You like to party with the best of them but are more into wine on a rooftop than shots at a spring break-style dive. From the vibrant arts and music scene to the delicious cuisine, New Orleans is one-of-a-kind city rich in culture with a fun dance in the street atmosphere. Grab your girls and get to planning your bachelorette in the "Big Easy."
Photo Credit: Flytographer
Where to Stay:
NOPSI Hotel
When you walk into the lobby of the NOPSI Hotel you are immediately entranced by the grandiose vaulted ceiling, stately columns, inviting wood and brass bar, and touches of New Orleans history carefully placed throughout the space. Built in 1927 to house the city's utility company (New Orleans Public Service Inc.) and its employees, the landmarked building was restored to its jazz-age glory in 2017. NOPSI Hotel features 217-rooms, 76 of which are suites that can sleep four people very comfortably (perfect for you to share with a few of your 'maids). Get ready at your suite's large benched vanity and then head out to check out the hotel's two restaurants and rooftop bar and pool. The hotel is centrally located in downtown New Orleans, but just far enough from the loud crowds of Bourbon Street.
Photo Credit: NOPSI Hotel
What to Do:
Arts District/Museums
Take a walking tour of the local art galleries and browse metropolitan style artwork with a southern spin. Head to Julia Street and the John Ferrara Gallery to see beautiful butterfly installations made from tin cans crafted by artist Paul Villinski and a floral display made from wedding dresses and tuxedos by Carlton Scott Sturgill. New Orleans is also home to a variety of fascinating museums like the Mardi Gras Museum, WW2 Museum, and the Museum of Death. While the latter aren't exactly party-friendly options they are definitely a sight to be seen.
Strolls and Sips Down Magazine Street
Put on your best comfy, cute shoes and head over to browse the shops and restaurants along Magazine Street. Encompassing at least six distinct neighborhoods (Downtown/CBD, Warehouse District, Lower Garden District, Garden District, Irish Channel, and Uptown) it’s a six-mile journey filled with nearly every type of shop, restaurant, and bar imaginable. Make sure to stop and cool off with a snowball (A mound of shaved ice flavored with sweet syrups) Sno-Wizard or Tee-Eva’s Praline’s are popular options along Magazine Street.
Cruise the Mississippi
The greatest memories are "born on the bayou," from 'gator swamp tours to riverboat jazz cruises, you and your 'maids will be Mississippi queens in no time. Whether you want to throw marshmallows at gators from afar aboard a large boat or get up close and personal with them in a kayak, it will be a day your squad will never forget. If gator days aren't your thing, opt for a jazz cruise. Sip on an ice cold hurricane while you listen to the smooth sounds of a jazz band. Companies typically run three cruises per day, lunchtime, dinner, and evening.
NOPSI Above the Grid
New Orleans gets HOT, after a long day exploring the city head back to the hotel for a dip in the rooftop pool or relax with a frosty beverage at a poolside cabana. When the sun goes down that's when it really heats up at Above the Grid. One of the few rooftop bars in the city, you can expect great music, refreshing cocktails, and spectacular city views. It is the perfect backdrop for both a low key day of fun in the sun or dancing all night under the stars.
Where to Eat:
NOLA is a foodie paradise, don't arrive here thinking you'll stick to a strict pre-wedding diet. When you're tempted with fresh seafood, Cajun and Creole comfort food, Po Boys, Muffalatas, Beignets and more, just remember that calories don't count on vacation.
Brunch
The menu at Willa Jean is the perfect marriage of sweet and savory. With mornin' snacks like griddled banana bread with melted butter, lunch items like the Hangover Bowl (braised short rib, grits, and a poached egg), and sweet treats like Cookies + Milk (two chocolate chip cookies with a whisk full of cookie dough and vanilla-infused milk), you will be sure to get your day started on a delicious foot. 
Lunch
Friday "lunch" at Galatoire's is a spectacle unlike anything you've ever seen. First of all, there are no reservations, so you need to wait in line (or pay someone to wait) for hours in order to reserve a table. Once you finally enter the restaurant it is like stepping through time. The dining area is wallpapered with fleur-de-lis and lit by ceiling fans and the servers don tuxes with bowties. Most people sit for hours drinking champagne or French 75's. After a few drinks, the dining room basically becomes one big party and every patron pauses in between sips to sing Happy Birthday to all those celebrating. Every week there are regulars that go for first lunch sitting and stay through dinner. The menu is filled with classic New Orleans-style food like Seafood Gumbo and Crawfish Etouffée, but there are classic salad and meat options for those that are less adventurous. At some point during your meal, a band will come in and start a parade through the restaurant. You will also most likely be sitting next to another bachelorette party and will all be friends by the time you leave. 
Dinner
After exploring the city all day, head back to NOPSI's main restaurant, Public Service, for a relaxing farm-to-table meal filled with Southern hospitality. The Instagrammable décor features wrought iron gates and exposed brick perfectly complemented by plush tufted booths and modern chandeliers. Chef Harrison takes simple ingredients and creates culinary masterpieces. Start out with some Wild Mushroom Toast and a Seafood Tower of jumbo shrimp, gulf oysters, and crab remoulade. The Debris Mac and Cheese is a must-try, it was so good that my mouth is literally watering as I type. It features tender short rib and oozes with mornay sauce (a mix of gruyère and cheddar), you and your 'maids are likely to order another helping once you see how good it is! For your entrée, order the Public Chicken or Broiled Filet Mignon, you will not be disappointed.
Last Supper
Right in the center of the revelry of Bourbon Street, Arnaud's Restaurant has been serving Creole cuisine for 100 years. If you want to go all out and be boujee bachelorettes, for your last night in NOLA you should rent a Bourbon Suite for you and your girls. Get served dinner while reminiscing about all the fun you've had during the trip in the privacy of your own dining room. Head outside to a semi-private (the adjacent suite shares the space) balcony right above Bourbon Street, to have drinks and throw beads to the tourists down below. At Arnaud's you can have a Mardi Gras moment any time of the year and create memories that you'll treasure forever.
Photo Credit: Arnaud's Restaurant
Dessert
You can't go to New Orleans without trying a beignet and Cafe du Monde has been serving them up since 1862. For those of you who don't know, a beignet is a square piece of dough, fried and covered with powdered sugar. At Cafe du Monde they are served in orders of three, share them with two 'maids or savor them all yourself (what wedding diet?). 
Who's ready to plan a bachelorette weekend in the Big Easy?
Plus, see how to Plan a Lively Honeymoon in New Orleans.
