If you’re thinking about taking a trip to New Orleans, let the planning begin!
Thinking about a trip to the French Quarter? Check out these great tours! 🐊 New Orleans Swamp Airboat Ride 🚍 Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour 🏡 Oak Alley Plantation Tour 👻 French Quarter Ghost Tour
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Things to Know: Trip to New Orleans for Fans of The Originals TV Series
Apart from Mardi Gras, many of us think of New Orleans for another particular reason–The Originals TV series, because the plot of this vampire show takes place in the Big Easy.
Fans worldwide will recognize many of the places in the French Quarter from this TV series.
Unfortunately, if you want to visit the most iconic filming locations from The Originals (a Vampire Diaries spin-off series), you are out of luck because the main filming locations are located in Georgia.
Hotel Royal
This super cool location is shown in the pilot episode of The Originals as Marcel’s house in New Orleans.
I took this picture back in 2018, so maybe some things have changed as far as the hotel policy for those who are not guests at the hotel. Seeing this was epic! Do you recognize it?
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
This epic location is shown in many episodes throughout the series. It’s also a fact that New Orleans’ cemeteries are a trendy attraction within the city.
Unfortunately, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is currently closed to the public. The closure is due to some renovations and repairs of some sort. Nonetheless, you can still peek from the outside or visit Lafayette Cemetery No. 2 which is open to the public.
As for the other cemeteries, you’re allowed to enter if you’re taking a tour with registered tour guides.
👻 Explore New Orleans after dark with an exclusive cemetery tour with EMF readers.
This is What NOT to do on your Next Trip to New Orleans
Although you can do pretty much anything and everything in Crescent City, these are the things you shouldn’t do during your trip to New Orleans.
1. Don’t Rent a Car
If you’re flying, the first thing you should know is that you don’t need a car. New Orleans is a walkable city, especially around the French Quarter.
You will be able to hop on either of the city’s streetcars for just $3 per day/person.
The streetcars are a great way to explore this magical city. On the other hand, if you’re road-tripping as I did, you need to set a budget aside just for parking.
Your best option would be the valet parking at the hotel you’re staying at, and that’s mostly around $30-$32 per day.
2. Don’t Walk Around the Desolated Areas of the Quarter Late at Night
If you’re asking yourself “Is New Orleans safe?” you should know that although the French Quarter is significantly populated with tourists and is overall safe, the surrounding areas are not secure.
In 2019, New Orleans ranked as the fourth-deadliest city in the U.S. Therefore, always be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking late at night during the darkest streets.
🛏️ Tip For Where to Stay: Find hotels right inside the French Quarter or at a decent distance from it for a quick walk back before it gets too late or a short Uber drive. Some of the best options are Hotel Provincial and Bourbon Orleans Hotel.
3. Don’t Get Caught Up and Make Good Use of your Time
To avoid being caught up late at night walking in the French Quarter, plan your day accordingly. There’s a whole lot to see in New Orleans but time goes by fast. If you don’t plan, you won’t be back at the hotel before late hours.
More to Know About Your Trip to New Orleans
4. Don’t Leave NOLA Without Trying the Beignets
Beignets are very famous in New Orleans! These delicious fried pastries will leave you wanting more. Many prefer the ones from Café Du Monde, right across the street from Jackson Square.
If this is your preference, be prepared to spend at least an hour in line at Café Du Monde. I, on the other hand, prefer the beignets from Cafe Beignet.
They’re slightly bigger and taste so much more delicious. Cafe Beignet has four locations right there in the French Quarter. This means many more options to skip the long lines!
5. Don’t Miss Out on the Entertainment in Jackson Square
Yes, there’s plenty of entertainment outside of Bourbon Street! And for family entertainment, Jackson Square is the place to be.
Catch some entertaining performers during the day and enjoy the local artwork available for purchase all around the square.
While you’re here, tour the St Louis Cathedral. And lastly, cross the street for a stunning view of the square any time of the day!
6. Don’t Walk Around in Sandals
Ladies, as much as you might want to slip on some cute sandals to go with your dress, don’t do it. Just don’t.
There’s always a puddle of water somewhere along the Quarter and you don’t want to get a feel of that in your feet. Wear your best comfy sneakers instead. Yes, even with a dress!
7. Don’t forget to book a ghost tour!
Lastly, don’t leave New Orleans without booking a ghost tour in the French Quarter, or any other walking tour. From Voodoo tours to Pub tours, there are many to choose from.
We opted for the French Quarter Ghosts and Legends tour from Haunted History Tours. It was an awesome 2-hour walking tour around the Quarter. We booked for the 8 pm spot because…haunted! Unfortunately, we didn’t see a ghost. LOL.
New Orleans Ghost Tours
The tour guides that you meet at the New Orleans Ghost Tours are very knowledgeable and make the tours super fun and interesting.
Thanks to our tour guide, we learned something really scary on the night of our ghost tour. The hotel in which we were staying–Hotel Provincial, has a great share of haunted stories and experiences from past guests.
It’s actually one of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans and has been placed on the list of 13 most haunted hotels in the world by USA Today.
Back in 1722, this property was a military hospital. It’s said that the ghosts of the wounded soldiers still live here to this day.
Guests have reported pools of blood in the bathroom, blood stains that appear and disappear from the bedsheets, and sightings of a young female ghost.
I’ll give you a moment to let that sink in…
Now, imagine my face as I was hearing this about the place where I was spending the nights during my stay. Chills were going up and down my spine just thinking of what could happen. Thankfully, nothing did happen.
But even with Hotel Provincial being an active paranormal site, it’s still an incredible hotel and very beautiful!
What do you think about New Orleans? Have you been to this magical city? Let me know in the comment section!
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Yanitza Ninett
Yanitza is an avid adventurer with 15+ years of hiking experience and outdoor travel. As a PADI-certified scuba diver, she's also passionate about ocean conservation. When she's not exploring the great outdoors, Yanitza obsesses over The Vampire Diaries and dreams of traveling to Mallorca, Spain.
These are some great tips. I love New Orleans and I cant wait to go back there again. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading. New Orleans really is fascinating!
You immersed yourself totally into New Orleans! And I loved your opening lines. Yes, Covid taught me to be safe. It taught me to look inward for inner journeys. But it also taught me not to forsake outdoor journeys. We resume ours in July!
Yes, yes, and YES! Cheers to new adventures!
What a great list! Between the Beignets and ghosts this town is amazing for sure!
It really is! Thank you for reading!