00:00Every year my siblings and I take a trip to a new city and this one time in New
00:05Orleans let me tell you we brought back some amazing memories. New Orleans has
00:10some serious character, quirk, and charm and don't mind the insanely cool vintage
00:14shopping, the gram-worthy foodie scene, and the colorful French inspired
00:18neighborhoods. Are you ready? Let's start with the basics where to drop my bags and
00:23fall into my bed after an epic New Orleans day. The Henry Howard Hotel is
00:28located in the historic Garden District and dates all the way back to 1867. It
00:34was originally built as a double-parlored mansion by architect Henry Howard who is
00:39our namesake. It was built for a millionaire but since then it's been
00:43renovated into this beautiful luxury hotel. We all really want to make the
00:48Henry Howard a story experience for our guests and for our visitors and for them
00:52to feel kind of the history and to imagine what it might have been like. Every
00:57detail here is flawless from the furniture to the custom-made wallpaper this hotel
01:02is perfect for a weekend getaway. The staff is friendly and welcoming and the
01:06beds I could say wrapped in these pillows and sheets all day but I just got here
01:11and it's time to explore. One of my favorite things to do is take a step back in
01:14time and hop on the St. Charles Streetcar to get around town. You pass through all
01:18the old architecture and gorgeous oak tree-lined streets. New Orleans is
01:23probably best known for its beignets and Bourbon Street and don't get me wrong
01:26that's a great time but let's take a look at the NOLA outside of the tour scene. I'm
01:31looking for a few great meals and stories to take back to New York with me.
01:35Katie's is a neighborhood restaurant for the entire city. It's a gumbo of culture.
01:41This neighborhood establishment is still serving traditional New Orleans
01:45cuisine up to all its loyal customers. We work as a family here it's a really
01:49close-knit restaurant and I met my wife here. I hired her as a waitress back in
01:54the 90s and we're living the dream today. Okay now that I'm nice and full it's time
01:58to work off that lunch the best way I know how. Shopping! This is my favorite
02:03part of any trip. I love finding new treasures that I can take back home with
02:07me. Every time I wear them it reminds me of my trip and my fun memories there.
02:10This trip I'm hitting up St. Claude Social Club for some serious hunting. This unique
02:15spot was created by two women, four women, to create an artistic space while
02:19making a statement about the city's style. Bold, colorful, eclectic. Which is
02:24honestly wardrobe goals. We wanted to make a store that kind of embodied what we
02:30thought New Orleans fashion was. That is like colorful and fun. We want anyone to
02:37walk in here and find something that they can connect with. The Social Club aspect is a
02:41big thing in New Orleans. It's not that men are not allowed here. We just really
02:45want to celebrate women here. That's why we have this like women's parlor aspect so
02:50that women can come in and do creative things together. New Orleans is one of the
02:56best places for food and this is coming from a current New Yorker. Right now we're
03:00at Paladar 511. Their massive open kitchen and industrial vibe is a far cry
03:05from Bourbon Street. The San Francisco native team who opened this place wanted to
03:09highlight amazing New Orleans ingredients but in a way that was new and let me
03:13tell you they nailed it. From the boozy classic cocktails to the fresh tuna
03:17crudo, this meal was fantastic. But you better leave some room for dessert because
03:22I'm checking out a special place you can have your cake and your bourbon too. Bakery
03:28Bar is my dream spot tucked away in the Lower Garden District. Here you can sample
03:32some of New Orleans traditional d'auberge eight layer cake along with a
03:35delicious cocktail. Sign me up please. Bakery Bar is the storefront of Debbie
04:05and then there's some icing between the layers. It's pudding. So you stack up the layers
04:09and then pour fondant icing on the outside and you've got to a bash.
04:19The best part of the New Orleans nightlife is that every night is a party. You can't come here
04:23without a walk down Frenchman Street. On weeknights you can pop by the art market
04:27and see what local artists are creating in this inspiring city. Take a picture in front of
04:31the old historic walks and catch a jazz band playing late into the night. Now this party
04:35is just getting started but don't take it from me. You gotta explore this place for yourself.
04:40From the people to the food to the art and to the music, New Orleans is a city you can't
04:47just visit once.
