Event related details incl. gate entry, parking & policies.: https://sse.tulane.edu/graduation-events

ATTENTION FEMALES: Please note the clear bag policy

Unified Commencement: Sat., May 16 at 5:00 PM @ Caesars Superdome - We have at least 20 tickets available for family members. Extra tickets can be arranged if needed.

Keynote Speaker: Sterling K. Brown, an Emmy Award-winning actor and producer per Tulane but whom I’m personally not familiar with

We plan to attend both graduation events, but it's your call which you'd like to attend. Let us know if you need tickets!

Dress Code: Both events are indoors and business casual is more than appropriate. For the Ricci side, just look back at pictures from Dan’s graduation and you’ll be fine. Don’t forget it will be hot and humid outside!

Airbnb Rentals: Check-in: Thurs., May 14 (after 3 pm) | Check-out: Mon., May 18 (by 11 am)

Team Kostiuk: Walking distance to The French Quarter at 222 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112

Team Ricci:‍ Walking distance to WWII Memorial and Warehouse District at 833 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70113

Rental Car We'll have an SUV that seats 5+ people available for the trip and Uber/Lyft is readily available throughout the city. Per Marisa, Lyft is generally cheaper.

Airport Tip: The shuttle bus from the airport terminal to the car rental depot takes 20-25 minutes even though you can see the depot. Unfortunately, you can't walk to it. Plan accordingly if you're renting a car

Some helpful descriptions and links to some of the neighborhoods in and around the city…

Uptown - where Tulane's main campus is located. Within this area resides the Garden District, a historic Uptown neighborhood known for its grand homes, lush gardens, and streetcars. It is defined by St Charles Ave, Magazine St, Louisiana Ave and Josephine St. An eclectic mix of cafe, bars and restaurants are located along Oak St including Snake & Jake’s (dog friendly bar), Maple Bar (jazz music venue) and Jacques Imo’s (seafood place next to Maple Bar.

Magazine Street - a six-mile stretch of local shops, antiques, and cafes from the French Quarter to Audubon Park, interspersed with residential homes. Great for wandering and discovering unique finds. Better dinner choices compared to Freret Street. If you want a nice cocktail, stop by Barrel Proof, which is walking distance from WWII museum.

Freret Street - a small downtown area for Tulane students with bars and places to eat.

Bywater & Marigny Districts - great for street art, local bars, and authentic neighborhood vibes beyond the tourist areas.

Downtown - the city core including Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. In addition to what you already know about this area, a few other places to keep in mind include Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar at the end of Bourbon Street. It has the best hurricane drinks in town per Becky. They have a projection TV that shows onto a wall across the street - usually playing whatever sports are in season. A few blocks away toward Louis Armstrong Park is Bar Tonique, with excellent cocktails per Marisa. For something different, stop by the Carousel Bar inside the Monteleone Hotel for a rotating bar experience.

You can also stop at Central Grocery & Deli located on Decatur St which is home to the original muffuletta sandwich

Frenchman Street - Lots of live music, little art studios, and dive bars with excellent people watching. Almost anything goes here and it is walkable from the French Quarter.

Tchoupitoulas Street Along the river with restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and art/collectibles shops. If you find yourself along Tchoupitoulas stop try a “snoball” at Hansen's Sno-Bliz. Heck, if you see a snoball shop anywhere, try it and get it with ice cream inside!

If you get thirsty, you’ll want to have a pint at Port Orleans Brewing Co. (4124 Tchoupitoulas St), which is Jamie’s favorite local brewery. It has a great outdoor area for enjoying the warm weather with a beer.

Here is a link to the whole NOLA brewery scene for those interested

Marisa has become quite a foodie during her time in New Orleans! She recommends making reservations at dinner places since everyone's families will be in town for graduation.

UPSCALE / SPECIAL OCCASION

N7 - Japanese-inspired French cuisine with a cute outdoor seating area.

Mamou - European fare on the edge of the French Quarter. Great cocktails and very tasty meals.

Shaya (Middle Eastern) - Unlimited bread - try their hummus and dips! it can be inexpensive if you stick to appetizers.

Pigeon and Whale — on Freret St

MID-RANGE / CASUAL

Mais Arepas (Colombian) - Probably the best Colombian food in NOLA. Try the arepas and plantain chips!

Cochon Butcher - Butcher shop with a restaurant. Incredible meats and sandwiches. Good for lunch or dinner.

El Pavo - Real Mexican with giant portions.

The Rum House - Caribbean cuisine on Magazine Street.

The Husky- Great happy hour burgers and old fashions ($20 range) on Freret

BREAKFAST & LUNCH‍ ‍

Flour Moon Bagels - The rosemary salt bagel is especially tasty.

Crabby Jacks - Best Po’boys in NOLA. Marisa loves the duck, but they give you tons of shrimp if you order that.

Satsuma Maple - Breakfast spot; very "clean"/not greasy, with good coffees and fresh juices.

The Vintage - lunch-focused, with a beignet flight (different beignet flavors) and great sandwiches. Open till 11 PM if you want good cocktails.

Slim Goodies Diner - Breakfast / brunch with a diner vibe. Yummy milkshakes and a huge menu.

Turkey and the Wolf - Excellent sandwiches.

Beyond drinking on Bourbon Street, NOLA has some specific one-of-a-kind attractions to consider

The National WWII Museum - Absolutely amazing; highly recommend

Mardi Gras World - Tour the facility where Mardi Gras floats are made. Surprisingly it is very fun!

City Park - Located north of downtown. Be sure to visit the New Orleans’ Museum of Art and walk through the sculpture garden (very cool).

Visit a Brewery!!! Here is a link to the NOLA brewery scene for those interested.

This link provides some other ideas for things to do while enjoying the Big Easy.

Want to take a tour but aren’t sure what is available or overwhelmed by the options? Well, Becky did the hard work for you! Also, if you’re not a fan of her choices, more links are below with other ideas and suggestions.

Frenchman St. Live Music Pub Crawl

• Thursday, 5/14: 7-10pm  

• Saturday, 5/16: 7-10pm 

• $40 per person 

• Get Ready to Party! Discover the Soul of NOLA on Frenchmen Street. Sip Cocktails, Explore Jazz History, and Groove to Live Jazz & Funk in the City’s Hottest Music Clubs on this Premium Guided Pub Crawl 

New Orleans Garden District Legends and Charm

• Thursday, 5/14: 11am – 1pm 

• Friday, 5/15: 11am – 1pm 

• Saturday, 5/16: 11am – 1pm 

• $25 per person 

• Walk past grand mansions, celeb homes & hidden gems in NOLA’s Garden District. Discover rich history, unique architecture & stories that shaped this iconic neighborhood. 

Explore the Haunted French Quarter

• Thursday, 5/14: 5 – 6:45pm 

• Thursday, 5/14: 8-9:45pm 

• Saturday, 5/16: 5-6:45pm 

• $35 per person 

• Discover the area's chilling hauntings, true crime, and vampire legends with local guides. 

New Orleans Street Art Tour featuring Bansky

• Thursday, 5/14: 3-5pm 

• Friday, 5/15: 10am – noon 

• Saturday, 5/16: 10am – noon 

• $26 per person 

• Discover the vibrant public art scene of downtown New Orleans during a two-hour walking tour. See works from local & international artists (including Banksy) and take a deep dive into their meanings. 

City-wide Driving Tour w/ Local Musician

• Thursday, 5/14:  2-6pm 

• Friday, 5/15: 9am – 1pm 

• Saturday, 5/16: 9am – 1pm 

• $64 per person 

• Roll through all of New Orleans with a Local Jazz Musician as your Guide! In just 4 hours, uncover hidden gems, jam-packed history, and the soulful rhythm that makes this city unlike anywhere else.  Includes the 9th Ward / Hurricane Katrina, Frenchman Street, Café Du Monde, Tulane, Garden District, St. Louis #3 Cemetery,  

Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl

• Thursday, 5/14:  5-7pm, 7:45 – 9:45pm, 8-10pm 

• $20 per person 

• Join the ultimate Ghost Tour & Haunted Pub Crawl Party—chilling tales, real haunted bars, and free shots! Drink, scream, and laugh your way through New Orleans’ spooky, boozy nightlife adventure! 

The Blackest Ghost Tour

• Thursday, 5/14: 8-9:15pm 

• Saturday, 5/16: 8-9:15pm 

• $40 per person 

• Uncover the city's most haunting stories from an Afrocentric perspective. (Read the reviews, they are really good). 

Magazine Street Foodie Tour

• Sunday, 5/17:  11am – 3pm 

• $119 per person 

• New Orleanians LOVE food, but they rarely go to the French Quarter to eat. Why? Because many of the best restaurants are located right in our neighborhoods! 

• One such foodie paradise for locals is Magazine Street. Join us as we eat our way through part of the famed Garden District, a vibrant neighborhood in Uptown, where locals of all ages come together to shop, sip, and sup in true New Orleanian fashion. 

• No gumbo here - let us treat you to New Orleans-style food most visitors don’t think to order on their own. Your meal will include 4 different savory restaurants for a total of 6 menu items; each specifically selected for its historical or cultural significance to New Orleans (as well as its great flavor)! Our 5th stop will delight your sweet tooth with a delicious dessert! 

Lower Garden District Food Tour

• Saturday, 5/16:  11am – 2pm 

• $99 per person 

• Our Lower Garden District Food Walking Tour showcases the award-winning restaurants as well as a trendy neighborhood with beautiful architecture, curving streets, and old-world NOLA charm! 

• The tour takes place right at the foot of Magazine Street, NOLA’s greatest shopping destination, with six gorgeous miles of every type of shop, restaurant, and bar you can imagine. This tour features America’s most famous bologna sandwich, meal-sized gourmet donuts, and a mix of flavors from Korea, Mexico, and more  

Best of Bywater: Food, Drinks, and History Tour

• Thursday, 5/14: 1pm – 4 pm 

•  Friday, 5/16:  1pm – 4 pm 

• $75 per person 

• Explore like a local! A tour for those looking to get off the tourist path, the Bywater arts and food scene are the main draw to this hip neighborhood's revitalization post-Katrina. This tour offers a unique look at the new, innovative direction of local cuisine, including Creole and Cajun classics, a po-boy sandwich, BBQ, great drinks, cool street art and a visit to the site that launched the historic Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson. Eat and drink your way through this bohemian neighborhood while taking in historic sites, folk art and colorful architecture! 

St. Roch’s - Self Guided Cemetery Tour or St. Roch’s

•  Free 

• 1725 St Roch Avenue New Orleans, LA 70117 

Plantation Tours - Drive along the Mississippi River to visit historic plantations (rental car needed).

Cemetery Tours - St. Louis Cemetery #1 or Lafayette Cemetery #1 in the Garden District offer fascinating history.

What to expect during the trip…

WEATHER - Mid-May should be very warm. Expect highs in the 80s, lows in the 70s, but it could touch 90 degrees. It will likely be humid but not too rainy at that time of year. (Note: If it does rain, expect some flooded roads.)

Hot Weather Tips: Most stores provide water to customers. You'll notice people walking on the shaded side of streets to stay out of direct sun. They also use shadows cast by tall objects (like electrical poles) to avoid the sun beating down.

THE NOLA EXPERIENCE - What makes New Orleans unique and fun also makes it maddening and frustrating at times.

Roads & Sidewalks: Potholes are bad. The sidewalks may be worse, so pay attention! Despite this, the streets are very walkable.

Neighborhood Vibes: The city has 90s Detroit vibes—it isn't always clear what is a "nice area" because so much look rundown at first glance. However, many really nice areas exist, but houses may look run down on the outside (partly due to historical building renovation rules).

Street Culture: Don't be surprised if you see people BBQing on the boulevards off main roads or just hanging out drinking. Totally normal.

Food: They do it in this town like few others. It's hard to get a bad meal.