Ahh, the Big Easy is easily one of my favorite cities to explore and enjoy; so rich in culture and history. It’s no wonder why ASPR chose this city as the location for this year’s annual conference!

There definitely isn’t a shortage of things to do while you’re there, so if you’re heading to NOLA for the conference, here are five suggestions that I promise won’t disappoint!

• Eat, eat, eat! New Orleans is famous for some of the finest cuisine. If you love spicy creole, southern comfort food and the yummiest beignets on earth, then you’re in for a big treat! All of the following are highly recommended:
  • Court of Two Sisters. Conveniently located in the French Quarter, this age-old restaurant has a daily jazz brunch buffet that features delicious items like turtle soup (yes, I said turtle!), fresh gumbo made daily, and their signature famous Courtyard Bread pudding with whiskey sauce. This is a great option for outdoor dining, as the courtyard is quant and quintessential New Orleans! Here you can relax and enjoy the live jazz band trio in the courtyard; it’s a French Quarter must!
  • Palace Café. This restaurant is a classic for New Orleans! It is super easy to get to from the Marriott hotel on Canal, too (right across the street, as a matter of fact) where the ASPR Conference is being held this year! Here you can feast on contemporary creole food. If you’re ready to take your taste buds to the next level, go for the crabmeat cheesecake. You’ll be glad you did!
  • Café Du Monde. Home to the original French market and coffee stand, this place has been named “The Sweetest Place in Town” for reasons you’ll realize quickly when visiting. Their beignets are to die for! If you only have time for one stop while in New Orleans, make this the one!
• Sightseeing is a must! Bourbon Street is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New Orleans, but there are so many other historical, trendy and fun places to explore:
  • Frenchman Street is off the beaten path and fairly new to the tourist scene; it’s somewhat of a hidden gem for the locals. Frenchman Street has a lot to offer. You’ll find everything from live music venues, delectable food, art galleries, shops and more! You could spend an entire afternoon here…but if you get the chance, check out the nightlife. Things come to life when the sun goes down there!
  • Hop on board the Steamboat Natchez, a steam-powered paddleboat that provides a different view of New Orleans as you travel down the Mighty Mississippi River! You’ll get a special treat—live narration of the history of New Orleans. If you’ve never been on a steamboat, I highly recommend this outing!
• Experience Mardi Gras! Ranking high up on most bucket lists is experiencing Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Even though the ASPR Conference is in May this year and the official Mardi Gras season runs from late January until Fat Tuesday, you’ll be able to experience Mardi Gras with the PracticeLink team at Mardi Gras World during our special Tuesday night event! We’ll be at Mardi Gras World, where Mardi Gras is made! We’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at exactly how all the floats are built from the ground up, as well as have an authentic crawfish boil! As an added bonus, you’ll get to make your own Mardi Gras mask to take home to remember this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
• Visit the PracticeLink team! Our whole sales and client relations teams will be on site in New Orleans—come say hi at the PracticeLink booth, #101, at the ASPR Conference! We’ve got some great things planned for you this year, from amazing giveaways to a digital caricature artist to a chance to meet and greet Gen. Honoré, this year’s keynote speaker! As a Gold Corporate Contributor, PracticeLink is also proud to provide this year’s lanyards, bags and sponsor the new 5k race early.
• Music to my ears! New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, but you’ll hear blues, funk, R&B, rock and more fill the air while you’re there. New Orleans offers so many live music venues that the number of options every night in the Big Easy is endless. The Official Guide of New Orleans has a great list of more than 80 music venues. Be sure to check it out before you go!

These 5 things are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things to do while in New Orleans; it truly is a magical city filled with history…most importantly though, stop by our booth (#101) while at ASPR and visit the team! We look forward to this opportunity to see our clients in person!