New Orleans｜Where Jazz and Alcohol Breed Ambiguity 🎷🍸

My first time in New Orleans, and the city’s rhythm already swept me away. The air is thick with jazz, alcohol, and a touch of unruly freedom. Street performers are everywhere — as if inspiration sprouted right from the pavement. December was surprisingly warm… The humid air carried the sweetness of osmanthus mixed with the scent of smoke from passersby. NOLA — you’re undeniably cool! 😎 🏨 Hotel: Maison Metier — highly recommended. The photos were taken right in the hotel — the vibe is unreal. Waking up to free morning coffee was pure bliss ☕️❤️. The location is perfect — convenient for getting around, yet just far enough from the noisiest blocks to stay peaceful but never boring. We walked from the hotel to the French Quarter and stumbled upon Jazz it Up — a longtime favorite from Xiaohongshu — fitting right into the scene. All these shots are from the French Quarter. Daytime street art feels spontaneous — turn a corner and you might find a live performance. Utterly romantic. The Sazerac House cocktail museum is also in the French Quarter. Honestly, I went mainly for that stunning wall of bottles 🍾. You need a tour reservation to go upstairs — and everyone gets three complimentary drinks! The French Quarter at night 🌙… If the daytime feels artsy, after dark it shifts entirely toward sultry and seductive. Some casual street shots, including the so-called “wealthy neighborhood” — Garden District. Honestly, you can skip it — the houses aren’t particularly special, and the streetcars aren’t as photogenic as you might expect. Oak Alley Plantation is about an hour’s drive from the hotel. Because of Gone with the Wind, I’ve always been drawn to depictions of Scarlett’s life — though unrelated to the novel, the similar lifestyle is still worth seeing. Plus, the oak trees are truly majestic and beautiful 🌳. Gator tour — suggest pairing it with Oak Alley on the same day since they’re close by. We even spotted cute little raccoons 🦝! Personally, I thought it was worth it. Even though I grouped photos by location, the trip was spread over four days. Walking around New Orleans at night takes a bit of courage — the city is loose, romantic, but also carries an edge. You’ll see homeless people and occasional substance users, but most of the time everyone just coexists without intrusion. 🍴 Luke came highly recommended — the oyster happy hour is a great deal, but some other popular spots fell a bit short. Not bad, but not amazing either. Instead, I stumbled upon a lesser-known gem: Maria’s Oyster Bar. Their cocktails were truly delicious — couldn’t go wrong with any order! 🍹✨ #NewOrleans #USTravel #TravelPhotography #NewOrleansEats 🎇📸