While travel has opened back up in recent months, there are many who are still reluctant to venture outside of the U.S. to COVID-19 restrictions and safety concerns. New Orleans offers visitors a European vibe that’s a quick, one hour flight from DFW or Love Field. The brand-new Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY), currently hosting 16 airlines and approximately 150 daily departures, accommodates Southwest Airlines, where a ticket can run as little as $98 making for an affordable weekend getaway.

I recently published my current picks for a great New Orleans trip in the Katy Trail Weekly newspaper. CLICK HERE to read the article in its entirety. In addition to the selections I discussed in that article, I’ve expanded my picks to give you a more comprehensive guide. For the purposes of this guide, I’m keeping my selections within the French Quarter. It is the most popular tourist destination and the city’s oldest neighborhood. From eerie grave sites to stunning French and Spanish architecture, to the mysterious origins of voodoo and the birthplace of jazz, a walking tour is fun way to explore the neighborhood’s rich history. You'll find modern boutiques, art galleries, and artisan cocktails mixed with antique stores and some of Nola’s most established and celebrated restaurants in the Quarter. Wear comfortable shoes to wander the neighborhood’s cobblestone streets. You will be doing a lot of walking, not only to explore, but to work up an appetite in-between meals.

The Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons sets the tone for a night of adventure. Photo c/o Four Seasons New Orleans

WHERE TO STAY

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans just opened this past August. Located on the Mississippi waterfront at the foot of Canal Street, the property is across the street from Harrah’s Casino and steps from the historic French Quarter and the Warehouse Arts District. The experience begins at Chandelier Bar, a glamorous meeting spot that spills into the Hotel’s main entrance and lobby and out onto a garden patio. Inventive drinks are served beneath a jaw-dropping 15,000-piece light and glass installation that gives the bar its name. Spacious rooms and stunning views of the Mississippi River make this a luxurious place to stay.

Hotel Monteleone is located in the heart of the French Quarter and is home to one of my favorite bars, the Carousel Bar.

WHERE TO EAT

Start your day at Café du Monde for a café au lait and beignets
For a great Po-Boy or fresh oysters you can’t go wrong at Acme Oyster Bar, Felix’s, Napoleon House, Killer Po-Boys, or Johnny’s Po-Boys.
For a more elevated dining experience make a reservation at Arnaud’s.
Justine’s is delightful and is also very Instagrammable
Brennan’s is where my favorite dessert in the world, Bananas Foster was invented . It’s a MUST!
If you find yourself in town on a Friday, head to Galatoire’s for lunch. It’s not just a meal. It’s an event. No are reservations accepted, so line up early and be prepared. Dress is fancy or Sunday attire, with women wearing dresses and jackets required for men. You’ll enjoy traditional Cajun seafood dishes and classic cocktails. A brass band usually wanders through the restaurant playing jazz favorites like “When The Saints Come Marching In.” It’s loud and boisterous and the most fabulous example of New Orleans dining.
Court of Two Sisters has an amazing brunch buffet that will allow you to sample all sorts of traditional cajun cuisine and enjoy live music.

WHERE TO DRINK

Grab a Hurricane cocktail and relax in the courtyard at Pat O’Brien’s
Nab a stool at the beautiful Carousel Bar inside the Hotel Monteleone. Yes, you sit at an actual carousel and it travels in a circle. It’s amazing.
Chart Room is my favorite dive bar. Open to Bourbon Street it is a great spot to grab a Bloody mary and just people watch for a spell
Erin Rose is a great casual bar (with TV’s if there’s a game on). BONUS! There’s a Killer Po-Boy’s located in the back if you need a snack.
The Chandelier Bar in the Four Seasons is an elegant place to enjoy a cocktail. Then head to Miss River inside the hotel for dinner.

NIGHTLIFE

The only thing that might rival the food scene in New Orleans is music. Jazz music to be exact. New Orleans Jazz is a distinctive sound played by brass bands - not big-band swing - with horns creating harmony. Almost any song can be "jazzed up" with a New Orleans beat. Jazz was originally music for dancing - not listening - even though that is what modern jazz became in the 1950s. New Orleans jazz has a swinging, stomping, syncopated beat that makes you want to dance. It also has a simple melodic quality that, to some, sounds dated.

Open nightly, Preservation Hall is the city’s most famous jazz venue offering a variety of acts. Tickets can be purchased through their website and while you can walk up, reservations are highly recommended as performances do tend to sell out.
21st Amendment is a fantastic small bar (next to Felix’s) where you can end a night with great live jazz, a cocktail and dancing (or just good people-watching).

Whether going for the Cajun cuisine, amazing jazz music or the rich, storied history and architecture, New Orleans has a way of casting a spell that you won’t soon forget and will want to enjoy again and again. For more information or to look at a calendar of events, visit NewOrleans.com.

New Orleans Guide to the French Quarter 2021