Things I learned during my first visit to New Orleans:

1. It's its own little pocket of culture. The city as a whole has an atmosphere that is unlike anywhere I've ever been. I get why people love it.
2. "Ay baybeh" will never sound as adorable coming from a man who was born and raised in NOLA.
3. Catching an Uber to or from anywhere in/near the French Quarter will take just as long as it would take you to walk there. Save your coin.
4. Because of number 3, even if you're not trying, you will get anywhere from 18,000 to 20,000 steps in a single day.
5. Bacon and Shrimp Bloody Mary's are a thing.


6. Having a hurricane with your breakfast is acceptable. Nobody judges your meal accompaniment choices.
7. There's really no point in bringing your DSLR along. With all the walking and darting in and out of different establishments, you won't take nearly as many pictures as anticipated.
8. There's a little slice of Atlanta in these streets.


9. People are incredibly helpful and willing to give directions. Locals know where to find exactly what you're looking for.
10. Bourbon Street is for the bars and the booze. Frenchman street is for the live music lover.


11. The view from a French Quarter apartment is amazing. 


12. If the Yelp Review only has a 3-star average, don't take a chance and try it anyway just because you're getting hangry. Tough it out and wait in line at a 4+ star establishment. Otherwise you probably won't finish your meal out of dissatisfaction. (I'm looking at you, The Praline Connection.)


12. When you're the most sober person of your group of friends, the nightlife doesn't come close to being all it's cracked up to be.

13. BUT, if you can find a spot with a good live band, you can get a good musical buzz going.


14. Musicians really can play those horns in New Orleans!


15. A weekend is really all you need in the city. Nothing more, nothing less.