My Trip to New Orleans in Early November

Check into your hotel in the Garden District! We stayed at Hotel Saint Vincent. A former refuge for orphans until its closure in the 1970's. An Irish woman named Margaret Haughery founded it. It has been recently converted into a charming hotel. There is a statue in her honor that can be found at Margarets Place, a park not too far from the hotel. Walking to the park will give one a good sense of the Garden District and its beautiful homes. New Orleans is famous for its cuisine. You would be hard pressed to find a bad meal during your entire stay.

We had dinner at Lillette, a French bistro housed in a Century-old cottage (ask for an outdoor table). The night is still young and there are many music venues to enjoy. Recommendation is the iconic Preservation Hall. Secure your tickets in advance.

Breakfast at La Boulangerie on Magazine Street all of their pastries are amazing. After breakfast, do a walking tour of the Garden District. We used Two Chicks Walking Tour. Wear comfortable shoes. The city is old and the sidewalks are uneven on parts of the walk.

For lunch, head over to the famous French Quarter at the only place to enjoy authentic New Orleans standards, Napoleons House. You might have to wait in line but I promise its well worth it. Sip the famous Pimm's Flight, have the good gumbo, Muffelutta or Poorboy sandwiches are equally tasty. While in the French Quarter, walk over to Jackson Square Park, one of New Orleans' most recognizable outdoor settings and home to Saint Louis Cathedral. Across the street is the Riverwalk and Cafe Du Monde. Grab your coffee and a bag of beignets and walk along the banks of the Mississippi. Spend the rest of the afternoon learning about the history of jazz in the very city it was born in by visiting The New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Dinner tonight is at Gris Gris to experience delicious Southern Cuisine. Be sure to ask for an outdoor table upstairs. For an awesome panoramic view of the city, head over to Hotel Pontchartrain, located on St. Charles Street. It features views of the French Quarter and beyond at their rooftop bar Hot Tin. Listen to local musicians at the Bayou Bar on the first level.

For a posh breakfast, head over to Brennans. Their breakfast is legendary. These iconic institutions should not be missed, as they may not be around forever. After breakfast, we went on a bike ride. The city is very flat and bike friendly. They have dedicated bike lanes. Be sure to check out Blue Bikes. Routes can be found on BikeEasy.

Grab lunch at Gumbo Shop. They are highly regarded in the French Quarter. The city has numerous museums to see. We saw a few, including the Backstreet Museum in Treme dedicated to the exhibits that specialize in New Orleans Black street cultures including jazz funerals, Mardi Gras Indians and second line processions. Pro tip here, you can see second line processions year round, but they are most often found on Sunday afternoons in the French Quarter and Treme neighborhoods. I wish I had known this before our trip because it's really a colorful and organic celebration of New Orleans life.

Additionally, we saw one of the oldest cemetery in the city called the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. It's a short 45 walking tour of the historic tombs of famous figures in the City of the Dead.

Dinner was at Clancy's Classic Creole Cuisine.

For breakfast, we tried MOJO Coffee House. They have several locations. I always advise trying local coffee shops whenever in a new place, it's more interesting than your typical chains.

Our next stop was the National World War 2 Museum. Andrew Higgins, a New Orleans native, invented the boats used by the forces that landed on D-Day. The museum includes both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters and provides a complete and detailed history of the war. Give yourself time, as there is lots to see here. We had lunch at the museum cafe. Afterwards, we headed to Magazine Street for a wonderful shopping experience. There are so many charming and unique stores here. If time permits, head over to the New Orleans Museum of Art. We visited the Sculpture Garden. We enjoyed our time there in this beautiful and tranquil setting. The Spanish moss-laden oak trees, a favorite of mine and reminded me of my trip to Savannah.

Dinner was at Gianna, which is Italian fare. Grab an Uber and head out to Rock and Bowl for a fun night of music, bowling and dancing. I promise this one is a real local treat. Visiting New Orleans in November is ideal because the weather is perfect and the city is calm.

If you have additional time, book a Swamp Tour and see the natural beauty of Louisiana. Additionally, schedule an ethical tour of The Whitney Plantation and its modern approach of the history of slavery in the US. I always suggest buying a piece of art or locally made pottery to remind you of all your travels.