Insider’s Guide to New Orleans: Where to Stay, Eat & Play
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Don’t you just love those long afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn’t just an hour – but a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands – and who knows what to do with it?
Tennessee Williams (Streetcar Named Desire)
New Orleans is always a good time. It’s known for its flavorful food and incredible music scene. Its parades are legendary. The cocktail game is prime and the energy is high. Few other American cities can claim culinary tradition, let alone the invention of a new musical genre.
There are so many different cultures that make New Orleans the vibrant and dynamic city it is today: Caribbean, Native American, African, French, German, Irish, Vietnamese and Latin American. My Insider’s Guide to New Orleans outlines everything you need to know: where to stay, what to do and where to eat. When you’re ready to head south, reach out to plan and book your New Orleans getaway.
The Historic St. Charles Streetcar
Need to Know
Airports: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), about 25 minutes from downtown.
Transportation: Downtown is pretty walkable, although the streets and sidewalks aren’t in the best shape, especially with those with mobility issues. Uber when you can or hop on a streetcar. The app “Les Pass” is the most seamless and efficient way to pay for the streetcar, ferry or bus rides.
Best Time to Visit: Fall is the sweet spot. October and November bring milder weather and fewer crowds. Spring, too, is lovely. Mardi Gras — usually in late February or March — is fun, albeit very crowded. The summer months through September tend to get hot and muggy, and September is hurricane season.
Ideal Length of Stay: New Orleans is perfect for a long weekend. You can cover a lot of ground in two to four days.
Signature Dishes: Oysters, gumbo, jambalaya, bananas foster, beignets (fried pastries dusted with powered sugar), muffuletta (cured meat sandwich with olives and cheese), snoballs (snowcones), cocktails.
What to Wear: In New Orleans, anything goes, clothing wise. But again, the city is hot. Pack breezy, airy outfits, plenty of sun protection and good sturdy walking shoes.
Insider’s Guide to New Orleans: Where to Stay
Speakeasy Seating | Maison Metier
Just like the city itself, New Orleans’ hotels are filled with character. Bespoke, playfully designed gems and classic, luxurious hotels ensure there’s something for everyone. The broad range of price points makes the city even more accessible. Here, you don’t have to spend a lot to stay somewhere special.
The lively, energetic French Quarter is where you’ll find the infamous Bourbon Street. The Garden District, a genteel, refined quieter area home to Victorian mansions and classic Southern sophistication. But don’t underestimate the Warehouse District. It’s very walkable and there is a lot to explore: galleries, trendy restaurants and museums. Below is my Insider’s Guide to New Orleans and recommendations for some of the city’s best hotels to lay your head.
Maison Metier: You’ll love the vibrant, eclectic decor, Parisian vibes and proximity to the city’s bustling Magazine Street. Book with me to receive a $100 food/beverage credit, $35 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Eliza Jane: A boutique hotel housed in restored 19th-century warehouses. The aesthetic is sweet and feminine; it’s posh and refined with purples and pinks, exposed brick and colorful carpeting. Book with me to receive a $50 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and early check-in whenever possible.
Hotel Peter and Paul: Located in a thoughtfully restored church and school is filled with art, antiques and furniture made by local artisans. It feels like a hyper-local, well-kept secret. Try the Mediterranean small plates and excellent cocktails at the Elysian Bar, and treat yourself to something from Sunday Best, a delightful shop in the church’s former convent.
Riverview King | The Four Seasons New Orleans
The Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans: Situated on the Mississippi River, this French Quarter icon is perfect for families, couples and anyone looking for luxury. You must grab a drink at the iconic Chandelier Bar, a glamorous spot for cocktails and caviar. Book with me to receive exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits.
The Windsor Court: Luxe, refined and sophisticated, with a rooftop bar and an air of regal grandeur. Book with me to receive a $100 hotel credit, $40 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Virgin Hotels New Orleans: Virgin’s signature bold, cheeky, playful decor and energy feels at home in New Orleans. Don’t miss the rooftop pool, nor the of-the-moment happenings, from a drag brunch to DJ’s parties. Book with me to receive a $25 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Insider’s Guide to New Orleans: What to Do
St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square
New Orleans always has something going on. The city is fun for friend groups and partying, though it’s equally great for families. Here are some of my favorite things to do in New Orleans.
→ Peruse the galleries, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and bars that line Magazine Street.
→Try a small group tour offered by New Orleans Secrets. Options include food and cocktail tours, voodoo tours, haunted tours, queer history tours and more.
→If you’re up for a bit of a drive (an hour or more), opt for a swamp or bayou tour just outside the city.
→Wander around the 10-acre New Orleans Botanical Garden, home to over 2,000 plant varieties, a sculpture garden, a train garden, a Japanese garden and a conservatory.
→New Orleans’ museum game is strong. A couple of highlights include the New Orleans Museum of Art, which has a notable collection of American, French, African and Japanese works. And the National World War II Museum has an extensive study of the war that changed the world with meaningful exhibitions highlighting famous and everyday heroes alike.
Insider’s Guide to New Orleans: Where to Eat
Table Setting | Dakar NOLA
Food is a huge part of the city’s culture and draw. Here’s where to indulge.
→Dakar NOLA, a tasting menu only Senegalese restaurant, won the 2024 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant.
→For upscale Israeli food in elegant environs, check out Shaya.
→Go to Seaworthy for oysters, cocktails and cozy trendy vibes.
→Peche is serious about local, sustainable sourcing. Go for the whole-grilled fish.
→Sun Chong serves amazing Asian fusion and cocktails in an effortlessly cool space made even cooler by a classic hip-hop playlist.
→For a neighborhood natural wine bar with the best local, warm and inviting vibes, go to N7. It serves French food with a Japanese touch. Snag a table in the outdoor courtyard.
→On Magazine Street, Saba serves some of the best Mediterranean and Israel food you’ll ever have. Get the blue crab hummus.
→Commander’s Palace is a New Orleans institution, having been around since 1893. Come for the “haute Creole” cuisine and stay for the soul.
→Galatoire’s is great for traditional French bistro vibes and New Orleans classics like shrimp remoulade.
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