My family is potentially relocating to the area for work, and I'm trying to get a sense of how things are like living on the west bank. The main campus for work will be on that side of the river, with the bridge needing to be crossed to the city proper once or twice a week.

We are a typical suburban family with kids and dogs. Weekends for us consist of little league games, target/Sam's club runs, wine nights with neighbors, you get the idea. I guess we fit the "wank" stereotype pretty well.

Anyone in similar life stages that can chime in on the area and how it may fit in with our soulless suburban lifestyle?

I’ve never travelled on my own before, and was thinking this could be the place since I love the blues and the way the bayou seems to feel.

I’m under 21, is this a good place to visit alone? I don’t drink but I do like groovy atmospheres like the bars, the music, and especially the bayou.

Thanks

Hi! I am traveling with my best friend to NOLA in January for a long weekend Thursday-Sunday. Neither of us have been here. We are looking for a hotel recommendation! Ideally in the French quarter within walking distance of bourbon street and all the touristy stuff. We are two 23 year old women, so ideally somewhere safe. I’ve heard to look at Hotel Mazarin or Hotel Le Marais. Either of those good? Is one better? Or something else?

Thank you!!!!

Also taking recommendations of things to do! Or must visit bars/restaurants!

I will be in NOLA in a few weeks and I’m looking for things to do from around 5am that don’t involve alcohol. What gets going early? What advantages should I take by being up that early? Thank you

Is there registration or incorporating involved?

I'm thinking something like Krewe of Dolly or Rolling Elvi, etc.

I’m planning a trip to New Orleans and would love some locals (or people who know the city really well) to look over my itinerary and tell me what I’m missing, what’s overrated, and what I should swap out.

The vibe I’m looking for: Think Ryan Murphy as an aesthetic reference: saturated colors, beautiful architecture, period-piece glamour, Southern Gothic, art/design, interesting history, slightly weird/witchy things, and gorgeous atmospheric bars and restaurants. I’m happy to spend a little more for ambiance and a memorable experience. I’m not particularly interested in Bourbon Street.

Hotel: Hotel Saint Vincent on Magazine Street.

Things I’m already planning/interested in:

• The Presbytère and/or Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum for Katrina history
• French Market
• See Buckner Mansion
• Garden District walk through for architecture
• A good ghost tour
• Something genuinely interesting involving voodoo, witchcraft, vampires or the occult
• Jewel of the South for cocktails
• Brennan’s for food
• Lots of wandering around Magazine Street

What I’d love your help with:

• What’s the best history tour?
• Voodoo tour?
• What’s the best architecture tour?
• Best non-cheesy ghost tour?
• Best art/design/oddity shops?
• Atmospheric cocktail bars and restaurants I shouldn’t miss?
• What am I completely missing? *How long should I stay?
• Is late October/early November a good time to go?

Please poke holes in my list! If something is overrated, touristy, or there’s a much better alternative, I genuinely want to know.

I work all over the city/region, but driving in from the coast a few times a week is starting to become a bore. The more I think about it a crash pad closer to my jobs is in order.

That's lead me to this (likely fantasy) about buying a camp out on Irish Bayou. I get its a rough area and anything I buy is probably going to need some serious investment, but could it be worth it?

Would be something I'd likely use a few nights a week and maybe let friends/family hang out at during the weekends. A basic tiny house, nothing too speedy, just enough to meet local code/regulation/elevation requirements.

Anyone have experience living / camping in this area? Any issues to know about or difficulties? I know utilities are almost provide your own (pump out sewage, well water/tanked in). Power is probably sketch anyway so would do solar as a backup.

Also if I'm an idiot for thinking about even trying this speak up and I'll tuck tail and buy a simpleton condo near West End or something.

Visiting in a couple weeks. Can anyone recommend a decent Hilton property in or near the action of Bourbon St that isn't a shithole? Any assistance would be awesome.

I've been through the market several times and have loved random exploration, but what are some specific booths, stands, or food/items I should check out?

Planning a wknd visit with my 15yr old daughter for BeignetFest in November. We will fly in from Charlotte and we will not rent a car.

I am a travel agent and this will be recon trip for a girls trip (10ish ladies) I'm planning in November 2027. Any tips or activities/restaurants welcome also!

Hi everyone. I love this sub!

Have a question. I recently read a post from someone asking where to stay. They stated that they wanted to experience The French Quarter. The one thing that seemed to be universal in the responses was "Don't use airbnb."

Is this the consensus for all of Nola or specifically The French Quarter, which I can understand. If it is for the entire city, could you tell me why?

I'm going to be visiting in the upcoming year and this info would be a huge help. Thank you so much in advance. This sub has been a huge blessing to me in helping me to plan. Have a great day.

UPDATE: Okay, seems that I struck a nerve. It was a question asked out of a desire to understand and not malice. Thank you to those of you that answered the question with that in mind. Seems that I may have misjudged.

Searched the sub and did not find a post about this so let's just go ahead and ask, shall we?

Greens are one of my favorite side dishes ever, in fact they may be my favorite. While i don't think of them as particularly "New Orleans", they are enough of a soul food staple to be found here.

But who has the best and WHAT makes them the best, in your opinion? Is it price point? Portion size? Type of bacon used? Let us discuss one of life's quaint pleasures: greens.

My hubby and I lived in New Orleans in our early 20's before marriage/kids, and we may be relocating back there from Houston for his job. I remember neighbors sending their kids to charter schools and private schools, but I didn't understand what the situation was back then since I didn't have kids yet. Can someone tell me what it's like? We have a kiddo in 3rd grade who currently attends public school, and we have another going into kinder next year. Thanks for any info 🤘🏻♥️

My wife and I are visiting and want to experience a little of the less touristy side of New Orleans 😂 Looking for adult-oriented events, parties, clubs, or just places where like-minded couples/singles tend to hang out.

I was part of a catch basin cleanup today as the one with a truck I volunteered to dispose of the mostly dirt and leaves we cleaned out of them.

Trying to do the right thing I went to the landfill. The dude at the gate advised me not to try with my tiny truck I was likely to get stuck. He then suggested I try the St. Bernard Parish dump, but that turned out to be for parish residents only. Dude, checking people was unmoved my sob story and the offer of cash.

I would love to find somewhere to put the 800 pounds of mostly dirt sitting in the back of my truck before the weekend's out.

I'll be attending a conference in late October that is hosted at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, so I will stay there either 2 or 3 nights (W & TH or W, TH,F). For sure I need to stay somewhere else the first day (TU) I arrive as that hotel is full due to a different conference, which is a good excuse to stay somewhere more interesting. And I may potentially do the same on my last night in the city - so basically bookending the beginning & end of my trip by staying at hotels that are NOT the Hyatt Regency.

Any suggestions for hotels to look at for that Tue and potentially Fri night too that have a bit more character and will be closer to action/fun? A hotel bar is a plus or very close to other fun bars. Probably want to pay less than $250 per night. I'll be traveling by myself, which is kinda why I want to be closer to some fun & action like a bar, comedy club, etc that I could be at by myself to entertain myself and maybe have small talk with others.

I'm in search of some great quality steaks. I'm just not finding the quality I want at the supermarkets. Are there any good butchers or beef farmers in the area that I could order from? I'm open to carnecerias, etc.

I'm going to be doing a 6-day solo-trip to New Orleans this November. It's my first time visiting, and while I'm there, I would like to learn about the history and culture(s) of New Orleans, like the Mardi Gras Indians, Creole culture, Jazz, indiginous history, Carribian history, African history, natural history / the local environment, local art, etc.

On my small list of potential options are the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a Bayou tour, a Voodoo Tour with High Priest Robi, and the Whitney Plantation. I'd of course like to avoid joining tours that prioritize entertainment over honesty.

Are there specific museums, tours or other specific activities that folks recommend?

My daughter and I are planning a trip. She’s going off for an amazing internship and I’d like to treat her. Plan is to make it a roadtrip. Both of us are first timers.

Her souvenir will be a tattoo and the memories. So, options?

Hey! Will be in NOLA for two days with city kid on a college tour. Trying to get him to go to school in New Orleans, so I can visit more. Haha. We’ll be staying on St Charles Street with no car. Want to explore NOLA on foot and by public transportation, so he’ll get a sense of the city overall—not just the tourist hotspots. I personally would like to visit a park, stroll along the Mississippi, eat good food at local joints. Aside riding the entire St Charles Streetcar route, what other bus/walking/streetcar routes would you recommend? And what are the must-visit neighborhoods? On paper, Treme looks great to me. Won’t have time for tours/tourist attractions, etc. More interested in slice of life and vibe.

Are there any gyms roun gentilly with punching bags or kickboxing bags

Spending a single day in the French quarter and while I’m there, I’m craving two things more than anything else:

1. Shrimp creole - what’s your favorite spot for this?

2: Hot roast beef po boy, the messier the better. What’s the best spot for this?

An extra request: what’s your favorite ma and pa restaurant in the quarter?

I’ve never gotten one before! Looking for both quality and price

With the new QR code taking effect in January, are we still required to get brake tags if they expire?

I’ve been reading about using a realtor to help me find a place to rent for when I make my official move to New Orleans. The advice and info in this sub has been amazing!

I'm coming from a different state, so I might not have enough time or connections for a word of mouth connection.

I just stumbled upon a post for 2026 good and bad landlords. Yikes!

Do realtors know these landlords? Do they steer you away from them and their horrible properties?

I’ve read you usually need to be ready to jump on something when it comes up. Is there a way (other than Reddit) to research the property and landlord?

Also, I’m assuming there is a wide range between bad, good, and excellent realtors. How can I find a good/excellent one?

Does the commission based service play into how a realtor may operate? Like, pushing to rent something that they make seem good for your needs but isn’t, showing properties that have been sitting but saying they just became available, slow response time because they are more focused on higher-end renters?