Earth Regarded Guide to New Orleans
I’ve now been to New Orleans three times and every time I go I think…could I live here? It’s the place in the US that most feels like visiting a foreign country or city. Between the palpable sense of history everywhere you look, the AMAZING food and live music every night, it kind of has everything I could hope for. That said, it isn’t the most eco-friendly city, so making sure your stay is as sustainable as possible will take a bit of know-how. Luckily, I’ve learned from experience and am sharing my top tips for what to see, do and eat while in NOLA - all while minding the planet.
WHAT TO PACK: NEW ORLEANS
Depending on what time of year you visit, your wardrobe choices will vary. Keep in mind, if you haven’t visited the South, that Louisiana is humid. So, summertime calls for loose, breathable cotton. If you’re visiting in the winter (aka for Mardi Gras), it’s cool, but not too cold, so pack layers!
Most importantly, however, is packing reusables. New Orleans is bursting with ample opportunity to try all it has to offer, but little built-in sustainable ways to experience everything. It’s walkable and there’s food, drink and entertainment at every turn. I highly recommend finding a versatile, fashionable backpack to hold the below essential items:
Reusable Bag — Pack a reusable bag for any souvenirs you pick up throughout your travels.
Reusable Cutlery and Cups — New Orleans is fantastic, because you can hop from place to place with a drink, or a beignet in hand. That said, be as mindful as you can be, and try to have a reusable cup filled whenever possible and refuse the offer for plastic cutlery for any to-go food items.
Reusable Water Bottle — Like I mentioned above, New Orleans is hot and humid, so you’ll want to stay hydrated. Particularly, if you’re drinking, which, let’s face it, you will be. Don’t be caught empty-handed and ducking into a corner store for a plastic bottle.
Reusable Straw — Louisiana has yet to ban plastic straws, so unless you tell your server beforehand not to bring you one, you’ll see one in every drink, and if you’re doing New Orleans right, there is plenty to drink. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
If you’re worried that these essential eco-friendly items will cramp your style, don’t be! Here is a guide to some our favorite and chicest reusable items that will have you looking Insta-worthy.
what to do in new orleans
Now, if you’ve heard of New Orleans, you likely know that Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is the major tourist area. If you’re a first-time visitor, it’s definitely an unmissable spot. You can admire the unique architecture — but watch out for Mardi Gras beads being tossed at you from the famed balconies. Head to Pat O’Brien’s for a Hurricane in their courtyard. There’s live music at most bars, and you can take your drinks with you as you wander the streets. It’s quite the experience — like Vegas, but with dive-bars. However, if you’re looking for an experience beyond drinking, I have a few other fantastic recommendations:
For history-lovers, the National WWII Museum is PHENOMENAL. It is extensive, so if you’re a serious buff planning to see every exhibit, it can take an entire day. If you only have a couple hours, I recommend the D-Day exhibit.
For outdoorsy folks, swamp tours are a great way to immerse yourself in the bayou culture and learn about the surrounding environment in New Orleans. The jasmine-scented swamps are beautiful, flanked by live oaks draped in Spanish Moss, you can feel what makes Louisiana so enchanting. My friends and I had a great experience with Cajun Pride Swamp Tours. Our guide was very knowledgable about the local ecosystem and even shared a beloved ghost story about one of the abandoned towns we guided past!
where to eat in new orleans
New Orleans is just as famous for its food scene as it is for its drinking scene. The city is surrounded by water, making it a hotspot for catfish, crawdads, shrimp, oysters, you name it. The southern and Cajun influences mean that these delicacies are often fried and seasoned to perfection. Below are a few of my favorite spots I’ve tried in my travels:
Herbsaint — Located on Historic St. Charles Avenue, Herbsaint features contemprary French-Southern cuisine with Italian influences. The spot boasts a fantastic wine list, and the chefs work closely with local farmers and fisherman for the freshest, local ingredients.
N7 — Located in the Bywater neighborhood, N7 is another French-inspired restaurant and wine bar, but with a Japanese twist.
Satsuma Cafe — If you’re looking for lighter fare (trust me, you will be after a few days), Satsuma features natural, fresh-made juices, breakfast and lunch made from local, organic, natural ingredients. Satsuma has two locations, one on Dauphine street, and one on Maple street.
Felix’s & Drago’s for Chargrilled Oysters — If you’re in New Orleans, an absolute must-eat are the city’s famous chargrilled oysters. I still dream about these to this day, and can’t wait to go back and eat more. These oysters are drenched in a garlic herb butter and lightly grilled for the most delectable smokey flavor. I ate oysters at both Felix’s and Drago’s, and both restaurants served them to perfection.