Where to Stay in New Orleans:
Maison de Luz- A more high end Ace hotel. Great cocktail lounge inside.
the Chloe- chic boutique hotel, great pool and fun bar. Check out the cute carpet on the stairs! 
Hotel St. Vincent- newly renovated gorgeous hotel near Garden District. Elizabeth St Cafe restaurant opened. Great well designed bars & restaurants. 
Hotel Monteleone- famous for the Carousel bar. 
The Hotel Roosevelt- The best time to stay is during Christmas they light the lobby and it offers some great photo ops.
Sonder- I have used Sonder when in Miami for New Years'. Never in Nola, but the apartments look excellent. Sonder is like an Airbnb but ran by a single management company.
Ace Hotel- rooftop pool and great bar downstairs. make sure to check out the b&w photo booth downstairs
Pontchartrain Hotel- if you have seen the pictures of the gallery wall with the Lil Wayne picture, that is the place. Two hot spots listed below: Jack rose for brunch or drinks & Hot Tin for a rooftop. 


Where to Eat in New Orleans:
​La Petite Grocery- go for the rabbit or chicken with gnocchi. 
Cavan- located on magazine street located in an old mansion from the 1800s. Try the squid ink gnocchi and look out for paranormal activity. 
Herbsaint- same owner as Peche, a favorite restaurant for many in Nola. Traditional Louisiana cuisine here- gumbo, jumbo shrimp, and steak frites. 
Bacchanal Wine- specializes in old-world style wine from small producers. Small snacks like dates & cheeseboards. great 
Jack Rose- In the Pontchartrain Hotel. You may have seen photos here with the gallery wall featuring a large Lil Wayne portrait; that would be Jack Rose. Great spot for brunch or drinks. The hotel also has a rooftop- Hot Tin Roof. 
Shaya- James Beard Award winning Israeli food. Musts are the lamb ragu hummus and salatim.
N7- an old tire shop turned into a restaurant. named after a highway in France. 
Galtoires- hands down the best brunch. Head to Galatoires for the pink photo ops, garden, milk punch & comfort food. 
Saint Germain- french wine bar & an converted home. Note the neon sign outside says sugar park. 
Commanders Palace- One of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans. The turquoise outside is iconic. After your meal, try to get a tour of the kitchen. There are many rooms at commanders palace, try to reserve the main building - check the website for the various options!
Coquette- heirloom carrots and ravioli
Justine- a magazine street favorite. great photo op under the neon sign.
Meril- Emeril's restaurant in NOLA is located in the Warehouse District. Try the cornbread and deviled eggs to start. 
Saba-Similar to Shaya. I have not had the pleasure of going to Saba yet. I have heard the lunch & brunch is a must. Saba is also located on magazine street close to Audubon park. 
Lilette: French meets Italian. One of my favorite menus, I could order everything on the menu, starting with the gnocchi and beets! 
Tableau


Things to do in New Orleans for First-Timers:
Run Audubon park
Visit the aquarium
Hit the tables in the casino 
Take a trip to the WWII museum 
Grab beignets at Café Du Monde 
Walk across the Superdome- try to go when the Saints play at home
Walk around Jackson Square 
Wander down Bourbon Street 
Listen to jazz music

RECS FROM FRIENDS: 
COFFEE & BREAKFAST:
Cafe du Monde, Mammoth Espresso, Ayu Bakehouse, Willa Jean
​LUNCH:
Peche, Herbsaint, Cochon, Mr. B’s, Sylvain, Lilette, La Petite Grocery, Emeril’s, Butcher, Meril’s
DINNER:
Doris, GW Fins, Sylvain, Mr. B's, Cochon, Peche, Herbsaint, Emeril’s, Jewel of the SouthBARS: 
Fives, Chandelier Bar, Erin Rose