New Orleans, LA

Ryan Eugene: Famous for its hurricanes and the piano bar, Pat O'Brien's is a NOLA staple. The courtyard is great on sunny days and the crowd is full of people of all kinds. Tip: Return your souvenir glass for $4.

Ryan Eugene: Renowned historical bar inside the Roosevelt Hotel. Open since the 1930s, The Sazerac is now The Official Cocktail of New Orleans, and this is the best place to try it. My fave is The Ramos Gin Fizz.

Ryan Eugene: Rated as one of the top 10 aquariums in the country, the aquarium is on the smaller side, but still interesting for families. The underwater tunnel, shark tank, penguins, and sea otters are must see.

Ryan Eugene: The largest museum of its kind in the country. Great for those who love bugs and young ones will find it especially captivating. There's a 4-D movie, a cafe to try bug cuisine, and a butterfly garden.

Ryan Eugene: Probably the best skyline view in the Central Business District. This rooftop bar is trendy and usually has a DJ on weekends. Rooftop can be crowded, but worth the wait. Arrive early to beat the rush.

Ryan Eugene: Possibly the most famous karaoke bar in the country. Scores of people lineup to sing their favorite songs at all hours of the day. Happy Hour is 3 for 1 drinks and the line is short for the stage.

Ryan Eugene: One of the most famous landmarks in the city, Jackson Square packs many aspects of the city's culture into one. Outside the square are the St. Louis Cathedral, carriage rides, music, art, and more!

Ryan Eugene: The Jazz Club on Frenchmen. Maison never has a cover, has a front stage and back stage, a balcony, and it just added a third floor with a DJ for those looking for the more hard hitting dance music.

Ryan Eugene: Described as 10 times bigger than Central Park, I'm not sure any guest has seen it all. The south side features NOMA, the festival grounds, a free sculpture garden, mini golf and an amusement park.

Ryan Eugene: Rated one of the best museums in the country, WWII is in a class of its own. There are enough artifacts to last you a visit (or two) and the dining options will keep you there throughout the day.

Ryan Eugene: Square/Amphitheater outside The Superdome. Open with concessions and music before every home Saints game, and hosts concerts and events throughout the year as well. Great photo opportunities here.

Ryan Eugene: Small park in the Central Business District that's a great space during all seasons. Mardi Gras parades pass by in winter, festivals are in spring and fall, and in summer it's a great place to relax.

Ryan Eugene: Park behind the Zoo along the river. Perfect for sunbathing, crawfish boils, baseball games and birthday parties. Tip: Closer to the entrance tends to be more college-aged so drive a little further.

Ryan Eugene: A few blocks between businesses, Fulton Alley is particularly great during the holidays. Hot chocolate, fake snow, Christmas decorations and music as well as a bowling alley and various food options.

Ryan Eugene: Large park in Uptown bordered by Tulane and Loyola to the east and Audubon Zoo on the other side. Large ponds and a huge walking path for runners/bikers. Keep an eye on large swans walking around.

Ryan Eugene: Overlooks the Mississippi River and steps away from the French Quarter and the aquarium. Well taken care of, it hosts festivals (including French Quarter Fest), movie shoots and other activities.

Ryan Eugene: "The New Orleans pedestrian mall." Music, art, and culture along nine blocks of this street. Just one block from Bourbon Street the vibes are completely different. A must-do if here during the day.

Ryan Eugene: Large park on the edge of the French Quarter. Popular venue for many festivals, starting place for races, and home to Congo Square where slaves would gather to play music and sell goods on Sundays.

Ryan Eugene: Unassuming dinner spot Uptown. Various inventive Cajun and creole dishes in a converted home. Seating options are plentiful including in the bed of a pickup truck. Fun experience off the normal path.

Ryan Eugene: Local brunch chain now has 10 locations, including one on Canal St and one in the CBD. The Bacon infused bloody mary is a must for me. No reservations, but you can get in line with the NoWait app.

Ryan Eugene: 24/7 bar Uptown that is small but packs a punch. Back room features music at 11pm every night, while the front room has two pool tables. They don't offer food but you can bring in from nearby places.

Ryan Eugene: Known for oysters, seafood, and cocktails, Superior is popular with the locals and is along the St. Charles Streetcar line. During Mardi Gras the parades go by making this a great place for brunch.

Ryan Eugene: A staple in New Orleans culture. The home of Rebirth Brass Band every Tuesday. Sunday nights have music and crawfish boils (in season), and on Saints gamedays they show the game and provide free food.

Ryan Eugene: Only full scale casino in the city. Takes up a huge city block and has thousands of games, a restaurant, nightclub, and more. Open 24/7 and you receive free drinks while playing!

Ryan Eugene: Great mix of food and coffee make this great for breakfast or lunch. Besides a huge array of donuts, they also offer delicious sliders and tacos. Line is usually long on the weekends so make time.

Ryan Eugene: Deli that is popular for its bagels, sandwiches and coffee. Lot of great options and particularly appealing to those from the east coast who are particular about any bagels.

Ryan Eugene: A premier local brewery. Has a large upstairs area and balcony, games to play, and TVs to watch the game. McClure's BBQ is an onsite food option, and free beer every Friday from 2-3pm!

Ryan Eugene: Bar, Brunch, Pool. All in one place. The Country Club requires a $15 fee to enter the pool section, and has an outdoor bar and food options as well. And best part, if it rains it's happy hour!

Ryan Eugene: Lovely brunch spot in the Marigny. Famous for its praline bacon, this place has some of the best bloody marys in town. I tend to order the Country Breakfast with Pork Chops and Eggs.

Ryan Eugene: Best BBQ in New Orleans. While NOLA doesn't make you think of BBQ, The Joint is working hard to change that. Located in the Marigny it is reason enough to explore that part of the city.

Ryan Eugene: Small coffee shop along Magazine Street makes a great pit stop while window shopping. Coffee of all strengths and plenty of cool posters and local artwork on the walls.

Ryan Eugene: Great hot dog restaurant that is starting to expand outside of New Orleans. You can choose your type of hot dog, and all of their 30ish toppings are free. Other locations on Frenchmen and Freret.

Ryan Eugene: Lovely breakfast spot on popular Oak St. Some of the best brunch food I've ever had and now serving alcohol. Do know that the music in here can be loud.

Ryan Eugene: Great thrift shop Uptown. Plenty of costumes, red dresses, and other types of clothing for whatever event you need. If you're preparing for an event (Red Dress Run) get there early as they sell out.

Ryan Eugene: Mardi Gras World truly immerses you in the spirit of Carnival with parade floats of all sizes and themes. Situated along the river it's a great view as well. MGW hosts the Buku Festival every March.

Ryan Eugene: Music venue in the Warehouse District that's great for shows of all sizes. The Den is more compact and hosts Hot 8 Brass Band every Sunday night. The larger room is open depending on the show.

Ryan Eugene: Popular live music on Frenchmen Street. If you're willing to pay a cover (usually $10-$15), visit here as you'll see the most famous bands and acts in the city. They also have a free upstairs level.

Ryan Eugene: Great bar on Decatur that is a good pit stop or home base for the evening. The most popular drink is the Frozen Irish Coffee which can help you recharge after a day of walking.

Ryan Eugene: Great strip of art galleries in New Orleans. In August, come for White Linen night, essentially a block party where the Art Galleries open up and you can learn more about the work being displayed.

Ryan Eugene: In a city full of walkable areas, Magazine Street is among the best. The numerous boutiques, bars, and restaurants make this a favorite for the avid window shopper. Between Jackson Ave and State St.

Ryan Eugene: Great creole restaurant in a NOLA style home. You'll find an upscale but relaxed environment. They also have a private room for 12+ people and gave us a bluetooth speaker to use!

Ryan Eugene: My favorite poboy in New Orleans. Crabby Jack's makes a mean oyster poboy and the jalepeño mac and cheese is spectacular. Other Faves: Slow Roasted Duck Poboy & Shrimp and Fried Green Tomatoes Poboy.

Ryan Eugene: Great poboys in a small French Quarter location make this cash only restaurant a great stop for tourists. You can't go wrong with any of the options, but a half & half lets you try a poboy and gumbo!

Ryan Eugene: My favorite bar in New Orleans. The decor feels like it hasn't changed since the 1700s except for the pictures of celebrities on the wall. Get a Voodoo Daquiri (Purple Drink) and people watch.

Ryan Eugene: A craft beer fan's heaven. Open 24/7, Avenue Pub offers hundreds of beers, great bar food, and two floors (including a balcony) and a patio. They close for two weeks in August so keep that in mind.

Ryan Eugene: Best sports bar in New Orleans. If you're not a sports fan but looking to see what Saints fandom looks like, head down the St. Charles Street carline to Cooter Browns. Enough TVs to show every game.

Ryan Eugene: A whiskey lover's paradise. Relatively well-priced and a young but sophisticated crowd. A lot of beer and shot deals available here if you're feeling extra thirsty.

Ryan Eugene: A beautiful, block-long lobby, especially beautiful during the holidays. The lobby display features 44 Birch trees, more than 22,000 twinkling lights and scores of festively dressed Christmas trees.

Ryan Eugene: Some of the best boiled crawfish in the city and they always seem to be bigger than most places. It requires somewhat of a trek for most visitors, but it's also right on the Canal Streetcar line.

Ryan Eugene: Looking for the best chicken wings in New Orleans? Try the Bayou Hot Boy flavor. Featured countless times on Food Network shows, Adam Richman says that this place has his favorite wings in the world!

Ryan Eugene: Fun bowling alley and music venue. Usually a cover so be prepared to pay even if you're not bowling. They have swing nights for the older crowd and fun local bands on some nights as well.

Ryan Eugene: One of the most relaxing places in the city. On a beautiful day it's easy to get lost in the views of the bayou in Mid City. Extremely popular during 4th of July and Bayou Boogaloo in May.

Ryan Eugene: Horses, Zebras, Ostriches, Weiner Dogs. All those, and more, race at Fair Grounds. Most famous as the venue for Jazz Fest, catching a race here is fun and the season is long with New Orleans weather.

Ryan Eugene: Dive bar famous for having toilets for chairs. Somewhat off the beaten path of Frenchmen Street, it makes a good stop on the way to Mimi's in the Marigny, Friendly's, or the Country Club.

Ryan Eugene: Cheap dive bar Uptown that is open 24/7. It's hard to beat a $2 beer and $3 well drinks. Darker vibe, but air hockey and an outside patio keep people engaged. Cash only, so come prepared or use ATM.

Ryan Eugene: Possibly the most famous restaurant in the city. People wait over an hour to eat this fried chicken, and it does not disappoint. New hours keep the business open later so stop on in!

Ryan Eugene: Great local boutique theater. Has four screens, $3 beers, $8 tickets, and more food options than your big box movie theaters. Close to Willie Mae's so you can do both during an afternoon in the Treme.

Ryan Eugene: Widely considered among the best burgers in New Orleans. Nestled between the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street, Port of Call can have guests waiting an hour to eat, but it's always worth the time.

Ryan Eugene: Great market near the French Quarter that is open most days of the week and especially active weekend mornings. Great for souvenirs, people watching, and more! Plenty of bars nearby to visit as well.

Ryan Eugene: Single Screen theater Uptown has Groupon deals to save you money. Show new blockbusters as well as classics. Tip: The theater is BYOB so feel free to save money by bringing your own adult beverage.

Ryan Eugene: Famous large music venue Uptown. Every great New Orleans act has played in Tipitina's and locals love it. During the summer, entrance is free on Friday nights and you'll find food trucks outside.

Ryan Eugene: Cool record shop along Magazine Street. Great place to window shop and you can find some great classic shirts, stickers, and other memorabilia if you're not into vinyl records.

Ryan Eugene: One of many laundromat/bars in New Orleans. Take your laundry and an appetite to Igors, where they have cheap drinks, bar food, and games to pass the time.

Ryan Eugene: New Orleans' Amusement Park. A great assortment of rides for all ages, as well as food and drink. During the holidays you can see all the festive lights and they host many All-You-Can-Drink events.

Ryan Eugene: Some of the best poboys in New Orleans. Recently renovated to fit the crowds and has a full bar as well. Surf & Turf (Roast Beef & Shrimp) is popular and they offer Thanksgiving poboys in November.

Ryan Eugene: Popular Irish bar Uptown. NFL and college games are great to watch here and they boil crawfish in the Spring. It is along the St. Patrick's Day Parade route making it especially popular in March.

Ryan Eugene: If you're planning a party and need more than what your local CVS has, Elio's is a great full scale liquor store. The staff is very helpful and there are a variety of cost options as well as kegs.

Ryan Eugene: Fun bar/restaurant near end of the Mardi Gras parade route. Fun venue for people looking for a young professional crowd and need a later parade viewing time. Queso, margs, and shark attacks popular.

Ryan Eugene: Considered by many to have the best chargrilled oysters in New Orleans. Located in the Hilton Riverside, the restaurant is in a great location and has plenty of room to fit your entire party.