New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans (The Big Easy) isn’t just a city—it’s a feeling. A heady mix of sweat, brass, and whiskey. The kind of place where history doesn’t just sit in museums; it oozes from the cracked sidewalks, the dimly lit bars, the steam rising from a bowl of gumbo.
Because that’s the thing about New Orleans—time moves differently here. The city will seduce you, wreck you, and make you fall in love with its beautifully imperfect soul. And you’ll want to come back. You always do.
You start in the French Quarter, where the scent of beignets and bourbon mingle in the air, where ghosts linger in alleyways, and where the best meal of your life might come from a hole-in-the-wall joint you almost walked past. Skip Bourbon Street—find yourself on Frenchmen Street instead, where the music is raw, real, and loud. Step into The Spotted Cat or d.b.a., order a stiff drink, and let the jazz take over.
The Garden District is old money, towering oaks, and porches meant for long, lazy afternoons. In the Bywater, things get weird in the best way possible—colorful shotgun houses, street art, and places like Bacchanal, where you drink good wine in a backyard while a jazz trio plays under twinkling lights.
And the food? It’s not just good—it’s life-changing. A po’boy from Parkway Bakery, chargrilled oysters at Drago’s, a three-hour lunch at Commander’s Palace that’ll have you questioning all your life choices (in the best way). Wash it down with an Abita or a Sazerac, and let the day take you where it will.
Save this Google Maps link to your phone for easy access to the Peak to Coast guide! It includes all the must-visit locations plus bonus spots to explore if you have extra time.
