Your Comprehensive Guide to New Orleans

An eclectic city home to a vibrant jazz scene, art festivals, inventive cuisine, and more parades per year than you can even imagine, NOLA has something for everyone.

…the essence of New Orleans is distilled down to a feeling: the comfort of a warm hug. New Orleans is one of those places that you never knew you needed, but once you experience it once, you’re hooked for life.

They say that you give the people you love nicknames, so it’s no wonder that New Orleans has, well, a few; she’s known as The Big Easy, The Crescent City (named after the way the Mississippi River curves around the city in the shape of a crescent), The Birthplace of Jazz, the colloquial ‘Nawlins…we could go on. Beyond the labels, though, the essence of New Orleans is distilled down to a feeling: the comfort of a warm hug. New Orleans is one of those places that you never knew you needed, but once you experience it once, you’re hooked for life.

What endears New Orleans to its visitors — beyond its beignets — are the locals. New Orleanians are the type who are sure to give you a big smile when passing you on the street, and thanks to living the laissez-faire lifestyle, quite literally find any excuse to celebrate. If you’ve been down to the Bayou, you know the welcome lilt behind the familiar question, “What can I get for you today, my baby?” after which you’ll naturally order an egregious amount of comfort food. But a visit to The Big Easy is about more than its food.

New Orleans, is a city teeming with art, music, culture, and experience. A day here can be spent sipping cocktails on a carousel, floating away to the sounds of live blues, or exploring your adventurous side with some of the best fishing in the world. But who exactly is New Orleans for, you ask? Well, everyone. Whether you’re headed down for Mardi Gras with friends, or grabbing your partner for a romantic couples trip, there are so many ways to experience this special city. And that’s where we come in — keep reading for our recommendations on where to stay, what to do, where to dine, and so much more.

Where to Stay in New Orleans

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans is located just a short fifteen-minute stroll from the French Quarter and primely located along the Mississippi River. The property places guests in the heart of the action while maintaining its exclusivity and oasis-like ambiance. Here, you’re invited to indulge in innovative Louisiana cuisine by local James Beard award-winning chefs, unwind by a resort-style pool, and rejuvenate in a state-of-the-art spa. Whether celebrating your best friend’s bachelor(ette) party, visiting schools with your soon-to-be high school grad, or needing a chic spot to crash on your business trip, Four Seasons awaits.

Maison de la Luz is a fully private guest house located just a few blocks from the Vieux Carre. All spaces in the hotel are for hotel guests only, making this eclectic property a quiet respite. All guests are welcome to enjoy the neighborhood perks, including full access to the adjacent Ace Hotel’s amenities, including signing privileges at all of their outlets. Be sure to visit Bar Marilou’s secret guest-only lounge to enjoy the full menu with the privacy included with your Maison de la Luz stay.

The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans is traditional to the core, complete with a resident jazz musician. The large and welcoming hotel still retains soul and charm, which is mostly to do with the people. They shine, they care and they always greet you with a genuine smile. The hotel spa is one of the best in the city, a dark and quiet oasis right off Canal Street. You definitely know you’re in New Orleans during the 80-minute full-body voodoo ritual massage, as the treatment room exudes a light fragrance of absinthe and cypress.

The Roosevelt New Orleans has a long and colorful history, stretching back to the early 1900s, from politics to prohibition — and as such, it is widely considered a locals’ favorite. The Sazerac Bar was one of the first to allow women into a historically gentleman-only bar, and this anniversary –Storming the Sazerac– is celebrated annually to this day, as folks from around the city dress in prohibition-era attire and enjoy cocktails.

Where to Eat in New Orleans

• Adolfo’s: Walk-in and cash only, this spot right on Frenchman Street will have you near all the music venues and random street performances. They provide excellent hospitality and loads of fun.
• Arnaud’s: If you’re looking for somewhere with a rich history dating back to 1918 and an old-school New Orleans experience, look no further.
• Atchafalaya: If you see a giant cast-iron skillet outside an upscale neighborhood eatery, you know you’ve found the right place. Their shrimp and grits are some of the best we’ve ever had and we can’t not mention the full Bloody Mary bar on Sundays!
• Bywater American Bistro: This is Nina Compton (of Compere Lapin)’s latest restaurant located in the Bywater. The food is unique and incredible, plus the art selection adds a new dimension to your experience.
• Café Du Monde: A playful option for inventive sandwiches and cocktails served in a quirky, colorful space, Café du Monde is a classic. We would definitely say you should try all five sandwiches on the menu, but if you had to go for one–or two–then the fried bologna and collard green melt would be our go-to.
• Coquette: A go-to for quaint and friendly, Coquette does a five-course blind tasting which makes your time here simple.
• Cochon: For a haute twist on simple staples such as deep-fried hog head cheese with field peas or rabbit and dumplings, Cochon and the adjacent Cochon Butcher offer sandwiches and house-cured meats.
• Domilise’s: When you want something that isn’t fancy but is an institution, Domilise’s does po-boys better than anyone else in the city.
• Drago’s: Check your diet at the door and order a dozen (or four) of Drago’s charbroiled oysters. Just trust us.
• Herbsaint: You won’t find it on every ‘hot list’, but Herbsaint has been around for ages and consistently offers some of the most reliably solid food in New Orleans which draws in more locals than tourists.
• Josephine Estelle: Italian with a Southern twist right inside Ace Hotel, prepared to be surprised!
• Justine: This Parisian-inspired brasserie is both classic and contemporary in design (think smoked mirrors, antiques, neon, and a DJ station) but the menu is full-on French. You’ll find traditional favorites like steak tartare, tuna Niçoise salad, duck confit, and a burlesque show on the side.
• Miss River: James Beard award-winning chef Alon Shaya‘s “Love Letter to Louisiana” is located inside the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. Here, the menu features Chef Shaya’s spirited takes on New Orleans’s beloved dishes paired with exceptional service. Don’t miss the whole carved buttermilk fried chicken.
• N7: Founded by filmmaker Aaron Walker and chef Yuki Yamaguchi, this restaurant and wine bar specializes in French cuisine infused with a Japanese touch. With seasonal and sometimes daily changes to the menu, you never know what surprise you may find.
• Pêche Seafood Grill: The interiors here make for a fabulous setting to enjoy some Southern cuisine. The fish sticks (fried catfish!) are sure to be a highlight and in our humble opinion, beat out the smothered catfish.
• Restaurant Revolution: Located in the heart of the French Quarter, a swanky hotel restaurant with an extensive menu of Creole fare, plus a 10000-bottle wine cellar.
• Saba: When you tire of heavier cuisine, this modern Israeli menu does the trick. Don’t miss the curried cauliflower hummus. As chef Alon Shaya’s second restaurant in the city, it’s one of our favorites.
• Sylvain: We love the dim candlelit vibe this spot offers right by Jackson Square where the fried oysters are a must! Sylvain also offers champagne, caviar, and french fry special that’s a whole lot of fun.
• Turkey and the Wolf: A playful option for inventive sandwiches and cocktails served in a quirky, colorful space, Turkey and the Wolf may just require that you try all five sandwiches on the menu. But if you had to go for one — or two — then the fried bologna and collard green melt would be our go-tos.

Best Bars in New Orleans

New Orleans is rooted in a drinking culture as rich and diverse as the city itself. From historic bars steeped in tales of yesteryear to vibrant street festivals, every sip tells a story. The city’s liberal attitude towards libations is evident in the ubiquitous go-cups, allowing revelers to take their favorite cocktails to-go as they explore the lively streets. Whether you’re sipping a classic Sazerac in a dimly lit jazz club, enjoying a refreshing Hurricane on the go, or partaking in a spirited round of “Cheers!” with locals at a neighborhood dive, New Orleans’ drinking scene is a spirited celebration of life.

• Arnaud’s French 75: Formerly the gentlemen’s bar of the legendary Arnaud’s Restaurant, this bijoux annex has the feel of a high-class French brasserie with its polished mahogany and plush armchairs adorning small tables.
• Bacchanal: Established in 2002, Bacchanal is a quintessentially New Orleans corner wine shop in the Bywater that hosts the biggest backyard party. It’s an all-encompassing, unique approach to food, wine, and live music experience.
• Bar Marilou: It’s hard to imagine a better place for a beautifully balanced cocktail than Bar Marilou. Tucked secretively along the inside of the Maison de la Luz Hotel lies this most striking library bar with scarlet bookshelves, orange ceilings, tiger-striped carpets, and carefully crafted libations.
• Bouligny Tavern: A sexy spot along Magazine Street with a masculine urban aesthetic, Bouligny Tavern is quite different from anything else in the city. Pro tip: they do a killer fig-infused old fashioned.
• Café Amelie: Tucked near the quieter end of Royal Street, Café Amelie offers one of the most lush, impressive courtyards in the city. Here, you can dine or drink; and while reservations are tough to score, they’re a must.
• Carousel Piano Bar: Located in the Hotel Monteleone, the Carousel Piano Bar is a classic. And yes, the circular bar spins! Well, at a snail’s pace, so you’re good to sip away.
• Chandelier Bar: Celebrating the rich history of New Orleans cocktail culture, Chandelier Bar provides stellar versions of the city’s classic cocktails, along with exquisite champagnes by the glass.
• Hot Tin Rooftop Bar: Located on the roof of the Pontchartrain Hotel, the Hot Tin Rooftop Bar has one of the most beautiful views of downtown New Orleans. Known for its eclectic décor, you’ll find both weird and wonderful artifacts and posters lining the way to the bar.
• Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: For a drink stronger than the hand grenade, order the purple drank (Voodoo Daiquiri). Celebrity sightings are not guaranteed, but very likely as this is a local haunt for a certain famous face who lives nearby.
• Pat O’Brien’s: The birthplace of The Hurricane and the Dueling Piano Bar, the original Pat O’Brien’s is a must-visit when making your way down Bourbon Street. With both indoor and courtyard seating, this hotspot will always be the life of the party.
• Tipitina’s: More of a concert venue than a bar, Tipitina’s is a quintessential New Orleans hotspot. We recommend checking out their show times while in the city — if Galactic is playing, you have your plans for the night!
• Vaughan’s Lounge: From the outside, Vaughan’s Lounge may look like another neighborhood dive. Inside, though, are over-the-top decorations and dozens of photos that point to a bar that’s well-loved by locals. We recommend going on a Thursday for the live jazz.

Best Jazz Bars in New Orleans

Jazz wasn’t just born in New Orleans – it grew up here. Every night of the week, the streets and clubs of the Big Easy come to life. Inspiring jazz can be heard all over this town, but there are a few standouts to prioritize on your next visit. 

Frenchman Street will lead you to some of the best live blues and jazz dive bars in the city. All of these clubs are closely concentrated in a short, three-block stretch, so part of the fun is hopping from club to club to find the vibe that best suits your mood. If you’re looking for more of a local scene, you’ll find it here. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro & d.b.a. are hip and authentic. Nearby, you have The Maison, The Spotted Cat, Marigny Brasserie, and Bamboulas, all with a unique flair that will quench your thirst for that quintessential New Orleans Jazz experience.

Going off of Bourbon but equally as important (if not more), to sinking into treue Jazz culture in New Orleans. A visit to Preservation Hall immerses you into living history with legends like George Lewis, Punch Miller, Sweet Emma Barrett, Billie and De De Pierce, The Humphrey Brothers, and Louis Armstrong having played here. It is open nightly with concerts at eight, nine, and ten o’clock from Mondays through Wednesdays with additional five and six o’clock performances from Thursdays through Sundays. Limited online reservations are available and can be booked through your SmartFlyer travel advisor.

Best Shopping in New Orleans

Two favorite spots for shopping in New Orleans are along Magazine Street in the Garden District- Uptown, and along Royal Street in the French Quarter. Along Magazine Street, you’ll find plenty of clothing boutiques and home décor shops. Plan to spend the good part of the day down in this area. We usually recommend starting up in the Garden District at Sunday Shop (unique global finds for the home) then hitting spots like Monomin (perfect for the minimalist adult and baby), Marion Cage (simple mod jewelry), Pilot & Powell (highly curated stylish collection of clothing), Julie Neill Designs (chic handcrafted chandeliers and fixtures ), Villa Vici (modern design-forward home furnishing and décor), and on and on, just pop in and out as something catches your eye, making your way into Uptown.

Along Royal Street, it’s all about the antique shops – furnishings and jewelry – blocks and blocks of them. M.S. Rau Antiques & Keil’s Antiques are sure bets and are more like museums with the quality of inventory. Once you’ve perused Royal Street if you’re still looking for that perfect item, the owners of one of  The Soniat House also have an in-house shop of hand-picked 18th, 19th, and 20th century French, English, and Italian pieces aptly called Soniat House Antiques. Everything about it is exceptionally good, particularly since it is lesser known you really feel as though you’re being allowed a glimpse into a successful hotelier’s collection.

What to Do in New Orleans

When it comes to seeing the city’s most sought-after sights, clients often opt to be guided by a local historian and expert to dig into its eclectic city’s music, culture, dialect, cuisine, and history. Arguably one of our favorite ways to see the city is taking an “out-of-service” street car down St. Charles Ave, bookable through your SmartFlyer advisor. You’ll be surrounded by the charm of historic architecture and the rhythmic click-clack of the streetcar. As you traverse the city’s enchanting streets, a private jazz band serenades your journey. Pop open a bottle of champagne, the effervescence mirroring the lively spirit of New Orleans, as you revel in the unparalleled views from your exclusive streetcar haven.

For something a bit out of town, Swamp Tours offer a great way to see the Bayou in all its natural splendor! You’ll learn about Louisiana wildlife, and possibly see a few alligators and lots of beautiful scenery for Instagram-worthy pictures. Finally, Louisiana is a sportsman’s/woman’s paradise, and a two-hour drive south out of New Orleans where the marsh meets the Gulf, you’ll find some of the best fishing in the world. Springtime is best for trout – the fall is best for redfish. If you’ve never been fishing for redfish, it doesn’t get more fun or local, true Louisiana. Ask your SmartFlyer travel advisor for recommendations in arranging a fishing charter during your next visit. Alternatively, we’ve rounded up some points of interest that don’t require a guide or a car out of town.

• Audubon Park is a 350-acre greenspace set in the middle of Uptown with jogging paths, playgrounds, an aquarium and insectarium, a nature center, and riding stables. It’s worth a visit, particularly as the sun is coming up or going down to catch the rays through the Spanish moss hanging from century-old oak trees.
• Arnaud’s Mardi Gras Museum is a captivating exploration of the city’s iconic celebration. Stepping into the museum is like entering a visual feast of Mardi Gras history, with intricate costumes, dazzling masks, and regalia from Mardi Gras queen, Germaine Cazenave Wells, and her family. It’s not just a collection; it’s a living narrative that immerses visitors in the magic and mystique of Mardi Gras, offering a snapshot of the city’s enduring joy and cultural richness.
• City Park has served as New Orleans’ largest outdoor attraction since 1854 and is one of the oldest parks in the country. With its iconic oak trees and picturesque moss canopies, this 1,300-acre green space brings in millions of visitors each year. With multiple themed gardens, biking and walking paths, live concerts, an amusement park, and the World’s largest grove of mature live oak trees, City Park has something for everyone. It is also home to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NoMa) which has nearly 50,000 artworks in its collection. Don’t leave without a visit to the Sculpture Garden, it will not disappoint!
• The National WWII Museum in the Central Business District is one of the most outstanding museums in the world – we recommend to devote half a day or more.
• The Sazerac House offers cutting-edge, immersive exhibit technology that allows guests to dive into the French Quarter in the 1800s with a simulation of the original Sazerac House. You can chat with virtual New Orleans bartenders about their signature drink recipes and learn how to build drinks from the famous Mr. Boston guide. Private events can include tastings of the spirit portfolios of the Sazerac Company with cocktail experts.
• Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s diverse collection showcases the region’s rich cultural heritage through paintings, sculptures, and multimedia exhibits, offering a profound glimpse into the complexities of Southern identity. From vibrant folk art to thought-provoking contemporary pieces, the Ogden Museum not only preserves the artistic legacy of the South but also invites guests to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the ever-evolving narrative of this culturally rich and captivating region.

When to Visit New Orleans

Before diving into the vibrant tapestry of New Orleans events, here’s a crucial nugget of wisdom: acquaint yourself with the parade and festival calendar. Whether you’re eager to join the revelry or perhaps prefer a more serene escape (though we can’t fathom why), being in the know about the where and when of parades and events is paramount. It not only influences your ability to navigate the city but will also guide where you want to base yourself. 

These are just a few of the events that take place in the city throughout the year, and there is truly something jazzy happening every month–make that weekend. Others include various food festivals, smaller parades, and themed parties that take over the quarter. If you’re curious about what is happening in the city and when we recommend taking a look at the event schedule before planning. And if you need a little clarification on the best time to go for you and your “krewe”, you can always ask your SmartFlyer advisor. 

• Mardi Gras is a cause for celebration across the entire city and practically lasts all of February. Many think of this time of year as an ideal time for visiting, when in reality, it is a time when the city shuts down to, well, celebrate. Morning to night, parades will line the streets. If you’ve been to New Orleans before, then we highly recommend a visit during this parade season. If not, a slower time of year may be better for your first foray into the town.Some clubs and organizations exist whose sole purpose is to celebrate Carnival – in New Orleans, they are known as “Krewe’s”. Each Krewe has its own parade and own unique history and theme. The most notable include Proteus, Rex, Muses, Bacchus, Endymion, and Zulu. The parades go along routes all over the city, St. Charles Ave, Uptown, Decatur Street in the Quarter, and St. Claude Street in the Marigny, just to name a few. So no matter where you are, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of beads flying through the air.
• St. Patrick’s Day has a similar celebratory flair to Mardi Gras, but on a smaller scale. You’ll still get people throwing beads and other souvenirs (like cabbage – like we said each Krewe has a theme and throws specific goodies) at you, but instead of it being a month-long, it’s just one weekend. The parade runs along Magazine Street, so if you’re trying to venture around the garden district, leave yourself a little extra time to account for traffic. As for where you should view the parade, Tracy’s Bar is a no-brainer.
• The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, or as the locals call it, Jazz Fest, takes place over two weekends in late April and early May and is known as one of the best times to be in the city. Not only is it a festival that draws in best-in-class artists from around the world, but the weather is incredible as it happens just before the summer humidity rolls in. The Jazz and Heritage Festival is held at the Fair Grounds Race Course in the Gentilly neighborhood featuring an endless amount of music, local and regional delicacies, one-of-a-kind handmade arts and crafts, second-line parades and so much more.
• Halloween is debatably one of our favorite times to be in this spooky city. In New Orleans, Halloween is much more than just a night for kids to go treat-or-treating chaperoned by their parents. Just like with many other holidays, New Orleans ramps it up in its unique, signature style – complete with costume parties, balls, street celebrations, and, of course, a parade. Krewe de Boo is one of the city’s most impressive parades outside of carnival season and it takes place the Saturday before the holiday. If you’re in New Orleans for Halloween, you’re in for some ghoulish and outlandish treats, and of course, some tricks!