A College Kid’s Guide to New Orleans
When I was touring colleges, I considered myself to be open-minded. I traveled to states I had never been to before and challenged myself to be optimistic even when presented with weak first impressions. By the second round of college tours, I was confident about one thing: I needed a campus with access to a city. I felt restricted in college towns but craved a green campus at city schools. This led me to fall in love with Tulane because I was presented with the best of both worlds: a green campus with access to one of the most diverse and eclectic cities in the country. Below is a personal list of my favorite places to eat and things to do in New Orleans.
Food is synonymous with New Orleans. The options are endless, but here are a few of my favorites. Like many college students, I need coffee to get me through the day. I recommend French Truck Coffee. I get the New Orleans iced coffee, a drink that combines coffee, chicory, and your choice of milk. Their Dryades St. location has comfortable outdoor seating and is a great spot to do work when the weather is nice. Mojo Coffee House on Freret Street is within walking distance of campus and has signature blends roasted in New Orleans. The location makes it a convenient spot for a break in between or after classes.
I love venturing to a food hall for lunch because of the various vendors that come and go. Auction House Market is a great place to go with friends because you can try various meals. Located in the Warehouse District, Auction House has quite the tasteful interior; in true New Orleans fashion, there is a massive marble bar smack in the middle of the space. After, you can explore the different boutiques, galleries, and museums in the area. St. Roch Market is a historic market that was transformed into a food hall. With a focus on local food and beverage, the eleven curated vendors are sure to leave everyone satisfied with a great meal.
For dinner, I love being in a lively environment. Meril is world-renowned chef Emeril Lagasse's fourth restaurant in New Orleans and has great shared plates for larger groups. I recommend the Korean fried chicken wings, fish tacos, and the gulf yellowfin tuna bundles. For a birthday, special occasion (or neither), order the cotton candy—it comes with sparklers. Jack Rose is located in the Pontchartrain Hotel and puts a creole-cajun twist on traditional dinner entrees. The flounder en papillote is my favorite dish, and the presentation never fails. The fish comes steaming cooked inside a paper bag. I would also recommend the fried chicken parmesan. The restaurant is known for its playful cocktails, including frosé, “chambongs,” and a punch served in a shimmering disco ball. The restaurant is also accompanied by fun art and a centerpiece of rapper Wiz Khalifa.
One of the biggest appeals of New Orleans is the weather. For the most part, temperatures stay above 60 degrees, making it easy to take advantage of the outdoor opportunities. Audubon Park is always a great escape from campus because it’s so close in proximity. However, if you want to venture elsewhere, I would recommend Louis Armstrong Park. Right across from the French Quarter, this park is uniquely designed after Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens. The walking paths carved in between water and bridges above ground lead you to different routes in and around the park.
Magazine Street is known for its shops and restaurants, and I would recommend taking a day to walk the length of it. Ashley Longshore Gallery is a tourist favorite that showcases the artist’s lavish pop-culture-inspired pieces. The Bead Shop sells beads for jewelry making and Mardi Gras festivities, Peaches Records is an old-school record store, and Funky Monkey offers vintage clothing and costumes.
Every college has something to offer. I believe that Tulane itself is unique enough, however, the city of New Orleans provides an escape from campus life that makes Tulane so much more desirable.
