Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – Experiences

One of the most outstanding aspects of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has nothing to do with the facility itself; it’s about where it’s located. Being that the convention center is nestled in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, along the banks of the Mississippi River, travelers in town to attend an event there can take part in some truly unique Nawlins experiences during their stay.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy around the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, including you! If you’re a foodie, get your fill of authentic Cajun and Creole cooking at some of the Crescent City’s can’t-miss restaurants. Are you more of a sports fanatic? Relive football history at the Saints Hall of Fame Museum located in the iconic Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Shopaholic and proud of it? Peruse the eclectic mix of stores at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk.

For more information about how to make the most of your trip to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and, more importantly, the Big Easy, check out the following itinerary. It’s packed with a day’s worth of fun activities so you can keep the party going from morning until night… and maybe even a little bit later.

 

Morning

Noon

Night

 

Morning

Whether you’re going to spend the day traversing the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s three million-square-foot expanse or wandering around the colorful city where it’s located, a hearty breakfast is a must. Either way you’re going to be doing quite a bit of walking, as you can probably imagine, so you’ll need the extra early morning energy that only the most important meal of the day can provide.

Lucky for you, one of the best breakfast spots in the Big Easy is located near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. In fact, it’s right across the street! The restaurant I’m referring to is Two Chicks Cafe, a charming little eatery started by; you guessed it; two self-proclaimed “chicks who love to eat.”

Since first opening their doors in 2015, Two Chicks Cafe has become a clear-cut favorite among conventiongoers for its convenient location, knockout breakfast and lunch offerings, and friendly service. Of course, the local crowd loves it too for all those same reasons and so will you.

The breakfast menu at Two Chicks Cafe features classic dishes with fun, delicious twists, such as Eggs Benedict made with crab cakes, served on a halved croissant, and smothered in a savory Cajun hollandaise sauce.

Another one of Two Chicks Cafe’s creative takes on a breakfast classic is the Papa’s French Toast, which features two thick slices of Texas toast dipped in a decadent vanilla-rum batter, crusted with corn flakes, and griddled to golden-brown deliciousness before being topped with a medley of fresh fruit.

For more health-conscious diners, Two Chicks Cafe also has plenty of lighter options to choose from, including a parfait made with yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit, as well as homemade vanilla chia pudding topped with bananas, blueberries, and nuts. Pair that with one of their fresh-squeezed juices or tasty smoothies and you’ll be feeling great all day!

Ernest N. Morial Convention CenterAfter breakfast, walk your meal off as you hunt for killer deals at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. This outlet mall features an assortment of over 50 stores and is located next to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, so walking there from Two Chicks Cafe should only take about five minutes.

The selection of stores at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is certainly varied, but one thing they’ve all got in common is offering discounts that savvy shoppers are sure to appreciate. These retailers range from familiar favorites like American Eagle Outfitters, Forever 21, and Nordstrom Rack to unique one-off boutiques.

Once you’ve had your fill of shopping thrills, step outside onto the mall’s patio to enjoy picturesque views of the Mississippi River and the two bridges that make up the Crescent City Connection. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see some ships as they pass on by. Don’t hang around for too long though. There’s still so much more to explore!

 

Noon

A great way to spend the early hours of the afternoon near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is with a leisurely stroll around Lafayette Square. Established in 1788, this scenic public park is the second-oldest in New Orleans. It spans two and a half acres in the city’s bustling Central Business District, less than a 15-minute walk from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk.

The focal point of Lafayette Square is a bronze statue of Henry Clay, a prominent statesman who narrowly lost the presidential elections of 1845. A statue of Benjamin Franklin is also located within the park, along with a bust of John McDonogh, an eccentric entrepreneur who spent much of his life in Louisiana.

Near Lafayette Square are other historic landmarks like Gallier Hall, the former City Hall of New Orleans that was built between 1845 and 1853, and the John Minor Wisdom U.S. Court of Appeals Building, which was completed in 1912. If you’re a history junkie, you’ll probably find yourself spending quite a bit of time exploring Lafayette Square and the surrounding area.

Lafayette Square is a popular gathering place among music fans as well, and has been for over 150 years. Wednesday at the Square is a free summer concert series featuring top local acts that takes place in the park on Wednesday afternoons from March through May. The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival also takes place there in the fall.

As lunchtime approaches, start heading down Poydras Street towards Johnny Sánchez. Walking there from Lafayette Square should take less than 10 minutes. Plus, it’s already on the way to the next attraction on our itinerary, which is located within the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

For an authentic taste of Mexico in New Orleans, you can’t do much better than Johnny Sánchez. This vibrant taqueria is the brainchild of celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez, someone who obviously knows a thing or two about big, bold flavors.

Although the menu at Johnny Sánchez features a cast of classic Mexican dishes like fajitas, enchiladas, and burritos, it’s the tacos that truly steal the show. If you’re a purist, stick with a more conventional choice like the carne asada taco, filled with wood-grilled skirt steak, pickled jalapeno, guacamole, and pico de gallo. For something a bit outside the box, try the vegetarian-friendly cauliflower taco or the New Orleans-inspired oyster taco.

After you’ve polished off your last taco at Johnny Sánchez, continue heading down Poydras Street for another half-mile until you reach the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In addition to being the home of the New Orleans Saints, this massive stadium also houses the team’s Hall of Fame Museum.

Whether or not you’re a fan of the team, the Saints Hall of Fame Museum is a one-of-a-kind attraction that should not be missed during your stay in New Orleans. Highlights of the museum’s collection include a Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl rings, as well as portraits and busts of Hall of Fame inductees.

Also, it’s worth noting that the Saints Hall of Fame Museum is open by appointment only except for on game days when it’s open for two hours before kickoff. So don’t forget to call ahead! Hours of operation for the Hall of Fame Museum are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission costs $10.

 

Night

Before heading to Brennan’s, the second-to-last stop on our list of things to do near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, just be aware that it’s a bit far from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. At over a mile away, getting there on foot will take around 25 minutes, but public transportation is always an option too.

It doesn’t get much more old school than Brennan’s. Since opening in 1946, this restaurant has become a bonafide New Orleans institution. Don’t be surprised if you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time when you take a seat in one of Brennan’s eight glamorous dining rooms. If the weather’s nice, which it probably is, you could also ask to be seated in the enchanting open-air courtyard instead.

Thanks to Executive Chef Slade Rushing, the menu at Brennan’s brings Creole cuisine to a whole new level by marrying tradition with modern sensibilities. This is especially apparent in dishes like the New Orleans BBQ Lobster, which is bathed in a decadent Creole-spiced butter, and the Shrimp Creole Kimchi, an entrée consisting of meaty Louisiana shrimp and house-made kimchi atop a bed of exotic forbidden rice.

Ernest N. Morial Convention CenterOf course, there are some dishes on Brennan’s menu that don’t stray from tradition in the slightest, such as the Gulf Fish Amandine. Elegant in its simplicity, this entrée features fresh fish topped with slivered Marcona almonds served alongside haricots verts and preserved lemon butter, proving that you don’t mess with perfection. Another example of this is their Bananas Foster, an iconic dessert which, interestingly enough, was actually invented at Brennan’s back in 1951.

One of the places to wrap up a day out in the Big Easy is the world-famous Bourbon Street, which is located only a short walk from Brennan’s. Though the party never stops on this 13-block strip, after sundown is when it truly comes to life.

Unlike the rest of the entries on this list of New Orleans experiences, I’ll keep my description of Bourbon Street short and sweet. Just know that when you’re there, you’re in store for good music, good drinks, and above all, a good time. As they say, “laissez les bons temps rouler!”