Girl Who Travels

Travel Dates: March 2026

The Stay: Hotel Theo

Hotel Theo (part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton) served as our home away from home for a few days. Since New Orleans was our longest stop—two full days!—we wanted a spot that balanced convenience with genuine comfort. The hotel didn’t disappoint. It has a sleek, boutique vibe while remaining tucked away enough to offer a reprieve from the city’s high energy.

The location made it incredibly easy to bounce between the French Quarter and the Warehouse District. Though we checked in late and our first room had a minor water leak, the staff handled it seamlessly, moving us to a perfect room on a higher floor. It was a lovely mix of modern and old-world style—complete with a vintage-style phone in the hallway for calling the front desk.

The thing that I didn’t expect, however, was a White Lotus-inspired wallpaper in the bathroom. It was complete with monkeys, bras, liquor, and cigars! 

Cruising the Mississippi: The Steamboat Natchez

We kicked off our first full day in iconic fashion. You can’t visit NOLA without getting on the water, so we hopped aboard the Steamboat Natchez. There’s something timeless about live jazz drifting through the air as the shoreline slides by; it’s one of those classic experiences that puts the scale of the Mississippi into perspective.

We enjoyed a three-course meal on board, and the breaded catfish was easily my favorite. Because it was a rainy day, we spent most of the cruise in the cabin sipping drinks—I opted for a Sunshine Spritz to counter the gloom—but we did venture onto the deck during a break in the rain to snag some photos. As a bridge lover, I couldn’t resist a shot of the river crossing (the bird in flight was a lucky bonus!).

I also loved a building we passed with “You are beautiful” chalked on the side—a small detail that definitely sparked a smile.

The Great Beignet Debate: Streetcar Cafe

After drying off at the hotel, we headed out for the one thing I was most looking forward to: coffee and beignets. I’m just going to say it. Streetcar Cafe has the better beignets experience than Cafe Du Monde.

I know, it’s a bold claim. But while the massive crowds were swarming the usual spots, we were tucked away enjoying warm, pillowy goodness that actually lived up to the hype. We did briefly consider the line at Cafe Du Monde, but I quickly “noped” out of there—I knew the hectic atmosphere would ruin the experience for me. If you want the powdered sugar without the stress, Streetcar Cafe is the move.

A Rainy Day Pivot

The weather didn’t exactly play along, and at one point, it turned into a total washout. This led to our most essential New Orleans souvenir: a sturdy new umbrella. Souvenir in hand, we wandered back to the hotel for some R&R before dressing up for dinner.

Dinner at Mr. B’s Bistro

For dinner, we headed to Mr. B’s, and “delicious” doesn’t even cover it. The food was incredible and the service radiated classic New Orleans hospitality. I had the redfish for my entree, which was fantastic, but the real showstopper was dessert.

They had lemon icebox pie on the menu! It is my all-time favorite dessert, and I have never seen it on a restaurant menu before. If I’m being honest, I was daydreaming about that pie through the entire meal. It’s the kind of dish you’ll be thinking about long after you leave the table.

Bourbon Street After Dark

To wrap up the night, we did the quintessential NOLA move: grabbing a drink and strolling down Bourbon Street. There is nothing quite like the neon glow and the live music spilling out of every doorway. We picked up a few t-shirts, enjoyed our frosty drinks, and took in the “go-cup” culture.

One thing that caught me off guard was seeing the National Guard patrolling the streets; I knew Bourbon Street got rowdy, but I wasn’t quite prepared for that level of security! We didn’t stay out too late and were tucked into bed by 11:00 PM. All in all, it was a fantastic day.