Things to Do in New Orleans

Notorious for its Mardi Gras festivities and other world-class festivals that fill its annual events calendar, New Orleans is unique for its blend of French and Spanish Creole architecture, multi-ethnic and bilingual heritage, Cajun and Creole cuisine, and as the birthplace of jazz.  The best part, the vibrant streets of the French Quarter are just a few hours drive from the Alabama Gulf Coast, which means taking in Bourbon Street nightlife, touring spooky historic cemeteries, spotting gators on bayou adventures and sightings of its many mansions and plantations is an easy weekend road trip away.  For residents, however, the city offers so much more, like it’s year-round warm weather keeps the chills away, and numerous architectural styles offer the homeowner a variety of choices from historic shotgun and bungalows styles to Creole townhomes with their ornate ironwork balconies and lush courtyards. Outdoor leisure activities include fabulous bird watching, fishing in the bayou and the gulf, and access to Louisiana’s 20 state parks.  While New Orleans cost of living is higher than the state’s median, it is lower than then national average. The consumer price index (not including rent) is at just 76.19. with restaurants and groceries only slightly higher. Your retirement funds go much farther here, increasing your quality of life.

New Orleans’ major universities offer easy access to great speakers, interesting classes, events and activities.  As a major city, New Orleans offers easy access to the rest of the country making it easy for family to visit and a great jumping off point for your cruise to the Bahamas, Caribbean or Mexico.  A great home for foodies of all stripes, New Orleans more than 3000 restaurants epitomize great eateries, exceptional cuisine, remarkable atmosphere and exciting tastes. Here are a few of our top choices for traditional New Orleans dishes:

Beignets: Similar to a doughnut, this French-Creole dessert of fried dough covered with powdered sugar are the perfect complement to café au lait, chicory coffee or cocoa.
Café Du Monde on historic Jackson Square is a tourist must-do, but for the locals, check out Morning Call Coffee Stand or La Petite Grocery.

Crawfish, Alligator and more: To get your claws on these local dishes, check out Cochon in the warehouse district.

Gumbo: From its multi-cultural roots comes an extraordinary soup-style dish known as gumbo. The Gumbo Shop offers both seafood and chicken/Andouille sausage gumbos sure to please any palate.

Jambalaya: For classic jambalaya in the French Quarter check out Coop’s Place, but locals frequent Mother’s Restaurant in the business district for a feast of this distinctive New Orleans rice, chicken and Andouille sausage specialty.

Muffulettas: Sandwich lovers wrap their taste-buds around this classic New Orleans specialty at the Central Grocery Company without breaking the bank.

Po-Boys: To get your hands around this local lunch special, look to Johnny’s Po’Boys, the oldest family-owned po-boy restaurant in New Orleans. Feeding New Orleans since 1950.

Red Beans and Rice: Served with cornbread, this New Orleans staple is filling and tasty. Café Reconcile, a nonprofit restaurant in the Central City neighborhood trains students in the food service industry. This lunch destination for locals speaks to the city’s resilience and initiative.

Things to do in NOLA:

Experience Cajun Country: Swamp Boat Adventure and Plantations
Steamboat Natchez Jazz Dinner Cruise
New Orleans Jazz Tour
Bayou Airboat Ride
Tour Oak Alley and Laura Plantation
French Quarter
New Orleans Cemetery tour
National WWII Museum
Mardi Gras
West Bank Plantation Tour
Jazz
Opera
Arts
Nightlife
Casino
Museums
Architecture
Audubon Park, Zoo, and Aquarium
Louisiana Children’s Museum

Things to Do in New Orleans – information provided by the Jason Will Real Estate Team 251-866-6464.