My husband and I took a couples trip to New Orleans for his birthday. We live near Atlanta, so we packed our bags and took a road trip. I just wanted to share our experience and a “Must do” list when visiting New Orleans and how to visit in affordable style!
1) Go AirBnB style!
A lot of people come to NOLA and rent a hotel. That seems like the most common idea, but there are other cool places to stay that give you a great experience. You can also save lots of money going with a group and splitting the cost. We rented out an AirBnB with another couple. It was a very spacious modern town home. It had an upstairs, down stairs, washer and dryer, two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, outdoor terrace, and a directory with suggestions of all the hot spots in town. We were about a 5-10 minute Uber drive from Burbon Street and the French Quarter where all the action is.
Carise’s LifeSTYLE saving’s tip: The average hotel price at the at time was between $220-$300 per night. By choosing to AirBnB with another couple we ended up getting more space in a luxury town home for $94 a night!
Marigny Modern II- Close to French Quarters and Frenchmen Street
2) Indulge in some AMAZING food
So as you all know the food is one of the best parts of NOLA. This was probably the most we spent money on. Make sure you have a budget JUST FOR THE FOOD! (It is so worth it) Here are some amazing places to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner:
The Ruby Slipper
Mango french toast stuffed with cream cheese and whipped cream
The Gumbo Shop
Crawfish etouffee
Deannies
Fried Seafood Platter
3) Have a photo shoot!!
This incredible town is filled with music, culture and my absolute favorite thing….ART! There are so many art exhibits, art galleries and just random art on the street. There are beautiful murals all over the buildings in the neighborhoods of New Orleans. Take a day to walk around, put on some stylish outfits with pops of color and get some amazing photos! The best thing about this activity is that it’s FREE!
4) Steam boat
One thing that you must do is take the Creole Queen cruise down the Mississippi River. This romantic cruise offers a creole buffet dinner, amazing views of New Orleans, while viewing a romantic sunset and listening to a live Jazz Band. It’s definately a great date night to dress up and have a relaxing night.
Carise’s LifeSTYLE savings tip: Groupon has up to 21% off this cruise!
5) Rooftop Pool at the Ace hotel
New Orleans can get really hot and sticky. If you are looking for a place to cool off by the pool and get some amazing views of the city go to the Ace Hotel. They open their pool to the public for $25 per person. They have a cash bar with great drinks and music. You can take some awesome pictures and enjoy the scenery.
6) Bourbon Street
I’m sure you have heard about the tales and never ending nights on bourbon street. In my opinion, it’s like the Vegas Strip all compacted into one area. There are so many bars, clubs, and small shops. You can literally bar hop the entire night. The best thing is if you go during a non peak season all the clubs are free! Just show is your ID to get in. It can be a really good time. There is so much to do. All you have to do is just get to the street and I’m sure you will have a very interesting night. It’s much more eventful on the weekends and of course Mardi Gras and other events such as the Essence Fest.
That’s a short recap of some of our highlights in New Orleans! We had an amazing time. Take advantage of some of my lifeSTYLE savings tips for your next trip to NOLA!
Happy Styling my LOVES!! XOXO
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