2:30 pm | This adult-only hidden “best kept secret” of the Bywater neighborhood has provided an escape from everyday living for the past 40 years. Spend your afternoon in the tucked away backyard pool area of The Country Club and soak up every ray in the sky. This was our favorite meal of the trip and it was perfect timing since we were famished when we arrived. Naturally, we ordered one of everything and didn’t look back. Some of our must-try’s include the crispy gulf oysters, truffle Mac n cheese, crab beignets, and the fried chicken sandwich. Pro Tip: if it’s raining, happy hour all day! 

634 Louisa Street

DSC_5554-2.jpg
DSC_5561-2.jpg
DSC_5550-2.jpg
DSC_5544-2.jpg

4:00 pm | We never felt more at home while traveling than we did at Bacchanal Wine. You walk into what seems like a small wine shop to pick your poison of wines and cheeses, then head to the open-air back yard where all the fun is! Follow the sounds of live music to this European-style hideaway and unwind for the afternoon. Grab some snacks from the walk-up window and enjoy while you tap your toes to the tunes. Ask for the “baby Jesus” wine rosé and thank us later. Pro Tip: if the weather turns, head upstairs for an inside bar option. 

600 Poland Avenue 

DSC_4804-2.jpg
DSC_4816-2.jpg
DSC_4796-2.jpg
DSC_4809-2.jpg

6:00 pm | Since you have a little buzz going and the theme of the day is shopping - head to some of the coolest boutiques NOLA has to offer before you hit dinner. A few of our favorites were Friend menswear, Freda, and ____. 

DSC_4928-2.jpg
DSC_4929-2.jpg
DSC_4935-2.jpg
DSC_4943-2.jpg
DSC_4936-2.jpg
DSC_4944-2.jpg
DSC_4946-2.jpg

7:00 pm | If the name didn’t give it away, coastal oysters and cocktails are the main dish at Seaworthy. Everything that comes out of the kitchen is almost as fresh as if you caught it yourself. If you want a lively experience, opt for a seat at the downstairs bar. For a more intimate setting, head upstairs and overlook the street to watch passerby and sip your happy hour cocktail. The upstairs decor is worth checking out regardless, the team that turned this classic Creole cottage built in 1832 really kept the breath of history that resided inside of it. 

630 Carondelet Street

DSC_5109-2.jpg
DSC_5112-2.jpg
DSC_5144-2.jpg
DSC_5149-2.jpg
DSC_5118-2.jpg
DSC_5121-2.jpg
DSC_5113-2.jpg

9 pm | You’ll definitely be in the mood for something sweet after indulging all day. Drip Affagato Bar is not to be missed while in the area. We’ve truly never experienced something like this place. We ordered the affagato flight - which pairs different hot drips with two scoops of ice cream and extremely unique toppings. We had a little too much fun pouring each drink over our cold treats! 

703 Carondelet St

DSC_4954-2.jpg
DSC_4971-2.jpg
DSC_4957-2.jpg
DSC_4992-2.jpg
DSC_5004-2.jpg

10:30 pm | Pop down the street to the cool Ace Hotel for night cap that goes down like some smooth jazz.

DAY 2
9:00 am | The Rectory at the Peter and Paul hotel includes The Elysian Bar, the food and beverage partner by the team at Bacchanal wine shop. The Elysian Bar offers coffee, niche wines, specialty cocktails, and a menu with a breakfast not to be overlooked. We couldn’t have been more thankful this was steps from our room!

DSC_5193-2.jpg
DSC_5218-2.jpg
DSC_5220-2.jpg
DSC_5229-2.jpg
DSC_5241-2.jpg
DSC_5197-2.jpg
DSC_5198-2.jpg
DSC_5205-2.jpg
DSC_5223-2.jpg

11 am | Longue Vue house and gardens is so much more than just that. A historic house museum and surrounding gardens in the Lakewood neighborhood is the former home of Edgar and Edith Stern, including all of the original furnishings. Whether you prefer a guided tour or to wander around yourself the afternoon, you will get lost in the beauty of this property. There are plenty of family-friendly events and rotating exhibits throughout each month, so check the calendar on their website! 

7 Bamboo Road

DSC_5503-2.jpg
DSC_5510-2.jpg
DSC_5504-2.jpg
DSC_5513-2.jpg
DSC_5518-2.jpg


2:00 pm | Justine had a different vibe than the rest of the places we visited in NOLA. More of a metropolitan feel with southern classic food offerings, we were very happy  with the blended vibe. We asked for a table by the window (more people watching, duh!) and ordered all of the yummy small plates to pass around and indulge in. Some of the best cocktails were brought to us by recommendation of our server, who we asked to “surprise us” based on our personal spirit preferences. 

225 Chartres St. 

DSC_5476-2.jpg
DSC_5492-2.jpg
DSC_5490-2.jpg
DSC_5482-2.jpg

3:30 pm | After a full belly, head to the French quarter square to see your full future. Once the sun sets the crystal balls come out. Don’t get spooked- This psychic reading could be just the thing you need. 

If you’re in the mood to be spooked, check out the French Quarter cemetery tours. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! 

DSC_5585-2.jpg

6:00 pm | Walking through a hidden alleyway to the back entrance of Sylvain made us feel like we were discovering a hidden gem within the vibrant city. Named after the first opera to ever take place in New Orleans and set in a carriage house built in the late 1700s, this restaurant/bar duo offers Southern bistro classics (think cast iron skillet cornbread, champagne & fries and braised beef cheeks). We’re not sure if it was the atmosphere or the mezcal, but we were on cloud nine the entire meal. 

625 Chartres Street 

DSC_5589-2.jpg
DSC_5600-2.jpg
DSC_5607-2.jpg
DSC_5603-2.jpg
DSC_5644-2.jpg
DSC_5652-2.jpg
DSC_5669-2.jpg
DSC_5664-2.jpg


8:00 pm | Open 24 hours a day for all of your beignet needs, the original Cafe Du Monde location is the one to get to. Famous around the world, you’ll understand why the moment you get to the front of the line that remains long at all hours of the day. Beignets are square French -style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar. Established as a traditional coffee shop- the menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory and of course, Beignets. Pro Tip: ask for your coffee Au Lait (mixed half and half with hot milk) and dunk those beignets in for an even tastier treat! 

800 Decatur Street

DSC_5575-2.jpg
DSC_5568-2.jpg


10:30 pm | Exactly what everyone warns you about, Bourbon Street is a must-see at least once in your lifetime. If your sober, it’s some of the best people-watching you’ll ever have the chance to do. If you’re not, CHEERS! 

DSC_5584-2.jpg
DSC_5577-2.jpg


Thank you to the teams of: Peter and Paul, The Country Club, Bacchanal Wine, Sylvain, Cavan, and Drip for hosting us these past 48 hours.

Onto the next city!

xx