Are you planning a Bachelorette Trip but aren’t interested in the normal bachelorette activities and debauchery? You are in luck! That usually isn’t my style either. I prefer a more laid-back vibe with lots of activities and fewer late-night shenanigans. Here are my top recommendations!
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Take the Trolly
An iconic feature of New Orleans are the trolleys that are not only convenient but also historical lines! The green line is the oldest operating streetcar line in the world!
Riding the trolley will not only give your feet a much needed break, but also provides such a cute photo op!
Try Your Luck at the Casino
If you want to let loose a little but still have a controlled environment, consider stopping at a casino for a couple of hands or a few pulls on the slot machine! Harrah’s Casino was within walking distance of our hotel, and we stopped by after eating at Mulate’s.
Get a Massage or Spend the Day at the Spa
If you want to take it really slow and de-stress, consider getting a massage, or, if you have more time in your schedule, spend the day at the spa! Thrive NOLA, NOLA Bliss, and the Waldorf Astoria Spa are highly recommended!
Hop on a Ghost Tour
New Orleans is known for it’s haunted history. Take you girls and jump on a ghost tour! There are plenty to choose from, and many have similar ratings and experiences. We were satisfied with our choice; however, it was quite graphic, so if you are squeamish, I would not recommend it. Parts of the tour, at times, were too much for me, even though we had been told it was family-friendly. Use the bathroom beforehand as well! There are no pit stops along your tour.
Dance and Listen to Good Music
We enjoyed Mulate’s right down the street from our hotel. Live Cajun Music is played nightly. This spot was family friendly and didn’t have the rowdy crowds Bourbon Street had. We found the walk to be safe at night as well which is important!
Beignets, Food Trucks, and Delicious Restaurants!
Enjoy good food throughout the city! Cafe Du Monde is of course the most well known, but there are plenty of other spots throughout the city that rival this famed cafe. Loretta’s, Cafe Beignet, and Morning Call are local favorites. Try to avoid wearing dark colored clothes if you are a messy eater!
We enjoyed going to the French Market where there were opportunities to shop, eat, and take lots of photos.
Landry’s Seafood House in the French Quarter was terrific. My group loved the New Orleans Crawfish Bread with crawfish tails, mozzarella, Louisiana spices, tomatoes, and garlic.
Take a Bayou Tour
A Bayou Tour is, in my opinion, a must-do activity in New Orleans. The bayou is a beautiful, natural ecosystem with stunning moss-covered Cyprus trees, alligators, birds, and other wonders.
When the boat was in motion, the heat wasn’t as bad, which was quite a relief in the summer. I would not say that the tour I took was necessarily eco-friendly, though I suspect many swamp tours are not. Our guide lured the alligators to the boat by throwing marshmallows in the water and calling for the gators, some of which he could identify.
During our tour, we were each able to hold a small alligator (which had been kept in a closet until that point) and also saw a raccoon release (which had also been kept in that same closet).
Although I had an internal debate about whether or not the tour was eco-friendly, I did enjoy myself and was happy supporting a local business comprised of people who were passionate about the bayou and spoke often and candidly about the need for preserving this rare environment as water levels rise and the surrounding land is developed.
Admire the Architecture
Although the architecture throughout New Orleans has influences from France, Spain, the Caribbean, and, of course, America, the beautiful historic buildings were unlike any that I had seen in my travels.
I highly recommend visiting the Garden District. Take a free self-guided walking tour put together by neworleans.com.
Then, take a break under the city’s oldest live oaks in City Park. They are estimated to be over 500 years old!
Stroll down Bourbon Street
Honestly, I didn’t have the best experience on Bourbon Street. Someone threw a bag of human excrement at my mother as we walked down the street in broad daylight, discussing where to eat dinner. That sort of thing has a funny way of ruining someone’s day. However, Bourbon Street is worth experiencing at least once in your life! If you aren’t into crowds or the let-loose attitude that Bourbon Street is known for, I highly recommend visiting during the day. We went around noon, and there was a woman dancing completely naked in the street with a snake, so you never know what you will get on Bourbon!
Prepare for the Heat
When we visited New Orleans, it was a major heat wave, and the temperatures were a real feel of 115 degrees most days. If you plan to visit in the summer, I have a few items to recommend.
Cooling towels have become more popular recently, and for good reason. After wetting the towel with cool water, you place the towel on your neck and it makes you feel much cooler! It is super easy to keep the magic going by wetting the towel again and again throughout the day. This towel was super soft and held up great during my trip.
If you want something a little more stylish, consider this cooling Bandana! It serves the same purpose as a cooling towel but blends in a bit better. Both are machine washable!
Not everyone likes to have their neck wet. Another great option is this portable neck fan! It is a bit heavy then the cooling towel, but light enough to tuck into your bag or backpack when you are lucky enough to find some air conditioning!
