<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Honestly, I’m worried about my liver. Will it ever recover from my weekend habits? Boy do I wish it had regenerative capabilities. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m not </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">so </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">worried that I will be completely avoiding Bappy. However, I have been doing some thinking: what would a sober life in New Orleans entail? And, is the drinking culture not just pervasive but actively excluding people? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I adore this city’s enthusiasm and spirit; </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">everything </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">is celebrated. Seasonal eats, jazz music, football games, holidays &#8211; the list goes on. Needless to say, this community gets drunk </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">a lot</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In your average search for activities to do in New Orleans, the overwhelming response is to drink. Nearly every search result involves an activity where a beverage will be in hand &#8211; or at least nearby. Interestingly, the first questions left on travel page forums continually come from sober adults and/or parents. Questions such as … I don’t drink anymore, will I have anything to do here? Where can I take my 16 year-old? Do you people do anything besides party? … come up a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">lot</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. I can imagine New Orleans to be a recovered-alcoholic’s worst nightmare. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m left wondering, what would all those parties, parades, and live shows look like if drinking wasn’t so ubiquitous? I recently took a hiatus from drinking and it created space to find new ways of spending my time, along with countless observations. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let me ask you: have you ever been to a darty sober? Well, I have. And the sweaty-stickiness of it all doesn’t feel quite so exciting. Repeating songs that once went unnoticed caught my attention. As did the alarming nature of the bathrooms, lacking toilet paper, soap, and functioning plumbing. It’s all fun and games until someone else’s sweat is dripping on your arm and a drink has been spilled down your back. Once again … very sticky. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My curiosity and desire for a change of pace has led me to an exploration of New Orleans without substances. I think it’s comforting to know all the fun that can be had with just the magic of good company (and nothing more). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Here is the list of activities I have put together:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pottery classes</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out Earth &; Fire Studio on Adams St. (Next to Starbucks on Maple St.)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pop into Hands in Clay Studio on Magazine St.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pricing for class packs is around $200-250 for 4-6 week sessions (Is this the new monthly membership you’ve been looking for?)</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scout out a drag brunch</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Where fun and fabulous goes over easy!” </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Top 8 locations from </span><a href="https://nola.eater.com/maps/drag-brunches-new-orleans-nola"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eater New Orleans</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shoutout to all the Bead Shop lovers! Go make some jewelry </span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make a day of it, sitting in their back room stringing beads</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kayaking and paddleboarding on the Bayou</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take a group class or get rentals for the day! Do it your way with </span><a href="https://www.bayoupaddlesports.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bayou Paddlesports</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Get tickets to see live music! House of Blues, Tipitinas, the Orpheum, Gasa Gasa and more venues are some of my favorites with reasonable pricing and flexible age minimums </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be the main character and stare at some art at the NOMA</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WWII Museum</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">History junkies, this one’s for you</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thrifting (I always find great places on Yelp)</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Save some money, be kind to the Earth, and find a sick new piece that no one else on campus will have Some of my favs include:</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Funky Monkey on Magazine St. for costumes and eccentric pieces</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffalo Exchange for name-brand finds</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Salvation Army or Goodwill for budget-friendly shopping</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Glue New Orleans on Oak St.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BigStar Vintage &; Costume on Freret St.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take a City Surf class on Magazine St.</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Missing water sports or wanting a strength challenge? Guaranteed your legs will be shaking after this one</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Head over to a Saints or Pelicans game</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cheer, scream, and snack!</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Visit the open-air </span><a href="https://www.neworleans.com/listing/french-market/193/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">French Market</span></a>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Transport yourself to Paris with this European-inspired outdoor market complete with food, crafts, and flea</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take a pole dancing class … I know you’ve been practicing at the Palms</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Picnic at the fly or in a park of your choice (bring a book, a hammock, digital camera, speaker, etc)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Step into the NOLA boulder lounge for some indoor rock climbing</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Literally just ride the streetcar. Its $1.25 and amazing people watching</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the musicians reading this, find an open mic night and go listen to locals (or get up there and show ‘em who’s boss!)</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking for a connection or simply wanting to listen to up-and-coming artists? This one’s for you</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have a game night with friends. A little competition never hurt nobody</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bad People Game</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re Not Really Strangers</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Monopoly </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scrabble</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Girl Code</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Do You Meme?</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or get creative and make your own (maybe using jenga blocks)</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The buzz and electrifying nature of the city is not dependent upon alcohol, so next time you’re seeking a natural buzz, give one of these a try! I can guarantee you’ll wake up the next morning feeling refreshed, content, and free of hangxiety. A little wholesome activity can go a long way … pick your favorite and enjoy!</span></p>
 <!-- WP Biographia v4.0.0 -->
<div class="wp-biographia-container-top" style="background-color: #FFEAA8; border-top: 4px solid #000000;"><div class="wp-biographia-pic" style="height:100px; width:100px;"><img alt='' src='https://tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-6.17.16-PM.png' srcset='https://tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-6.17.16-PM.png 2x' class='wp-biographia-avatar avatar-100 photo' height='100' width='100' /></div><div class="wp-biographia-text"><h3>About <a href="https://tulanemagazine.com/author/hannahlevy/" title="Hannah Levy">Hannah Levy</a></h3><p>Hannah is a senior, studying Philosophy of Law and Gender &; Sexuality Studies. She is from Los Angeles, CA, and couldn't help but wonder... what would happen if she collected stories from her and her friends' lives to share here with you? In her free time, you can find her at hot yoga, listening to podcasts, enjoying happy hour, and searching for treasure on depop.</p><div class="wp-biographia-links"><small><ul class="wp-biographia-list wp-biographia-list-text"><li><a href="mailto:&#72;l&#101;&#118;y&#64;&#116;ula&#110;&#101;.&#101;du" target="_self" title="Send Hannah Levy Mail" class="wp-biographia-link-text">Mail</a></li> | <li><a href="https://tulanemagazine.com/author/hannahlevy/" target="_self" title="More Posts By Hannah Levy" class="wp-biographia-link-text">More Posts(10)</a></li></ul></small></div></div></div><!-- WP Biographia v4.0.0 -->

Showing Love to My Liver: Sober Activities in NOLA
Graphic by Hannah Levy Images via Pinterest