New Orleans is a city rich with history and creativity — perfect for travel. The fusion of cultures and artistic styles make New Orleans a fabulous feast for the eyes and soul. Here’s a list of authentic, NOLA places to visit while there.
Garden district
New Orleans’ historic Garden District is a must-see travel destination for all design enthusiasts! Nestled amongst picturesque gardens, white molding, and carefully painted porches is Magazine Street, a bustling avenue lined with antique shops, home décor stores, and restaurants that boast classic NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) cuisine.
Hazelnut
Start your day off at Hazelnut. The store offers beautiful home goods, including dinnerware, vases, and decorative accessories with a Louisiana flare. I love their photo frames made from vintage New Orleans maps and their unique New Orleans toile. Printed on a cotton/linen blend, their twist on the classic French fabric showcases New Orleans vignettes that include NOLA highlights such as St. Louis Cathedral, streetcars and steamboats cruising on the Mississippi River.
Plum
For a funkier selection of home goods, try Plum. The home décor and gift shop has a great selection of retro postcards, light fixtures and jewelry. If you visit, you absolutely must leave town with a Water Meter piece of jewelry. If you look around closely, you will notice that these pieces are local favorites. New Orleans natives and tourists adore the design of the city’s water meters so passionately that jewelry is now made to mirror the design.
Retroactive
Looking for an authentic 1960’s leopard headpiece or a vintage designer bag? If so, Retroactive must be on your list! This vintage store has it all… dresses, suitcases, jewelry, glasses, clocks! If you love the “hunt” as much as I do, you can easily spend hours browsing through the selection. The best part about this store, though, is that the owner knows every piece intimately and will gladly share stories with you. You will end up leaving with a new piece for your vintage collection and a bit of newfound knowledge.
Lilette
End your day at Lilette Restaurant, a spot that boasts true New Orleans design. Tall windows, richly-colored walls, and the quintessential New Orleans backdrop of oak trees and a Magazine Street shotgun house, will put you in the NOLA state of mind. It is a wonderful place to absorb the sights, sounds and tastes of the historic neighborhood while dreaming about bringing your new NOLA finds back home.
Le Pavillon
This old-world, luxurious hotel is rich with history and beauty! Any design enthusiast will fall in love with its crystal chandeliers, marble floors, Parisian marble stairway railings, Italian columns and fine art from across the globe.
More on travel:
- Four winning winery destinations
- Brazil travel: Flavors of Bahia
- Travel by design: New York City
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