In my years of traveling (between my first grown-up job in D.C. and the long-distance love affair carried on for 3+ years) I’ve learned a few lessons about keeping myself healthy before, during and after my travels. Mindfulness … ahem, acting mostly like a “saint” (ha!) with diet and exercise in my daily life affords me the luxury of indulging in a few “sins” on the road. A trip to New Orleans offers plenty of chance to sin with its local cuisine and sugar-laden beverages and sweets.
My best friend and I went to NOLA for an extended weekend without a plan and only one intention: indulge in equal parts local activities and tourist attractions. Need recommendations? I’m happy to share – simply leave your questions in the comments below. Enjoy the picture-filled recap of our extended weekend in the Big Easy. And share any tips you have for keeping yourself WELL before big travel plans!
Day One: Exit plane, jump in friend’s car and hit a drive-thru bar for daiquiris and jungle juice in frozen form. Buy your resident expert dinner in exchange for alcohol and a ride at his favorite spot. Stare at the light fixtures made from recycled and melted Mardi Gras beads. Clever, right? Day Two: Find your way on foot via city maps. Hop a trolley for Southern brunch and bottomless mimosas on The Columns Hotel porch while sweet breezes and live music cut through the humid air.
Day Three: venture through the French Quarter market.. Stare in awe at new foods and contemplate the NOLA twists on foods you know and love. Find the hallowed beniegts and make them yours. The one food I missed on my “list of naughty foods” was a po’ boy. Get lucky and stumble upon an oyster po’ boy recipe on Spoon Fork Bacon (thanks Teri & Jenny!).
Day Three (cont’d): Walk around the French Quarter snapping photos, admiring antiques you cannot afford ($350,000 for a full set of silver service, anyone?) and being in awe of the delightful tea, coffee and spice shops that abound at the mouth of the Mississippi. Take a walking ghost tour of the city for a supernatural history lesson one could only get in the city of saints and sinners.
Day Four: Love all you see. Sink your feet into the silt and bricks that comprise New Orleans’ streets one final day. Treat yourself to an evening of jazz and blue on Frenchman Street. Follow this link for a full set of pics (around 200 of them!). Take care of you to enjoy the adventures life brings your way.
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Sounds like lots of fun :) Have you done a post on your favourite bits of L.A. by any chance? I’m travelling to New York and California in November and am in desperate need of travel tips from fellow wellness junkies!
I love both New York and L.A.! If you’re in L.A. I’d love to meet up and share an afternoon exploring the city with you. I’ll work on putting together a “what to do in L.A.” list for the wellness-minded traveler.
Tell me everything!! I want to hear everything!!!!! xoxoox
It was AMAZING! I’m on a kale and greens rebound after 4 days of sweets & fried foods, but it was totally worth it :) The people of Nawhlins define Southern hospitality and were all willing to share stories of their culture and history. The slowed pace of life was a refreshing break from the hustle of L.A.!
That sounds wonderful Erin! Thanks :) I look forward to the post! xx
Ohh I love NOLA!!! It’s been a few years, but I still think about the alligator cheesecake I had at Jacques-Imo’s! Yum! And Frenchmen street is so fun! Totally different vibe than Bourbon. Did you go to dba? Ohhhh, I need to get back to New Orleans quickly!! :)
It’s such a good get-away! I did have the gator cheesecake (a few bites!). The atmosphere + the food made for fun experience at almost every dining outpost. It was wonderful to be comfortable in dresses at night – it gets a little chilly in L.A.
Let me know if you head back!
This is making me want to go back to NOLA so bad! I miss that city! Yes to drive thru bars…. Is there any other place in America where this happens!? lol Love it!
No… because NOLA is magic. MAGIC!!