Whether you plan to spend only four years at Tulane or the rest of your life as a New Orleans-resident, we all have the privilege of calling this beautiful city home for some period of time! While I’ve loved all the exploring I’ve done, I’ve also found how important it is to discover places that make you feel at home.
Being back in my hometown for Thanksgiving has given me a newfound understanding of all the things that make someplace your “home.” For some it’s a favorite restaurant, movie theater or park, but all of us have familiar places and experiences that can make us feel better when nothing else can. Whether or not New Orleans is exactly like the place where you grew up or the polar opposite from your hometown, we can all find things that make us feel comfortable. While it’s certainly different for everyone, here are some of my favorites! (Click on the blue titles to be directed to the websites!)
A favorite restaurant…
5030 Freret Street
Everyone has a certain food that they crave. It may be greasy, unhealthy, or even only palatable to you, but your favorite food sometimes has the power to make even the worst day bearable. While back home, and much to the chagrin of everyone who has to eat with me, I incessantly crave my favorite Mexican food, at Tulane, I’ve developed a love for Dat Dog. The bacon, cheddar and ranch fries are arguably one of the best things ever invented, and perfect to make even the most stressful and hectic week exponentially better!
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A place to treat yourself…
Venus Experience
8011 Maple Street
Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up running from classes to meetings to social events. All of our schedules are undoubtably hectic and, on occasion, it’s okay to take time out of your day and treat yourself. Aside from going for a long walk or spending time with my friends, I love to go get a manicure or pedicure. While these expenditures don’t have a place in my limited college budget every week, sometimes it just feels time to let myself enjoy myself for a mindless hour!
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A favorite bookstore…
7523 Maple Street
There’s something about the feel and smell of a real bookstore that just can’t be replaced by Amazon. While sometimes its hard to get excited about reading a book for fun while drowning under hundreds of pages of assigned reading, literature can always provide a great escape! Maple Street Books has a great selection, as well as a full roster of events to go and check out!
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