"Not Too Touristy?" : A slightly exasperated, loving response.
“Off the beaten path.”
“Not too touristy.”
“Authentic.”
Sigh. First off, in all earnestness—welcome to our home. We are so glad to have you! And I truly applaud your effort to seek out the heart of New Orleans.
Here’s the great news: you’ve already found it.
One of the things that makes our town so unique is that about 90% of the activities and restaurants are locally owned and operated. We take tremendous pride in our local community. So those spots labeled as “too touristy”? Many hold real cultural value. Let’s take a look at a few!
________________________________________________________________
This gets tagged as “too touristy” all the time—but with our riverboat history dating back to 1812, and both the joys and tragedies tied to these iconic vessels, it’s undoubtedly an authentic experience.
Sure, locals will tell you the best food is on land, and that’s true—but for a family just getting to know us? It’s a lovely, gentle way to experience the river and try milder versions of local dishes.
Been there, done that?
Awesome—now take it further. Get out to the bayou or swamps on a kayak tour! (They’re more stable than you think!) Paddle through cypress groves and get a true taste of Louisiana’s natural beauty.
________________________________________________________________
St. Louis Cemetery #1 dates back to 1789, with a regionally specific burial style, and it’s filled with the stories of noted heroes and villains.
Is it called “too touristy”? Wild. Every cemetery here offers unique perspectives and tales.
Been there, done that?
Explore St. Louis #3 on a guided tour. Take a driving tour of Metairie Cemetery, or even a night tour with exclusive access, led by a respectful host. (PM me for that one.)
________________________________________________________________
"Ugh, don’t go there. There’s soooo much better food." Okay. Sure. But let’s check the pretension at the door for a second.
Both places offer iconic entry-level experiences. Could you find a better breakfast than at Court of Two Sisters? Absolutely. But imagine: you’ve just arrived from (insert beloved hometown), and in front of you are 40 new foods you’ve never tried, available in sample sizes. That’s a win.
As for Pat O’Brien’s—maybe you’ve been drinking German-style pilsners your whole life, and now you’re in a courtyard watching a flaming fountain, sipping a hurricane, listening to dueling pianos. Touristy? Yes. Joyful? Also yes.
Been there, done that?
Great! Venture into the Marigny and have breakfast at Who Dat Coffee & Café (get the corncakes—you’ll thank me later). In the same neighborhood, try Alma for a Honduran breakfast. Want a better hurricane? Go to Tujague’s (no corn syrup!). Or dive into a cocktail history tour or mixing class—our cocktail history is a boozy time machine.
________________________________________________________________
Again, remember—someone made that food. Someone (hopefully locally) caught that fish, that crawfish, that oyster. The vast majority of our restaurants are locally owned. If it’s a chain you could visit in another city? Maybe try something else. But there’s no shame either way—just keep it real, keep it local.
Been there, done that?
I assure you—you haven’t. I’ve been eating here for 21 years, and I’m still discovering new places. Want really off the beaten path?
Follow Ms. Linda’s Yakamein on social media and find her next pop-up.
Love Jazz Fest food stalls? Track those vendors down in real life.
Love beignets? Head to Tremé and try NOLA Calas.
________________________________________________________________
Being a world traveler means letting go of creature comforts. It means sitting at tables with people who look, think, and love differently than you. Want to eat where the locals eat? We’d love to have you!
But we do eat in the French Quarter. And the Garden District.
Also: Mid-City. Central City. The 9th Ward.
Each neighborhood is authentic in its own way. Each has value—but not all have the tourist infrastructure you might be used to. Pack flexibility in your mindset. You’ll be rewarded for it.
________________________________________________________________
In the spirit of the “off the beaten path” theme, here are a few ideas often overlooked by tourists:
Rent a pontoon boat on Lake Pontchartrain (with or without a guide—with might be better!)
Take a sunset walk around the Audubon Park loop
Hire a professional photographer to shoot couple/family/solo photos in City Park
Play a round of disc golf at the beautiful City Park course
Watch the sunset on the lake’s south shore
Ride the ferry to Algiers Point (then grab tacos at Barracuda)
Visit lesser-known museums like Hermann-Grima House or the new Storyville Museum
________________________________________________________________
That part of you—the one judging activities or restaurants as “too touristy”? Give it a hug. Let it take a back seat to the compassionate, curious, open-hearted explorer in you.
This town welcomes you.
You are about to experience a life-changing trip.