After every trip, I always leave with a bunch of tiny tidbits of information about the destination. Whether it’s the importance of cash in Japan or what’s the best time to visit a popular tourist spot, it’s always little pieces of advice that I wish someone had given me before my trip. So, here are some tips for your next trip to New Orleans!

Make Reservations!
If you’re looking to grab dinner at the best restaurants – both inside and outside the French Quarter – you need a reservation! Without one, you’re either going to have to wait 2 hours or grab a pizza to go. Most restaurants will accept reservations a month in advance, so make sure you plan accordingly!

The Best Souvenirs
For the best souvenirs, check out Royal Street. Stores like Royal Praline and Forever New Orleans have a bunch of locally made and specialty souvenirs. I also recommend the Café du Monde store, which has everything you could possibly want with the company logo. If you’re looking to pick up some beignet mix or coffee to take home, they will have the cheapest prices. Don’t wait until you’re at the airport because those prices are easily double!

Live Music
Live music is available literally all over the French Quarter. You could easily be walking down one street and stumble on some live music on the next. For a more intimate, sit-down experience, check out Frenchmen Street.

Catch a Show
Just a little off the French Quarter proper is the Saenger Theatre, home to shows from the Louisiana Philharmonic, touring comedians and musicians, cover band tributes, and Broadway shows. Fiddler on the Roof was touring in New Orleans during my visit and I was able to win the lottery via LuckySeat. The production was amazing and it’s always great to catch a show that isn’t touring near your city.

Uber
Uber is readily available throughout the city and we had excellent drivers throughout the trip. They were all ready to strike up a conversation and give us recommendations for activities or restaurants. But make sure you call your Ubers 10+ minutes in advance to when you need to leave, because they do take a bit to arrive – or at least by my New York City standards!

Café du Monde
Go to Café du Monde early in the morning or else you’re in for a long wait. A few times I arrived prior to 8am and there was no line for sit-down or take-out. But 9am on any day – even a weekday – and you’re in for a long wait. There are two other locations that have lesser lines, but the vibes are definitely not as good as the OG.