This Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs will face off against Jalen Hurts’ Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59. Seeing a Super Bowl in the Superdome is one of the best experiences in sports, and this year’s matchup shouldn’t disappoint.
Enjoying the rest of the city should be the goal for those arriving early. Here is a local’s guide to the city, with some of the must-see spots while you’re in New Orleans.
Best Places To Visit In New Orleans During Super Bowl Week
Check out the French Quarter, but don’t just hang around waiting for a Mardi Gras parade. The Krewe of Chewbacchus (Feb. 1) will be all barked out before Super Bowl flights arrive. Krewes Boheme and Titans will not roll until Valentine’s Day. The Super Bowl Host Committee Parade in the French Quarter (1) will have some celebrities, but same soul as Endymion? It’s more likely a 10-leg parlay hits in the first half.
First, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum or your sporting loyalties, put the ego aside and go see the World War II Museum (2) on Day 1. It’s a full-day, life-changing commitment for some but can be done in a few hours. Strolling up to Caesars Casino (3) and placing some bets on the big game afterward would take just a few minutes.
Monday in New Orleans is all about red beans and rice, the greatest tradition in the world. Lil’ Dizzy’s (4), Blue Oak BBQ (5), or even one of the Mr. Ed’s (6) locations would work. Get extra cornbread, though.
The NFL will take over the entire Ernest N. Morial Convention Center starting on Wednesday, Feb. 5, and the theme park will be set up through Saturday, Feb. 8. Go get the reps in during the morning and rest up for a stroll down Magazine St. Why? Well, La Boulangerie (7) and Saffron (8) are two very underrated eating spots. They are also just around the corner from Tipitina’s (9), which will host the “Dan Interviews Dan” show with Dan Le Batard and Dan Patrick chatting one-on-one for a few hours.
Most of that party will disperse to Ms. Mae’s (10). Three blocks away from the river is the dive bar even Anthony Bourdain kept off tape. Next stop? Melba’s 24-hour (11) hot plates. Use the food to soak up the fun. Thursday requires dancing shoes.
Catch The Soul Rebels on Thursday at Le Bon Temps Roule (12), then head back to Tips (locals abbreviate, not to be confused with tips—which locals appreciate) on Saturday for Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Friday night is for Frenchman Street serenades or a stop by The Spotted Cat Music Club (13), a quintessential jazzy dive bar in the Marigny. Trust. In between, get coffee and a beignet.
Everyone knows about Cafe du Monde (14). If you’ve never been, go just for the Jackson Square experience. For a different kind of coffee shop on the other side of town, hit up Sportsdrink’s (15) stadium seating bean-house of fun. It turns into a comedy club at night, and one never knows who might pop up during the after-party hangs. I swear that guy looks like Kevin McHale’s kid or the actor from HBO’s “Winning Time.” Pops up practically every night.
Support locals throughout the stay. The Louisiana Culture Festival at the French Market (16) is a three-day event. Ladle and the Whisk (17) is one of the cutest new kitchenware shops to open in the city. See some art. Mardi Gras World (18) is a one-drink walk away from the French Quarter or Lower Garden District—or a short Uber. The New Orleans Museum of Art (19), the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (20), and JAMNOLA (21) are high-class, kid-friendly installations.
The Audubon Aquarium (22) is a fun few hours. Taking the Algiers Point Ferry (23) across the Mississippi River gets you a bit closer to the fish in a way. Feeling the power of the river right before it dumps into the Gulf of Mexico can be shocking.
Just remember to come back and actually go to the game! It’s the Super Bowl in the Superdome (24). Don’t be that unfortunate individual with all the wrong stories to tell back home. The Monday after is hard to plan without knowing the eventual Super Bowl champion. Celebrate or sip the sorrows away over at Bacchanal Wine Bar (25). It pairs well with some alone time at the nearby End of the World.
If you missed your opportunity the previous Monday (or just want to go again), get some red beans and rice from the establishments we mentioned earlier.
There is so much more that could be mentioned, but don’t get bogged down in the details. It’s New Orleans. Have a ball and be free in the Big Easy. Just please, do not chase Scrim!
