We’ve compiled a round up of optional activities for you to engage in on Saturday, November 2nd before the official start of the conference on Sunday, November 3rd. We hope you’ll join us on Saturday to take advantage of all that New Orleans has to offer, ground yourself in place, history, culture, and community. Take a look at a round up of offerings to engage in and personalize your learning experience in NOLA!
Food
Bearcat Cafe CBD
Address: 845 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Cuisine: Warehouse-chic restaurant popular for breakfast and brunch.
Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop
Address: 2309 N Causeway Blvd, Metairie, LA 70001
Cuisine: Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop is a destination for authentic Creole and Cajun flavors. Guests can savor dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys, all prepared with a focus on traditional Louisiana cuisine.
Cochon
Address: 930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Cuisine: Cochon is celebrated for its contemporary take on traditional Southern and Cajun dishes. The menu features a variety of pork-centric creations and locally inspired cuisine.
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant
Address: 2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
Cuisine: Dooky Chase’s is a historic Creole restaurant known for its rich history and contributions to the civil rights movement. The menu features traditional Creole and Southern dishes, including gumbo, fried chicken, and red beans and rice.
French Truck Coffee
Address: 650 Poydras St Suite 102, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Cuisine: Relaxed destination with a hip vibe offering house-roasted coffees & local pastries.
Little Korea BBQ
Address: 2240 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Cuisine: Little Korea BBQ is a destination for those craving Korean barbecue. Guests can enjoy grilling a variety of meats at their table, accompanied by traditional Korean side dishes.
Peche Seafood Grill
Address: 800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Cuisine: Peche Seafood Grill is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant that specializes in fresh, Gulf seafood. The menu is diverse, offering a selection of oysters, grilled fish, and other seafood delicacies.
Magasin Vietnamese Cafe
Address: 4201 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Cuisine: Magasin Vietnamese Cafe is a go-to spot for authentic Vietnamese cuisine. From pho to banh mi and fresh spring rolls, the restaurant offers a diverse menu of traditional Vietnamese dishes.
McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin’
Address: 1458 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Cuisine: McHardy’s is a local favorite for chicken and soul food. Known for its flavorful fried chicken and sides, it offers a taste of Southern comfort in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Mopho
Address: 514 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
Cuisine: Mopho is known for its innovative take on Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisine. The menu features a fusion of traditional flavors with a modern twist, offering dishes that reflect the vibrancy of both worlds.
Morrow’s
Address: 2438 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
Cuisine: Morrow’s is a Creole and seafood restaurant with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. The menu includes a variety of flavorful dishes, and the restaurant has a laid-back, neighborhood vibe.
Saffron NOLA
Address: 4128 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Cuisine: Saffron NOLA brings the rich and aromatic flavors of Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine to New Orleans. The menu is crafted with a modern approach, offering a culinary exploration of spices and textures.
Sweet Soulfood
Address: 1025 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Cuisine: Sweet Soulfood is a vegan restaurant specializing in plant-based versions of Southern and Soul Food classics. The menu includes dishes like vegan mac ‘n’ cheese, BBQ tofu, and sweet potato pie.
Willa Jean
Address: 611 O’Keefe Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113
Cuisine: Willa Jean is known for its Southern-inspired menu and bakery offerings. Guests can enjoy a casual atmosphere with a selection of comfort food, baked goods, and creative brunch options.
Shopping
Community Book Center
The Community Book Center features African-centered literature, art, fabric, jewelry, and other gifts and trinkets. This New Orleans staple also hosts events like book signings for locals and tourists to enjoy!
Baldwin and Co Bookstore
This bookstore works to serve individuals, business, and nonprofits by using the power of books to inspire social justice. A vibrant community hub, Baldwin and Co donates hundreds of books, food, and beverages to impoverished communities throughout New Orleans.
Magazine Street
Magazine Street is a six-mile stretch of shopping bliss, featuring a diverse array of boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and local shops. You can find everything from fashion and jewelry to home décor and unique gifts.
Fulton Street
Fulton Street is a pedestrian-friendly area in the Central Business District, offering shopping, dining, and entertainment. Explore shops and boutiques along the way and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Frenchmen Art Market
Frenchmen Art Market is an open-air market featuring local artists and their handmade crafts. It’s a great place to find unique art pieces, jewelry, and other handmade items in a vibrant setting.
Rouses Market
Rouses Market is a local grocery store chain with several locations in New Orleans. In addition to groceries, you can find a selection of local products, including snacks, sauces, and spices.
Antiques on Jackson
If you’re a fan of antiques, head to Antiques on Jackson. This warehouse-style shop in the Arts/Warehouse District is filled with unique vintage finds and collectibles.
Aunt Sally’s Praline Shop
For a sweet taste of New Orleans, visit Aunt Sally’s Praline Shop. They specialize in pralines, a traditional Southern confection, and offer a variety of other delicious treats.
The French Market
Since 1791, the French Market has served as a symbol of progress and pride for the people of New Orleans. Indulge in the cuisine of the city, shop for unique items, or enjoy a performance all in this cultural city landmark!
Entertainment
Backstreet Cultural Museum
Located in the historic Treme neighborhood of New Orleans, which is one of the nation’s oldest African American neighborhoods, the Backstreet Cultural Museum boasts artifacts and archives of the many traditions and customs that once and still do roam the streets of New Orleans.
French Quarter Phantoms
For those who love cemetery tours or spooky history about different cities, this one’s for you. Visitors start their journey in “the office” which is actually in the back of a bar on Rampart street, and continue on a tour to learn about the spooky legends that New Orleans has to offer.
Haunted History Tours
The largest and longest operating walking tour company in New Orleans, Haunted History Tours is renowned for incredible storytelling and wow-worthy explorations. We use only the industry’s best guides and storytellers: Expect to walk away impressed. Our tours are mildly theatrical, hugely historical, and thoroughly entertaining. Both a learning experience and a great way to see New Orleans, our tours give you a well-rounded experience with a twist.
Offerings include:
New Orleans True Crime Tour
New Orleans Daytime Cemetery Tour
French Quarter Ghost & Legends Tour
New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl
And many more!
JAMNOLA
JAMNOLA, New Orleans’ cultural funhouse, is a topsy-turvy stroll through 17 exhibits celebrating art, music, and theatrics of The Big Easy. Enjoy some seriously fun selfie opportunities along the way – think larger-than-life crawfish, baby doll umbrellas, a golden gator, and more! Purchase in advance at Jamnola.com using coupon code AURORA for 15% off!
Kermit’s Treme Mother in Law Lounge
This lounge has been a hangout spot for local musicians in New Orleans since the 1990’s and has become a “shrine to New Orleans music.” This great entertainment spot remains a lively place for both locals and tourists to enjoy live music daily from some of the city’s best artists.
Le Museé de Free People of Color
This is the only museum in the United States dedicated to preserving the history of free people of color. Take a look at this important history through art and artifacts that commemorate the histories and present lives of Black people in New Orleans and beyond.
New Orleans Museum of Jazz
The New Orleans Museum of Jazz celebrates the rich history of jazz in the city where it was born. Through immersive programming and impressive exhibits, this museum only adds to the ongoing cultural renaissance by allowing visitors to explore this dynamic branch of music.
New Orleans African American Museum
This interactive and immersive museum takes you through the history of African American people in New Orleans and the greater African diaspora in the Deep South. There is so much to enjoy and learn through the museums exhibits and events, which include festival-like experiences for both children and adults.
New Orleans Museum of Art
One of the South’s most impressive art collections, this beautiful building is in City Park, and boasts a five acre sculpture garden, greenery that surround beautiful pieces of art, and a large collection of French and American art featuring everything from fashion to media.
Preservation Hall
In the heart of the French Quarter is this iconic venue home to daily jazz performances and other live music performances. This historic building was where racially integrated bands in the South shared music together during the Jim Crow Era, and ultimately, is a symbol of great progress in the city of New Orleans.
Sazerac House
Sazerac House offers free, self-guided tours daily, departing continuously between 11 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. The tours typically take anywhere from 45-90 minutes and guests receive three free cocktail samples throughout the museum. We also have a gift shop and distillery on the first floor, which guests are welcome to visit. Guests can simply sign up for a self-guided tour on our website or by walk-in at the day and time of their choosing.
As a special treat, we offer three exclusive public tasting classes daily, each accommodating up to 14 guests. These classes, which are live for bookings approximately 45-60 days in advance on our website, provide a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the world of cocktails and whiskey. The class schedule is as follows: 12pm Tropical Cocktails, 2pm Sazerac Cocktail, and 4pm Whiskey Grid Tasting. You can find detailed descriptions for each class on the reserve page of our website.
Studio BE
Studio BE has quickly become a cultural landmark in the city of New Orleans. A space for local community and artists to showcase the things they create, this space welcomes visitors from around the globe, and urges visitors to think about a future that benefits all.
The National World War 2 Museum
This world class history museum boasts exhibits and thousands of visitors every day who want to learn about the “war that changed the world.” It includes large scale reconstructions of scenes from the war, films, and other exhibits to show the history of this turning point in history.
UniqueNola
COUPON CODE: SETSER24
UniqueNola offers six tours at various times of day to suit various schedules. Their most popular includes the Sinister Criminal Intentions, Lewd Spirits (for adults), and the Family Friendly Ghost Tour for all ages.
Here’s the schedule, daily (all times US Central):
Garden District Tour: 10am
The Local’s Guide to the French Quarter Tour: 10am + 4pm
Pestilence, Pandemic & Plague Tour: 1pm
Kid-friendly Ghost Tour: 5pm
Sinister Criminal Intentions: The Original True Crime Tour: 4pm + 7pm
Our Favorite Ghosts Tour: 8pm
Lewd Spirits Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: 5pm + 8pm
Parks & Recreation
Crescent Park
Crescent Park is one of the most iconic parks in New Orleans. At a a mile and a half long, it is perfect for a brisk morning run, a picnic, or just a casual stroll.
Audubon Park
Seated in historic uptown of New Orleans, this luscious park is a prime destination for recreation, picnics, or simply enjoying a beautiful day. The park features riding stables, playgrounds, a pool, restaurant, and even a lagoon!
Other Attractions
French Quarter
This is arguably one of the most iconic spots in New Orleans, and is home to Bourbon Street, which houses restaurants, bars, lively music performances, and much more. A trip to New Orleans is not complete without a visit to the French Quarter so make sure this is on your list!
Garden District
To see some of the nation’s most beautiful homes and architecture, visit the Garden District and stroll down to see homes laced with ivy, greenery, and gardens. This historic residential neighborhood is truly a gem in New Orleans, boasting incredibly well preserved history.
New Orleans Sightseeing Pass
New Orleans Sightseeing Passes are designed to save you money even when visiting just 2 Attractions. Created by travel professionals for visitors and locals alike, Sightseeing Passes have already helped over 1 Million customers. Daily or flexible options for 45+ attractions and offers.
St. Louis Cathedral
One of the most recognizable landmarks in New Orleans, St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States. Religious services, cultural events, and even concerts are held at this historic NoLa landmark, and is definitely worth visiting!
Audubon Zoo
This zoo is consistently ranked one of the top zoos in the nation, and rightfully so! Home to the Jaguar Jungle exhibit as well as albino alligators, this zoo is just as much for adults as it is for children, and you can’t miss it!
Audubon Aquarium
Explore the diverse aquatic ecosystems of the Gulf Coast and engage in interactive learning about marine conservation. The Aquarium was the first in the country to be certified as sensory-inclusive.