Smartly appointed serious coffee houses in the midst of Freret Street not far from Tulane as well as Magazine Street.

Italiane raised-center hall cottage located on a charming and peaceful street in the Bywater. Grand dining rooms and bar serving lunch, dinner and cocktails each day. But the real magic can be found in the large outdoor swimming pool, spa, sauna and cabana bar located out back. Open until the late hours, this peaceful oasis is the perfect retreat from the hot and sultry typical days and nights.

Serving excellent tapas, live music and diverse crowd nightly. House party; neighborhood bar.

Timeless classic elegance in the thick of things on Bourbon Street. Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse and Desire Oyster Bar are classics. Large and full-service with courtyard swimming pool and plenty of wrought iron.

Three meals served in modern, bright spot where the Marigny meets the Bywater. A project of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts Institute.

New and used vinyl (including 45’s) as well as CD’s. Browse for hours in this Bywater treasure.

New Orleans specialties to eat and drink in charming Quarter space. History lives here.

A serious coffee shop in a Quarter is a rarity. Visit Spitfire day or night to satisfy you caffeine needs.

Great spot to rent a bike and then cruise around the city to uncover some magic. You can also browse antiques and “other assorted junk.”

Lots of history at this popular and often packed tavern with outdoor deck and dining room serving all types of delectable poor boys. Located at Hagan and Toulouse Mid-City, order yours dressed.

Civilized spot for breakfast, lunch or a snack. Situated on non-commercial Ursulisne Avenue in the Lower Quarter. French pastries, quiches, cakes, napoleons, sandwiches, soup du jour and of course croissants prepared on-site. Sunny seating in the cafe or courtyard.

Hip and current spot on the outskirts of the lower Quarter; near French Market. Interesting selection of small plates and well edited entrees. Craft cocktails are original and tasty with unexpected combinations. Courtyard seating as well as dining room/bar.

Riding streetcars should be high on your priority list. Streetcars in NOLA have been part of the fabric of the city since the first half of 19th century. There are currently four streetcar lines in operation: St. Charles Avenue line, Riverfront line, Canal Street line and the Loyola Avenue line. Most in operation are Perley Thomas cars from the 1920s.The St. Charles Avenue line is the oldest continuously operating street railway system in the world.

Marigny spot serving homemade breakfast, lunch and homemade desserts.

Couture coffees, light vegan fare and delicious toast creations. Modern vibe.

Enter this Bywater intimate wine “laboratory”, have some tastes, buy a bottle, step out back, walk up to the window, order from an eclectic menu, have a seat, relax and listen to the music. Perfection.

Order the buffet and feast on Creole and Cajun specialities on the outskirts of the Seventh Ward/Treme.

City Park covers over 13,000 acres since 1854; visit the world’s “largest stand of mature oaks, one of which dates back over 800 years.” New Orleans Museum of Arts contains a magnificent permanent collection of over 40,000 art objects; situated in City Park. The Sculpture Garden contains sculptures from over sixty artists from all over the world on five acres adjacent to the museum. Board the streetcar.

Get out of the Quarter, board the street car and grab an espresso, ice cream and pastry in Mid-City. Since 1905.

Full-service supermarket with loads of organics, local foods, deli, pizzeria and mardi gras goods behind unassuming doorway. Visit 24/7.

Charming residential block of the lower Quarter; close to the French Market and Esplanade Avenue. Courtyard swimming pool and Terrace Cafe.  As of September 2013, “Number of employees who’e been here ten plus years: 55.”

Picture perfect block in the residential lower Quarter, three townhouses with secluded courtyards. Don’t look for a swimming pool but loads of charm, antiques and style.

Intimate live theatre housed in a former drugstore. Ever-changing performances with lots of red velvet.

If you are looking to eat near Lake Pontchartrain in Gentilly, visit Sassafras for Creole cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. Located in a nondescript strip center, specialities include File gumbo, chicken wings, fried catfish, poboys and seafood platters.

Just outside the Quarter on Esplanade Avenue; locals bar with 24-hour food. Stop by for breakfast in the wee hours if you are in the ‘hood.

Smartly appointed serious coffee houses in the midst of Freret Street not far from Tulane as well as Magazine Street.

Established in 1963, timeless and super casual lower Quarter spot for great burgers and strong tiki drinks.

Second oldest restaurant in NOLA serving traditional creole fare in the heart of the Quarter.

Owned and operated by the Dupepe family since 1961, Hotel Provincial is elegant, charming and historic. Two swimming pools, courtyards, Restaurant Stella!, Ice House Bar all round-out the experience. “The most agreeable service is that which efficiently fulfills our expectations without our notice.” P.G. Wodehouse

Slick by Bywater standards, interesting foods and cocktails served in a comfortable and contemporary space.

Spectacular selection of Japanese beverages. Sushi and loads of interesting Japanese foods. Being on Frenchmen Street, great music indeed.

Idyllic location between Faubourg Marigny and the French Quarter, Frenchmen Street is loaded with local music venues and the 1860 Frenchmen Hotel is in the middle of all of them. Small and intimate, guest rooms range from very small to spacious and are scattered in three connected buildings. Petite swimming pool ans spa in the courtyard. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, rough around the edges but charming.
Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Petite modern cafe for coffee beverages in the Faubourg Marigny. And yes there is an orange couch for lounging.

Local dishes prepared with farm-fresh ingredients.

Coffee shop civility almost out of the Quarter. You will feel a true sense of community the moment you enter; everyone knows everyone.  If you awaken early, pay a visit, order a plate of eggs and chat it up.

Nestled among the oaks, 35-rooms and historic suites overlooking lovely courtyard and swimming pool. Perfect Esplanade Avenue location across the street from the Quarter. And seank out the back gate and you will stumble onto the energy of Frenchmen Street almost immediately.

Delightfully creative and spectacular cuisine in atmosphere full of passion and cleverness. Small, intimate and quirky. “Don’t stagnate. Experience food evolution.” Part of the Ignite Perfection Collection

Miniature shop featuring handmade New Orleans goods. Finely curated by Amy Knoll.

Barbering and hot shaves for men in an elegant Uptown setting. Complete line of grooming products and accessories.

NYC style slices and pies with local ingredients. Brooklyn founders.

Creole Italian cuisine and fresh fish with Ocean sauce. Super small and casual second floor spot above Apple Barrel bar and surrounded my live music venues. Dinner service only.

One of the better breakfasts in the Quarter served in traditional elegant atmosphere. Be sure to order Callas Cakes and Eggs Sardou and wash it down with loads of chicory coffee. Established 1894.

Faubourg Marigny mainstay for coffee and cafe fare.

Rent smart cruisers for getting around NOLA; attached to outdoor antique market. Substantial discounts for longer rentals. Long hours.

Live jazz nightly during limited hours. Origially built in 1750 as a private residence. Admission charge applies for a show. No food or beverages served; all ages welcome.

Situated within Ironworks just off the Mississippi in Bywater, enjoy crushed ice infused with homemade natural flavors. Nothing better on a hot sticky day; pretty damn good any other day.

Named after the first known coffee vendor in nola. Breakfast, sandwiches and snacks throughout the day in traditional coffee house atmosphere on Frenchmen Street.

Old school coffee shop in the Quarter. Pay a visit for a simple breakfast or satisfying lunch.

Highly civilized and refined restaurant on picture-perfect Chartres Street that feels like you are not in the Quarter. Traditional fine dining with modern touches; courtyard seating as well.

Neighborhood Cajun and Creole dining room on Magazine Street in the Garden District. Great people watching on the outdoor cafe.

Other than the French Quarter, it is necessary to visit: Uptown, Garden District, Magazine Street, Faubourg Marigny and Bywater. And for the more adventurous… Algiers (by ferry), Audubon Park  and City Park.

“Turquoise and white Victorian fantasy of a building complete with turrets, columns and gingerbread” in the Garden District offers a not-to-be missed old school NOLA dining and cocktailing experience. Creole and Louisiana cuisine at its finest.

Order a muffuletta and grab a stool or head outdoors to enjoy a NOLA delicacy. Be sure to peruse the extensive collection of Italian import food items.

Globally inspired cocktails and  street food from around the world served in uber-hipster atmosphere in the Bywater. This place radiates cleverness and attention to detail.

Grab a streetcar Uptown and enjoy the ride to this 1946 Uptown diner with only counter service. Be prepared for a line. Second location opened in the Quarter but head Uptown if possible.

Situated on lovely and historic St. Charles Avenue in the Upper Garden District, the 20-room Columns is several miles away from the bustle of the Quarter and Central Business District, but easily accessible via streetcar. Go for a meal or cocktail and hang on the porch even if not spending the night. Tulane University, Loyola University, Magazine Street strolling and Audubon Park are all in the neighborhood.

The large and bustling historic Roosevelt embodies the spirit of New Orleans. Formerly the Grunewald Hotel and then the Fairmont, the Roosevelt offers a full array of amenities. Enjoying a Sazerac in the Sazerac Bar is a necessity even if not spending the night. You will need to cross Canal Street to enter the Quarter.

Large, historic family owned and operated hotel located in one of  the best locations in New Orleans. Perfectly situated on Royal and Bienville Streets near Canal, the red neon rooftop sign is a beacon in the Crescent City. Full range of amenities, amazing attention to detail, cordial and nattily-clad staff, lovely Criollo Restaurant and rooftop swimming pool are all wonderful to experience.

Live music venue with bar and restaurant serving solid food.

Lively music venue in the heart of Frenchmen Street. Excellent food is an added bonus.

Local, national and international Acts. The best of blues, jazz, funk, soul and brass.

Grab one of the dozen red shiny stools at the counter and order typical diner fare at any hour at this perfectly preserved spot.

Devour beignets smothered in powdered sugar around the clock in this legendary open air cafe. Wash them down with coffee & chicory served au lait. Then repeat. Look for the green-and-white striped awning.

Since 1950, red checked cloth eatery serves huge selection of po-boys. Go off prime hour and still expect a line.

Edited selection of distinctly New Orleans gifts with a sense of humor and attitude.

Cruiser rentals. “Because the kindness of strangers, and a bike, can take you anywhere.”

Rustic contemporary warehouse to enjoy lots of locally sourced pork with Cajun flavors.

Varied cafe menu, loads or freshly squeezed juices and Fair Trade coffees.

Laid back cafe in the Bywater neighborhood; enjoy a snack, pastry or sandwich indoors or out, morning or night… and chill.

Tour will leave you in awe and rattle your emotions of the Post Katrina devastation. You will be amazed at the strength of the residents and make you realize the importance of rebuilding this community. Tours by appointment.

Cultural Museum based on Ronald W. Lewis participation in the Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid & Plreasure Clubs and Skull & Bone Gangs. Very moving experience in the heart of the Lower Ninth Ward. “I want to educate the world about our great culture, how we do this, and why we are so successful at it even though the economics say we ain’t supposed to be.” By appointment only. Located in the backyard of Ronald W. Lewis home.