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Oh New Orleans, or NOLA if you want to be hip, I love your food. I dream about it sometimes. Of all the cities I’ve visited throughout the world, this has the best cuisine. HANDS.DOWN.

I visited New Orleans twice. The first for pleasure, the second for business.

The first time I went was with my husband over Labor Day Weekend. Unbeknownst to us at the time of booking, there is a rather large (ahem) gay pride festival going on called Southern Decadence. For those with children or consider themselves prude, I wouldn’t recommend this time of the year to visit. I am a very open individual but some of the things I saw made me blush!!

We have friends who have an apartment in the French Quarter so there was no need for a hotel. The French Quarters side streets are quite charming. You can just wander around for hours staring at the architecture. OR you can drink/eat…

Sometimes, when we only have a limited amount of time in a city, we like to hop on those big red tour buses. It shows you all the major sites in a short amount of time. It all gives you an idea of where you want to visit once you get off the bus.

Let’s get back to why we’re really here though. The food.

One of the best restaurants in town is Mr. B’s. Please, I’m begging you, get the BBQ shrimp!! It will forever change your life.

After you scarf that down with a loaf of bread, head to the typical Cafe Du Monde for the Beignets. Don’t wait in the line though. If you see a large line, just go back later when there isn’t one. It fluctuates so there’s no need to worry. I had other beignets and these are by far the best.

It’s true when the locals say Bourbon Street smells terrible. It’s a mixture of urine and stale beer. But, since you are in NOLA, you must walk down it – if only once. It is your duty as a tourist.  By day, it’s completely innocent.

By night, things get interesting.

All-in-all, the trips were fun and delicious! I highly recommend this city for the food lovers and drinkers alike.