Falling in Love with New Orleans

A smiling woman leans against a pale wall between plum-colored wooden doors. Dressed in a black outfit with an oversized blazer, she stands in warm sunlight while tree shadows dapple the surface beside her.

It’s possible that I am guilty of romanticizing most cities I visit, but I am constantly captivated by New Orleans.

A person in a blazer and sandals walks toward a cream-colored building with deep plum doors and shutters. The midday sun casts sharp shadows of a streetlamp and tree branches across the brick sidewalk and wall.
A sunlit sidewalk lined with a beige building featuring plum-colored wooden doors. A leafy tree casts dappled shadows across the wall and walkway, while a glimpse of the street with passing cars is visible in the background.

By the hole-in-the-wall jazz clubs, suffused in warm reds and blues, mood lighting shadowing the crowd and bouncing off shiny cymbals and brass instruments. Musical notes dance through the air, each instrument distinct even as they play in unison. Singers croon smooth melodies from jazz, blues, and R&B.

A live band performs on stage under dramatic purple-blue lighting. A saxophonist in a cap plays center stage, flanked by a smiling female vocalist and fellow brass players. The scene is vibrant and full of energy, capturing the joy of live music.
A nighttime street view featuring the Mahogany Jazz Hall sign, which reads “Mahogany Jazz Hall – Absinthe & Burlesque.” The sign hangs against the backdrop of a tall, modern building, contrasting the club’s vintage allure with the city’s urban architecture.
A woman poses in a long, tie-dye-style dress and white heels in an art gallery, framed between two pieces of art—one black-and-white photograph and one vibrant painting. A red clutch adds a pop of color to her polished look.

By the way the city seems to hum with constant music: speakers streaming pre-recorded tracks, street acts playing trumpets and steel drums along historic Chartres Street, drivers indulging in car karaoke. It’s hard not to dance here, to stop and listen, to sing along with the rest of the city. 

A woman with short blond hair sits at a candlelit dinner table, joyfully raising her arms mid-dance and laughter. She’s dressed in a halter top, surrounded by softly glowing pendant lights and vintage-style decor, creating a warm and celebratory mood.
A woman with short blond hair sits at a candlelit dinner table, joyfully raising her arms mid-dance and laughter. She’s dressed in a halter top, surrounded by softly glowing pendant lights and vintage-style decor, creating a warm and celebratory mood.

By the bursts of color everywhere: vibrantly painted murals lining the streets, buildings in the French Quarter bathed in bright hues that gleam under sunlight, and Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold—splashed on flags and beads outside storefronts, remnants of the city’s yearly carnival.

A person in a blazer and sandals walks toward a cream-colored building with deep plum doors and shutters. The midday sun casts sharp shadows of a streetlamp and tree branches across the brick sidewalk and wall.
A smiling woman leans against a pale wall between plum-colored wooden doors. Dressed in a black outfit with an oversized blazer, she stands in warm sunlight while tree shadows dapple the surface beside her.
A bold red mural on the side of a brick building reads “Jazz It Up with Zatarain’s – A New Orleans Tradition Since 1889” beneath the Queen & Crescent Hotel sign. A jazz musician silhouette adds flair to the vintage-style advertisement.
A row of vibrant New Orleans shotgun houses, painted in pastel shades of yellow, pink, and turquoise, lines a quiet residential street under a cloudless blue sky. Decorative trim and shutters add charm to the bright façades.
A striking pink corner building with tall white-trimmed windows and ornate wrought iron balconies sits beneath a clear blue sky in New Orleans. Two women walk along the sidewalk at the intersection of Royal and Governor Nicholls Streets, while soft shadows stretch across the pavement.
The Creole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar stands out with its salmon-colored brick exterior and white trim. Palm tree shadows stretch across the building, and a few pedestrians walk along the sunlit street in front.

By southern hospitality, embodied by the people who are the heart of this city: from the Uber driver who said “if you come here twice, you’re at home” to the waiter at a seafood restaurant who greeted us with warmth in her smile, her honey-sweet lilt adding an endearing “baby” to the end of her sentences. 

And finally, by the food. By how hearty and flavorful the plates are. Sugar-dusted beignets that melt in your mouth, buttery cornbread, oysters pulled fresh from Louisiana’s waters, and seafood boil: a messy but satisfying medley of crawfish and shrimp, served with sausages and sweet corn. 

Two golden-brown beignets generously coated in powdered sugar peek out from a branded paper bag, ready to be enjoyed.
A hand holds a partially eaten beignet, its airy interior and light dusting of powdered sugar visible. In the background, another hand gestures over a phone, suggesting a casual café setting.
A plated appetizer featuring seared cubes of meat, vibrant yellow beets, and microgreens is artfully arranged on a rectangular dish, garnished with green sauce and finely chopped vegetables. The table is set with a wine glass, water, and a small candle, all resting on a white tablecloth scattered with festive confetti. In the background, a silhouetted figure stands in a softly lit restaurant entryway.
A close-up shot of freshly shucked oysters on a bed of ice, served with lemon wedges and metal sauce cups. The scene is warmly lit, capturing the cozy ambiance of a dimly lit restaurant.
A vibrant flat lay of a seafood boil featuring bright red crawfish, plump shrimp, golden corn on the cob, and boiled potatoes. The dish bursts with color and texture, capturing the essence of Louisiana cuisine.
A weathered wooden sign reading “Clesi’s” is mounted above a patio adorned with string lights. The sign stands out against a partly cloudy blue sky.

I love New Orleans because it is the kind of place that brightens even the simplest of moments, a place where living feels like the celebration, and you’re always invited to join in.

Good To Know

How we got to New Orleans: We flew Delta Airlines from San Francisco to New Orleans with a stop in Los Angeles. I track flight prices and book my tickets through Google Flights. I also use Hopper to track flight prices. 

Where we stayed: The Barnett – JDV by Hyatt. One thing I’ve noticed about my hotel stays in New Orleans is the amenities. This one hotel has 2 restaurants, 2 bars and a cafe. They also host nightly events, so it’s not uncommon to walk into a live band or DJ playing in the lobby. 

My favorite food spots: Paladar 511, Muriel’s, Willa Jean & Seaworthy. Beignets are everywhere but I’ve had good ones at Cafe Beignet & Cafe Du Monde. 

How we got around: We walked & used rideshare apps [Uber and Lyft]. 

For more stories from this city, type “New Orleans” in the search bar below.

As always, 

thank you for reading!

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