Not N'Awlins

Locals & tourists know that catching a performance in one of the more risque arts is quintessential to the experience of New Orleans. Lots of local talent- musicians, performers, dancers, circus folks, comedians- call this city home and there's many opportunities and venues to catch an unforgettable show. Here's a glimpse into what's on offer- always check the links for up-to-date info before planning, since this is an industry where things change often! Click the green and

If you're looking to drink like a local in the French Quarter (and learn a little along the way), avoid the tourist traps and book my French Quarter Cocktail Tour ! Round 1- The "Must Drink" Basics: The New Orleans classic cocktails Almost any bar that uses glassware can make these drinks for you. I'm not going to send you all over the French Quarter on a goose chase to find the "best" versions of these- the excellent bartenders who work all over the city can make these in t

It's easy to pay too much for a mediocre meal in the French Quarter- as New Orleans' tourist hot spot, in a city known for its food, there is no lack of opportunist establishments cranking out overpriced, subpar dishes that they pass off as an authentic taste of Creole classics. Here is a list of restaurants I CAN recommend in the French Quarter- all are vouched for by service industry workers and locals alike for good eats in the French Quarter. While you're at it, see how m

I always remind my tour guests to bring home something for their dog sitter, co-worker or the grandparent who watched the kids, and a foodie souvenir is the perfect, affordable gift! Food is iconic in New Orleans and everyone eats, so it's a quick, cheap gift that you might want to pick up two of- one for yourself to remember or recreate the great food you had here. Here is a photo gallery of hand-picked iconic brands I found in my neighborhood Rouses- a chain of local groce

People from landlocked areas put "See food, eat it- eat all the seafood" on their must-do list of New Orleans. With the Gulf of Mexico, massive Lake Pontchartrain & the many bayous that the Mississippi feeds into, the "Sportsman's Paradise" of Louisiana is known for its sport fishing and the seafood industry is an integral part of our economy. Crawfish, shrimp, crabs, oysters & fish are the crown jewels of the plate, so take every chance to enjoy our best assets at one of the

My food tours are one of the only in the city that accommodates a variety of preferences (vegetarians, pescatarians) and needs (allergies) - there are many groups who travel to New Orleans with at least one friend or family member with a dietary restriction who gets teased for "missing out" on all the great food . Maybe they have to watch what they eat for health reasons, have a food allergy will ruin their trip or are vegetarian but still want to be part of the fun. Well, e

Want to make the most of your trip to NOLA during Carnival? Book at walking tour with me - Learn history and culture while you eat and drink like a local. Experience some of the best spots in the city in just 3 hours! Let us start with broad strokes Mardi Gras day moves around on the calendar based on the date of Easter, so you'll need to check every year when Mardi Gras falls for that year. Mardi Gras parades start WEEKS before Mardi Gras day - this is the biggest mistake I

It's rare to have a stretch of rainy days in New Orleans- summer storms are just hour long affairs that lead to clear skies, but every so often we have a full on rainy day. Today was one of those cold, grey January days that, if you only have limited days in NOLA or if it's your day off of work and you were hoping to get out the house... it can bum you out. Turn a "wasted day" into an "almost missed opportunity" with one of these indoor activities and museums . These can also

Book a Bon Moment Food Tour to c heck off iconic dishes during your visit to New Orleans! Join forces with your fellow travelers to knock out as many boxes to get Blackout Bingo or compete to see who in your group can win- I suggest buying a drink or dessert for the winner on your last night out on the town! INSTRUCTIONS: Using your phone, click on either Bingo Card image below Hold the image and choose Download or Save Open the saved image with your Gallery app (whatever yo

There's a ton of festivals in New Orleans and I'm part of the lucky crew that has worked many of them so I have an inside scoop. The city just wrapped up 2 weekends of Jazz Fest so I thought it was a good time to reflect on Fest Season in NOLA & offer some tips. Join me on a food or cocktail tour during your down time from Festin'! The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is over 50 years old and has a following that could almost be called cult-like. From humble beginnings,

PRO TIP: You can take the St Charles streetcar to my Garden District Walking Food & History tour on your way to experience more of the city in one afternoon! "How do we catch the trolley?" is an often-heard tourist question that sounds so, so wrong to New Orleans ears. From our friend Google: "Trolleys looks like regular buses but they are completely electric and have twin poles on the roof of the bus that draw power from double overhead wires. If it connects to a pair of ov

I had the pleasure of sharing stories, history & tips about New Orleans with Brent Peterson of the podcast Destination Eat Drink during 2023! Listen here & subscribe to his podcast to hear more great travel content. Join me on a tour to experience the BEST of New Orleans- get off the beaten path to enjoy the food, culture and history like a local! Destination Eat Drink – New Orleans Cocktails & Live Music with Michelle Mashon Destination Eat Drink – Christmas in Florence, Sw

Start your visit to New Orleans with one of my walking food tours or bar crawls and get lots of amazing tips on things to do, eat great food and learn exciting history from a local guide! While it is true that we're the city that makes plans for dinner while at lunch, there's also quite a few lesser-known things to see & do in New Orleans. While the WWII museum is an all-day affair that people flock to (it's the #1 tourist destination in the whole city) and NOMA and its scu

I have the PERFECT tour for your group trip to New Orleans: bachelors, bachelorettes, birthdays & girls trips- we offer group discounts & private tours. Let me do work planning for your group and book now! New Orleans is full of too many options for groups & so you find yourself on Bourbon St. one too many times, dazed by drinks sold in novelty cups designed make you look like an idiot ready to get bamboozled by "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes..." ("on my feet