New Orleans has always been a place of extortionary energy. The culture of the city is persuasive; its adventure is ever changing. Dominated by art and the city’s dynamic evolution, this visit was going to move the needle on my love affair with all the sights and sounds that New Orleans has to offer.
Having a home away from home when traveling is optimal; Loews, New Orleans offers the weary both respite and luxury. Beginning at my initial greeting by the hotel staff through to the exceptional service that I received while dining or, simply having a drink at the bar; Loews exceeded my every expectation. Poydras & Peters, an American Brasserie, named for the iconic New Orleans intersection on which the hotel is built, offers a glimpse into the history, relevance and cultural diversity of this great American City.
Not to be missed while visiting this city that boasts over 2,500 dining establishments is Chef Donald Link’s Herbsaint Bar and Restaurant. Accolade
laden, Herbsaint, is one of the best restaurants in the country and is helping to define dining in America. Check out The Chloe; a boutique uptown boutique hotel housed in a renovated and refurbished mansion invoking the spirit and glamour of New Orleans. The café is fun and filled with everything you’d expect in a New Orleans eatery, where local flavor is not only in the food but everywhere. Café Du Monde invites all who visit to enjoy their classic beignets and chicory coffee, complete with all the French Quarter has to offer. Just steps away is the French Market, an original Native American trading post-turned-indoor market for souvenirs and themed tchotchkies. My advice is to follow your nose – the city will certainly wake up all the senses as you stroll along the streets in this historic, ever-changing, eclectic city.
Lunch at The Country Club is not to be missed. Just remember that contemporary Creole cuisine isn’t the only spicy thing on the menu. Located in the artistic Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods of New Orleans, the art galleries, cafes and funky live music venues all add to the mix, and it is a refreshing sojourn from The French Quarter.
Art is alive and well in New Orleans and it continues to move and shape the future of this incredible city. From the technologically advanced Vue Orleans, located 34 stories above the hustle and bustle of daily life, to JAMNOLA, an immersive, funhouse exhibit that celebrates the incredible city’s more than colorful past; New Orleans really does have it all!
Art also helps to script the speed and trajectory of New Orleans' future. Not to be missed on any art tour of New Orleans is The Ogden Museum of Southern Art whose mission is simply “to broaden the knowledge, understanding, interpretation and appreciation of the visual arts and culture of the American South.” The Ogden, located in the Warehouse Arts District, boasts the largest collection of Southern Art and is a poignant salute to all things that make the South such an integral part of our nation’s heritage. Its hyper-personalized approach to collecting art and its carefully curated arts program add to the understanding of fine art for all ages.
Whether you have been before or are lovers of the city, everyone who visits needs to take in an evening of jazz music at Preservation Hall and a tour of one of the city’s many historical cemeteries. There is so much to do when you are in town, plan wisely and remember: laissez les bons temps rouler.
Road Trip It!
If you want t journey through time on your way to your New Orleans adventure; I’d suggest a road trip. There is a lot to see along the way and I would be sure to stop in Montgomery, Alabama and visit The Legacy Sites. Comprised of The National Center for Peace and Justice, The Legacy Museum, and Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, these sites offer visitors a glimpse into American history, fostering hope for all. Overnight at one of the city’s charming bed and breakfasts, or opt to spend an evening at the city’s most exciting destination, The Trilogy Hotel.