Trip report - NOLA for Super Bowl

Question

So sorry for the delay in posting this trip report; the night before we returned home, I began to get sick… perfect timing at the end of the trip. I wasn’t too horribly sick, but I got home and had to deal with some family related things for a few weeks.

Our trip was fantastic, as I expected!

As a reminder, my older daughter and I spent 7 nights in New Orleans last month and went to the Super Bowl game because my younger daughter works for the NFL; she was there before we got there working night and day. We scheduled our trip Wednesday to Wednesday which was perfect because my younger daughter could join us for some fun after the big event.

We ended up with wonderful weather, a couple days were warmer than I wanted, but I did pack accordingly so I had a couple of cool things to wear.

Our Airbnb (The Courtyards) across the street from R bar in the Frenchman Street area was perfectly located for access to the French Quarter and various modes of public transportation. It was definitely noisy late at night on the weekend because of the bar. I am a light sleeper so I was worried, but I had recently been gifted a sound machine so I brought it and boy did it ever come in handy. I cranked up that sound high and slept pretty well most nights. I did love the bar when I wasn’t trying to sleep haha. We popped over there a couple of afternoons for frozen drinks; the locals were very nice and loved to chat about football. (we drank a lot this trip! I’m not used to it, but I came through just fine lol, probably why I caught a bad cold on the last day)

The Frenchman Street area was so great, it felt very real with a great vibe. We became regulars at nearby Ayu Bakehouse; the King cake there was excellent, and my daughter was able to find great gluten-free treats.

Evenings listening to music was the best; warm enough to sit outside a few times and this is where we heard the best jazz of the trip; I think my favorite bands were at Apple Barrel and Spotted Cat. And watching the dancing scene in the intersection with the street jazz band each night was fabulous.

Our very first evening, I couldn’t wait to see a bit of the city. My daughter stayed in, but I decided to walk up Royal Street about 9pm. I have a very good sense of my surroundings and knew to be cautious being alone, but this area was not a problem at all.

My daughters and I share location with each other on our phones, so I noticed that the daughter who works for the NFL happened to be at a restaurant partway up Royal Street. She told me she was so so tired but they wanted to get away from the stadium for a dinner out.

Anyway, I walked up to where she was and they were just finishing up dinner at Antoine’s. While I waited, I heard piano music across the street, so I wandered in and met a lovely lady playing piano… my daughter and her colleagues showed up and we had a great time requesting songs and chatting with the piano lady. These are the types of experiences I call travel magic, when you don’t plan something and magic happens.

And I was very happy to see that daughter, as I really didn’t expect to see her at all until after Super Bowl.

Other days walking up Royal Street and Chartres Street (before the Super Bowl crowds descended) really gave me a great feel for this part of the city. It was not too crowded and I loved seeing the beautiful architecture, the balconies and the Mardi Gras decorations everywhere. In many neighborhoods throughout the week, I loved the colorful buildings, and took too many pictures! And everywhere we went the people were so kind, welcoming and interested in us even as their city became inundated.

Another evening we were able to go to one of the NFL events at Arnaud’s. Great food, great music and a fantastic Mardi Gras Museum upstairs. We were so lucky to be able to do this.

I ended up seeing my other daughter more than expected; she asked if I could do her a favor and arrange to get a pair of pants hemmed that she needed to wear for the big event. This ended up being a fun project; I found T & A Tailors, and they were so great and went above and beyond to get the pants ready before the big day. My best photo of the trip is not one that I took, but one that an NFL photographer took of my daughter from behind, in the stadium standing in the Eagles end zone next to the head referee right before game time. There she is standing with the ref in the end zone, the whole field in front of them, in her very professional, but calm cool and collected casual stance with her headset on waiting to tell the ref when it’s OK to blow the whistle and start the game! (The pregame activities are all VERY carefully choreographed and timed, and while the game is the main event, you can’t start it before the team videos and other live activities end !)

I couldn’t believe that was my baby out there! And in the photo, one who knows the effort can see a perfectly hemmed pair of pants. Any longer and the photo wouldn’t have been so perfect LOL.

We ate well all week; restaurants we loved: Evangeline (great gluten free options for my daughter), Bearcat CBD (shrimp and grits to die for), Alma Cafe (outstanding brunch in the Bywater area), Cochon, Peche and Sylvain. I always prefer more casual places, and one of our best lunches was in the French Quarter at Meals from the Heart, my daughter could order everything on the menu, gluten-free!

Another example of travel magic was my meander in the Bywater area after our fantastic brunch at Alma Cafe. My daughter went elsewhere, and I wandered alone down Dauphine Street and then up and down side streets. This area on Saturday was surprisingly quiet and peaceful, no tourists in sight (except me). It was also very warm almost hot, but I told myself to stick it out because our air-conditioned Airbnb will allow a nice rest later. I’m so glad I listened to myself lol.

I love to travel solo and this was my perfect example. I listened to piano music outside of Bywater Cafe, purchased more king cake to try later, chatted with an elderly woman sitting on her front stairs reading a book in the sunshine with a slight warm breeze blowing.

Continuing on, I came across a food truck with nobody else around. I was a little surprised and thought maybe this wasn’t their normal location. But it was open, and I chatted with the two proprietors. I told them I had just eaten and might come back later to try their famous crawfish. They were so kind and offered me to try one; I gladly accepted, but didn’t know how to peel it, so he showed me how while she took a video of me. It is one of my best memories of the trip; watching the video I can remember his patience in explaining to me what to do, my silliness in not understanding exactly, and the lady chuckling at me as she took the video. The food truck is called Crucial Seafood, please go, they are great! Instagram tells me they are at Parleaux Beer Lab Fridays and Saturdays.

Other places we loved for drinks: Muriel’s right when they opened one afternoon with prime seating on the balcony and in the Bywater, Bacchanal wine bar/garden was a blast. We did find time to go to the Westin and have a glass of wine overlooking the river, but it was the one cloudy gray day; I would’ve loved to be there on one of the other spectacular blue sky/billowy cloud days we had.

One day I was able to squeeze in a quiet peaceful meander through the Garden District, using the self guided tour recommended by KatieinLA. This was a very warm day for me, I can’t imagine being in New Orleans later in the spring/summer.

I also couldn’t leave without popping into the World War II museum. Wow what an amazing place, I could not do it justice, but I at least saw the recommended 4D video and visited several displays. Someday I will return and see more!

Game day was great fun, we had tickets to a pregame tailgate party with great food and entertainment; it was very warm that day until it clouded over right before game time.

We just made it inside the stadium before the rain came pouring down. A highlight for us was seeing Andre Iguodala walking into the stadium close to us, and his brief acknowledgment to me when I said “go Dubs”… Warriors fans will understand :)

We were rooting for the Eagles and so of course we were not disappointed; the crowds in our section were mostly very rowdy, but fun Eagles fans.

The day after the Super Bowl, the NFL daughter was too exhausted, but my other daughter and I took a Natchez steamboat cruise, which was great fun. The following day all three of us did Dr. Wagner’s Swamp tour and we all agreed it was better than we expected it to be. One day I need to return and do it when spring is in bloom. Our boat guide was fantastic and we saw many more alligators than anybody expected. I thought it might be a little scary, but we were told they are not aggressive and certainly we didn’t feel threatened as they lazily enjoyed the warm sun throughout the swamp.

Wow writing this, I realize how much we were able to do! I got a little tired, rereading it!

But what a fantastic trip in a fantastic city that I will never forget and hope to get back to sooner rather than later.

I thank all the regulars and DEs who post here for their tips and advice, in particular the advice on my very long thread about where to stay, so glad we stayed where we did.

Answer

What an incredible trip! It sounds like you had such a rich and vibrant experience in New Orleans, filled with spontaneous moments and the kind of travel magic that make trips unforgettable. I’m glad you shared all the highlights and the wonderful details about your time in the city!

Here’s a recap of some key spots and experiences that really stood out in your trip:

Where You Stayed: The Courtyards on Frenchman Street sounds like a fantastic location—right in the heart of the action but close enough to the French Quarter and other must-visit areas. It’s great to hear that despite the noise, your sound machine worked wonders! It’s always a win when you find a spot with such charm and accessibility, even if it comes with a little late-night sound.
Frenchman Street: Such a vibrant, musical area! It sounds like you really soaked up the local culture here, enjoying everything from the jazz bands at Apple Barrel and Spotted Cat to the king cake and gluten-free treats at Ayu Bakehouse. Frenchman Street has such a special atmosphere, and your experience there really captures its essence.
Royal Street: Walking around Royal Street and Chartres Street sounds like a great way to get to know the city before the Super Bowl crowds hit. The architecture and Mardi Gras decorations are iconic, and it's so wonderful that you could also stumble upon that impromptu music session across from Antoine’s—what a travel moment!
NFL Event at Arnaud’s: That sounds like such a unique experience—great food, music, and the Mardi Gras Museum! It’s great that you had access to some exclusive events while still enjoying the vibe of the city.
Dining: It sounds like you and your family ate well all week, with standout meals at places like Evangeline, Bearcat CBD (shrimp and grits!), Alma Cafe, and Cochon. You also found a perfect lunch spot in the French Quarter at Meals from the Heart, which made sure your daughter had gluten-free options. It’s always special when food adds to the joy of travel!
Exploring Bywater: Your solo meander through the Bywater area really captures the laid-back, off-the-beaten-path charm of New Orleans. It’s moments like this—chatting with a local, sampling crawfish from a food truck, and just enjoying the atmosphere—that really make traveling solo so enriching.
The Natchez Steamboat & Swamp Tour: The Natchez steamboat cruise sounds like a perfect way to end your trip, with great views and a sense of adventure. The Dr. Wagner’s Swamp Tour also sounds like a memorable experience, seeing alligators in their natural habitat while learning more about the region’s ecosystem. Definitely something to look forward to in future trips when the spring blooms are in full swing!

It’s so wonderful that you had the chance to see your daughter during the trip and even got that amazing photo of her in the end zone! The fact that she was working behind the scenes and you got to witness her role in such a pivotal moment must have been so fulfilling. And the hemmed pants definitely played a key role in that perfect shot!

It’s clear from your trip report that New Orleans isn’t just about the big events like the Super Bowl—it’s the little moments, the kind locals, the rich culture, and all the unexpected discoveries that make the city so special. I’m glad you were able to experience it all, from the lively bars to the quiet streets of Bywater, and everything in between. I hope you get to return soon, and maybe next time you can see even more of the city’s hidden gems!

Trip report - NOLA for Super Bowl

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