BY BRYANT HAWKINS SR., SITE MANAGER, TRIMEDX
To all attending AAMI eXchange in New Orleans, I have a special gift for you! You can thank me later!
New Awlins (yes, that’s intentional) isn’t just a place. It’s a vibe. It seeps into your soul like the scent of jasmine on a warm night. Here, history and culture move together like a second line parade. Every bite of food is an experience. Music isn’t just something you hear, it’s something you feel. This city isn’t just where I’m from, it’s a story that’s meant to be shared. I can’t wait for you to experience it.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, New Awlins (ok, last time making the joke) doesn’t just welcome you, it claims you.
START THE DAY RIGHT
No visit to the Crescent City should begin without beignets and café au lait. Head to Café du Monde, grab a table under the green-and-white awning, and prepare to be covered in powdered sugar. The people-watching here is next level. Street musicians and artists all set the scene in Jackson Square, where history and culture meet.
After breakfast, take a slow stroll through the French Quarter. The iron-laced balconies, the pastel-colored Creole townhouses, the faint sound of a trumpet floating through the air. It’s a sensory overload in the best way possible. Stop by St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral the country, and peek inside to soak up the centuries of stories within its walls.
MIDDAY MOVES
For lunch, step into the French Quarter and grab a bowl of authentic Creole goodness at The Gumbo Shop. Located on Saint Peter Street, this spot serves up some of the best gumbo in the city. It’s rich, flavorful, and steeped in tradition.
If history calls, answer it at the National WWII Museum. A stunning, immersive tribute to those who fought on the front lines and served on the Home Front.
AFTERNOON ON THE WATER
The Mississippi River is the lifeblood of New Orleans. Walk along Woldenberg Park, watch the steamboats roll by, or hop on the Steamboat NATCHEZ for a jazz-filled cruise.
For a different kind of waterway, head to Bayou St. John and rent a kayak. Paddle past moss-draped cypress trees and historic Creole cottages—this is the city’s quieter, more reflective side.
EVENING SOUNDS
Dinner in New Orleans is more than a meal—it’s an event. If you’re looking for a high-end experience, Commander’s Palace is a must. The service is impeccable, the turtle soup is legendary, and the Creole cuisine is unforgettable. If you’re after something a little more casual but just as iconic, Drago’s serves up the city’s best charbroiled oysters, drenched in butter, garlic, and parmesan. And if French Creole elegance is your style, Arnaud’s is the place to be.
Of course, these are just a few. New Orleans has too many great restaurants to name, and every local has their own favorite hidden gem.
After dinner, the night is yours, and Bourbon Street is its own universe. Stretching 13 blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue, this is where live bands, DJs, and street performers create a non-stop party. It’s wild, it’s chaotic, and it’s uniquely New Orleans. One block might have a brass band second-lining down the street, and on the next you’ll find a rock band spilling out of a bar. Grab a frozen daiquiri, soak it all in, and let the night take you where it may.
If you want to shift gears, make your way toward Frenchmen Street—but first, take a detour to Port of Call. This spot is legendary for its massive, juicy burgers (some say the best in town) and famous rum-based drink, the Monsoon.
Once you hit Frenchmen Street, you’ll know you’ve arrived. The neon is softer, the crowds are smaller, and the music is real. At The Spotted Cat, jazz musicians play like their lives depend on it. Over at The Blue Nile, brass bands shake the walls. Some nights, the best show is right on the street, where impromptu bands turn the sidewalk into a stage and the whole block into a dance floor.
This is the real New Orleans, the one you don’t just hear but feel.
BEYOND THE CITY
New Orleans has layers, and if you’ve got time, it’s worth peeling them back.
City Park is bigger than Central Park. This 1,300- acre wonder is a photographer’s dream. The ancient oak trees, draped in Spanish moss, make for the perfect backdrop. I do most of my senior photo shoots here. You can stroll through the Sculpture Garden, visit the New Orleans Museum of Art, or rent a paddleboat on Big Lake.
Audubon Park runs along St. Charles Avenue. This Uptown gem is the perfect place to take a breather. Joggers, bikers, and picnickers all gather under the shade of massive oak trees. The Audubon Zoo, located here, is world-class, home to everything from Louisiana swamp creatures to African wildlife.
Every visitor I bring around town gets a meal at New Orleans Food and Spirits. Why? The Voodoo Rolls. Deep-fried, packed with seafood, and just the right amount of spice—these things are extraordinary. The rest of the menu? Crawfish étouffée, blackened redfish, and stuffed baked potatoes, all equally incredible.
Lake Pontchartrain is just one mile from New Orleans Food and Spirits. The 630-square-mile lake is a peaceful escape from the city buzz. Drive across the 24-mile-long Causeway Bridge (the world’s longest continuous bridge over water), or stick to the Bucktown Marina and West End, where you can watch sailboats drift by. The sunsets are absolutely breathtaking.
Studio Be was created by New Orleans artist Brandan “Bmike” Odums. It’s a massive warehouse-turned-gallery filled with powerful, large-scale murals that tell the story of Black culture, resilience, and social justice. It features the kind of art that stays with you long after you leave.
Jean Lafitte Swamp is right outside the city. This is Louisiana’s wild side. Alligators, cypress trees, and Spanish moss create an eerie, almost mystical landscape. Take a swamp tour, or if you’re feeling adventurous, go for a walk on one of the boardwalk trails.
LEAVING, BUT NEVER REALLY GONE
New Orleans doesn’t just stay in your memories, it stays in your soul. It’s a city that lingers, that calls you back, that makes you feel like part of something bigger than yourself. Whether it’s the taste of gumbo, the sound of a trumpet, or the warmth of a stranger’s smile, this city has a way of making sure you never truly leave.
Can’t wait to see everyone in June at AAMI eXchange in New Orleans!!!
