Best Pastries in Bayou Gauche

"The quintessential museum of Louisiana, the permanent collection includes nearly 40,000 world-class works of regional, national and international art, such as Picasso, Braque, Dufy and Miró, and drawings by Degas, who worked just blocks from the museum when he visited maternal relatives in the early 1870s. Lectures, book clubs, film presentations, art classes and musical performances are all presented with aplomb – and you can even take yoga classes in the sublimely beautiful Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, where works of the 20th century's master sculptors reside in a sub-tropical sanctuary. 1 Collins C Diboll Circle, noma.org."

"New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, (504) 482-1264; www.cafenoma.com. An Americana grain bowl includes chicken breast over wild rice, sweet potatoes, cranberries and baby spinach with warm bacon vinaigrette."

"When I walked into Revelator Coffee and saw all of their unique blends and espresso machines at work, I knew I was in for a treat. Their coffee tastes legit, and you can even buy some coffee grinds to DIY at home. Along with the relaxing music playing, the sounds of their espresso machines were extremely therapeutic while studying."

"Congo Square is located within Louis Armstrong Park, just north of the French District. It is a location steeped in history as the the enslaved of New Orleans would gather here on their day off to set up a market, sing, dance, and play music. There isn’t much here now, but the tiles and tress make for an interesting composition steeped in untold history."

"Inside, there are iconic sites like Congo Square, a historic meeting place for slaves in the 1800s. There are also sculptures, a duck pond and plenty of green space where you can relax after spending your morning walking around the city."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Mid-City Market is an urban infill shopping center located at the northwest corner of North Carrollton Avenue and Bienville Street. This market has great things to offer, from groceries to trendy clothes."

"A premier destination in New Orleans, this upscale shopping mall's wide spectrum of boutiques, specialty shops and high-end brand chains offers something for everyone. Browse top-shelf retailers like Saks 5th Ave, Brooks Brothers, Tiffany and Ann Taylor. There are more than 30 retailers spread over three floors, national biggies along with local jewelry artist Mignon Faget and New Orleans Knots for hand-painted ties and scarves."

"Address: 333 Canal StreetNew Orleans, LA 70130Phone: (504) 522-9200Website. An upscale mall, decorated with exposed brick, plant walls, and neon signage, Canal Place is the place to shop for designer labels. You’ll find all your favorites here from J.Crew and Anthropologie to Michael Kors and Tory Burch."

"One of the largest shopping complexes in the city is located downtown at Canal Place. You’ll find three floors of premier shopping with brand-name clothing and accessories for home, health, and beauty."

"After voodoo (or vodou) came to New Orleans in the 1700s—first via West African slaves, then with Haitians after the Haitian Revolution—it entwined with the city’s identity. Which is why, since the 1970s, a French Quarter visit has been deemed incomplete without a stop at the tiny Historic Voodoo Museum. If it’s lore you seek, you’ll find it here."