Ultimate Guide To Experiencing New Orleans Beyond Mardi Gras

Everyone knows about Mardi Gras, but New Orleans offers so much more to do, eat, and see beyond this annual festival. Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Best Ways to Tour New Orleans

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While New Orleans prides in being a walkable city, there are multiple unique ways other than by foot to explore the city.

Board a Streetcar

Board the city’s historic streetcar that costs just $1.25 per ride. You can also purchase the discount Jazzy Pass, which is good for unlimited ride for $3 a day. The streetcars make a stop at all key destinations throughout the city.

Ride a Mule-Drawn Carriage

Ride a friendly mule-drawn carriage with a knowledgeable driver who will guide you through New Orleans. Both romantic and family-friendly, the mule-drawn carriage, which you can reserve with a company that has been around since 1941, will surely provide a memorable experience.

Relax on a Pedicab

Relax on the back of a three-wheeled pedicab that maneuvers through even the narrowest alleyways. The manually powered pedicab, which has a maximum capacity of two people per vehicle, operates on the streets of the city with retractable canvas roofs to protect you from rain or sun.

Hop on a Double-Decker Bus

Hop on and off the iconic, red double-decker bus that frequently rolls through top destinations like Jackson Square, French Market, and the Arts District. In addition to getting you to your desired destination, the tour includes a live guide narration and many deals & discounts at local shops when you present your ticket.

Glide on a Segway

Glide effortlessly through the historic streets of the French Quarter, the spooky cemeteries, and the breathtaking Mississippi River Front via the most fun and efficient transportation - Segway! The two- or three-hours guided tour offers unique local stories and fantastic photo opportunities…all on your favorite two-wheeler.

Best Place to Stay in New Orleans

Hyatt Regency in New Orleans

Hyatt Regency

Perfect location, state-of-the-art amenities, and top hospitality: Hyatt Regency in New Orleans has got it all. Situated in the heart of Downtown and located just minutes from the French Quarter, the Garden District, and the Warehouse District, Hyatt Regency in New Orleans offers the best blends of activities for those traveling for leisure or business. The majestic, high-tech hotel - equipped with nearly 1,200 guest rooms - features button free elevators for efficiency, swimming pool and 24-hour gym, relaxing spa, and a variety of restaurants and bars serving everything from barbecue to sushi.

Enjoy a breathtaking, panoramic view of the cityscape from your spacious room or suites. The modern interior of the room infuses southern elegance. Each room is equipped with Smart TV’s for an all day entertainment. Don’t forget to start your day at the 8 Block Kitchen & Bar to indulge in a delicious assortment of breakfast pastries, artisanal meat & cheese board, freshly made smoothies, and make-your-own omelets.

Best Places to Eat and Drink

Jazz Brunch at The Court of Two Sisters

Get the best of both worlds - live music and tasty food - when you attend the daily Jazz Brunch at The Court of Two Sisters. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, The Court of Two Sisters offers scrumptious Jazz Brunch that includes an impressive buffet selections of traditional brunch items with Southern and Creole influence. The made-to-order omelets includes options like seafood omelet stuffed with crawfish and shrimp. Sample other traditional New Orleans cuisines like Creole jambalaya and Chicken & Andouille Gumbo, all the while enjoying live jazz music.

Decadent Beignets at Cafe Du Monde

A must stop in New Orleans, Cafe Du Monde specializes in warm beignets (a French donut) with fluffy, pillow-y center and crispy exterior. Operating since 1862, Cafe Du Monde is open 24 hours to indulge those early-risers as well as late party-goers. These decadent, square-shaped doughnuts are topped with a generous amount of powdered sugar. Pair it with chocolate milk or coffee, and see who can get the most powdered sugar on their lips

Comfort Food at Mother’s Restaurant

Experience the ultimate comfort of home-cooked meals at Mother’s Restaurant, a New Orleans culinary landmark that opened its doors in 1938. Having served as a local hang-out place for the U.S. Marine Corps during and after WWII, Mother’s is famous for its expansive menu of traditional breakfast fares (i.e. buttermilk biscuit, grits, and pancakes) that are served all day, as well as the world famous juicy baked ham, an assortment of po’ boys, and big plates of Creole favorites like jambalaya or crawfish etouffee served with a choice of two hearty sides.

Elegant Dinner at Brennan’s Restaurant

Brennan’s Restaurant

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, Brennan’s recently reopened after undergoing an $18 million renovation. The family-owned and -operated restaurant highlights the culinary creativity of James Beard Award finalist Chef Slade Rushing, who infuses an innovate flair to the traditional Creole cuisine. You can bask in the elegant yet whimsical and colorful dining room while enjoying signature dishes like BBQ Lobster, Vadouvan Spiced Black Drum, and - of course - the famous Bananas Foster that is made at the tableside.

Shareable Plates at Shaya

The bustling dining scene in the Big Easy is certainly not limited to Creole, Southern food. Shaya, an upscale, modern Israeli restaurant, draws influence from a region rich in diversity of cuisine and culture (i.e. Middle East, Eastern Europe, and North Africa) to prepare delicious food that also celebrates the fresh, seasonal ingredients of Louisiana. The “For the Table” option featuring 3 to 5 dips and garnishes like baba ganoush, tabouleh, and Moroccan carrots are perfect for sharing, and pairs well with Shaya’s warm, wood-fired pita. Other items like a small plate of Crispy Halloumi and Roasted Cabbage are a must.

Eclectic Cuisine at Vitascope Hall

Catch up with friends or watch sports on the big screen at Vitascope Hall, a modern and casual restaurant + bar named after the world’s first for-profit movie theater in New Orleans. At Vitascope Hall, you can pair high-tech entertainment system with trendy food items and delicious cocktails. Try everything from homemade potato chips and fried oyster po’ boy to fresh sashimi and sushi rolls.

Hand-Crafted Cocktails at Public Belt

Relax in a warm ambiance with live piano music at Public Belt, a recently opened cocktail lounge at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Named after the iconic railroad of the early 20th century, Public Belt features candle-lit rooms and intimate nooks to provide a mystique vibe of the prohibition era in a contemporary setting. Sip on hand-crafted, classic NOLA cocktails, such as the Hurricane concocted with dark rum, passion fruit syrup, fresh lime and orange juice, and cherry, while enjoying great company and live music.

Best Places to Visit in New Orleans

French Quarter

Take a free, self-guided tour of the historic French Quarter. As the cultural epicenter and the oldest neighborhood in the city, the French Quarter is home to numerous historic landmarks, colorful architecture, and lively music venues. Don’t miss sights like the 222-year-old St. Louis Cathedral, bars lined up on Bourbon Street, as well as antique shops and galleries.

Louisiana State Museums

Showcasing the unique history and traditions of New Orleans, the consortium ofLouisiana Sate Museums include nine landmark properties like the Cabildo, Presbytere, Old US Mint, and the 1950 House. Each museum has its own distinct characteristics, ranging from the elegant, Spanish colonial building Cabildo that houses rare artifacts of America’s history to the 1850 House where visitors have the chance to glimpse into the lifestyle of the 17th century.

Mardi Gras World

It’s Mardi Gras all year long at Mardi Gras World. Embark on a festive journey at this warehouse where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Mardi Gras floats and costumes. In addition to getting close and personal with the colorful floats, visitors can also watch a short video about the history of this beloved festival, get a chance to don authentic Mardi Gras costumes, and have a bite of the famous King Cake.

The National World War II Museum

Home to an impressive collection of World War II memorabilia, recordings, and artifacts, the massive National WWII Museum is a destination worth spending the whole day. Starting from D-Day, the museum highlights many important aspects of the war that are complemented by the oral recordings of war participants. With an additional fee, you can experience the “Beyond All Boundaries” 4-D movie, which is narrated by Tom Hanks.

Longue Vue House and Gardens

Bask in the beauty of the elaborate garden and elegant mansion at the Longue Vue House and Gardens. This breathtaking estate, designated as a National Historic Landmark, features a classical, revival-style mansion surrounded by eight acres of garden inspired by the Gardens of the Alhambra in Spain. Beautiful both inside and out, the mansion - built by the late philanthropists Edgar Bloom Stern and his wife Edith Rosenwald Stern - is filled with a diverse collection of antiques, pottery, carpets, and needlework.

NYC Restaurant Week 2012: Protein-Rich Mediterranean Feat at Ilili

For NYC Restaurant Week 2012, I made a vow to explore cuisines I have never tried before, including Russian food from Brasserie Pushkin. For my second stop, I decided to try Ilili, "a contemporary Lebanese restaurant offering inspired Mediterranean cuisine," in Flatiron.

When my friend and I arrived at 6, the restaurant was already packed with foodies taking advantage of the Restaurant Week. Shortly after being seated, the waiter brought us amuse-bouche of seasoned pita chips and yogurt & olive oil based dip with olives.

The pita chips were crispy and dusted with savory seasoning that I really enjoyed. The yogurt dip was a bit too thick, and the olive oil made it even richer.

Lebanese cuisine is pretty heavy on carb. The waiter brought three pieces of warm, freshly-baked pita bread. I wonder what made them puff like this...The inside of the bread was soft and chewy.

The restaurant week at Ilili offered two appetizers from the list. For my first appetizer, I chose Kibbe Naye, or steak tartare with onion, burghul, and mint on a shallow pool of olive oil.

The presentation of the dish was satisfactory. I personally love the scent of mint, so I thought the leaves on top was a nice touch to the steak tartare. When people think of steak tartare, most people think it is just raw meat. However, this dish had bites of grounded ginger, garlic, cloves, scallions, and other vegetables mixed into the meat itself. I couldn't really taste the burghul, but the pickled onions on top were quite refreshing.

My second appetizer was Chicken Livers with pomogranate molasses, lemon, and sumac. The dish had a huge portion! And to think that this was only the appetizer...The chicken livers were served in a hot iron skillet.

Livers have a distinct bitter aftertaste. The meat is also much denser and the texture is slightly grainy. The sauce used for the dish was similar to soy sauce except with the same stickiness of teriyaki sauce. It made for a great dipping sauce for the pita bread.

My friend chose Mouhamara, walnut and red pepper dip, for one of herr appetizers. These are balls of walnuts and sundried peppers with pomogranate molasses.

This is a Falafel dish with tahini sauce. Falafels that I have seen in the past are usually round balls of fried garbanzo beans, but these were cube shaped and made with fava beans. They were garnished with shreds of bell peppers and chives.

The waiter was kind enough to pace our meals so that our stomachs are somewhat digested by the time the next course came to the table. After we finished our grand appetizers, the waiter brought our entrees. He poured fermented aleppo nage over char-grilled Black Bass. FYI, a nage is a flavored liquid used for poaching delicate foods. The broth is usually flavored with white wine, vegetables, and herbs, and then reduced and thickened with cream or butter.

My friend said the dish was very light. Because I am lactose-intolerant and the sauce had butter/cream, my stomach probably would not have been happy had I consumed this dish.

Instead, I got the Lamb Chops with salsa verde and roasted tomatoes. Although the Restaurant Week prix fixe menus are $35, this entree required a $7 supplement. The plate was presented with two racks of lamb with fresh greens on top.

I must have been protein-deprived. Now that I look back, I have ordered all dishes super heavy in protein! From steak to chicken to lamb...well, I certainly am glowing in front of my lamb chops.

Unfortunately, right when I placed the knife over my lamb chops, I realized that the meat had been cooked medium! I am a rare/raw meat eater (see steak tartare above), so without even taking a bite, I asked the waiter if I could get it cooked rare instead.



The second plate of lamb chops cooked much faster. Sadly, the lamb chops were also smaller and much fattier. I had to navigate through so much fat that I am pretty sure the actual consumption of lamb meat was less than 4 oz. The lamb chops were also served over a bed of olive oil, which I thought was completely unnecessary. It is already loaded with fat, so there is no need to add more! Overall, the meat was just too heavy for my liking.

Ilili only offered one dessert: Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate drizzle. It was by far the ugliest dessert I have ever seen at an upscale restaurant. On a round plate was a scoop of plain vanilla ice cream and a round chocolate cake. The server brought out a cauldron of chocolate sauce and poured it over the dessert. It just seemed too messy.

Since I can't have dairy, I got a trio of raspberry sorbet. It was a refreshing way to wrap up my otherwise extremely heavy dinner. The flavors of raspberry were very strong. Overall, my experience at Ilili peaked too high to begin with that it only had a downward path to go.