Short trips are always my favorite. I don’t have to spend days planning outfits or mapping out adventures, and I don’t have to burden anyone with constantly checking on my cats. Short trips are just easy! Besides, there are so many places to sample. Why commit to a long vacation when you can squeeze in a little adventure closer to home?

Last October, we ventured to New Orleans. The city had so much to offer in the fall, but cool weather wasn’t on the list. It was HOT! Apparently, New Orleans hadn’t gotten the memo that October is supposed to feel like fall.

Here are a few highlights from our New Orleans trip…..

We booked our trip through Priceline because we found a great deal. We aren’t particularly picky about flight times, and we’re not loyal to any particular airline, so it works well for us. Our friends joined us, too, which made the trip even more memorable.

To save money on airport parking, we parked at a nearby hotel that offered extended parking. Their shuttle dropped us and our luggage right at the terminal, saving us a good bit of extra walking. I’m all for saving money, especially when it also saves my feet!

Before we knew it, we were in the air with snacks in hand. As a nervous flyer, I always make a glass of wine a priority. Some people meditate. Others practice deep breathing. I prefer a little liquid encouragement!

The flight was short, and we arrived safely. It was truly a beautiful day to fly! Holly and I snapped a quick airport photo, already excited to start our adventure.

And yes, I’m wearing black. I almost always wear black when I travel. Why? Because I’ve had wine spilled on me before, and I’ve learned my lesson. Black is slimming, chic, and much more forgiving when an unfortunate wine incident occurs. Consider it my travel uniform.

We were eager to see our hotel! I’d read that Hotel Monteleone was one of Louisiana’s most haunted hotels, and if you know Holly and me, you know we LOVE a haunted hotel. Give us a little history, a few ghost stories, and the possibility of a paranormal encounter, and we’re all in!

The haunted reputation was a bonus, though. I’d originally chosen the hotel because the online pictures were absolutely gorgeous, and I hoped the real thing would live up to them.

Oh, did it ever! From the moment we stepped inside, the hotel had that elegant, old-world charm I love. The beautiful architectural details, rich textures, and inviting atmosphere made it feel as though we’d stepped back into another era. History lingered in every corner, with just enough mystery to make us wonder what stories those walls could tell. I could practically imagine the ghosts checking in alongside the living guests!

And the service? Impeccable. The hotel was every bit as lovely as I’d hoped, and we hadn’t even begun our New Orleans adventures. Of course, I was still curious about those ghost stories. You can read about it here. I mean, if you’re going to stay in a haunted hotel, you really hope the ghosts show up. Preferably not in the middle of the night…

After checking in, we freshened up for dinner and walked across the street to Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse. You know I love a restaurant that’s just a short stroll away! Especially when the alternative involves figuring out transportation in a new city.

I always worry a little about food when traveling, since my diet can make dining out a bit of a challenge. Thankfully, they accommodated me with a delicious piece of fish cooked in butter. Simple, but perfect!

I’m usually the person who orders protein, a glass of wine, and skips the sides. So, while everyone else may be photographing elaborate meals, my food pictures tend to be a little… underwhelming. Apparently, a beautifully cooked piece of fish doesn’t always make for Instagram-worthy content. At least the wine is photogenic.

After dinner, we decided to explore Bourbon Street. I was fairly certain I might lose my life before the evening was over. It was dirty, people were yelling, and there was security everywhere. I had never experienced anything quite like it. Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly the charming, romantic New Orleans experience I’d imagined.

And we haven’t even discussed the contact high we all probably experienced by the end of the evening. By the time I got back to the hotel, I could practically smell Bourbon Street in my hair. Straight to the shower I went. Some souvenirs are better left behind!

Since we were all a little disgusted by our first adventure, we decided to call it an early night. And no, I didn’t take a single picture of that hot mess. Some experiences simply don’t deserve a place in the photo album.

Thankfully, the next morning brought a fresh start. I woke up feeling much more hopeful. A good cup of coffee and a fluffy hotel bathrobe can do wonders for one’s disposition. I was ready to give New Orleans another chance, especially after learning that the streets are washed down every night! After our first evening on Bourbon Street, I was happy to know the city had a morning-after cleanup crew. Apparently, even New Orleans needs to tidy up after a wild night out!

We headed out for breakfast and settled on a small restaurant nearby that our hotel doorman recommended: Mena’s Palace. It was cozy and welcoming, exactly what we needed after the previous evening’s adventures.

Best of all, I enjoyed an omelet and a mimosa. Breakfast, coffee, and a little bubbly? Now this was more like the New Orleans experience I had in mind. We were officially back on track!

We spent the day exploring New Orleans, and although it was HOT, the sky was the most beautiful shade of blue. The kind of blue that makes every picture look better! We may have been melting a little, but the weather still cooperated for the photos. There’s only so much a cute outfit can do when you’re sweating through it.

New Orleans was so much artsier than I had imagined! I loved wandering past the art displays, discovering local artists, and learning more about Louisiana’s rich history. Everywhere we went had so much character, and every turn offered something new to admire.

We took the trolley to explore different parts of the city, which made sightseeing easy and gave our feet a break. I only wish I’d taken more pictures! Apparently, I was too busy taking it all in to remember to document it.

The historic neighborhoods were especially beautiful, with rows of gorgeous old houses, charming architecture, and so much personality. And since we were visiting in October, nearly every home, restaurant, and shop was decked out in its Halloween best. Pumpkins, spooky decorations, and festive displays were everywhere!

I do love a town that embraces a holiday, and New Orleans certainly didn’t disappoint. With the art, history, and Halloween decorations, there was plenty to keep us entertained. If only the weather had gotten the memo that it was supposed to be fall!

Later that evening, we boarded the Creole Queen for a jazz river cruise along the Mississippi River. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! With live jazz, beautiful river views, and city lights reflecting on the water, it was a memorable way to experience New Orleans.

I was especially glad I’d packed a sweater because the evening turned surprisingly chilly. Apparently, October in New Orleans likes to keep us guessing. One minute you’re melting in the sunshine, and the next you’re wishing you’d brought another layer!

The atmosphere was wonderful, the scenery was beautiful, and the music made the whole experience feel quintessentially New Orleans. It was the perfect evening, and one I would happily repeat in a heartbeat. Some experiences are worth every penny, and this was certainly one of them!

After the cruise, we happily walked back to the hotel, grateful that we’d discovered a much better side of New Orleans. The beautiful views, the jazz, and the peaceful river had certainly helped redeem our first impression!

In hindsight, here’s some good travel advice: get a good dinner, get a good night’s sleep, and give a destination another chance in the morning. Everything looks brighter when you’re rested and no longer questioning your life choices on Bourbon Street!

The next morning, we discovered Coterie, which quickly became my favorite breakfast spot. I had one of the best omelets of my life, paired with a Chambord mimosa. Now this was my kind of New Orleans experience!

Fueled by a fabulous breakfast, we set out to shop. I’d spotted a bracelet that I absolutely had to have, and Bruce needed a blazer. You see, we had dinner reservations the following evening at a restaurant that required one, and Bruce had left his at home. Thankfully, New Orleans has plenty of shopping, so finding him a blazer became an unexpected addition to our itinerary.

After all that shopping, we were ready for a break. We stopped at Bourbon House for a bourbon tasting, which I would highly recommend! It was a fun way to learn a little more about the local spirit, and we discovered a few new favorites along the way.

Shopping, bourbon tasting, and a little retail therapy? Not a bad way to spend an afternoon in New Orleans!

We enjoyed Bourbon House so much that we returned for dinner that evening. I’ll spare you another picture of fish and butter. You’re welcome!

But the real surprise was Bourbon Street after dark. It was SO much better than our first experience! The streets were alive with music; a jazz band played, people laughed and had a wonderful time, and the whole place felt almost magical. This was the New Orleans I’d imagined!

We even collected beads! And before your imagination runs wild, let me assure you that no body parts were exposed in exchange for them. We got our souvenirs the old-fashioned way.

It just goes to show that sometimes a place deserves a second chance. Our first night had me ready to pack my bags and flee, but our second evening had me embracing the fun. Now this was the Bourbon Street experience I’d come for!

Of course, we couldn’t visit New Orleans without taking a ghost tour! At least, we started one. We just weren’t feeling it. There was a lot of standing around, and after days of exploring in that heat, our feet had apparently decided they were done with paranormal investigations.

My advice? Do your research and read reviews before booking a ghost tour. I’m sure there are fantastic ones in New Orleans; we just didn’t choose the right one. Even ghost hunting requires a little planning!

After abandoning the tour, we decided to explore on our own. Since we were staying at a hotel rumored to be haunted, we were still hoping for a little spooky excitement. Then we stumbled upon this hallway, and Holly and I immediately thought of The Shining. Naturally, we had to take a picture!

By the next day, we’d reached that point in a trip when the sightseeing starts to feel a little less exciting, and sitting down with a good drink sounds like the best adventure of all! We explored a little more, but three days in New Orleans turned out to be just right for us. We’d seen plenty, and we were ready to slow down. I’ve learned that downtime is essential when traveling. After all, a vacation shouldn’t feel like a full-time job!

I was especially happy to discover that my new bracelet matched a dress I’d packed. It was a little pricey, but considering how much I’ve worn it over the past year, I’d say it was money well spent. Cost per wear, y’all! That’s how I justify a good purchase.

Our hotel had the famous Carousel Bar that actually revolved! It was always packed in the evenings, so we’d never managed to get a seat. That afternoon, we took advantage of the quieter atmosphere and practically had the place to ourselves.

Naturally, I ordered espresso martinis because they matched my outfit. Is there a better reason? We sipped our drinks, watched people come and go, and enjoyed having absolutely nowhere we needed to be. Sometimes the best travel moments aren’t about sightseeing at all. They’re about finding a lovely spot, ordering something delicious, and watching the world go by.

That evening’s dinner became our favorite of the entire trip! We had reservations at Galatoire’s, and it exceeded every expectation. Bruce also had a new blazer, thanks to our shopping mission the day before. Thankfully, New Orleans had plenty of shopping, and I got a bracelet out of the deal. I’d say we both came out winners.

I honestly can’t remember what I wore that night, which is unusual for me. I’m usually much better at remembering outfits than trip details! But I do remember the atmosphere. Galatoire’s had that classic country club feel I love—elegant, sophisticated, and full of old-world charm.

And the food? Absolutely amazing. I ate every single bite, including dessert, which should tell you everything you need to know. You know a restaurant is special when even my usual protein-and-wine routine goes out the window!

If I could do one dinner in New Orleans all over again, this would be it. Some restaurants are simply worth dressing up for—and this was definitely one of them.

New Orleans was such a memorable trip! It reminded me just how many wonderful places are only a short plane ride away. You don’t always need an elaborate itinerary or a week of vacation to make beautiful memories. Sometimes, three days, good friends, a little adventure, and a few espresso martinis are all you need!

I can’t wait to share more of the places I’ve visited this year. There are so many adventures to tell you about, and I’m grateful to have these memories to look back on.

Most of all, I’m thankful for Bruce, who understands that travel is my love language and makes so many of these adventures possible. Seeing new places, discovering beautiful things, and sharing experiences with the people I enjoy makes me happier than almost anything else.

After all, the world is full of places to explore, and I have no intention of running out of adventures anytime soon!

The memories I’m making are worth far more than any souvenir (even the bracelet), and I can’t wait to see where our next adventure takes us.