New Orleans...you are legit. It was my first time visiting The Big Easy & I had SUCH a blast! My body may be recuperating for quite some time, but it was totally worth it! When the opportunity to go on a girls weekend presented itself a few months ago, I was hesitant because I had so many trips planned this month & well trips cost money & due to my funemployment...I was trying to be a boring responsible adult. Luckily, I had a ton of miles racked up & was able to get a practically free ticket! Due to my lovely friend staying at various Marriotts for work, we were able to get an awesome deal at the Marriott at the convention center. It was about a mile from the French Quarter which worked out perfectly because we could walk there & by the end of the night when we couldn't stand any longer, it was only a short cab ride back. So lets just get into this amazing weekend!
Please note all photos were taken with my iPhone & there were a few times when filters were on when I wasn't paying attention!
Waiting for everyone's flights to come in, we decided to start the weekend off right.
After we all got settled on Friday, we went to dinner at Grand Isle where we learned you could take cocktails to go. Another round for everyone! From there we headed to the famous Bourbon Street where we hit multiple bars. I was surprised to find so many spots had live bands & they were awesome!
By 4am it was time to drag ourselves home. The next morning we had brunch at Cafe Adelaide & The Swizzle Stick Bar. Tip: If you wear a hat, you get free cocktails! Sadly, we didn't get that memo. From there, we headed to the French Market to kill some time where they sold all sorts of stuff...
Then we toured a rum distillery at Old New Orleans Rum
Lots of rum...
Time to taste...
Hot (literally) but happy!
After the tour we headed back to the hotel to change & get ready for an amazing dinner at Muriel's Jackson Square Restaurant. The restaurant is full of NOLA history & claims to be haunted...
After dinner we went wandering around the French Quarter & found some really cool bars. One place, Carousel Bar & Lounge had a giant carousel top over the bar, but it was crazy crowded so we didn't say long.
Not the great pic, but you get the idea!
Also found many street bands. I loved the older gentleman dancing with the band!
At about midnight, it was decided we needed to head to Cafe Du Monde & stuff our faces with beignets. Best. Decision. Ever. Some folks told us they were overrated...idiots. They were SO good & just what we needed at 12am. TIP: go at a non-meal time otherwise be prepared for a long wait!
After that indulgence, we needed more booze so we headed to Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. This bar was on Bourbon Street but in a more residential area. The building itself is known as the oldest building to be used as a bar in the US. We were happy to stay until a creepy man wouldn't leave us alone. Then it was time to go!
Such a terrible photo...
The next morning we had reservations at Antoines for jazz brunch. The mimosas & food did not disappoint!
Of course all group photos here were blurry, but great photo bomb in the back!
After brunch, we headed to Pat O'Briens for their famous hurricanes because the four cocktails we each had at breakfast weren't enough. We got our drinks to go because we could.
Next we went to Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo for palm & tarot card readings. I've never done anything like that before so New Orleans seemed like the perfect place to try it out. It was slightly terrifying, but interesting. Do I believe it? Eh...we'll see if his predictions come true :)
We spent the rest of the afternoon checking out shops & more bars.
For our last dinner, we decided to venture to the garden district for a late dinner at Atchafalayla...yeah good luck pronouncing that. Unfortunately, it was storming pretty hard after dinner so we ended up back at the hotel. Which truthfully, my liver was really grateful.
Sadly, our trip came to an end, but I had such a fantastic time with such a great group of girls. I definitely want to go back again!
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