The best way to celebrate your twenty-third birthday is to spend a few days in New Orleans with your best friend. I was pretty bummed out about turning the big two three so I figured I needed a fun get-away to liven my mood.
Wednesday.
We woke up around 8 AM and left from Rachel’s parent’s house around 10:30 AM. This was our traveling day, and we arrived in New Orleans around 3:30 PM due to the crazy amount of traffic. After struggling to get the valet to pay attention to us we checked into the Pelham Hotel. We spent the majority of our day exploring the city, eating amazing food and just having a relaxing day.
We stopped into Jackson square, picked up a daiquiri to-go, and of course tried the famous beignets at Café Du Monde.
Finally, around 9 PM our stomachs decided we needed some real food and we ate dinner at Huck Finn’s. I was not too hungry so I only ordered fried pickles (DELISH) and Rachel had the red beans and rice, which she said was her favorite meal of the trip.
Then being the extreme party animals that we are, we headed home and spent the night watching HGTV and mentally preparing for the next day.
Thursday
Our day started around 10 AM. Rachel, and I, thankfully, both are morning people, and early risers so we were ready to get our day going. The first stop was breakfast at District Donuts, and oh my goodness the pictures don’t even do them justice. I stumbled upon this place through Instagram and immediately put it on our list. They make fresh donuts every morning, and each day they have a different spread so you never know what they will have that day!
My one tip, you have to order the orange juice. Freshly squeezed and AMAZING.
After breakfast, we spent the majority of the afternoon walking around Magazine District and found a few cute local boutiques and other stores we were familiar with.
Close to noon we had lunch at St James Cheese Co. This was a cute little café that served wine and cheese plates so we were in heaven. We both also ordered the macaroni and cheese with a side salad. It was hands down the best mac n cheese I had ever had, but we somehow ordered a large each and immediately regretted it. IT WAS HUGE.
After lunch, we spent the day exploring the city more and found our way to the mall located right across from our hotel. The mall was full of all our favorite stores (Francesca’s, Lululemon, and Anthropologie) so it was a dangerous time.
Honestly, we were exhausted by 3 p.m. and made our way back to the hotel to have some down time before our dinner reservations.
At 8 p.m. we made our way to Saints & Sinners for dinner. Channing Tatum actually owns the restaurant so we absolutely had to go, unfortunately, he was not there. But the food was amazing so it was very worth it.
After dinner, we spent the night on Bourbon Street, of course, and had a fun time celebrating my birthday.
Friday
Friday was our traveling day, so we basically checked out of the hotel and found breakfast close to our hotel before making our way home.
We both were so tired by this day, and just ready to be home.
All in all the weekend was very eventful, but I had the best time. Thank you, Rachel for coming with me, and celebrating my 23rd birthday!
xx Jamie
I still think the lobster mac and cheese in Astoria was the best! So glad you got to visit New Oreleans! One day we will have to have a sisters vacay!!