Guidebook for New Orleans
Parks & Nature
The Tree of Life is a beloved and grand live oak tree, several hundred years old, located in Audubon Park. It's a great gathering place for locals who love the outdoors and a place not a lot of tourists know about. A great hang out spot for a picnic, and you can also climb on some of the lower lying branches. Depending on the time of the day you may also see giraffes on the other side of the fence from the tree, which is adjacent to the Audubon Zoo. Right next door, there's also a stone labyrinth where you can do a walking meditation.
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Boom des Levens
East DriveThe Tree of Life is a beloved and grand live oak tree, several hundred years old, located in Audubon Park. It's a great gathering place for locals who love the outdoors and a place not a lot of tourists know about. A great hang out spot for a picnic, and you can also climb on some of the lower lying branches. Depending on the time of the day you may also see giraffes on the other side of the fence from the tree, which is adjacent to the Audubon Zoo. Right next door, there's also a stone labyrinth where you can do a walking meditation.
Wonderful park located in Mid-City, where my husband and his family grew up playing in, designed by the same architect that created Central Park. Attractions in the park include: The New Orleans Museum of Art; a sculpture garden (free admission) with work from world-renowned sculptors; a beautiful botanical garden; paddle boat rentals in the lagoons; City Putt, a miniature golf course; and playground and StoryLand for kids. If you are craving beignets and don't want to fight the traffic to head downtown, City Park also has one of the city's favorite spots for beignets at Morning Call, located in an old casino building in the center of the Park with indoor and outdoor seating, open 24 hours.
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City Park
1 Palm DrWonderful park located in Mid-City, where my husband and his family grew up playing in, designed by the same architect that created Central Park. Attractions in the park include: The New Orleans Museum of Art; a sculpture garden (free admission) with work from world-renowned sculptors; a beautiful botanical garden; paddle boat rentals in the lagoons; City Putt, a miniature golf course; and playground and StoryLand for kids. If you are craving beignets and don't want to fight the traffic to head downtown, City Park also has one of the city's favorite spots for beignets at Morning Call, located in an old casino building in the center of the Park with indoor and outdoor seating, open 24 hours.
Fantastic zoo amidst the live oaks of Audubon Park - including a lush Louisiana Swamp Exhibit.
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Audubon Park
6500 Magazine StFantastic zoo amidst the live oaks of Audubon Park - including a lush Louisiana Swamp Exhibit.
Drinks & Nightlife
Awesome wine bar with great ambiance, small plate dishes, beautiful outdoor courtyard and often live local music outside.
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Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
600 Poland AveAwesome wine bar with great ambiance, small plate dishes, beautiful outdoor courtyard and often live local music outside.
Most people hear about Bourbon Street which sadly has become more of a tourist trap than an authentic place to experience NOLA culture. The Marigny section of Frenchman Street, within walking distance of the French Quarter, is where the truer spirit of New Orleans lives! Within a 2-3 block distance there are numerous music clubs where musicians play each night. Often there is no cover charge, but be sure to tip the musicians, as they are the heartbeat of NOLA and work very hard! Favorite places: The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., 3 Muses for dinner and live music, and Maison. If you're looking for a sit down, listening room experience of modern jazz check out Snug Harbor.
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Frenchmen Street
Most people hear about Bourbon Street which sadly has become more of a tourist trap than an authentic place to experience NOLA culture. The Marigny section of Frenchman Street, within walking distance of the French Quarter, is where the truer spirit of New Orleans lives! Within a 2-3 block distance there are numerous music clubs where musicians play each night. Often there is no cover charge, but be sure to tip the musicians, as they are the heartbeat of NOLA and work very hard! Favorite places: The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., 3 Muses for dinner and live music, and Maison. If you're looking for a sit down, listening room experience of modern jazz check out Snug Harbor.
Everything Else
This is the yoga studio where we teach, voted "Best Place To Take A Yoga Class in NOLA" 15 years in a row by readers of our local weekly Gambit. We also have a downtown location at 2372 St Claude Ave inside The New Orleans Healing Center. www.WildLotusYoga.com
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Wild Lotus Yoga - Uptown
4842 Perrier StThis is the yoga studio where we teach, voted "Best Place To Take A Yoga Class in NOLA" 15 years in a row by readers of our local weekly Gambit. We also have a downtown location at 2372 St Claude Ave inside The New Orleans Healing Center. www.WildLotusYoga.com
This is the yoga studio where we teach, voted "Best Place To Take A Yoga Class in NOLA" 15 years in a row by readers of our local weekly Gambit. We also have an uptown location at 2372 St Claude Ave inside The New Orleans Healing Center. www.WildLotusYoga.com
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Wild Lotus Yoga-Downtown
2372 St Claude AveThis is the yoga studio where we teach, voted "Best Place To Take A Yoga Class in NOLA" 15 years in a row by readers of our local weekly Gambit. We also have an uptown location at 2372 St Claude Ave inside The New Orleans Healing Center. www.WildLotusYoga.com
Food Scene
The Freret Street corridor, located just .6 miles from our home, is one of the city's hottest streets with over a dozen restaurants and bars within a few blocks of each other. Some local favorites there to eat include: Midway Pizza, Company Burger, Dat Dog, Mint Vietnemese Bistro, and more. Cure is a sweet cocktail bar and clubs that often feature music are Publiq House and Gaza Gaza. All of those venues are located on Freret St between Napoleon and Jefferson Avenue. You can walk (2 minute drive from our home, or 15 minute walk)
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Freret Street
Freret StreetThe Freret Street corridor, located just .6 miles from our home, is one of the city's hottest streets with over a dozen restaurants and bars within a few blocks of each other. Some local favorites there to eat include: Midway Pizza, Company Burger, Dat Dog, Mint Vietnemese Bistro, and more. Cure is a sweet cocktail bar and clubs that often feature music are Publiq House and Gaza Gaza. All of those venues are located on Freret St between Napoleon and Jefferson Avenue. You can walk (2 minute drive from our home, or 15 minute walk)
Casual NOLA uptown n'hood seafood restaurant where lots of locals eat. Yummy po-boys, crawfish when it's in season, red beans and rice, crawfish etoufee.
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Frankie & Johnny's
321 Arabella StreetCasual NOLA uptown n'hood seafood restaurant where lots of locals eat. Yummy po-boys, crawfish when it's in season, red beans and rice, crawfish etoufee.
Classic casual NOLA-region neighborhood seafood restaurant that very few tourists know about where lots of locals go to eat local seafood. They have some of the best po boys in town (stuffed sandwiches with fillings of your choice on delicious sesame seed french bread) Good gumbo as well.
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R & O Restaurant and Catering
216 Metairie-Hammond HwyClassic casual NOLA-region neighborhood seafood restaurant that very few tourists know about where lots of locals go to eat local seafood. They have some of the best po boys in town (stuffed sandwiches with fillings of your choice on delicious sesame seed french bread) Good gumbo as well.
Another classic NOLA n'hood seafood spot, this one in Mid-City, known for their delicious po-boys.
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Parkway Bakery & Tavern
538 Hagan AveAnother classic NOLA n'hood seafood spot, this one in Mid-City, known for their delicious po-boys.
This Mexican cafe is walking distance from our home. Delicious variety of dishes- more than just the usual tacos and burritos- and they serve spiced popcorn as an appetizer! Closed on Mondays and closed on the early side 8pm each night. BYOB.
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El Pavo Real
4401 S Broad AveThis Mexican cafe is walking distance from our home. Delicious variety of dishes- more than just the usual tacos and burritos- and they serve spiced popcorn as an appetizer! Closed on Mondays and closed on the early side 8pm each night. BYOB.
New Orleans has had a boom of Vietnamese restaurants in recent years with delicious pho to be found all over town. This is a more modern than traditional take and one of our favorites. They also have some nice vegetarian options on the menu. Try the roasted brussel sprout appetizer.
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MOPHO
514 City Park AveNew Orleans has had a boom of Vietnamese restaurants in recent years with delicious pho to be found all over town. This is a more modern than traditional take and one of our favorites. They also have some nice vegetarian options on the menu. Try the roasted brussel sprout appetizer.
This is one of our favorite places to eat in NOLA and a place where our family goes to eat and celebrate. Delicious Italian dishes from Chef John Besh. Located inside the beautiful Roosevelt Hotel, it looks formal at first but feels more casual once you're inside. Reservations recommended through Open Table.
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Domenica
123 Baronne StThis is one of our favorite places to eat in NOLA and a place where our family goes to eat and celebrate. Delicious Italian dishes from Chef John Besh. Located inside the beautiful Roosevelt Hotel, it looks formal at first but feels more casual once you're inside. Reservations recommended through Open Table.
Excellent casual n'hood brunch spot tucked away in a quiet uptown n'hood off of the bustling Magazine St. They don't have a lot of tables, so you may have a little bit of a wait during prime time brunch hours.
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Toast
1845 Gentilly BoulevardExcellent casual n'hood brunch spot tucked away in a quiet uptown n'hood off of the bustling Magazine St. They don't have a lot of tables, so you may have a little bit of a wait during prime time brunch hours.
One of our faves for brunch/lunch and veggie/vegan/gluten free friendly, fresh juices. Order at counter and they'll bring food to you. Some nice sidewalk tables.
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Satsuma Café
1320 Magazine StOne of our faves for brunch/lunch and veggie/vegan/gluten free friendly, fresh juices. Order at counter and they'll bring food to you. Some nice sidewalk tables.
The nearest n'hood coffee shop, 2 minutes drive or 12 minute walk from our house!
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Mojo Coffee House
1500 Magazine StThe nearest n'hood coffee shop, 2 minutes drive or 12 minute walk from our house!
If you find yourself downtown, it's totally worth the trip to eat here. The restaurant was born from a crowd-funding campaign and has quickly become a local favorite, winning best tasting pizza in a local contest hosted by one of our local newspapers The Times Picayune. They also always have delicious vegan options, and delicious salads made with local produce. If you eat here during the day, walk down a block and you'll see a giant walking bridge that takes you to the Crescent Park, which runs right along the Mississippi.
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Pizza Delicious
617 Piety StIf you find yourself downtown, it's totally worth the trip to eat here. The restaurant was born from a crowd-funding campaign and has quickly become a local favorite, winning best tasting pizza in a local contest hosted by one of our local newspapers The Times Picayune. They also always have delicious vegan options, and delicious salads made with local produce. If you eat here during the day, walk down a block and you'll see a giant walking bridge that takes you to the Crescent Park, which runs right along the Mississippi.
Awesome urban food court with over a dozen local independent vendors. So many options to choose from and fun lively atmosphere. Great place to go if you have friends with different food tastes. One of the vendors Juice NOLA has one of our favorite vegetarian menus, packed with yumminess. Faves: avocado toast, kale salad, breakfast bowl, rainbow quinoa bowl. The St Roch Market is right across the street from The New Orleans Healing Center where our Wild Lotus Yoga studio is located, so we eat there a bunch.
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St. Roch Market
2381 St Claude AveAwesome urban food court with over a dozen local independent vendors. So many options to choose from and fun lively atmosphere. Great place to go if you have friends with different food tastes. One of the vendors Juice NOLA has one of our favorite vegetarian menus, packed with yumminess. Faves: avocado toast, kale salad, breakfast bowl, rainbow quinoa bowl. The St Roch Market is right across the street from The New Orleans Healing Center where our Wild Lotus Yoga studio is located, so we eat there a bunch.
If you're looking for a fancier, NOLA fine-dining experience -- this is the quintessential place to go.
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Commander's Palace
1403 Washington AveIf you're looking for a fancier, NOLA fine-dining experience -- this is the quintessential place to go.
A more intimate, romantic finer dining option uptown. The chef John Harris has been named Best Chef in NOLA by New Orleans Magazine and has been a finalist for James Beard Award. Reservations.
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Lilette
3637 Magazine StA more intimate, romantic finer dining option uptown. The chef John Harris has been named Best Chef in NOLA by New Orleans Magazine and has been a finalist for James Beard Award. Reservations.
Delicious, casual, more traditional family run Vietnamese Cafe. The owner Lily is always often there greeting her customers with warmth and sweet spirit. The pho here is super. They put strawberries in some of their rice paper wrapped spring rolls.
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Lilly's Café
1813 Magazine StDelicious, casual, more traditional family run Vietnamese Cafe. The owner Lily is always often there greeting her customers with warmth and sweet spirit. The pho here is super. They put strawberries in some of their rice paper wrapped spring rolls.
This is New Orleans' only vegan restaurant and offers yummy vegan versions of some traditional local dishes including gumbo, po boys, and beignets.
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Seed
1330 Prytania StThis is New Orleans' only vegan restaurant and offers yummy vegan versions of some traditional local dishes including gumbo, po boys, and beignets.
This is one of our favorite casual spots to eat- a quirky n'hood restaurant filled with art and carved out from a former gas station. They have an incredibly delicious veggie burger, stellar regular burger, fries, fish tacos, and craft beer list. Check out the joke items on their menu.
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Cowbell
8801 Oak StThis is one of our favorite casual spots to eat- a quirky n'hood restaurant filled with art and carved out from a former gas station. They have an incredibly delicious veggie burger, stellar regular burger, fries, fish tacos, and craft beer list. Check out the joke items on their menu.
Delicious fresh roasted coffee with breakfast and lunch options. Wed - Fri 7am-4pm. Sat & Sun 8am-4pm.
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French Truck Coffee
1200 Magazine StDelicious fresh roasted coffee with breakfast and lunch options. Wed - Fri 7am-4pm. Sat & Sun 8am-4pm.
La Boulangerie
4600 Magazine StDelicious french pastries and breads.
One of our favorite restaurants in town. Yummy spanish food. Great salads, paella (rice), fideua (pasta) dishes, delicious aioli garlic butter and bread.
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Lola's
3312 Esplanade AveOne of our favorite restaurants in town. Yummy spanish food. Great salads, paella (rice), fideua (pasta) dishes, delicious aioli garlic butter and bread.
Authentic, hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels made in small batches fresh daily. A short walk or drive from our home. 7am-1pm Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon. Close Tues and Wed.
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Humble Bagel
4716 Freret StAuthentic, hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels made in small batches fresh daily. A short walk or drive from our home. 7am-1pm Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon. Close Tues and Wed.
This is our latest favorite place to eat in the neighborhood! There's two sides to the menu. The 'Good Cat" side features tasty veggie, vegan and healthier options. The "Bad Cat" side features more decadent choices. Emphasis on high-quality, fresh breakfast and lunch options. They also carry a unique array of sustainable, micro-sourced coffees from Equator Coffee Co, a wide variety of loose-leaf teas and house-made bottled beverages.
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BEARCAT CAFE UPTOWN
2521 Jena StThis is our latest favorite place to eat in the neighborhood! There's two sides to the menu. The 'Good Cat" side features tasty veggie, vegan and healthier options. The "Bad Cat" side features more decadent choices. Emphasis on high-quality, fresh breakfast and lunch options. They also carry a unique array of sustainable, micro-sourced coffees from Equator Coffee Co, a wide variety of loose-leaf teas and house-made bottled beverages.
Essentials
This smaller scale Whole Foods market, one of their new neighborhood models, is located just 5 minutes drive from our house.
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Whole Foods Market
300 N Broad StThis smaller scale Whole Foods market, one of their new neighborhood models, is located just 5 minutes drive from our house.
One of the nearest large general grocery stores in the area where we buy a lot of our staples. They also have a decent section of organic foods.
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Rouses Market
400 N Carrollton AveOne of the nearest large general grocery stores in the area where we buy a lot of our staples. They also have a decent section of organic foods.
This is a larger Whole Foods Market than the one on Broad, about a 10-12 minute drive from the house depending on traffic. Lots of boutiques within a few block radius and one of our favorite Pizza places Slice on the opposite corner.
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Whole Foods Market
300 N Broad StThis is a larger Whole Foods Market than the one on Broad, about a 10-12 minute drive from the house depending on traffic. Lots of boutiques within a few block radius and one of our favorite Pizza places Slice on the opposite corner.
Shopping
This shop is many steps above all the cheesy tourist trap t-shirt shops you find in the French Quarter. This where locals shop for creative and quirky t-shirts to display their local pride.
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Dirty Coast
5415 Magazine StThis shop is many steps above all the cheesy tourist trap t-shirt shops you find in the French Quarter. This where locals shop for creative and quirky t-shirts to display their local pride.
Sightseeing
Catch the streetcar (we don't call it trolley, but it's the same thing) anywhere along St Charles Ave, one of the city's most famous streets and you'll glimpse huge beautiful southern homes, live oaks, and more as you cruise at a slow relaxed pace. Weather permitting, the windows are usually open and you can catch a nice breeze.
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Saint Charles Avenue
Saint Charles AvenueCatch the streetcar (we don't call it trolley, but it's the same thing) anywhere along St Charles Ave, one of the city's most famous streets and you'll glimpse huge beautiful southern homes, live oaks, and more as you cruise at a slow relaxed pace. Weather permitting, the windows are usually open and you can catch a nice breeze.