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Sippin Gypsy Quick Tips for Playin': New Orleans

8/2/2017

19 Comments

 
Cheers to my Sippin Gypsy Team Tequila! This post comes to you while enjoying my Bloody Maria with a special hot sauce I found in my travels to New Orleans!
New Orleans is rich in history and culture.  There is a passion that resonates in this city found in the most gracious of restaurant owners to the spirited musician that plays on the sidewalks of Royal St.  For those of you who have never been....yet...I'm sure you've heard stories of Bourbon St. and all the indulgences offered there.  But before I list some of my favorite excursions, I wanted to offer a few tips to help you plan your next adventure!

1. You will be doing a lot of walking.  The side walks are charmingly uneven. There are a lot of puddles, and on Bourbon St. after 10 pm I can not begin to guess what those puddles may consist of.  I prefer comfortable closed toe shoes for meandering the French Quarter.

2. New Orleans is an 'Open Container" city.  This means you can order a nice cold sip at a bar as you stroll by and take it "to go" so you can get to your next destination.  This allowed me to see so much more of New Orleans, and as The Sippin Gypsy, I was in absolute heaven sippin and strollin!  Just be polite, finish your drink before stepping into the next establishment, they want your business too!

3.  Many of the bars and lounges with live music do not charge a cover, but they do require a 1 or 2 drink minimum to enjoy the air condition, use the restroom or listen to the music.  So be prepared to keep sippin!

4. Most of the bars and lounges will not accept a charge to a credit card for less than $10.  So order a few and charge it, or bring cash if you just want one beer at a time.

5. Many venues start live music around 5 or 6 and the musicians wrap up around 11 or 12, so get out early in the evening if you want to hear live music.
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6.  The bands you hear predominantly play for tips only.  Please support the arts and talents of these people, bring cash and tip well...live music is an art worth preserving.
There is so much to do in New Orleans.  The following is just a few of my most memorable adventures,

1. French Quarter Phantoms
I love starting my visit to a city with a tour of the historic area.  For my first visit to New Orleans we stumbled (literally) upon the French Quarter Phantoms tour given in the cool of the evening encompassing the history and legends of the city.  On my next visit to New Orleans our group did the cemetery tour with this same company.  The tour guides are all witty and knowledgeable.  It was a great way to see the city and formulate places we wanted to go back to and spend more time.

2. Live Music, Live Music, Live Music!
There were several venues that offered live music in the evenings.  As I stated above, be prepared for at least a 1 drink minimum to sit and listen, and be ready to tip the musicians.  Some of my favorite spots for music are: Bourbon O Bar, Fritzels European Jazz Pub, The Spotted Cat Music Club, Maison Bourbon, Preservation Hall and RF's Martini Bar.

3. Take time to tour the other neighborhoods of New Orleans
Treme and the Garden District are both rich in history and offer so much to appreciate in this city.  Whether you choose to leverage a guided tour group (the French Quarter Phantoms offers tours of Treme) or you simply pull out your phone and do your own self guided tour.  These are distinctly unique and special neighborhoods that will add flavor your New Orleans adventure.  The street cars across Canal Street are a great way to travel up to the Garden District to start your stroll!

4. Cemetery Tours
Due to how low New Orleans sits at sea level, the dead they burried would just keep popping out of the ground every time it rained and try to rejoin the living!  So New Orleans had to create cemeteries that housed above ground tombs.  The St Louis Cemetery #1 in the French Quarter requires you tour with a group, but this cemetery is worth the tour.  You will see the tomb of the famed Marie Laveau and the tomb purchased by Nicholas Cage.  The Layfayette Cemetery #1 in the Garden District is free to tour during operating hours. 

5. Pick up a local map and walk up Decatur St to indulge on a beignet from Cafe Du Monde, explore the artists around Jackson Square.  Continue your stroll along Royal St with all its tempting boutiques and historic buildings and back up Bourbon St.  Watch for hidden treasures along the side streets including the famed shops of Reverend Zombie's House of Voodoo, or the Boutique du Vampyre.  Just start sippin and strollin!  There is so much to see!
19 Comments
Christina link
2/20/2018 12:32:22 pm

New Orleans looks like so much fun! With so many things to do and see I feel like I'd want to stay for weeks. I would love to hear the jazz music and visit the cemeteries. Looks like you had a great time!

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/22/2018 07:05:47 am

Thank you Christina!
There is definitely a lot to discover in New Orleans! You would need at least a week to be able to spend time in each of the neighborhoods. When you go, please add any suggestions of great things to do or try!
Cheers!

Reply
Eric Gamble link
2/20/2018 02:27:22 pm

Great tips about my home of NOLA.
Love that you recommended several music clubs on Frenchmen street too. Next time you come back Darcee & I can show you more of where the locals mingle in the Marigny or the Irish Channel!
However, tequila??? Tsk Tsk...hope you had a French 75, a Sazerac, a Pimms Cup, a Vieux Carre, a Purple Daquiri from Lafitte's, or anything from Marvin Allen as you rode the Carousel Bar in the Monteleone!

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/22/2018 07:09:36 am

Thank you Eric!
Of course I enjoyed those cocktails! The Sazerac and Vieux Carre was the first cocktails ordered at the Carousel Bar my first evening ever there! From then on I was hooked!! I have not tried the Purple Daquiri though...looks like a visit back is in order! I'd love to spend more time in Marigny next time...
Cheers!

Reply
ourjournal link
2/20/2018 02:55:52 pm

Great article! I love your personal take, yet it very informative as well. Great recommendations. It looks like you had a lovely time doing this. :)

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/22/2018 07:11:15 am

Thank you!
New Orleans really is a great place! Please let me know if you visit and try any of these places or find new great spots!
Cheers!

Reply
Constance
2/20/2018 03:41:50 pm

I've always wanted to visit New Orleans. It looks like a city with so much to offer, from culture to food, and historical sights to natural swamps. Loved your recommendations, totally saving this for a future trip!

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/22/2018 07:13:36 am

Hi Constance!
Thank you for reading! Yes the whole city has a lot to offer! Please give yourself at least 5 days there to really enjoy all the unique and diverse neighborhoods and surrounding areas! When you go please let me know! I would love to hear about your experience and any new spots you discover!
Cheers!

Reply
Aditi
2/21/2018 09:13:56 am

Oh, I had no clue that it is an open container city. Really interesting concept and experiences though. Would love to visit some day. Cheers!! :)

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/22/2018 07:16:27 am

Hi Aditi!
Yes! It really is an open container city! I admit I was a little nervous when I was sippin and strollin past an Officer. I was tempted to slightly conceal my cup, but no need! I got one of those polite southern nods and wished a 'good day'! Let me know if you visit and try a cocktail while exploring!
Cheers!

Reply
LaiAriel Samangka link
2/22/2018 04:57:07 am

I truly agree that New Orleans is rich in history and culture, being said that, your post really proved it. I haven't been to New Orleans and this seems to be a great place to amble around with all the interesting places to see and experience. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/22/2018 07:18:06 am

Hi Laiariel
Thank you for reading! Yes it is an amazing city. Please share if you can visit and what amazing experiences you have!
Cheers!

Reply
Citlali Flores link
2/23/2018 01:14:21 pm

OMG! There is so much to see in New Orleans! This is one of my favorite cities in my bucket list, thank you for the info!

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/24/2018 05:39:34 pm

Hi Citlali!

There IS so much to see in NOLA! She is a good bucket list destination! Please share when you visit! I'd love to hear what you discover and enjoy!
Cheers!

Reply
Moimehr link
2/26/2018 08:44:37 am

I haven't read about New Orleans before but I wont deny it's worth visiting. This place looks like a fun place to me and who doesn't like some good music. Music never harms anyone. I would also love to take the Cemetery tour. Great post. Looking forward to more such fun posts about other destinations.

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/27/2018 09:55:33 pm

Hi Moimehr!
Thank you for reading! It is a fun place with great music and food. The cemetery tours are a must... Please let me know once you go! I'd love to hear about your great time there!
Cheers!

Reply
elizabeth link
2/26/2018 09:43:18 am

New Orleans sounds amazing, would've to visit. Loved reading your detailed post and seeing your photos. Bookmarked your post for future reference. Deffo adding this to my bucket list,

Reply
Sippin Gypsy link
2/27/2018 09:57:24 pm

Hi Elizabeth!
This is a great bucket list destination! Thanks for reading and please let me know when you visit! I'd love to hear what you did and loved!
Cheers!

Reply
New Orleans Ghost Adventures link
11/20/2021 01:42:42 am

Great Post! You are sharing a wonderful post. Thanks and keep sharing.

Reply



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    Lover of  travel to charming places dusted with unique flavor. Join me as I explore the world sip by sip. Cheers!

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