New Orleans Bachelorette!

As a California girl, I grew up going to Las Vegas. That didn’t change when I went to college, with multiple trips made each year with my college girlfriends. So, it probably comes as no surprise that when any of my California friends get married, they actually would rather go anywhere but Vegas. I was thrilled when one of my best friends from California announced that she wanted to do her bachelorette in New Orleans.

New Orleans has been on my list of places to go for years! I thought about visiting last year, but with Charleston and Nashville trips already planned I wasn’t able to go. So, with my damask suitcase full of bachelorette gifts and summer dresses, off I went!

Anyone who has heard anything about New Orleans has heard of Bourbon Street. I had heard many friends describe it to me in the past, but nothing could prepare me for what I saw when I stepped out of my hotel Royal Sonesta New Orleans.

Royal Sonesta (TripAdvisor review here) is located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, in the French Quarter (the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans), between the madness that is Bourbon Street and its classier sister, Royal Street. I have to admit, I wouldn’t have been able to spend an entire trip in New Orleans on Bourbon Street. As fun as Bourbon Street is for what it is, there is a certain smell that permeates the area that I could only take so much of. Luckily, on the other side of Royal Sonesta was Royal Street (the street immediately parallel to Bourbon Street). Royal Street is home to maybe my favorite bar in the world!! Keep reading to hear all about it.

To Do

My recommendation is to stay in the French Quarter if you visit New Orleans, or somewhere close by. Walking the streets of the French Quarter gives you a true feel for the history and historical culture of New Orleans. There is also plenty to do, so much so that you could visit New Orleans without ever leaving this area!

Bourbon Street: Bourbon Street is filled to the brim with bars, lounges and clubs. At almost any hour of the day you will see people walking up and down Bourbon Street with drinks in hand (drinking in public (with an open container) is legal in New Orleans if done in a plastic cup). It’s the easiest place to have a great night or day out in New Orleans, and as a bachelorette group, we definitely took advantage of Bourbon Street.  You can’t leave Bourbon Street without trying a Hurricane drink from Pat O’Briens (also has a great outdoor patio to hang out), listening to live music in candlelight at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, and sipping a Hand Grenade from the Tropical Isle Bar.

Frenchmen Street: Frenchmen Street is THE place to see various live music and jazz performances in New Orleans. The street is home to a number of bars and lounges that are meant for live music. The street is also decorated with various types of art and is home to the Frenchmen Art Market. In my opinion Frenchmen Street is the most cultural, diverse and authentic place in New Orleans.

Steamboat Cruise: Another option for some jazz and also a visit on the Mississippi River is to take a cruise on the Mississippi River. My friends and I chose to do this in a more historical way by taking a cruise on a steamboat! The steamboat Natchez is New Orleans’ only steamboat, and we had a great time taking a ride on it and hearing a little bit more about the history of New Orleans while aboard.

Trolley: The best way to really see New Orleans is to take a ride on the New Orleans Street Cars. There are three trolley lines but the best one to take is the St. Charles Line (over 150 years old). The St. Charles Line (13 miles total, $3 for a full day pass) allows you to see some of the key areas of New Orleans, including Audubon Park and the Garden District. If you are looking for a break from the ride, the best place to get off is in the Garden District, where you can tour the Lafayette Cemetery (with Bulldog Pub near by to grab a beer after), explore the gorgeous architecture or walk over to Magazine Street for some shopping.  

 

Bachelorette Specific: Pole Dancing: I have always wanted to do a pole dancing class, and thought a bachelorette would be the perfect place to do this! My friends and I went to Crescent Lotus Dance Studio to get our dance on, and the class was the perfect activity for our bachelorette! We picked this location versus other locations in New Orleans because it offered one hour classes and we were able to bring our drinks in to the studio (but not on the dance floor). The studio also offers a whole list of other classes that might better fit your needs, like burlesque and belly dancing classes!

Jackson Square: This historic area of New Orleans (named after General Andrew Jackson) is so picturesque, with the St. Louis Cathedral in the background. There are also a number of local vendors lining the square, selling an assortment of things like palm reading, horse & carriage rides and art. Cafe Du Monde is right near by as well, so grab a beignet and spend a few minutes walking around the square.

To Eat

One of the biggest and most enjoyable things to do in New Orleans is eat! The creole flavor and southern spices of New Orleans make almost anything you eat while there so delicious! One thing to keep in mind is that most restaurants close at 10pm, so for those of you coming from other big cities and expecting later reservations, take note!

Beignets: Beignets were introduced to New Orleans by the French, and have become of specialty of New Orleans since their introduction. Cafe Du Monde is synonymous with the food item because it has been in existence since 1862 and is open 24/7 serving primarily these delicious fried fritters. No trip to New Orleans is complete without devouring at least one!

Restaurant R’evolution: True story – My friends and I ate here for dinner two nights in a row! The service was outstanding, every dish was mouthwatering and the wine and beverage list was excellent (the restaurant has won many awards for its wine collection). It was just too easy to dine at Restaurant R’evolution, which is the restaurant in Royal Sonesta New Orleans, when it was so close by and has received so many rave reviews.

Emeril Lagasse: Emeril Lagasse is the most well known chef in the food scene of New Orleans. He developed his career while working in New Orleans at the famed Commander’s Palace restaurant, and soon after opened his first restaurant in New Orleans, titled “Emeril”. You can’t go to New Orleans without stepping into one of his restaurants.

Restaurant Stanley: The brunch at Restaurant Stanley was insanely good, as were the drinks! Their double size for drinks definitely did the trick for my bachelorette group, not to mention loading up on yummy carbs. I recommend ordering the Bananas Foster French Toast for your group, a big hit with my friends!

To Drink

 

Carousel Bar: My FAVORITE bar in New Orleans hands down was Carousel Bar. I don’t know why this bar doesn’t exist in every big city in the country! The bar is an actual carousel that rotates while you sit at the bar, it’s so thrilling and so adorable. I went here a couple of times while in New Orleans because I loved it so much (see a theme? hehe). Carousel Bar is located on Royal Street, so it’s easy to get to from anywhere in the downtown area.

Sazerac Bar: If you are seeking a cocktail bar with old-world charm and class, no place better suits this need than Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel. This bar is named after what is considered to be the first cocktail ever invented, the Sazerac. If you are a whiskey drinker, you will love this drink! I am not, and could only take a sip of it to try before ordering one of the many other delicious drinks on the menu. This was a great place to spend our last night in New Orleans, when we were pretty beat, away from the craziness of the past few days and Bourbon Street.

New Orleans is absolutely worth all of the hype you have heard about it, and I hope my first trip is not my last! Happy traveling! XOXO

 

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