Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit New Orleans, Louisiana! It’s a fantastic city and there are so many fun things to do in New Orleans. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your New Orleans vacation.
Hate #1: Drunk Tourists
New Orleans is like a Disneyland for adults; it’s a city where people come to party. So, it’s inevitable that you will run into groups of drunk tourists in New Orleans. Of course, there are plenty of tourists that come to New Orleans for other reasons, but it seems that Bourbon Street brings out the binge drinker in each of us. If you’re out at night in the French Quarter, just keep an eye out for any trouble and avoid large rowdy groups.
The Most Common Reasons Tourists Get Arrested
Hate #2: Driving in New Orleans
Driving and parking in New Orleans are frustrating. Parking is really hard to find and very expensive once you do find something. Driving in New Orleans can be stressful and confusing if you are traveling between the districts of New Orleans. I recommend using the streetcar and taxis to get around. It’s much easier than driving and looking for parking. In fact, it’s pretty easy to plan a New Orleans itinerary that does not require you to have a car at all.
Hate #3: Hotel & Restaurant Prices
New Orleans is a major tourist and convention destination, so there really is no “low season” where you can find cheap hotels in New Orleans. New Orleans hotels are expensive; you can expect to pay more than $200 a night for a nice hotel in a good location, and parking is added on top of that if you drive to New Orleans. If you want to stay in the French Quarter, you will pay for the convenience, but you will save money on taxis and transportation as you will be able to walk to some of the best New Orleans attractions. Restaurants in New Orleans are also expensive, but the food is amazing.
Hate #4: Summer Weather in New Orleans
New Orleans is very hot and humid in the summer. If you visit between May and September, expect to have very warm days and evenings. You have to stay extra hydrated this time of year, especially if you are drinking alcohol because you can get dehydrated very easily. When planning your New Orleans itinerary, try to stay out of the mid-day sun and do your sightseeing in the morning and evenings. Visit indoor attractions, or use your hotel swimming pool, in the hottest part of the day.
Hate #5: New Orleans Crime
Crime in New Orleans is sometimes overexaggerated, it’s not necessarily a dangerous place to visit. But, you do need to take the same precautions you would in any city. Be on the lookout for pickpockets, and don’t leave valuables in your car. Although parking is expensive, it’s best to park in a protected lot where your car is safer from vandals. Use your normal street smarts: avoid dark alleys and don’t stumble around drunk by yourself in the wee hours.
Love #1: New Orleans Culture
New Orleans has a unique culture that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States. It’s an eclectic mix of Creole, French and American cultures. There are interesting museums and architecture in New Orleans and the unique culture is most evident in the cuisine which you can’t get anywhere else. Local residents are proud of their culture and love to share it with visitors.
Love #2: New Orleans Festivals
We all know about Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but this city has amazing festivals throughout the year. There’s the French Quarter Festival, the Jazz Festival, and so many other fun events all year long. Even Mardi Gras is so much more than what most tourists see. There are family-friendly Mardi Gras events, parades, and balls and parties that kick off the season well before Fat Tuesday.
Love #3: New Orleans Food
From beignets at Cafe du Monde to Po Boys in the French Quarter, the food in New Orleans is to die for. If you like seafood, you’ll love the gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish dishes. No matter where you go in New Orleans, you’re practically guaranteed to have an amazing meal. Make sure you bring your stretchy pants because it’s hard to visit New Orleans without packing on a few pounds!
Five Things You Must Eat in New Orleans
Love #4: Things to Do in New Orleans
Many people visit New Orleans and only see the French Quarter, but there are so many other things to see in New Orleans. There are tons of indoor and outdoor things to do with kids in New Orleans. The Audubon Zoo is one of the best in the country, and Audubon Park is next door. There’s the Garden District, swamp tours, plantation tours, cemetery tours, and riverboat cruises. The New Orleans Museum of Art is really great, as is the National WWII Museum. Be sure you check out some of the lesser-known New Orleans attractions during your visit.
Love #5: People in New Orleans
New Orleans people are fantastic. They’ll give you travel advice and tell you where to eat and where to shop. Avoid the drunk tourists and really try to get to know some of the locals in New Orleans. The South really is super friendly, and New Orleans is no exception.
New Orleans is a really fantastic city, no matter your reason for visiting. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to plan a New Orleans vacation. Want more tips for traveling in the Southern United States? Check out these other blog posts: