5 Great Non-Touristy Things to Do in New Orleans
As I learned before a recent, 10-day trip to New Orleans, there’s no shortage of things to see, do, and (most importantly) eat in The Big Easy. So where do you begin?
While the iconic New Orleans attractions (beignets at Cafe du Monde; jazz on Frenchman’s Street; alligator spotting at Jean Lafitte) are absolutely worthwhile—especially if it’s your first time visiting—there are plenty of lesser-known gems sprinkled throughout the city as well. As a visitor to the city, there’s no way I’ll ever know them all—so instead here are five of the most stand-out experiences from my trip, the short-list of non-touristy, New Orleans highlights that I’d recommend to any friend about to visit.
Fried Chicken at Willie Mae’s Scotch House
I hadn’t been in New Orleans for more than 30 minutes before someone (more specifically, my born-and-raised-in-NOLA Uber driver) told me I had to get the fried chicken at Willie Mae’s. “It’s the best you’ll ever have,” she said. She wasn’t wrong. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, Wille Mae’s fries up a mean chicken, which I’d highly recommend ordering with a side of rice and beans, greens, and mac and cheese.
Yes, this may be squarely on the tourist circuit, but it’s a family-run institution loved by visitors and locals alike—and you’d be remiss to skip it just because of the hype.
How to visit
Plan to swing by Wille Mae’s Treme location for lunch, any day but Sunday, from 11am-5pm.
Vegetarian Croissants at Levee Baking Co.
If you, like me, love a good savory croissant but don’t always want the classic ham-and-cheese version first thing in the morning, then you’ll want to try the savory vegetarian croissants at Levee Baking Co., just off Magazine street in New Orleans’ Garden District. Here, you’ll find croissant flavors such as a seasonal feta and collard greens, or their classic, always-on-the-menu, mustard, cheddar, and onion. However, they’re not just known for their croissants. This sunny bakery has a long list of delicious baked goods, like their chocolatey rye brownies, peach hand pies, and even King Cakes around Mardi Gras season.
How to visit
Levee Bakery is open from 9am-1pm, Thursday through Sunday, though the menu is more robust on Saturdays and Sundays.
Books and Coffee at Baldwin & Co.
Housed in an airy, white, brick building in the Marigny neighborhood, Baldwin & Co is a relatively new (it opened in 2021), independent, black-owned bookstore and cafe. Inside, visitors can peruse a small yet extremely well-curated collection of books—including many by local authors—, or order a coffee with literary-inspired names like the Notes of a Native Son, a latte with garam masala syrup. Outside, the bookstore and cafe also has a spacious courtyard where you can easily while away a morning enjoying your coffee, new book, and the company of fellow bibliophiles.
How to visit
Baldwin & Co. is open from 7am-6pm daily.
Dinner or Drinks at Mosquito Supper Club
Tucked away in an old house in a quiet neighborhood in the Garden District, The Mosquito Supper Club doesn’t even look like a restaurant at first glance—which is part of its charm. The other part: a menu that celebrates the bounty of Louisiana’s bayous with dishes like fried shrimp boulettes and stuffed crab with lima beans, and a warm, convivial atmosphere sparked by the restaurant’s communal dining concept.
Each night, diners slowly arrive, filling the a long communal table to enjoy a new take on bayou cuisine, alongside handcrafted cocktails, natural wines, and the opportunity to meet someone new. With only one seating per night (as well as an earlier, non-communal option in their outdoor garden), it’s a hard reservation to get—but walk-ins are accepted at the bar for drinks and snacks, like boiled peanuts, smoked fish dip, and freshly shucked oysters.
How to visit
You’ll need a reservation for dinner. If you plan to walk-in for a seat at the bar or in the front yard to enjoy a cocktail and bar bites, aim to get there before 6:45pm or after 7:45pm—the bar tends to get slammed around 7pm, since all of the dining room guests arrive (and order their pre-dinner cocktails) at roughly the same time.
A Night (or Two) at Columns Hotel
I stayed at several hotels throughout my time in New Orleans, including the Virgin Hotel and Hotel Peter and Paul—both of which are relatively new—an Airbnb near Audubon Park, and The Columns Hotel. I would happily stay at any of these properties again, but The Columns Hotel stood out for its historic charm, large garden, on-site restaurant and bar (with delicious sazeracs), and convenient location in the Garden District. It’s an ideal place to stay if you want to get away from the hubbub of the French Quarter while still being within walking distance of many wonderful bars, restaurants, and attractions. It was also very easy to hop the trolly into the French Quarter from there.
If you can’t swing a stay here, come by for a drink and snacks at the bar, or around one of their fire pits in the garden on a cool evening.
How to visit
Book a room, starting at $230 per night directly on their website.
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