My Ten Fall Favorites In New Orleans!

You’re cordially invited to visit New Orleans!  The city is calling.  

It’s my favorite time of year in beautiful New Orleans!  The air is markedly less swampy, with just a hint of chill in the night air.  Fall brings a sort of revitalization to the city.  It’s like everyone has come out of their lazy summer slumber, outdoor restaurant seats fill, sunset walk are more neighborly, everyone is less sweaty and heat-frayed.  

New Orleaneans welcomes any and every reason to decorate a porch and wear a wig so the upcoming Halloween holiday is about to turn up the volume in the whole city.  Get here.  Get ready.  

Here are my ten favorite things to do and places to visit in New Orleans this Fall! 

1  •  The Fly  •  A park on the back side of the Audubon Zoo in the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans.  The Fly is a local’s spot, right along the Mississippi River.  Peaceful and lovely.  The perfect place to enjoy an early dinner / cheese picnic / to-go daiquiri sunset moment.  

2  •  Brunch at Luke Restaurant inside Hilton Hotel is delicious!  •  The Fried Chicken and Biscuit with a fried egg is beyond!  And if you sit in the back of the restaurant, you can gaze lovingly inside their open kitchen… if that’s your thing.  Also really wonderful, the oysters!  So much good!  #HiltonAtPlay

3  •  Sucre Bakery on Magazine St is my late Fall morning go-to.  Black coffee, a small plate of macarons and some dreamy eyes towards their other beautiful cakes.  Sucre is art.  My favorite are the pistachio and strawberry macarons but everything is pretty pretty and tasty too!  

Also!  The makers of Sucre have a restaurant in the French Quarter.  I haven’t been yet, but check out Salon by Sucre if you’re in town!  

4  •  My must lunch with a Pimm’s Cup is the Fried Shrimp Po Boy at Parkway Bakery.  Do it.  Don’t ask any questions.  
5  •  A trip to the track!  New Orleans is a place that feels like no where else on earth. I feel like a visit to the track doubles that feeling.  With the cooler temperatures, the horses are out and running around!   Fairgrounds Race Course.   6  •  Cochon isn’t seasonal, but it is a must eat!    Order the grilled oysters, the shrimp and bacon sandwich and every cocktail with bourbon.  You’re welcome.  Actually, I have nothing to do with it… Donald Link does all the work.  7  •  Early evening sazeracs at The Sazerac Bar inside the historic Roosevelt Hotel.    Essential.  Maybe even over-dress a little.  You wouldn’t want to be outdone by the artwork.   8  •  I love walking around the French Quarter just before Halloween.  The quarter feels ancient and haunted on its own, but the homage to Halloween is strong.  Do you know about the haunted The LaLaurie House?  The history is terrifying.    Here are the entryway Halloween decorations of the LaLaurie house, a reference to the grisly owners Dr Louis and Delphine LaLaurie.  New Orleans takes its hauntings very seriously.  9  •  A less gruesome walk through the modern art museum.  There’s a lot of great art in this city.  Museum time!  10  •  Get out and about.  New Orleans in the Fall is the most lovely city to explore on foot.  One of my favorite things to do is this self-guided Garden District walking tour.   Have I convinced you?  I knew it!  We’ll see you real soon!

This post in partnership with Hilton Hotels #HiltonAtPlay.