If you find your way to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff game here is everything you need to know.
There is nowhere else on earth like New Orleans. Truly one of the greatest cities in the United States, the hospitality, culture, and unforgettable food put the city in a class of its own when it comes to hosting an event like the Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome.
Almost everyone knows about Bourbon Street, and honestly — it’s fine. A place that’s neat to see for five minutes and then bounce, unless you truly revel in drunken anarchy. Instead we’re going to focus on the best places to go that aren’t your classic tourist traps, while still giving you a taste of what the city is all about.
The heart of New Orleans is being a cultural melting pot. Built by the French, rebuilt by the Spanish, but with a common thread that it was west African slaves that really built the city and created its culture. Modern New Orleans doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of its past, but instead embraces the heart of creole in the mixing of European, African, and Caribbean culture into something wholly unique.
Here’s how you can best get a sense of so much of what New Orleans has to offer in a quick trip for the Sugar Bowl.
Embrace walking
New Orleans is a big city, with so much to explore — but for most tourists you’re probably going to stick to the neighborhoods around the crescent of the Mississippi River. This includes the French Quarter and Garden District, areas where you could get lost in for entire days.
Part of what makes this city so special is just walking the streets and taking everything in. From street performers that put most city’s professional musicians to shame, pop-up parades that seemingly happen when you least expect them, to just soaking in the atmosphere or creole locals talking to each other in the parks.
New Orleans knows what it is, and it’s acceptable to dress down a little even at some of the city’s best restaurants where nice jeans and a button down are perfectly acceptable at most locations. So make sure you’ve got some comfortable shoes and embrace getting up your step count — because you’ll need it when it comes time to eat.
Where to eat
It’s truly impossible to give just a few bullet point recommendations of places to eat in New Orleans. There are literally thousands of restaurants, and there isn’t even a true monolith when it comes to classic creole food. Locals will tell you their favorite spots for gumbo, étouffée, jambalaya, red beans and rice, or fish and grits — rarely will any of them be at the same location.
Here are some places that really stand out to me when I visit New Orleans:
- Melba’s (Elysian Fields) $: You can get a great breakfast for under $10 at Melba’s, but the real name of the game here are the PoBoys. Hulking sandwiches with fried seafood spilling out of perfectly baked french bread. Simplicity is the name of the game with a PoBoy, and at Melba’s they don’t do much to mask the ingredients with sauces, which is perfect to highlight the quality of local gulf shrimp and fish, seasoned simply with some creole seasoning.
- Napoleon House (French quarter) $$: Truthfully, a lot of the restaurants in the quarter can be tourist traps. Bright neon signs flashing “GUMBO,” designed to entice travelers to assume they’re legit. Napoleon House is a major exception. Open since 1914, this small, unassuming restaurant boasts an array of some of the best New Orleans classics in food and cocktails. You’re right in the middle of everything at Napoleon House, making it an ideal place to grab a heavy lunch or dinner before exploring more. Reservations are a must, but the food is absolutely worth it.
- Dakar (Garden District) $$$: One of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had in the last decade came from this tiny, five table Senegalese restaurant that serves as a love letter for how West African food traditions evolved into modern creole cuisine. Chef Serigne Mbaye pulls deeply from family recipes using a modern flair to create a tasting menu that feels so familiar and utterly different at the same time. From a deep, rich okra soup reminiscent of gumbo, to seared redfish over millet “grits” with a tamarind sauce, a trip to Dakar is as much about learning as it is eating. After having the classics of New Orleans a visit to Dakar is an (admittedly pricey) experience that’s worth splurging on.
- Cafe du Monde (French Quarter) $: Is there a better beignet in New Orleans? Yes. Is there one that comes with the history that Cafe du Monde offers as well? No. Instead of hunting down the absolute best, get something that’s damn-near close to perfection and accept that you’re about to cover yourself with powdered sugar and look like Tony Montana on a three-day bender. Lines at breakfast time at the original Cafe du Monde in the quarter are stupidly long, so instead aim to hit this up mid-afternoon. Get a few beignets, a cup of their classic chicory-blend cafe au lait, and stare out at the Mississippi River and appreciate you’re at a place where locals have been coming since 1862.
What attractions to visit
As I mentioned before, there’s no shortage of things to do in New Orleans when it comes to partying, drinking and eating. However, if you’re in town for the Sugar Bowl and want some cultural experiences that go a little deeper then check out these places.
- Vue Orleans (Canal Street): A newer addition to the New Orleans skyline, Vue Orleans is a self-guided museum on the ground floor of the Four Seasons hotel that tells the history of the city from Native American occupation all the way through the modern cultural impact of jazz. From there it’s an elevator ride to the top where a 360 degree view of the city is waiting. Here you can appreciate the enormity of New Orleans, looking down on the Mississippi River and beyond. Interactive exhibits abound, and if you need a break there’s even a top floor cocktail lounge where you can kick back, relax, and have a view of the city unlike anything else.
- Frenchman Street (7th Ward): One of the biggest misconceptions by tourists is that Bourbon Street is also where the music is. The epicenter for jazz is a few blocks over on Frenchman Street, where clubs line both sides of the street for truly the best late-night experience in the city. From the iconic Spotted Cat Music Club, to the Blues-focused Apple Barrel Bar, you’ll literally walk into any bar and hear something incredible. One thing to note: The majority of venues on Frenchman have jazz until around 11 pm, at which time many pivot into funk, hiphop, or something in between. So if you’re looking for that classic jazz or brass sound then plan to arrive a little earlier than you’d expect.
- National WWII Museum (Lower Garden District): The most stunning exhibit of WWII history in the United States actually exists in New Orleans, and most people don’t know about it. The city was critical in constructing the landing craft used to storm Normandy, and they’re on full display along with dozens of exhibits outlining not just the United States’ role in the European side of the war, but also highlighting the Pacific Theater, the Eastern Front, and everything in between. It’s a must-visit for anyone with an appreciation of the time we kicked Hitler’s ass.
- Southern Food & Beverage Museum (Central City): So much of New Orleans is focused on the food, and there’s nowhere better to understand this on an intellectual level that at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum (SoFab). From highlighting the various cultural exchanges that took place leading to the rise of creole and cajun cuisine, to charting food trends across the Southern United States, it’s a fascinating journey for any foodie. In addition to the regular exhibits SoFab currently has two special exhibits which will be in place through the Sugar Bowl: “The First Settlement: Filipinos in Louisiana,” which shows the impact of Filipino culture on the food of the city, and “Trail of Smoke and Fire,” highlighting the cultural growth and impact of barbecue across the southern U.S.
Above all else: Explore, and don’t be afraid
One of the most common and hurtful misconceptions about New Orleans is that it’s a violent city where you have to watch yourself at all times. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, like all cities you don’t want to wander into the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time — but you’d be hard pressed to find a safer place to walk at night than in the French Quarter.
The city knows the importance of tourism and from business owners keeping an eye on the streets, to locals who are genuinely invested in you having a good time. Don’t feel afraid to get out there and breathe in New Orleans, because there’s nowhere else like it on earth.
