Quick Guide: New Orleans, USA
New Orleans, or NOLA, is just as festive, as we hoped it would be. Street musicians, parades, colorful architecture and art everywhere!
What we think you NEED to know
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The area around Bourbon St. definitely has more of a bar and club atmosphere. A cool area, but to experience the “real” NOLA we recommend exploring more close to Frenchmen St. and nearby.
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It is allowed to drink alcohol outside in public areas in the state of Louisiana, but as everywhere else in the US you must be 21 years old to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
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If planning on going during Mardi Gras season (January-March), expect prices to be a lot higher in general. Booking accommodation months in advance is also a good idea, probably a necessity.
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Walking around or using the Streetcars is way easier than driving around in a car. There is a lot of traffic in general, and some streets are quite narrow. The Streetcars can take you quite far out.
Our key moments
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Without a doubt the Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day. Featuring marching bands, floats, and other performers. Creating a festive, joyful, and fun atmosphere for people in all ages. Catching so many of the famous beads!
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Being able to get “behind the scenes” and explore the Mardi Gras World warehouse. Seeing all the floats and figures (that are bigger than you think). Very cool and impressive artwork!
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Simply just walking around the known streets and areas, socking in NOLA. Admiring the beautiful, colorful buildings – many featuring artwork. Listening to jazz on the streets, random people dancing, and overall just a happy, chill vibe.
High season: February-May due to Mardi Gras Season
Currency: United States Dollar
1 USD = 0,85 EUR
Population: 351.000 people living on 906 km²
Location: is a city on the Mississippi river in the Southern state Louisianan
Weather: humid subtropical climate. Hot, humid summers and mild, short winters
Alligator Swamp Tour:
Not far from the city it is possible to go on Alligator Swamp Tours. You can go on one in more or less every direction actually.
Where to go depends on preferences. We took a tour at Lake Martin with this local guy, who has lived there his entire life and spent more than 10,000 hours giving tours. Truly amazing!
How many gators you’ll see depends on the season. February-May is a good time, with mild climate and a lot of animal activity.
This will be NICE to know
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There is some areas where you’ll have to be more careful with your belongings, safety, and probably some areas you should even avoid.
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If you can’t find accommodation with parking space (there isn’t a lot of those in the city center), there is multiple fairly cheap parking houses.
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NOLA is known for many things beyond parades and music: for example their creole cuisine, French Market, Louisiana Voodoo, or Burlesque (Trixie Minx Productions is awesome!).
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There for sure is a lot going on in the city of Joy, Art and Music, and therefore spending just a few days might be just enough. It was for us.
Alligator Swamp Tour:
Not far from the city it is possible to go on Alligator Swamp Tours. You can go on one in more or less every direction actually.
Where to go depends on preferences. We took a tour at Lake Martin with this local guy, who has lived there his entire life and spent more than 10,000 hours giving tours. Truly amazing!
How many gators you’ll see depends on the season. February-May is a good time, with mild climate and a lot of animal activity.
Our favorite locations
- The area around Frenchmen Street. As locals say, it shows the more “real” NOLA in regards to architecture, vibe, street musicians, art etc.
- JAMNOLA which describes itself as a cultural funhouse with very different, cool artsy rooms with each their own theme depicting NOLA.
- Mardi Gras World which is this huge warehouse where you can walk around and see all the amazing stuff from previous and future parades!
This Quick Guide is just a glimpse of New Orleans. We where just there for a few days to celebrate NYE. No doubt that it is an awesome, wild, and crazy time to visit during Mardi Gras!
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