Do's and Don'ts in New Orleans
Planning a trip to New Orleans? There is much more to the city than Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. From neighborhood restaurants and local bars to historic Chalmette and the bayous of Southeast Louisiana, getting off the beaten path can make your trip even better.
Here are some of the best Do's and Dont's in New Orleans to help you experience the city like a local.
Don’t Leave Your Drink Unattended
New Orleans is known for having a good time, but basic safety still matters.
Never leave your drink unattended at a bar or restaurant. If you walk away from it, play it safe and order another one.
Keep an eye on your friends, know your limits and stay aware of your surroundings. You can have a great night in New Orleans without taking unnecessary chances.
Do Use a Plastic Cup When Walking Around
One of the unique things about New Orleans is the ability to enjoy a drink while walking in areas where open-container rules allow it.
There is one important rule: use a plastic cup.
Don't walk around with an open glass bottle or glass. If you're unsure about the rules in a particular area, ask the bartender.
Grab your drink, head outside and enjoy the music, people and energy of New Orleans.
Just remember to throw your cup away when you're finished.
Don’t Eat Only in the French Quarter
The French Quarter has some amazing restaurants, but don't make the mistake of eating every meal there.
Some of the best food in New Orleans can be found outside the tourist areas.
Do Explore Uptown and Carrollton
Take the St. Charles streetcar Uptown and explore neighborhoods such as the Garden District, Uptown and Carrollton.
You'll find local restaurants, neighborhood bars, beautiful homes and plenty of New Orleans character.
Consider adding these restaurants to your list:
Vincent's on St. Charles – A longtime New Orleans favorite serving Italian food with a local touch.
Jacques-Imo's – Located near Oak Street, this funky restaurant is known for bold food and a fun, casual atmosphere.
Ye Olde College Inn – A Carrollton-area classic with deep roots in New Orleans dining.
These neighborhoods give you a chance to experience New Orleans food like a local, away from some of the busiest tourist streets.
Don’t Only Go to Bars on Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is worth experiencing, but don't spend your entire nightlife there.
New Orleans has incredible bars throughout the French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods.
Do Explore New Orleans' Local Bars
For a laid-back experience, check out Ernst Café, a longtime New Orleans bar known for its casual atmosphere and affordable drinks.
For creative cocktails and a more modern atmosphere, Copper Vine is worth a visit.
And if you want to experience one of New Orleans' most famous cocktails in a historic
setting, visit the Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt New Orleans.
Try a Sazerac, sit back and enjoy a little New Orleans history.
The best New Orleans travel tip?
Don't follow the crowd all night. Explore.
Do Venture Outside the French Quarter
This may be the most important tip on the list.
Don't spend your entire New Orleans vacation in the French Quarter.
Take the streetcar. Walk Magazine Street. Explore Uptown. Visit Carrollton. Talk to locals. Try a neighborhood restaurant.
You'll quickly discover that New Orleans is much more than Bourbon Street.
The city is made up of unique neighborhoods, each with its own food, music, history and personality.
Do Explore Chalmette and Southeast Louisiana
Want to see a different side of New Orleans?
Head downriver to Chalmette and St. Bernard Parish.
Located just a few miles from New Orleans, Chalmette offers visitors a chance to experience Southeast Louisiana history and culture.
The area is home to the Chalmette Battlefield, where the Battle of New Orleans was fought on January 8, 1815.
But history is only part of the story.
St. Bernard Parish is a community shaped by fishing, seafood, wetlands, waterways and generations of families who have lived along the coast.
While you are in "da Parish" don't sleep on Rocky & Carlo’s Restaurant & Bar is known far and wide for its fabulously oversized portions of Sicilian dishes and New Orleans classics including veal parmesan and the most popular item on the menu, baked macaroni & cheese served with brown or red gravy.
The farther you get from the tourist crowds, the more you begin to see the real Southeast Louisiana.
Experience More Than the French Quarter
If you're looking for things to do outside the French Quarter, get on the water.
The bayous and wetlands surrounding New Orleans are part of what makes Southeast Louisiana special.
Wildlife, marshes, coastal landscapes and local history create an experience you simply can't get walking down Bourbon Street.
That's where Beyond The French Quarter comes in.
Located just minutes from downtown New Orleans, Beyond The French Quarter tours offers experiences that take visitors beyond the traditional tourist path and into the waterways and wetlands of Southeast Louisiana.
It's a chance to see the region from a different perspective, learn about the environment and experience the culture that exists beyond the French Quarter.
From Bourbon Street to the bayou, there's a whole other side of New Orleans waiting for you.
Final :Do's and Don'ts in New Orleans
When visiting New Orleans:
DO explore outside the French Quarter.
DO try neighborhood restaurants.
DO visit Uptown and Carrollton.
DO experience local bars and cocktail spots.
DO explore Chalmette and Southeast Louisiana.
DO get on the water and see the bayous.
DON'T leave your drink unattended.
DON'T assume Bourbon Street is all New Orleans has to offer.
DON'T spend every meal in the French Quarter.
DON'T spend your entire vacation on Bourbon Street.
New Orleans is a city that rewards curiosity.
Come for the music. Stay for the food. Explore the neighborhoods. Get out on the water. Talk to the locals.
And whatever you do, don't leave New Orleans without seeing the side of the city that most tourists miss.
Captain Pipp~
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