New Orleans, LA

Nicole Cheramie: USB is at the center of a group of hot breweries taking over old warehouses. Take a free tour, hit up the food truck, and stay to play games like cornhole while drinking seasonally changing brews.

Nicole Cheramie: Celebrate the season of Mardi Gras year round at the home of the parade floats. Tour the den, watch floats being made, eat king cake & take pics with paper mache characters from Dr Seuss to King Kong.

Nicole Cheramie: Plan for a full day to explore this vast museum with multiple exhibits. Pressed for time? Head straight for the 4D movie that offers a vibrant history of the war with rain, snow & interactive effects.

Nicole Cheramie: Journey back to the riverboat era on the Mississippi. The boat runs by day to the old battlefield grounds, but the evening Jazz Cruise with live music & delicious Southern cuisine is truly thrilling.

Nicole Cheramie: This cool throwback museum lets you explore the best of the culinary world. See the first ads for Popeye's and Piggly Wiggly and learn where some of your favorite dishes surprisingly got their start.

Nicole Cheramie: In the food district of downtown it can be hard to find a fun activity. Fulton Alley offers an elegant environment with cocktails & upscale food while playing the day away with multiple bowling lanes.

Nicole Cheramie: If you want to get the best of NOLA cuisine in one experience, this cooking school offers demo classes. Watch, then eat gumbo, jambalaya, bread pudding, & then take the recipes to make dishes at home.

Nicole Cheramie: Take a tour by kayak and learn how New Orleans waterways led to the growth and success of the city. No need to worry about your kayak skills, this tour goes slow and easy so you can enjoy nature too.

Nicole Cheramie: Take a ride through the bayou & see live alligators in their natural habitat. The swamp tours are slow & gentle, while the airboats are a fast ride. The best part? Both allow you to hold a baby gator!

Nicole Cheramie: Party with music legends at this famous venue for live music. Come early to snap a few pics of the artsy interior. Don't want to stand for the show? Balcony seats are first come with comfy seats.

Nicole Cheramie: This health club is more than just a gym with racquetball and tennis courts, basketball and volleyball, and fitness classes from spinning to yoga. Plus, lockers, saunas, parking and local memberships.

Nicole Cheramie: Looking for a fun all ages place for food and fun in the Central Business District? Step into D&B's for the young and young at heart with arcade machines complete with prizes, pool tables, and dining.

Nicole Cheramie: Go under the sea at the Aquarium and explore a walk-through tunnel filled with fish and sharks. Touch stingrays, watch penguins play, see seahorses and a white alligator up close, and feed live birds.

Nicole Cheramie: Take the kids to this small theme park hidden inside City Park. Enjoy the fun, free, fairytale-themed Storyland play area or buy tickets to rides including a ladybug roller coaster or the carousel.

Nicole Cheramie: NOMA resides in the middle of City Park with easy access for an afternoon of fun. Bike, kayak, or scooter around the park, explore the museum, and be sure not to miss the outdoor sculpture garden.

Nicole Cheramie: When in a foodie city, there's no better way to learn about the melting pot of cultures and flavors than with a food and cocktail tour. Doctor Gumbo offers both with stops featuring famous NOLA spots.

Nicole Cheramie: Step into the world of the creepy, crawly, and tiny. Explore a zoo of sorts for these interesting creatures, sample treats made with real insects, and don't miss out on the gorgeous butterfly garden.

Nicole Cheramie: The only land-based casino in NOLA, Harrah's offers gaming options from slots to blackjack to poker right out of Las Vegas. Home to the Fillmore theater, find concerts and dining options here as well.

Nicole Cheramie: This famous and iconic location in the city represents the oldest cathedral in the US. Stop by on your way through the French Quarter and get your picture taken with a section of steps across the way.

Nicole Cheramie: Spend the day exploring the zoo & walk through various exhibits featuring monkeys, big cats, and more. In the summer enjoy an outdoor splash park & lazy river, & in the winter holidays lights abound.

Nicole Cheramie: With indoor connection through the Hilton Riverside, this outlet mall in the City Center lays claim to popular brands from Coach to Nordstrom Rack and even a Cafe du Monde stop for famous beignets.

Nicole Cheramie: Those in search of a high-end shopping experience can visit Canal Place, where famous brands from Michael Kors to Sax Fifth Avenue call home. After shopping hit up the high end movie theater upstairs.

Nicole Cheramie: A charming New Orleans, woman-owned shop on Magazine Street, the hot spot for boutique and locally made products. Explore a host of fun gifts from NOLA themed ornaments to tile art designs.

Nicole Cheramie: When looking for apparel that speaks to our city, look no further than this locally owned & run shop. Grab shirts with popular slogans, framed prints, even coasters with graphics of NOLA architecture.

Nicole Cheramie: This popular mall is home to a wealth of exciting stores, from traditional classics like Macy's and Dillard's to specialized stores from Sephora and Apple to Disney and Lego.

Nicole Cheramie: This outdoor market hosts fun food delicacies from grilled alligator to pralines. Taste all the delicious creations and walk all the way to the back where stands are filled with souvenirs for gifts.

Nicole Cheramie: When you can't decide on what to eat, there's no better place to explore options than this food hall. Want something healthy? Go for the juice bar. Something unique? Try the Haitian smothered greens.

Nicole Cheramie: This mid-scale shopping mall, with quick expressway access from downtown, offers traditional brands from JCPenney to Ulta to H&M. After shopping, grab a bite at the only Chick-fil-A in the city.

Nicole Cheramie: This quaint collection of boutique stores includes a bookstore, coffee shop, and stores for jewelry & souvenirs. Explore the Garden District or catch the NOLA Architecture Tours that start from here.

Nicole Cheramie: This outdoor shopping district in the French Quarter brings brands together. H&M, Chico's, Urban Outfitters and Sephora all have a place here with convenient parking next door and a brewery upstairs.

Nicole Cheramie: Voted as one of the best bars in America, this spot has an extensive beer list from around the world. Plan some extra time to peruse the multi-page list and save room for the best burger in town.

Nicole Cheramie: Visit this venue for a live show you won't want to miss! This no-frills relic has long lines each night to see the city's most famous brass band keeping traditional jazz alive every night of the week.

Nicole Cheramie: Pay homage to this bar's namesake with a toast to what many believe is the first cocktail in America. This bar inside the Roosevelt Hotel has an elegant upscale vibe perfect for a date night spot.

Nicole Cheramie: Named after the famous railroad pivotal to the city's industrious rise, this bar offers exciting crafted cocktails made from scratch. Get the best Hurricane in the city, made with fresh fruit juices.

Nicole Cheramie: A favorite local spot, this beer & wine garden with gorgeous outdoor space offers something for everyone. The frozen Rose is superb & the debris fries (gravy & cheese covered) will have you drooling.

Nicole Cheramie: Embrace a hipster vibe with live music, a robust wine list, and choose your own cheese plates at this quaint spot in the historic 9th ward. Take an Uber or drive as it's off the beaten path a bit.

Nicole Cheramie: Toast to the days of the pirates at this bar, the oldest in the USA, named after a colorful & mysterious swashbuckler. Try the purple drink if you dare, a frozen daiquiri, and people watch for hours.

Nicole Cheramie: Located inside the Troubadour Hotel, this spot is one of the few rooftop bars in the city. Grab a cocktail and take in the gorgeous panoramic views of downtown, great for a date or pre-event drinks.

Nicole Cheramie: Outdoor courtyard spaces are coveted in NOLA, but often hard to find with public access. Relax in this bar's beautiful outdoor space, perfect for a low-key date, with regular food trucks out front.

Nicole Cheramie: Enter into this dive bar & feel like you're back in the 80's with arcade games including Pac Man and life size Connect Four. Turn the night up a notch and head to the back where a dance floor awaits.

Nicole Cheramie: Across from Jackson Square, this outdoor stand for beignets (New Orleans famous powdered doughnuts) is also the perfect stop for café au lait coffee. Open 24 hours so you can get your fix anytime.

Nicole Cheramie: This Marigny/Bywater spot makes burgers so juicy and big you'll want to come with an empty stomach. This lunch & dinner spot usually has a line, but grab a Monsoon cocktail at the bar while you wait.

Nicole Cheramie: This seafood restaurant inside the Hilton Riverside has its world famous charbroiled oysters on every must-eat list. Open for lunch or dinner, grab a seat at the oyster bar & watch the magic unfold.

Nicole Cheramie: A favorite breakfast & brunch spot for locals, this beloved diner offers generous portions and bottomless coffee. Order one of the omelettes, Eggs Benedict, or grab the biggest biscuits in town.

Nicole Cheramie: Impress family or enjoy a lunch or brunch date at this family-run spot. Get the Bananas Foster, invented here, & watch the show as butter, sugar, cinnamon, liqueur & dark rum are flambéed tableside.

Nicole Cheramie: This quaint coffee shop known for its bright yellow truck out front brews its own java and is a staple in the garden district. Stop by for breakfast with savory toast and waffle breakfast sandwiches.

Nicole Cheramie: Not far from the breweries lies this great outdoor bar. With a large parking lot, great food (try the waffle cheese fries), a nice selection of brews, & a dog-friendly space, you'll be happy you came.

Nicole Cheramie: Sometimes you just want to eat dessert first and at this dessert bar you'll be justified in fulfilling that sweet tooth. Try NOLA's classic doberge cake, a multilayered treat, with a nice wine.

Nicole Cheramie: This popular seafood spot down Bourbon Street's best kept secret is its Bourbon Milk Punch cocktail. Order this adult treat at the oyster bar and stay to watch them shuck the oysters for a fun show.

Nicole Cheramie: Impress a date or client at this sleek Uptown spot. Fancy items like French omelettes and Danish pancakes, or the long list of toasts, including salmon & avocado make it worth the long wait times.

Nicole Cheramie: This famous bakery lays claim to New Orleans famous praline dessert. Get praline beignets for a rich, sweet treat or savory beignets stuffed with crab or bbq chicken. Open Tuesday through Saturday.

Nicole Cheramie: This southern bakery, open daily for breakfast or brunch, is always busy. Perhaps it's the mimosa bar or the pastries. Order the griddle banana bread or country fried steak and sausage gravy biscuit.

Nicole Cheramie: Open at 6am daily, this bakery has been feeding locals for over ten years. Named after the beloved pastry, grab a few of these melt-in- your-mouth donuts to go along with a stuffed seafood omelette.

Nicole Cheramie: When you want to impress the best take them to Commander's. Wear business professional attire to get in & come for lunch to enjoy up to three 25-cent martinis. Order the famous bread pudding souffle.

Nicole Cheramie: When up at 7am look no further than this bakery for a morning of delight. With espressos and lattes, and a wealth of pastries including maple pumpkin donuts, the options are endless to get you going.

Nicole Cheramie: When in need of authentic Italian desserts, this spot has it all. Most famous for their gelato flavors, you'll have trouble choosing one, although the Almond & Salted Caramel are particularly great.

Nicole Cheramie: Open March-November, this shop has been serving icy treats to locals since 1939. These sno-balls come in all flavors. Order with condensed milk and the seasonal bananas foster topping for true bliss.

Nicole Cheramie: Escape into this sweet retreat filled with delicious macaroons, Italian gelato, and artistry treats. Order the drinking chocolate, served with handmade marshmallows & head upstairs for balcony views.

Nicole Cheramie: When the original chef is still cooking in her 90's you know you've found a gem. Dooky Chase has been serving world-class fried chicken and southern sides to presidents & tourists alike, buffet style.

Nicole Cheramie: To the world Emeril is a famous chef, to New Orleans he's a local. His original spot remains a top dinner or lunch choice. Get the chicken & waffles or bbq shrimp, your stomach will thank you later.

Nicole Cheramie: Po'boy sandwiches have called Parkway home since 1911. Juicy roast beef 'dressed' (lettuce, tomato, mayo & pickles) is tops, but if you're here in November their Thanksgiving edition is unforgettable.

Nicole Cheramie: Mediterranean food is not often the first food that comes to mind in NOLA, but once you taste Saba's hummus & pita you'll be dreaming of Europe. Get a reservation because its the hottest spot in town.

Nicole Cheramie: When in NOLA there's one Italian sandwich worth a pit stop. Central Grocery's muffaletta, invented in 1906 with cured meats, cheeses, and olive salad can feed a family of 4, so bring friends to share.

Nicole Cheramie: James Beard award winner, Peche is on the rise with crowds every night. The whole grilled redfish is superb, and local, line-caught seafood their specialty. Save room for the key lime pie, its divine.

Nicole Cheramie: When it comes to the quirky there's no place that's more fun than Cochon Butcher. With high-quality meats from the upscale restaurant next door & names like Le Pig Mac, you'll be full and entertained.

Nicole Cheramie: This old-school diner always has breakfast lines, sticky floors, and southern charm. With buttery omelettes the size of your head and filling shakes, you'll recover from a long night out in no time.

Nicole Cheramie: There's sports bars and then there's Cooter Browns. With TVs all over, you'll find locals here on game days. Raw oysters, burgers and fries, & two bars, come here to unwind after play at Audubon Park.

Nicole Cheramie: This family-owned restaurant feels like grandma's house & when you taste the fried chicken you won't want to leave. Sides like red beans & rice and collard greens add to the meal. Lunch only Mon-Sat.

Nicole Cheramie: When you want to celebrate a special occasion, August is sure to impress. High-end service, exceptional wine pairings, and impeccable Gulf-to-table cuisine, including vegetarian, makes for elegance.

Nicole Cheramie: No ones does late night comfort food like this old school, charcoal broiled, hamburger stand. This all ages spot caters to the hungry masses with shakes, fries and burgers with at an affordable price.