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New Orleans is a mystical realm of eternal excitement and endless entertainment. It is an extraordinary city where leisure is valued as much as labor, a place that cherishes a culture steeped in joy.
We’ve assembled a selection of our beloved diversions, organized by the day, to ensure that your time in New Orleans is etched permanently in your memory.
Monday: Embark on a Tour
Fret not about the dreariness often associated with Mondays, for this is New Orleans we speak of. It signifies not only the commencement of the workweek, but more importantly, the birth of boundless amusement in the city.
To Do: Delve into the majesty of city-wide exploration.
New Orleans, being one of the oldest and most idiosyncratic places in the United States, beckons you to embark on a guided expedition through its myriad neighborhoods. Engage with a knowledgeable historian who will regale you with tales of the distinctive histories and charismatic personas possessed by each locale. There is the enigmatic French Quarter, where seduction and enigma dance through the streets; the illustrious Garden District, where you can while away hours succumbing to the delights of venerated homes, cemeteries, and restaurants; and the infamous Lower 9th Ward, forever marked by the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The choice is yours, each promises a captivating journey through time.
Local Tip:
It is vital to ascertain the operating hours of restaurants, museums, and attractions before setting foot outside. Mondays serve as a cherished day of respite for many establishments, resulting in temporary closures. Be informed before you venture forth!
Rebirth Brass Band performs live at the esteemed Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans.
Tuesday: Embrace the Lustrous Tones of Brass
Tuesday rarely occupies the prestigious position of being anyone’s favorite day of the week, but we are not most people. We are New Orleanians.
To Do: Immerse yourself in the sensational wavelengths of Rebirth at the Maple Leaf Bar.
Music and New Orleans are forever intertwined, interweaving a reality that resonates with the melodies of legends like Louis Armstrong, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, and Dr. John. Owing to this exceptional musical backdrop, journey to Oak Street, nestled at the terminus of the St. Charles Streetcar line, on Tuesday nights to witness the hypnotic spell woven by the world-renowned, Grammy-award-winning Rebirth Brass Band. Their performances unfurl precisely at 10 pm, transporting you to the reverberant heart of New Orleans. Allow the enchanting harmony of their music to sweep you away as you revel in a dance of shared jubilation.
Local Tip:
After you have swirlingly cavorted with your newfound congregation of 200 harmonious spirits, make your way to the Camellia Grill. Located a mere journey away, they serve an assortment of colossal breakfast omelets that remain available until the late hour of 2 am. This establishment is an indelible New Orleans treasure that you ought not to overlook!
Wednesday: Enter the Square
The midweek milestone gives rise to an exultation of live music, culinary delights, and locally crafted masterpieces, all in the name of benevolence.
To Do: Revel in the Wednesday at the Square experience.
Every spring, the Young Leadership Council orchestrates an extraordinary 12-week festival of complimentary concerts within the esteemed CBD (Central Business District) of New Orleans. This musical extravaganza showcases both local luminaries and national virtuosos who seize the stage, captivating the souls of businesspeople wrapping up their workday, children, graduate students, and tourists alike, sheltered within the enchanting embrace of Lafayette Square. An assortment of gastronomic wonders and the harmonious melodies woven through the air serve to create an experience unique to New Orleans, wherein all are united in celebration. Furthermore, it is imperative to note that all proceeds generated through the delectable culinary offerings are gleefully redirected towards the Young Leadership Council!
Local Tip:
Do remember to equip yourself with a blanket and/or a lawn chair as you traverse this unforgettable soiree of culinary and auditory enchantment. These essential items will ensure you are comfortably ensconced as you savor the culinary delights and melodies that surround you.
Thursday: Celebrate the Splendor of Art
We shall transport you to the grandest compilation of Southern art ever unveiled, situated but a few footsteps away from your lodging.
To Do: Partake in the wonders of Ogden After Hours.
New Orleans pulsates with an ever-thriving art scene, so much so that we have been graced with an entire district dedicated solely to this captivating realm – the illustrious Arts District. Traverse to Camp Street to immerse yourself in the beauty of art, live music, and fascinating interviews with eminent Southern music historians.
The Ogden Museum, a paragon of art, music, and culture no less, invites you once a week, each Thursday from 6-8 pm, to revel in an unbeatable Southern-art experience. Within its hallowed halls, local musicians grace the stage, including luminaries such as Trombone Shorty and Anders Osborne. Engage in illuminating conversations with talented artists, tantalize your taste buds with delightful fare, and savor exquisite cocktails prepared with utmost artistry.
Local Tip:
Cast aside your jeans and t-shirts for this occasion; rather adopt the refined ambience of smart casual attire. Surrounding you are a plethora of acclaimed James Beard-winning restaurants, lending themselves as perfect post-artistic-display destinations. Seek counsel from your intuitive concierge, who shall guide you toward these gastronomic treasures, prompting your truly extraordinary evening to unfold.
A bar on the New Orleans cocktail tour.
Friday: Delve into the Enchanting World of Cocktails
You now find yourself in the birthplace of the modern cocktail, a city that unabashedly indulges in the art of libation.
To Do: Embark on a captivating Cocktail Tour.
New Orleans and the art of the cocktail share a symbiotic relationship. The city revels in unabashed opulence and ornamentation, and libations, blending effortlessly into this vivacious tapestry, mirror this extravagance. Here, you shall find maestros of mixology, establishments that birthed the cocktail renaissance, and even an entire week-long festival that exalts the art of mixed drinks, aptly named “Tales of the Cocktail.”
Delve into the annals of history by partaking in a guided cocktail tour. Your learned guide shall lead you on an exhilarating journey through the greatest and most time-honored bars in the city, each regaling you with anecdotes and tales surrounding the creation of iconic elixirs such as the Sazerac, Pimm’s Cup, and Hurricane, among others.
Local Tip:
Friday night in the French Quarter embodies an unbridled festivity. Upon concluding your tour, make your way to the enchanting Marigny district, where you shall encounter an array of live music performances that stand among the finest in the city.
A French Quarter art market in New Orleans.
Saturday: Partake in a Remarkable Shopping Experience
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of New Orleans by acquiring a tangible piece of its artistic splendor at one of the many local art markets.
To Do: Indulge in the enchantment of an Art Market.
Saturdays herald the arrival of market days in New Orleans. Each neighborhood, be it the Warehouse District or the charming Bywater, metamorphoses into an open-air bazaar. Here, artisans proudly display their craft, while local farmers proffer their harvest. Partake in this radiant effervescence as you traverse the renaissance unfolding before your eyes at an art market.
The gargantuan French Market, stretching for entire blocks on the outer edge of the French Quarter, stands as a behemoth among markets. It teems with an impressive congregation of vendors offering wares of all kinds, from trinkets to souvenirs, from local produce to crafts. An absolute must-visit, even if solely for a taste of freshly-squeezed strawberry lemonade.
Local Tip:
Prudence dictates that you bring an ample supply of cash. Given that each vendor is independent and ATMs are scarce, some may accept credit cards while others may not. Better to be prepared than to fall victim to the charms of a coveted item with no means of acquiring it!
Sunday: A Harmonious Encounter with Jazz over a Plateful of Delight
Following a week replete with exuberant revelry, it is time to decelerate, indulge in sumptuous fare, and surrender oneself to the captivating embrace of New Orleans jazz.
To Do: Delight in the rapture of a Jazz Brunch.
Visiting New Orleans necessitates embracing the city’s gastronomic offerings. They encapsulate the essence of the local culture, the vibrant axis around which the city revolves. Therefore, there exists no superior manner in which to draw your week to a close, or to herald its commencement, than by surrendering yourself entirely to the enthrallment of a Jazz brunch.
The city’s culinary luminaries, such as Arnaud’s, Commander’s Palace, and Palace Café, entice patrons with delectable Jazz Brunch renditions. Allow your senses to be serenaded by traditional New Orleans jazz as you savor dishes like Eggs Sardou. Embrace the unhurried pace of the city, taking your time to appreciate the impeccable meal and the surrounding ambiance permeated by sublime jazz harmonies.
Local Tip:
Upon the conclusion of your brunch, embark on a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood. This affords you the opportunity to witness the encompassing beauty of New Orleans while simultaneously shedding a few of those brunch-induced calories.
When we say, “New Orleans fun never sleeps,” we mean every word. So, venture forth into the embrace of the Big Easy and immerse yourself fully in the joyous revelry that courses through its very veins, regardless of the day!
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