Traveling with Esmesha: Where to Stay, Where to Eat and What to Do While You’re in the NOLA

New Orleans is one of my favorite places in the world. No lie. Every time I visit this historic city, I fall even more in love with its sensational Southern charm. A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hitting up the Lousisana city with my girl Q for her bachelorette weekend! Q was set to get married in Jamaica in a little under 10 days, so she decided to take the Birthplace of Jazz by storm with her Bride Tribe in tow.

I thought it’d be dope to write about a few of the places I hit up while in the area. So, in this first installment of “Traveling with Esmesha”, keep reading to discover where to stay, what to eat and what to do while you’re in New Orleans!

Where to Stay: The InterContinental New Orleans

My girls and I lodged at The InterContinental New Orleans for the duration of our weekend stay. The InterContinental’s luxurious ambiance and impeccable customer service surely place it atop one of my favorite places to stay while in the NOLA! Jam-packed with a rooftop pool, a restaurant, a bar and a gym, it was literally a slice of heaven on Earth.

This hotel was nothing short of outstanding. There were bath towels galore, endless offers for room service and did I mention the hotel is located a little 5 minutes from Bourbon Street? If you’re ever in town and want to indulge in finer accommodations, don’t hesitate to check out The InterContinental!

Where to Eat: Deanie’s Seafood

Deanie’s Seafood, located in the French Quarter, is an eatery that offers a myriad of seafood delicacies. As a lover of all types of cuisine, I can honestly say Deanie’s sit atop my list as an essential stop for all tourists who visit The Big Easy. The menu includes fried catfish, oysters (prepared every way you can possibly think of), shrimp (also prepared 15,000 different ways) and even crawfish. I adored the versatility of Deanie’s along with their warm approach and the convenience of their location.

Just a quick tip: If you’re up for trying a drink that will absolutely blow your mind, try the Voodoo Juice! You can thank me later, lol.

What to Do: Bourbon Street

I believe this one is a given… I mean, Bourbon Street is like a rite of passage for everyone who falls through The Crescent City. If you can imagine combining twenty of the livest clubs and/or bars and throwing them onto the spread of a single street, you can sort of pinpoint the magic that is Bourbon. Never, have I ever, experienced an enigmatic energy that this legendary strip resonates.

People from all walks of life hit the cobblestone-paved way to have the time of their lives while creating memories that will last a lifetime. So, slip into a pair of comfy shoes and prepare to get turnt as you take in the sights, sounds and smells of the best the NOLA has to offer!