By Michele Rosenthal
Our Flower Girl Adventures continue in New Orleans. Here, we share not only the more famous tourist attractions but also the hidden gems. Our “Off The Beaten Path” tips are for the discerning traveler who wants to immerse themselves in the culture. Visit a converted church decorated flawlessly (and with the BEST ice cream), find incredible barbecue shrimp, buy antiques on Royal Street, take private garden courtyard tours, enjoy amazing jazz, and much more.
Marigny
We knew we wanted our hotel to be off the beaten path, and of course gorgeous and historic, with great food, incredible service, hip vibe, and a peaceful ambiance. We found the perfect place at Hotel Peter and Paul. Situated a short walk or Uber ride from The French Quarter. The Marigny district offers a quieter spot with a bohemian vibe. We enjoyed breakfast at Who Dat, about a 1 minute walk from our hotel. It is so good! We were so lucky to meet locals who love talking about how to make the perfect roux! If you follow my Instagram @theparishouse you know how much I love traveling and cooking around the world! We also loved the evening jazz and music performances on Frenchman Street during our walks back to the hotel. Everyone gathers around dancing and singing until late at night. Stop at Washington Square for a quiet place to relax, shaded under giant old oak trees.
Our stay at Hotel Peter and Paul was absolute perfection. This beautiful boutique hotel is the result of a four year restoration in the former Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic church and school. Each room is decorated differently and they are spectacular. The bar, courtyard, and parlors offer casual dining with a sophisticated decor and menu. The original theater is painted in the trompe l’oeil method and it is magical. The Elysian Bar creates artisanal cocktails and amazing service. My husband is still talking about the brussel sprouts! Finish your night at Sundae Best in the convent for the most delicious homemade ice cream, my personal favorite is the jam with nuts.
The concierge service is phenomenal. They will gladly help you with any tours or last minute provisions. It is also an easy ride from the airport.
Tours & Things To Do
Although touristy, no trip to New Orleans is complete without visiting Bourbon Street and taking a steamboat trip on the Mississippi River. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hour narrated journey on the river aboard the Natchez Steamboat. Enjoy a scenic dinner cruise with entertainment and a beautiful sunset. We did this our first evening in New Orleans and it was perfect after a day of travel. The Natchez is the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River! We met a family of tourists all the way from Australia and had a great time chatting with them.
Bourbon Street
We had a blast on Bourbon Street and were able to walk everywhere. Our favorite stop there was at the historic Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Built between 1720-1730, it is reputed to be the oldest bar in America. The stone walls and ice cold beer make for a great place to cool off from the steamy New Orleans weather. We went several times during our stay. We love the local Paradise Park Beer.
Royal Street
No trip to the Big Easy is complete without a visit to the iconic Hotel Monteleone. Mr. Monteleone left Sicily to come to New Orleans in 1880. He bought this corner property in 1886 and 5 generations later, his family continues to run this sparkling jewel. The gorgeous facade is truly breathtaking. We had the best time in the carousel bar that rotates slowly while you enjoy a delicious cocktail. I chose the 007. I was so excited to come here, I bought a dress specifically to wear on the carousel!
Shopping on Royal Street by the historic Hotel Monteleone was our favorite. We love French antiques (we have brought back containers of gorgeous antiques for clients that we sourced all through France) and the shoppes here do not disappoint. Even if you are only window shopping you will be inspired.
Drag Show At The Country Club
If you plan to go here, book it early. The Country Club recently added Sunday Brunch to their schedule and it books up months in advance. We were very lucky to get seated. The large-scale painted floral murals are absolutely gorgeous. The drinks are fabulous and the food is delicious! Then comes the drag show, which is incredible and so much fun! We highly recommend this. Trés Chic.
French Quarter
We explored New Orleans on our own everyday and decided to take one tour. We love taking local transportation, walking, and hiring drivers to explore our destinations to the fullest.
I chose a walking tour of the French Quarter with my husband. It was a small group led by an interesting man. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the history, especially of the Baroness (wow what a story). One of my main reasons for taking this tour was the private courtyard at the most adorable pink home. As a gardener and preservationist of our 200 year old historic carriage home, I found this fascinating. We finished our tour at the museum housed inside the 1850 House, steps away from Jackson Square.
The Garden District
A must visit is the Lafayette Cemetery #1 and all the old historic mansions on Magazine Street. The Garden District is quiet, peaceful, and full of history. Browse for antiques, stroll by famous homes, and enjoy lunch or dinner.
Where To Eat
The obvious first choice is the world famous beignets. We ate them everyday and thankfully walked everywhere and got a lot of exercise. Cafe du Monde and Cafe Beignet are the two most popular.
The French Market had amazing food and crafts. I had the best shrimp jalapeno grits in the world! Two Sisters courtyard and bar was a daily stop for us. It is gorgeous and we went every day to say hi to Brittany and drink local beer.
We loved eating at our hotel. I definitely recommend breakfast and coffee, especially the rose blueberry muffins, at Hotel Peter and Paul. The painted murals are beautiful. The best coffee is at Who Dat and there’s incredible barbecue shrimp at Deanie’s. It’s not fancy, but the long wait times and a recommendation from our driver tipped us off that it was worth it. We skipped the lines and ate at the bar. Brennens also has an amazing bar and courtyard area and their wall filled with antique oyster plates is stunning.
Acme has delicious chargrilled oysters and fried shrimp. The lines are long and worth the wait. They are my 2nd favorite, my first are the grilled oysters at Leons in Charleston.
Bourbon House has the best bourbon milk cocktails and they are delicious.
Recipe
We purchased several boxes of seasoning to recreate these recipes at home:
- Shrimp with the heads on
- Tons of butter
- Follow the directions on the package
- Pair with a nice crisp white wine or ice cold beer
Favorite Shops
My favorite quaint flower shop is Flora Savage, located in the French Quarter. I love shopping at the French market. I found the prettiest gold hoop earrings that I wear all the time. We found the most gorgeous antique oyster plate on Royal Street. I knew I wanted to bring home one and they had the most gorgeous ones in all the shops. We also stocked up on cookbooks, spices, and pralines.
Fashion
As an event planner, florist, set designer, and stylist, I love organizing travel and events around the world, in New York City, and at our farmhouse. I also love styling my travel outfits. I found several of the perfect dresses at:
lilypulitzerr.com
revolve.com
reformation.com
XO,
Michele