Heading to NOLA?
When I first landed in New Orleans two years ago, I didn’t know where to start. I knew so little about NOLA… other than Mardi Gras, Cajun cuisine, jazz and Hurricane Katrina. I was worried that I’d get lost in The Big Easy. But what I stepped into was a grand adventure.
New Orleans is a city of extremes. A city that doesn’t make concessions, where everything is vibrant and asserted, its lively colours brightening up the houses and the music that echoes through the streets. The city’s personality is perfectly aligned with the Collision conference, which is just as over-the-top. Collision is three days and 16 stages featuring over 100 conferences on new tech trends. In other words, Collision is the perfect excuse to make a technological—and a cultural—pilgrimage to New Orleans.
If you have the good fortune to go, here’s a list of must-sees that made my trip so memorable and that I’m looking forward to revisiting on my next trip. I’ve traded in my project management cap for my travel blogger kit to write up this handy survival guide to New Orleans. Hopefully, it will make you look cooler than the average tourist and help you enjoy the best that NOLA has to offer.
See the map with my proposed addresses here.
Refresh yourself near Collision
After a fortifying day of conferences and learning, you’ll be mighty thirsty. If you don’t want to wander far away of downtown, here are a few bars within 15 minutes of the Collision site.
Barrel Proof
With more than 280 different types of whiskey, Barrel Proof will delight the palate of every connoisseur. Not being a whiskey drinker myself, I was nonetheless charmed by the bar’s leather, wood and metal interior. Open every day, Barrel Proof is a must for your evening quaff!
1201 Magazine Street
M T W T F S S
4PM – Midnight
$$
barrelproofnola.com
Hot Tin
One of the city’s most popular bars, Hot Tin also offers one of finest views in New Orleans. In fact, it gives a 270-degree view of downtown NOLA. Its eclectic décor will definitely add to your experience of the city. Hot Tin is located at the top of the Pontchartrain Hotel. To get there, simply take the “hot tin” elevator in the lobby.
2031 St. Charles Avenue
M T W T F S S
Business hours vary
$$
hottinbar.com
Secret gems
Don’t look for these in your Lonely Planet guide. Only the insiders know!
The Joint
At first glance, this may look like an average diner. But as you approach, you’ll notice a large yellow wall and a scattering of chairs, with a sign that reads “Always smoking’”. Your table awaits! Inside, slide into one of the booths and order the city’s best ribs. A must for meat lovers! If you’re the curious type, proceed to the internal courtyard to admire the enormous exterior BBQ… where all the magic happens!
701 Mazant Street
M T W T F S
11:30AM-10PM
$$
alwayssmokin.com
Pizza Delicious
No matter where I go in the world, whenever I need some comfort food, I turn to my eternal favourite—pizza. If you’re more in the mood for something heavier, like gumbo, seafood and fried food, travel to the By Water district and look for the garage with a pizza sign. This Brooklyn-inspired eatery will have everything your stomach desires.
617 Piety Street
T W T F S S
11AM-11PM
$$
pizzadelicious.com
Compère Lapin
The Compère Lapin will knock your socks off with its menu and décor. Located in the heart of the Warehouse Arts District, this restaurant has built its reputation on its remarkable creole and Caribbean fare. In fact, it was named New Orleans’ best restaurant in 2016! Even better news? Entrées run about $30 US. Win, win!
535 Tchoupitoulas Street
M T W T F S S
Business hours vary
$$-$$$
comperelapin.com
Cane and Table
Who would of thought that New Orleans could be a star in the tiki universe? I was certainly surprised. With its “Hemingwayesque” décor, Cane and Table finds the right balance between classic colonial and tiki exotic. The cocktails, needless to say, are fantastic.
1113 Decatur Street
M T W T F S S
Business hours vary
$$-$$$
caneandtablenola.com
More place to get hydrated!
Here is a selection of bars where you can relax, sample exquisite cocktails and get some very Instagram-worthy shots.
Piscobar
All that learning making you thirsty? Go up Poydras Street and turn right on Union. From there, you’re just a few blocks away from Piscobar. Nestled inside the Catahoula Hotel, this bar will take you back in time with its black and white checkerboard floor, wood bar and open internal courtyard. The ambience will make you feel like you’re south of the border and even if you don’t like pisco, try the pisco punch!
914 Union Street
M T W T F S
1PM-10PM/Midnight
$$
piscobarnola.com
Cure Nola
The name of this bar harkens back to another time, when cocktails grew out of home remedies made with herbs that boosted your health. But the cocktails aren’t the only draw—you’ll also appreciate the high ceilings, exposed brick walls and magnificent natural light. The décor will certainly take you back in time, but so will the bar’s philosophy, which sees having a cocktail as being both healthful and enjoyable.
4905 Freret Street
M T W T F S
Business hours vary
$$
curenola.com
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
Imagine if your local SAQ let you drink on site. And that it also welcomed jazz bands to play at night? Can you picture it? Now place it in NOLA’s vibrant By Water district and you’ve got Le Bacchanal. With such a selection of wines and an internal courtyard (hidden behind an emergency door at the back of the boutique), you’ll have the perfect end to a day packed with conferences. Oh! To get to the courtyard, you’ll have to mention that you’ll be drinking drink on site.
600, Poland Avenue
M T W T F S S
Business hours vary
$$
bacchanalwine.com
Drifter Hotel
It’s like walking into a breathtaking Pinterest board! If you’re looking for a cool spot where you can chill by the pool with a strong drink, look no further than the Drifter Hotel. Located not far from the city centre, this hotel is all pastel colours, mid-century modern furniture and relaxed ambience. Millennials flock here for its Instagrammable properties. Want to use the pool? Entry is $5 on weekdays and $10 on weekends.
3522 Tulane Avenue
M T W T F S
Business hours vary
$$
thedrifterhotel.com
Don’t miss out
Since you’re still a tourist, there are some things that you absolutely must do.
Café du Monde
Yes, there will be a line-up—this is one of the most recommended places to visit in travel guides. But it’s definitely worth the wait! There is only one item on the menu: the world-famous beignet. And trust me, you won’t need anything else. It’s located in the heart of the French Quarter so you can’t miss it.
800 Decatur Street
M T W T F S S
Open 24/7
$
cafedumonde.com
NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art)
If I have one travel motto, it’s “never say no to some peace and quiet, especially if it’s air conditioned”. The New Orleans Museum of contemporary art provided the perfect respite, as well as a variety of exhibitions for only $12.
One Collins Diboll Circle, City Park
M T W T F S
Business hours vary
$
noma.org
Magazine Street
A can’t-miss if you love architecture! This classic street is 9 kilometres of charming boutiques, art galleries and cosy restaurants. A stroll will take you through six city neighbourhoods, including Downtown/CBD, the Garden District and the Irish District. A great place to browse for souvenirs in vintage shops or simply explore the many faces of The Big Easy.
Magazine Street
M T W T F
$-$$$
Po’boy!
Eating is great, but eating local is better. That’s why I think the po’boy (“poor boy”) is a necessary treat during your visit to New Orleans. This sandwich (originally considered working class fare) is like a submarine at first glance, filled with meat and layers of flavours. It’s like the Louisiana version of poutine! To try a classic po’boy, pop into Parkway Bakery or Killer Po Boy.
Avoid
Because travel time is always so short, you can live without the following experiences.
The notorious to-go cup
A New Orleans original—you can order alcoholic drinks in a to-go cup. These cups are plastic so that you can drink while you walk around the city. Very practical, but also… a little too practical. You don’t want a nasty headache during your conferences the next day! 😉
Bourbon Street
Unless a throng of tourists and the ever-present smell of vomit is your thing, I strongly recommend that you avoid Bourbon Street. Although famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations, this street is too often filled with tourists over-imbibing with to-go cups. Trust me—there are better things to see and do (better places to spend your money too)!
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All in all, Collision is a great excuse to learn more (about tech), to get inspired by others and to enjoy all that NOLA has to offer. Don’t miss an opportunity to mix business with pleasure… and to make your Instagram followers just a little more envious.
Image from Gasa-Gasa
