If you’re looking to switch things up on the weekend, look no further than the Marigny/Bywater neighborhoods. It’s a little further away from your average campus haunts, but it’s well worth the trip. Here’s your guide to the perfect day exploring the area:
- Nola Vibe Yoga at Hotel Peter and Paul
Hotel Peter and Paul is a stunningly unique historic church-turned-hotel/restaurant. If you’re a yoga lover, their Great Hall holds Nola Vibe yoga classes for as cheap as $10. Classes range from morning to evening throughout the week. If you’re going on a weekend, try Saturday’s 10 am class, or Sunday at 9 am.
- Grab a coffee at Rectory Cafe or Petite Clouet
After yoga, head to the Rectory Cafe (inside the hotel) or walk 15 minutes to Petite Clouet on Royal Street, another adorable cafe. It’s a place that locals visit often, raving about the coffee, amazing pastries, and social atmosphere. Its bright blue entryway is hard to miss.
- Explore StudioBE
Just a three-minute walk from Petite Clouet is StudioBE, an art gallery established by renowned NOLA artist BMike Odums. Odums is a New Orleans native who opened StudioBE in 2016 after making an impact with his mural art in abandoned areas post-Katrina. Current exhibits explore BMike’s past mural projects. Tickets are $10 for students, so bring your Splash Card.
- Lunch at Ayu Bakehouse (or Elysian)
Grab a quick lunch at Ayu Bakehouse once the afternoon hits. This place is known for its delicious sandwiches and salads, as well as handmade desserts, and was opened in 2022 by Tulane grad Kelly Jacques and Samantha Weiss. During Mardi Gras season, they sell some of the most popular king cakes in the area.
- Live Music and Drinks at Bacchanal Wine Bar
If you’re looking for a place to relax before dinner, Bacchanal Wine Bar is a funky, indoor-outdoor venue for bites to eat, cocktails, and daily live music. Sit in their back patio under string lights to listen to music as early as 1 pm on weekends. They stay open until 11 pm, and it is the perfect laid-back start to a fun evening.
- Dinner at N7
If you’ve been to the Bywater, you’ve probably heard of N7. It’s a French restaurant with a Japanese twist. It’s got a stylish ambiance and an adventurous menu that changes often, featuring dishes like sake-cured salmon tartine and soy sauce crème brûlée. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating and live music, it’s a gem of the Marigny neighborhood.
- Frenchmen Street
Finish the night on Frenchmen Street, just a short walk/Uber away, for dancing to late-night jazz music. Mandatory spots to hit include The Spotted Cat Music Club, d.b.a., and RBar just three minutes off the main street (often busy with dogs!)
