#esplanade avenue nola

[gypsealife]

What to do in New Orleans

What to do in New Orleans

Do you want to go to New Orleans but aren't sure where to begin? I'll tell you about some of the top things to see in New Orleans in this article (Louisiana). NOLA, or The Big Easy as its residents refer to it, is known around the world as the metropolis of jazz, Creole cuisine, and a distinct dialect.

New Orleans, located in southeastern Louisiana, is described as beautiful, colorful, relaxing, and fun.

It is a city of French and Spanish ancestry with strong African-American characteristics, exhibiting American pluralism via architecture, music, and cuisine.

Since President Thomas Jefferson purchased New Orleans for $15 million from Napoleon Bonaparte, it has been a great American rare.

Immersing yourself in its French Quarter is like stepping back in time to the 18th century, while also taking in the cultural distinctives that have been added during the 19th and 20th centuries to create this the country's most eclectic city.

Due to its origins on the banks of the famous Mississippi River, it has a large ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity, as well as one of the most important musical diversity in the United States. It is a melting pot of cultures, including French, Spanish, African, Latin, and Caribbean, and as a result, the majority of its residents are of African heritage.

1. Go to New Orleans' French Quarter.

Bourbon Street is located in the center of New Orleans' French Quarter.

The French Quarter is unquestionably the crown jewel and thus one of New Orleans' must-see attractions. It covers around 13 blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue and is known among its residents as "The Vieux Carre" or simply "French Quarter." Bourbon Street, studded with restaurants, cafes, bars, and strip clubs, is one of the city's most popular and busiest streets.

Visit James Square, one of the city's most prominent squares, which is located along the Mississippi River. You can see the gorgeous St. Louis Cathedral from here, or take a rest in the famous Café du Monde, which was built in 1896.

2. Show your support for the New Orleans Saints.

Of course, we can't ignore the most popular sport in the United States, American soccer. This sport is extremely popular in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans. The New Orleans Saints, 2011 Superbowl champions, and their home stadium, the stunning Mercedes-Benz Superdome, are based in New Orleans. The team is well-liked and respected by the locals because they exemplify the principles of hard work, tenacity, and never giving up in the face of adversity.

These qualities also represent this metropolis, particularly when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 and wreaked havoc on the city. After winning the Super Bowl, the team's fans elevated them to the status of heroes.

3. Get to know New Orleans by riding the streetcars.

Streetcars in New Orleans

Another thing I recommend doing in New Orleans is taking the streetcars to get a feel for the city. These fantastic electric streetcars date back to the 1600s and provide lovely excursions in buildings that are still in use today.

There are currently four primary lines that provide tours of some of New Orleans' most popular and noteworthy attractions. You'll be able to see the Mississippi River from angles you've never seen before on one of these tours.

4. Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square

Congo Square is a historically significant square. New Orleans was the only city in the northern United States that allowed slaves to meet in public and play their native music during the French colonial era, when slaves were transported.

On Sundays, their one day off, they met in Congo Square to do so. Today, it is part of Louis Armstrong Park, which was once known as "La Place des Negres" by the settlers, where they sang, played music, and sold homemade cuisine. As a result, it may be stated that in the early twentieth century, Congo Square gave birth to an era's worth of indigenous music: Jazz.

5. Treat your ears to some music at Preservation Hall.

New Orleans' Preservation Hall is a jazz venue.

The Preservation Hall, located on St. Peter Street in the center of the French Quarter, is a historic location where you can enjoy acoustic jazz music in an intimate setting practically every day of the year. Every day, the facility has a cast of more than 50 local musicians who perform in various formats.

If you come in on any given night, you'll be treated to the sight and sound of local and resident musicians improvising great tunes. If you appreciate this type of music, New Orleans holds one of the country's largest jazz events, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which takes place every year.

6. Historic Voodoo Museum in New Orleans

New Orleans was the core of the slave trade and commerce in the United States before the abolition of slavery in the 18th century. During this period, the slaves' cultural and religious traditions, which originated mostly in Africa and Haiti, were assimilated into the metropolis. Voodoo was one of the city's most enduring traditions.

After centuries, the city of New Orleans established the New Orleans Historic Vodoo Museum, which is solely committed to educate people about African culture and religion. Throughout history, ritual books and voodoo dolls or amulets have been found here.

7. Take a walk in City Park in New Orelans to get some fresh air.

City Park, one of the city's main green lungs, situated roughly 3 miles northwest of the French Quarter. With a total area of 5.3 square kilometers, you can breathe fresh air while exploring centuries-old oak forests, walking routes, biking paths, lakes, picnic places, and more. The New Orleans Museum of Art, as well as the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a garden full of free sculptures and the New Orleans Botanical Garden, are all located inside the park's borders.

The park also features two stadiums, golf courses, rugby and soccer grounds, and hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including weddings and the Vodoo Music + Arts Experience, which is the largest music festival in the world.

8. The New Orleans Museum of Art is number eight on the list.

If you enjoy art, the New Orleans Museum of Art - NOMA - is a must-see in New Orleans. The museum, which is located within the magnificent City Park, has an extensive art collection of 40,000 items covering 5,000 years of history, as well as a sculpture garden in City Park that is open to the public for free.

Hours:

Monday was a holiday.

From 10:00 a.m. until 18:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Price:

Adults are charged $15.

Students at universities pay $8.

Admission is free for those aged 19 and younger.

9. Oak Alley Plantation is number nine on the list.

Oak Alley Plantation's Avenue of Oaks

Nearly a dozen old plantations with gorgeous houses and exquisite gardens can be found about 50 miles west of Downtown, along the Mississippi River. Whitney Plantation, Laura Plantation, and Felicity Plantation are a few examples. A visit to Oak Alley Plantation is highly recommended.

You'll need at least 2 hours to absorb 200 years of history and tour all of the properties of this old sugar plantation, when roughly a hundred slaves worked between the field and the house as men, women, and children.

Schedule:

Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.

Price:

Adults are charged $25.

$10 for youth (13-18 years old).

$7 for children aged 6 to 12.

Admission is free for children under the age of five.

10. Take a Mississippi River cruise

I urge that you see New Orleans from a different vantage point. Get to know it by taking a trip down the Mississippi River on the Natchez, Louisiana's most famous steamboat. It would be nearly difficult to truly appreciate New Orleans without traveling down the Mississippi and aboard the Natchez.

You will not only go through the entire city of New Orleans on this expedition, but you will also travel through the states of Kentucky and Missouri, among others. Aboard this lovely old ship, you will have a wonderful time. Don't miss out on wonderful meals and fantastic musical performances!

11. Enjoy a meal at the historic Commander's Palace.

Commander's Place Restaurant in the Garden District of New Orleans

The remarkable ethnic mix of New Orleans is reflected not just in religion and music, but also in the food. The most popular cuisine in the city is "Cajun," which combines classic, rustic French cuisine with regional products and influences.

The legendary Commander's Place restaurant is located in the Garden District, surrounded by lovely and historic colonial farmhouses. I recommend stopping by to get a feel for the area and sample some Creole cuisine.

The National WWII Museum is number 12 on the list.

New Orleans is home to the acclaimed National WWII Museum, which opened in 2000. This museum is a must-see for history buffs who want to learn everything there is to know about WWII.

You can also accomplish it using interactive artefacts and artifacts from the historical period. It is, without a doubt, an attraction not to be missed.

[maelabescond]

Bayous / Krewé du Vieux

lGros programme aujourd'hui. On a rdv au parc Jean Laffitte pour prendre un bateau dans les bayous pour 1h30 et ce soir a lieu une parade, le Krewe du Vieux, une des grandes, qui ont lieu régulièrement lors de la période du carnaval (de janvier à mars, avec l'apothéose à Mardi Gras, cette année le 1er mars). Toutes les maisons sont décorées aux couleurs du mardi gras, jaune, vert, violet. ça donne un charme fou à la ville évidemment et ça ajoute encore à la joie des gens, et à la notre :-)

Prêts, partez ! AHHHHH non, haha, il semblerait qu'on ait un pneu à plat... bon... on prend un taxi parce que l'on ne peut tout de même pas rater ça. Le chauffeur nous dit que les rues de la N.O sont pleines de clous à cause des maisons effondrées lors des différentes tempêtes. c'est hyper fréquent de crever du coup... et il y a eu Ida il y a 8 mois aussi qui a fait pas mal de dégâts.

Nous voilà partiiiiiiiiis ! le guide est trop cool, il fait plein de blagues. il fait beau et chaud, il dit que c'est bon signe pour voir le bout du nez de quelques alligators. Il a raison !!! on en voit plein, dont même une maman qui nous menace car on découvre qu'elle a des bébés avec elle ! et aussi des aigles, des aigrettes, des tortues, c'est ganial.

Je règle cette affaire de voiture dès que Lou est à la sieste. Corentin et Elena sont partis prendre un café au soleil en attendant. le Dieu des transports n'est définitivement pas avec nous haha. Mais j'arrive à joindre la roadside assistance, ils prennent ça en charge, me disent qu'un gars va venir mettre la roue de secours et que je devrais conduire la voiture jusque l'aéroport où ils m'en donneront une autre. OK, j'ai trop peur de rater la parade avec tout ce trafic mais finalement ça se goupille bien, ils nous filent une Toyota Camry bleu électrique de kéké, une berline qui se conduit toute seule comme l'autre donc nickel. Et les gens que je vois sont à nouveau très très sympa.

Je rentre pile poil pour la parade, on part à pieds, et là... Punaise de punaise. Les gens ont tous 12 ans à nouveau ils sont déguisés en robe, en jupe, en bas résilles, à moitié nus, en strass, en glitter en paillettes, un slip sur la tête, tout le monde descend vers Esplanade avenue, et se place sur le trajet de la parade. On sait pas trop à quoi s'attendre mais on sent que ça va être fun. J'ai maquillé Elena, elle a même un peu de rouge à lèvres, elle est ravie.

Opulence de chars, beaucoup tirés par des chevaux tous faits maison, sur le thème principal du sexe, hein, à la sauce gravelax. C'est complètement absurde, ça me rappelle furieusement le Carnaval Naval de Brest mais avec mille fois plus d'investissement. à chaque char son thème, ses costumes, et son orchestre. Les gens hurlent à chaque passage, dansent, et réclament des petits cadeaux distribués comme sur la vidéo ici. (des capotes, des toupies, des colliers, des masques de bagues en plastique qui s'allument, des autocollants, des sous bocks ...) ça dure environ une heure, ensuite les gens suivent la fin de la parade, ou restent à discuter et boire des coups dans la rue. C'est juste incroyable et on a un bol de dingue d'être tombés à ce moment là, on avait pas du tout prévu ça !

On marche pas mal avant de rentrer vers 21h30, on prend un fast food DEGUEU sur le chemin du retour, beurk. demain dernier jour à NOLA snif.....

[spookygrantaire]

Of Heroes and Thieves

Part 3

Notes/Warnings: shitty written accents and French, swearing here and there. Places I’ve mentioned here are places I’ve actually been and they’re actually AMAZING 10/10 go if you ever get a chance. NOLA is literally my favorite city on earth and I had to force myself to stop writing about it. But any who, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. It’s a decently long one. 

CLINT POV

She’d dropped him off in the French Quarter, right near Jackson Square. “If you go half a block that way,” she pointed, “you’ll get to Cafe Du Monde. Get some coffee and a couple beignets. I’d take you somewhere less touristy, but for obvious reasons I can’t. And from here you’ll be able to find your footing fast. I guess I’m also just assuming you’ve never been here, huh?”

He grinned. “Once, a long time ago. And it was not a vacation.”

“Hence how you know who my famille is, huh?” she guessed, slipping into the accent she’d mostly lost. 

His smile grew. “Yeah, babe. You gonna keep that accent for a while?”

His girl rolled her eyes. “Shut up. I’ll call you when I can. One way or another. I gotta go. Ride’s here,” she nodded toward a tall man leaning against a motorcycle. “I’ll pay for the parking,” she pulled out a twenty and handed it to him. 

With that, he sighed as she walked away after kissing his cheek, watching to see her hug the man and get on the back of his bike. He caught a whiff of fried dough and coffee; time to follow his nose. He needed the distraction anyways. 

The famous beignets were just as delicious as everyone said they were, he had to hand it to them. The coffee was perfect. It was a beautiful evening out as well. He just wished he could be exploring the city with Y/N. He finished the coffee and started heading off in a random direction. The idea came to him to get some souvenirs for both the team and his girl. Something that would scream home to her whenever she missed it. That’s when he found a street artist putting his stuff away for the night. “Are these paintings for sale?”

The man looked up in surprise. “Yes, sir! New to town?”

“Just passing through for the night,” Clint mused, looking at the artwork. One painting of the architecture of the Quarter in particular caught his eye, then the man also had something that showed the rows of graves in one of the cemeteries. A little dark, but quite beautiful. “How much for these two?”

“Thirty for both, sir. Why only here for the night, might I ask?” the man got the paintings together for Clint as he handed the money over. 

“Gir--uh, my friend has some family drama. I’m here for moral support in a way. She sent me to roam around. What’s a good place to eat a quick dinner?”

“Ah, now son, you’re in New Orleans! Everywhere is good to eat! But just around the corner you got a great place for some po’ boys, there’s a few bars on Bourbon Street that have great jambalaya. Whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s something good. You like pizza? Find any of the daiquiri bars. They got deals on the booze and have great pizza. Oh, a burger! Esplanade Avenue, Port Of Call. Best burgers in the city. Cooked however you like to perfection, and you will not regret it.”

“Burger does sound good. Thanks!” 

“Thank you, sir. Have a lovely visit.”

With that, Clint first took a detour to drop the art off at the car, then ventured off for this famous burger. Taking in the sights and sounds of the city on the way, he definitely could see how Y/N was going to be sad to leave. It was a beautiful city and so inviting. When he finally made it to his destination, he was mildly surprised how dark it was inside, but it was true to the old ship theme. He ordered himself a beer and a burger, the menu being only a few items. Once he took a bit, he almost moaned. It was indeed, cooked to perfection. After he left, he decided to follow the music. On the way to the restaurant he’d seen a parade and some street dancers and what appeared to be shows. Time to find one. Maybe he should take one of the haunted tours?

READER POV

She’d missed Remy more than she’d realized and it was a shame that this was one of the last rides she’d ever take with him. The man was like a brother to her her whole life and when her older sister had married his older brother, it only became official. He’d protected her from Julien and Belle’s bullying often enough when they were kids, and she knew he was upset he couldn’t help now. 

“‘M sorry dis is happenin’ ta yo’, Chere,” he said when they parked at the big family mansion. 

She took her helmet off and looked up at him, staring into those sunglasses he always wore in public. “It’s not on you, Rem. It’s on me. I’m the one who chose to get involved.”

“Yo’ really mus’ have it bad for de bird man, non?”

She elbowed him lightly. “That’s entirely none of your business, LeBeau.”

“It’s my business, though!” rang a voice behind them. 

Shock rolled through her body when she turned and saw her big sister, round belly and all the sass in the world. Tears stung at her eyes upon the realization that she wouldn’t be around for the birth of her nephew. “Mercy!” she ran over and hugged the blonde woman. “I’m so sorry, Merc,” she cried into her sister’s shoulder. 

“Hush, sug. Nothin’ ta be done now. We’ll come visit yo’, soon we can. ‘S all gonna be alright, Y/N,” Mercy soothed. 

A cough came from behind Mercy and Y/N looked up to see her brother in law. “Lemme hug you, ‘fore I have ta take yo’ to pere,” he smiled. 

“Missed ya too, Henri. You best be the one responsible for knockin’ up my sister,” she laughed. 

“All night long, Chere,” he laughed.

“Gross,” Y/N wrinkled her nose. She glanced around as the group entered the house. “Where’s Tante Mattie?”

“Righ’ here, chil’!” came a shout. “Ain’t no one r’spect Mattie no mo’. Who tol’ me yo’ were back? Not a soul. Who told me about ev’ryt’in only jus’ dis morn’? Mercy. Chil’ gets slack b’cause she’s givin’ Jean Luc a grandbaby, but wait til she pops,” the old woman shook her head. “Now come here, an’ hug me.”

Y/N obliged, a smile on her face. It really had been too long since she’d been home. And now it was too late to plan future visits. She pulled back and smiled sadly. “Guess I bes’ get this over with. If it is a death sentence, Merc,” tears now rolling down both sister’s faces as they locked eyes, “you better tell my nephew all about me.”

“It won’ be. I tol’ Jean Luc he’d never see his grandbaby if it is.” Y/N laughed, knowing it was a serious, yet idle threat. 

“Take me to your leader, Henri,” she said, jokingly holding out her wrists for cuffs. 

“Stop that,” he rolled his eyes. “Now,” he led her away toward the large room they used for council meetings. “It’s the whole council here, and Marius Boudreaux is here to make sure the sentence is actually given,” he frowned. 

She nodded. “Wouldn’t expect any less, truth be told.”

He nodded before opening the doors, and gesturing for her to enter first. 

“Y/N, Chere, I really wish yo’ were home under better circumstances,” Jean Luc greeted sadly. “All de same, nice t’ see yo’.”

“You too, Jean Luc,” she glanced around at the council members. “May I say, I am sorry for the trouble my actions have caused?”

“Yo’ ain’ sorry for yo’ actions though, are yo’?” Marius spoke up from the side of the room, standing up straight. “Gettin’ involved in things dat don’ concern you. Bes’ we can say is leas’ you were alone.”

The statement shocked her. They didn’t know she’d led the Avengers to the warehouse. How did they not know? Julien must have left as soon as he knocked her out. 

“I’ve been working long enough I know better not to get involved in Assassin business. I just couldn’t resist some action, I suppose. I’m sorry,” Y/N lied through her teeth. She was a good liar though and could only hope Marius was slipping in his age. She knew Jean Luc could see right through her, however. 

Marius scoffed. “Yo’ always were a hothead.” He leaned against the wall once more. “Le’s get dis over wit’.”

Jean Luc nodded. “We decided yo’ punishment is yo’ done t’ievin’. Fo’ de Guild, leas’. And,” he glanced at Marius, who nodded once. “Yo’ officially b’trot’ed t’ Julien Boudreaux.”

[hoodcriticentertainment]

One of New Orleans oldest sayings is Yeah U Right! Dipped in that deep south southern drawl, with a hint of geechyness, with a whole lot of kewl. #hoodcriticent #hcent #nola #real #knowledge #talent #fashion #news #loveyournola #art #supportyournola #saveournola #rebuidournola #supportnolaartist #live #love #life #STICKWITHUS (at Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKX4mj1F4j_/?igshid=ackrszbo5mdl

[chrissmithhomes]

1933-35 Bayou Road is Your Mid-City CASH COW!! Only ONE Block off Esplanade Avenue. TRIPLEX Property/MONEY MACHINE $$$$ 1st Floor unit consists of: 2 Bedrooms & 2 FULL Baths with Living Room, + Den/Dining & Kitchen. 2nd Floor unit consists of (2) 1 Bedroom & 1 Bath units with Den/Living room & Fully Equipped Kitchens (GAS Range). Spacious Shared Laundry Room. LUSH Private Backyard with Detached Storage Shed. FLOOD ZONE = X (LOW Annual Flood Insurance Costs). Offered at $400,000. • • • • • #investment #realtor #realestate #property #realty #properties #broker #investor #invest #househunting #housing #realestateagent #justlisted #homesforsale #investing #mortgage #rental #listing #makemoney #investneworleans #investnola #HomeSale #newhome #cashcow #airbnb #neworleans #income #vacationrental #nola (at Bayou St. John, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKrhioFVCF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sk2pj9igd8zj

[worlddaily]

‘Sunshine parents’ demand greater special education accountability at Bricolage Academy

‘Sunshine parents’ demand greater special education accountability at Bricolage Academy

[ad_1]

Parents of several Bricolage Academy students with special education needs gathered in front of the Esplanade Avenue school Wednesday, to voice their concerns about special education services and call for the school to release the results of a NOLA Public Schools district audit. 

“We are the Sunshine Parents at Bricolage,” parent Roby Chavez said at a press conference shortly after…

[wineanddinosaur]

Everything That’s Worth Drinking in New Orleans, According to Ashtin Berry

The American bar community is lucky to call Ashtin Berry one of its own. An industry veteran whose résumé includes the Ace Hotel New Orleans and Tokyo Record Bar and Air’s Champagne Parlor in NYC, Berry is also an in-demand speaker and unstoppable activist. Her most recent project is Radical XChange, a platform promoting equality in hospitality through events and forums like Resistance Served, a February 2019 symposium dedicated to Black Americans’ contributions to hospitality.

Berry is leading a movement, one venture, conference, and glass at a time. In April 2018, she spoke about intersectional feminism — the multidimensional experiences of those with layered minority identities — at Bacardi’s Spirit Forward Conference in New York City. As she lectured, an entire room of fellow bar folk sat quietly and listened intently. The same thing happened when she spoke at drinks conference Chicago Style in May 2018.

Credit: Instagram.com/TheCollectress

An industry authority, Berry is, of course, someone who knows exactly where and how to get a great drink. And so there is no one better than Berry to show us how to dine, drink, and play through her current stomping grounds, The Big Easy. After all, even activists gotta eat. Let’s take a look at how Ashtin Berry lets les bons temps rouler.

Drinking

Manolito

“Get the cheese arepa and their house frozen Daiquiri! They put coffee beans in it.” Location.

Manolito, a bar in the French Quarter, also ranked among VinePair’s top 10 new bars of 2018. Credit: Marc Pagani

Mouthfeelz

“Mouthfeelz is owned by two women and is on the back patio of Sneaky Pickle. They have an amazing wine list that’s approachable, affordable, and fun.” Location.

Junction

“Junction is a great beer bar. There aren’t a ton of beer-specific bars in NOLA that curate the list like this place does�� It’s laid back, unobtrusive, and comes without the bro culture. Plus, the wings and fries are really good.” Location.

Eating

Marjie’s Grill

“Go for Mag Mondays — all magnums are half off! If wine isn’t your thing, they have tons of fun cocktails. And stay for the food. I love the fried pig tails. If that’s a little too adventurous for you, then get the smoked cabbage.” Location.

Parkway Bakery & Tavern

“This is the best po’ boy in town! I love the catfish and shrimp or the roast beef po’ boy with gravy.” Location.

1000 Figs

“The chicken salad sandwich here is soooo good (and worth the travel, I promise). Go in the afternoon, order your food at 1000, and then go next door to eat it with a bottle of wine from the women at Swirl Wine Bar.” Location.

Berry recommends the chicken sandwich at 1000 Figs, a casual spot off of Esplanade Avenue. Credit: 1000figs.com

Sleeping

Catahoula Hotel

“The Catahoula Hotel is awesome. The rooms are minimalist, but nice. The bar has an amazing Pisco selection, and Midnight Noodle serves vegetarian, Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine.” Location.

The rooftop bar at the Catahoula Hotel overlooks the Central Business District. Credit: Catahoulahotel.com

The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery

“This hotel is definitely more posh, but has a beautiful restaurant and bar called Compère Lapin.” Location.

Extracurriculars

Westbank

“NOLA isn’t that big, but I enjoy going to the Westbank area, where there are a lot of hidden gems. Visit the food stores in Hong Kong Market — the frogs’ legs at Tan Dinh are not to be missed.” Location.

The post Everything That’s Worth Drinking in New Orleans, According to Ashtin Berry appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/new-orleans-best-bars-ashtin-berry/

[pcurrytravels]

Thoughts: New Orleans (Part VII)

Well, here we are. My last day in New Orleans, and my last series of thoughts on the place. As long and arduous a process this was (I DID have a lot to say after all), I assure you all, I had a lot of fun sharing my experience with you all. Almost as much fun as I had visiting the place, really. Let us begin, shall we?

The day began with another morning walk and breakfast. My mom, ever so boring, just stopped by McDonald’s on Canal, but I, as the more adventurous traveler, decided to stop by this little spot a block away from our hotel named Merchant. A café largely aimed at the office workers in the area, this unusually modern space for New Orleans is one of fairly large number of places in the city which specialize in crepes. And I love crepes. They’re also a bit of a rarity in my city, so yes, having a crepe while I was in town was definitely one of my must-dos.

Tangent: Okay, the French and Spanish were colonizing, oppressive bastards, don’t get me wrong (although, given all I learned about French and/or Spanish colonial and slavery policies and practices during my trip, I must note that they were lenient to the point of being almost fair in comparison to their British and American counterparts), but one positive aspect of their legacy is a city that KNOWS how to cook. Of course, West Africans, Southerners from outside Louisiana, Italians, Haitians, Cubans and the Native Americans of the region must all be thanked as well. It may not have been kumbayah, but they all did come together for one thing and that is a unique and utterly delicious gastronomic identity! Bravo, New Orleans, bravo! /tangent over

Anyway, I ordered a cookies and cream crepe, made with Biscoff cookie butter (only one of my favorite things in the world) and French cream. One of the baristas suggested I add raspberries and I went for it, though I must say I kind of regret that decision. The crepe was good but it ultimately felt like there was a little bit too much going on. While I sat and ate, I also talked to the baristas who all gave me some more restaurant suggestions (New Orleanians really LOVE doing that, I’ve noticed), with two of the suggestions being, curiously, Popeye’s and Brother’s Food Mart for fried chicken. I decided to take them up on their word at the end of the day, so more on that later.

After relaxing in the room for another hour or so, we then embarked to Canal once more; first taking the Canal line of the streetcar to the Riverwalk before hopping on the Riverwalk line and taking it all the way down to Esplanade. Upon getting off, I had to kick myself as we walked past Louisiana’s Old U.S. Mint, now currently serving as the Jazz Museum, i.e. another place included in the Power Pass that I promised myself I would do but didn’t get around to. It’s a nice Greek Revival building though.

Well, given that our two-day limit on the Power Pass was up, we decided to use our last day to explore more of the city beyond the French Quarter. I walked up Esplanade Avenue, and looked down at the French Quarter for a moment, only to look in the other direction at Marigny.

Up until the early 1800’s, New Orleans was almost entirely limited to the French Quarter, but it began to rapidly expand after the purchase. Where Canal was the border that separated the Creoles from the American domains of Ste. Marie (now known as the CBD) and Lafayette (now known as the Garden District), across Esplanade was a faubourg that was more or less an extension of the French Quarter. The streets are lined with numerous Creole cottages and townhomes, many of these homes being where French Creole men would hide house their black and/or mixed-race mistresses and offspring. In some ways an archaic master-planned development, it was established by a wealthy politician known as Bernard de Marigny in 1806. Bernard was also known to be quite eccentric during his life, so it only figures that the neighborhood he designed would go on to become NOLA’s bohemian district.

As I walked down Frenchmen St., I felt bizarrely reminded of San Francisco. It is here where you see less tourists and even more of the strange and unusual, with a lot of counterculture present (such as punk, goth, rockabilly, modern hippies, modern beatniks, LGBTQ and the like). It was also here where New Orleans felt even more like the “Northernmost Caribbean City” as it’s sometimes called; whether because of the higher abundance of palm trees in this area, the even brighter colors on the Spanish architecture or something else. Marigny overall just felt very curious to me, but I liked it.

After stopping in one of the bars (whose name I can’t remember for the life of me) to watch a man tap dance while a funk band played for a minute, we walked over to Washington Square Park just to kick back and relax for a moment. We had walked in on a community event and, thanks to the DJ playing Marvin Sapp, I was reminded that this was a Sunday. Just taking in the scenery, we then walked across Esplanade and back to the Quarter.

Now, I’m not entirely sure, but I get the feeling that any and every avenue with a wide median in the middle serves as the dividing point(s) for the neighborhoods a la Canal. After all, in the local lingo, such streets have come to be known as the “neutral ground,” as Canal was once called in reference to how it was the dividing line between Creoles and Americans. Esplanade is an obvious dividing point between Marigny and the Quarter, just Rampart does the same with Treme. As I explored more of the city on my last day, I noticed quite a bit of this, though I wasn’t as sure if the other medians served as neighborhood dividing points or not (Example: I assumed Poydras marked where the CBD ends and the Warehouse District begins, but apparently it’s not quite as clear cut in that case). Either way, they are a very useful way of figuring out where you are.

Walking back into the Quarter, and approaching Gov. Nicholls, I decided to stop by and take some more pictures of the LaLaurie House in the daytime. Now, the night before, I was standing in front of the house as the story was being recounted to me, so of course I got goosebumps, but upon revisiting it in the day, I didn’t feel much sinister energy at all, oddly enough. During the ghost tour, I actually found the townhouse on 823 Orleans, Hotel Provincial and the Voodoo Spiritual Temple all to be way more threatening and ominous honestly. As I was taking these pictures, I could have sworn I saw a spirit walk by in one of the windows and still didn’t feel frightened. If anything, it just felt sad.

I did some research on recent experiences at the home and had some interesting finds. In this account, a medium who had joined a ghost tour claimed to have only felt the spirits of children within. Some of them playful, some of them nervous, and others very sad. Also, all of the people who’ve owned the house ever since it foreclosed on Nicolas Cage would have a priest bless it before they would even enter. Even the most recent interior decorator never went to work without dousing herself in holy water. Given these circumstances, I get the feeling that the more volatile of the spirits haunt the home no longer; including Delphine. Instead, it’s just lost souls like the poor girl who jumped to her death from the roof. Sad as it may be, it does warm me up a little to get some assurance they no longer have to share the afterlife around such evil.

Moving on from there, we decided to just start browsing the stores on Royal. The sky already being covered with ominous, gray skies, after poking in and out of a few stores, we stepped outside only to notice that it started raining, and we left our umbrellas in the room. Ironic, seeing that I packed them in the first place after numerous weather reports told us to expect rain that week. Given that up until that point it hadn’t rained a single time, we decided to not even bother bringing them with us on the last day. How wrong we were. 

I also must say that rain is a pretty scary situation in New Orleans. I may just have been shook after seeing a Hurricane Katrina exhibit, learning about the high underground water table and being outright told it was the beginning of hurricane season in the days prior, but still. The rain comes down VERY heavily, in turn causing the streets to flood pretty quickly. Standing beneath an awning to stay dry, I couldn’t help but to gulp as I heard the rain hit said awning with loud thuds, only for the streets to rapidly begin puddling up. And mind you, this was the French Quarter, i.e. the only part of the city to evade flooding entirely during Katrina, so one can only imagine the effect that rain would have elsewhere.

Thankfully, this only lasted a few minutes. I personally wanted to see the Voodoo Museum, but my mom was too frightened to take part and wanted to do another house tour instead, so begrudgingly, I walked over with her to the Historic New Orleans Collection. Composed of a number of attached buildings, I can only thank the lord we had a guide as I’m 100% sure we would have gotten lost if we just walked around by ourselves.

The building you walk into from Royal Street is known as the Merieult House; once the home of a prominent merchant in New Orleans during the early 1800’s, which largely serves as a store, gallery and reception area. Going directly from the main corridor, you are led to a large blue room which also serves as an exhibit; originally a warehouse for Merieult, it’s known as the counting house in regards to how it served as a bank for a time. Then you have a courtyard; on one side is a three-story Maisonette (that’s a fancy French word for duplex). At one point apartments, it now houses offices for the collection. At the back of said courtyard is a Creole townhouse known as the Williams Residence (more on that later) which leads to another courtyard, surrounded by another townhouse, the Louis Adam House (the attic of which once being rented out by noted playwright Tennessee Williams) and a Creole cottage, all of which also housing offices.

Yeah……pretty confusing. Anyway, after paying the $5.00 fare for the tour, we first watched a video in the lobby which told us about the history of the Historic Collection. Although officially established in 1966, it was more or less founded all the way back in the 1930’s. Hard as it may be to believe now, in the early 20th-century, the French Quarter had become a rundown, dangerous slum; widely dismissed by the city at large. With the ever-looming threat of the entire district being demolished, in 1937, the Vieux Carre Commission was formed with the mission of restoring, preserving and protecting the Quarter. Two members of this commission were a married couple known as General Kemper and Leila Williams. In addition to the VCC, the two of them also began to research, record and collect artifacts of the region’s history on their own time, culminating in the very organization of the Historic Collection.

After the video, we first toured the Counting Room…….and all I remember is that it had some paintings on the wall. Who or what they were about, I don’t remember (I might have just been grouchy that I was here instead of the Voodoo Museum but I digress); from there we were led into the courtyard and given a brief rundown of the architecture before the house tour began.

It’s widely referred to by locals as “The Hidden House,” and you can automatically see why. Originally a series of apartments built “shotgun” style, the Williams decided to convert it into an elegant urban mansion, and I still have to scratch my head over how they could live in such a place day in and day out without pulling their hair out. In Creole and/or general Southern tradition, the kitchen is at the back and/or bottom of the house, which from there leads into another courtyard. This is where the main entrance of the house was (……….that making no sense?), which leads into a foyer, said foyer being flanked by the living room on one side and the dining room on the other. We then took some stairs up into the previous courtyard which led to a drawing room and a…..boudoir I’m guessing (the tour guide herself said that no one seems to remember exactly what the room was used for) that led to Leila’s bedroom and bathroom (which I’ll note looked shockingly modern to be from the 1940’s). On the other side of the hall from the drawing room was Kemper’s office, library and bedroom in addition to a second kitchen.

Yeah, the whole layout of the place is very odd. This could just be a sign of how much I’ve been spoiled by living in a place as obsessively modern as Las Vegas (in spite of how much I detest that aspect at the end of the day), but much as I love older homes and architecture, in addition to my fascination with the repurposing of older homes and buildings, the Hidden House really did seem to be a bit much, lol. Lovely vintage furnishings and décor though (the house is furnished and decorated to a status almost verbatim to when the Williamses were living in it). Upon leaving, we headed down to the French Market.

The oldest remaining outdoor market in the entire United States, having been in operation since 1791, one can easily get all of their shopping done here. There are numerous suites and stalls, all offering a number of good including, but not limited to: fresh produce, meat and seafood, spices, sweets, clothing, arts and crafts, books, bootlegs and even more daiquiris. I proceeded to buy myself another daiquiri and snacked on some pralines from Praline Connection as I browsed the numerous booths and did some souvenir shopping.

Souvenirs in hand, we decided to take one more look around the Quarter, stopping by Big Easy Daiquiris so we could finally try the Hurricane. Strong and fruity, indeed. While sipping our Hurricanes, my mom and I then stopped by the Jean Lafitte Historical Park; a free exhibit on New Orleans history attached to a small courtyard. After doing this, it was time to leave. I couldn’t help but to sigh upon leaving the Quarter, but alas, I wanted to see the Garden District at least once before departing.

So we hopped on the St. Charles streetcar and rode it all the way down. Although we didn’t get off a single time, it was still wonderful just to take in the scenery of the Garden District, Audubon and the rest of Uptown New Orleans. New Orleans has such a unique character and identity, it can be easy to forget that normal, everyday life does indeed exist there. I’m also a weirdo who likes to go beyond the touristy parts of wherever it is I go and see how the locals live, so there’s that I guess.

It was a peaceful, serene experience to look upon all of the lovely Victorian and Greek Revival homes, bars, restaurants and other hangouts frequented by locals, the abundance of greenery, Audubon Park, the Tulane and Loyola university campuses and just the sight of life beyond the Quarter. It’s a shame it was getting late, as I would definitely have loved to explored these areas some more. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Anyway, the night ended with fried chicken from Brothers Food Mart, and people were not kidding about how good it was. Even as I write this, I’m still gripped with disbelief that chicken just as good as Popeye’s or Cane’s could be had at a corner store. Once again, bravo New Orleans, bravo.

After one more night at the bar, it was then that I went to sleep for the night before returning to Vegas. I truly did adore every minute I spent in New Orleans. Although I’m not too sure if it’s a place where I could live, it’s definitely a place I would love to visit all the time if I could. When I’ll return, I don’t know, but now I do understand what it means to miss New Orleans.

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Pros: Lots of history and culture, wonderful architecture, fantastic food and drink, highly exceptional music and nightlife scene, very easy to get around on foot, nice people, liberal, free-thinking attitude, cheap prices and an upbeat, festive atmosphere.

Cons: The humidity, the bugs, subpar public transit, urban blight, lingering signs of Hurricane Katrina, lingering signs of the antebellum and Jim Crow eras, weird smells throughout the city, lots of crime, can sometimes feel a little bit too old-fashioned and political corruption. 

Return Factor: 11/10. For real. 

[karlchristiankrumpholz]

On Esplanade Ave #blackandwhite #portrait #beauty #city #nola #frenchquarter #barsafari #30milesofcocktails #nowweknow #latergram (at Esplanade Avenue)

[ilosaurus]

here you go, @brndnwmckle #nola #graffiti (at Esplanade Avenue)

[othellocarter]

Hippies Nola Style. #neworleans #nola #hippies #hippie #gutterpunk #outsiderart #frenchquarter #alldogsgotoheaven #homeless #people #streetphotography (at Esplanade Avenue)

[hscarcello]

Streetscape on Esplanade. Lots more New Orleans architecture, history and traditions in my presentation for @franklinlibmichigan Registration link in profile. . . . . #preservenola #neworleans #nolalove #onlyinneworleans #neworleansarchitecture #louisiana #nola #nolaarchitecture #thisisnola #crescentcity #onlyinnola #nolaphotography #historicarchitecture #historichomes #whereyatnola #504 #esplanaderidge #esplanadeavenue #oldhouselove #thisplacematters (at Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFTH6exDSGP/?igshid=bxye2d3xehq6

[hscarcello]

Entry of the elegant 1859 Dufour-Baldwin house. . . . . #preservenola #neworleans #nolalove #onlyinneworleans #neworleansarchitecture #louisiana #nola #nolaarchitecture #thisisnola #crescentcity #onlyinnola #nolaphotography #historicarchitecture #treme l#historichomes #whereyatnola #504 #esplanaderidge #esplanadeavenue (at Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6emxoj3rZ/?igshid=c7vlzauhcf9l

[hscarcello]

The Crescent City’s Painted Ladies. Built in the 1890s, they have not lost their charm. . . . . #preservenola #neworleans #nolalove #onlyinneworleans #neworleansarchitecture #louisiana #nola #nolaarchitecture #thisisnola #crescentcity #onlyinnola #nolaphotography #historicarchitecture #vsco #historichomes #whereyatnola #504 #esplanaderidge #esplanadeavenue #nolahomes #nolahomesandgardens (at Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAwNvpnDbQi/?igshid=10p3bau7elq47

[hscarcello]

This creole cottage is known as the Faerie Playhouse. . . #creolecottage #preservenola #neworleans #nolalove #faerieplayhouse #esplanadeavenue #onlyinneworleans #neworleansarchitecture #louisiana #nola #nolaarchitecture #thisisnola #crescentcity #onlyinnola #nolaphotography #nolahomesandcity #whereyatnola #historicpreservation #urbanphotography (at Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAMN_XgDuco/?igshid=ayep40wu57jl

[charllieeldridge]

10 Best Hotels on Bourbon Street: Accommodation Guide to The French Quarter

Famous for its festivals, live music, cuisine, and raucous nightlife, New Orleans just might be the most fun city in the United States. If you’re planning a trip to the Big Easy and want to stay right in the thick of all the action, you’re probably looking for the best hotels on Bourbon Street.

Even if you haven’t been to New Orleans yet, you’ve probably heard of Bourbon Street. After all, there are few places on earth that party as hard as this infamous street in New Orleans. Even though there’s always a huge party going on here, there are quite a few hotels on Bourbon Street where you can escape the madness.

For those interested in being near the action but not necessarily right in the middle of it all, there are also plenty of excellent French Quarter hotels nearby.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at 10 of the best hotels on Bourbon Street (or at least nearby) to help you plan that dream trip to New Orleans. But first, let’s learn a bit about the legendary Bourbon Street.

An Introduction to Bourbon Street

There’s no doubt that Bourbon Street is the most iconic street in New Orleans. Located in the city’s historic French Quarter, Bourbon Street stretches for 13 city blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue. In a city famous for its rowdy nightlife, epic Mardi Gras celebrations, and other awesome festivals, Bourbon Street is definitely party central.

Bourbon Street is home to countless bars and clubs. No matter what night of the week it is, you’ll find hordes of tourists here enjoying “to go” cups as they stroll along the famous street. That’s right — this is one of few cities in the US where you can legally drink alcohol in public!

Popular choices include New Orleans cocktails with names like the Hurricane and Hand Grenade or the ubiquitous “huge ass beers.”  Bars stay open late here (some of them don’t even close), so the party rages all night long on Bourbon Street. 

On this hard-drinking and hard-partying street, you might assume that it got its name from the liquor. Actually, there’s an interesting history lesson behind the name…

History and Layout of Bourbon Street

New Orleans was founded back in 1718, and French engineer Adrien de Pauger had the task of laying out the city’s streets a few years later. He named one of the streets Rue Bourbon in honor of the French royal family that was ruling at the time. As a matter of fact, some people believe that the famous liquor actually got its name from the street.

Upper Bourbon Street is where you’ll find an abundance of bars, souvenir shops, and restaurants that are geared towards party animal tourists. You definitely won’t find many locals hanging out here, but it’s still a fun place to check out if you’re visiting New Orleans. 

Moving downstream towards the Mighty Mississippi, you’ll eventually cross what’s known as the “Lavender Line” on St. Ann Street. This area, known as Lower Bourbon Street, caters to the thriving LGBTQ community here. This is the center of the Southern Decadence festival that happens over Labor Day weekend, which many refer to as NOLA’s “gay Mardi Gras.”

It’s not all just a wild party on Bourbon Street, though. Here you’ll also find the Musical Legends Park, which has statues of famous jazz musicians and free outdoor concerts. In a city that’s known as the Birthplace of Jazz, there are several venues on Bourbon Street to catch some live music.

To Stay On or Off Bourbon Street?

Whether you stay directly on it or opt for one of the hotels near Bourbon Street is entirely up to you. It depends largely on your tolerance for noise, as the hotels on Bourbon Street are right on top of the action. If you’re not a fan of loud music or you’re a light sleeper, it might be better to look for a hotel that’s a few blocks away.

That being said, most of the hotels on Bourbon Street offer rooms that face away from the street and look out onto a courtyard. Many also provide earplugs in the room, as they’re well aware of the racket that’s going on down on the street! 

During Mardi Gras, rooms with a balcony overlooking Bourbon Street are in very, very high demand. These book up many months in advance and cost a pretty penny. Even on regular weekends in the city, it can be difficult and expensive to get one of these sought-after rooms. Thankfully there are several options for cheap hotels near Bourbon Street.

Now that you know a bit more about the street and what’s going on there, let’s take a look at where to stay on Bourbon Street.  

The Best Hotels on Bourbon Street

Here are some of the top hotels on or near Bourbon Street. To find the price, I searched for a 2-night stay over a normal weekend a few months away.

Prices are usually lower during the week, and they can be much higher during holiday weekends or big events like Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest. If you plan to visit New Orleans when one of those is going on, you’d better book your accommodation well in advance.

Royal Sonesta

Location: 300 Bourbon Street

Rating on Booking.com: 8.6/10

Price: Rooms from $359

When it comes to the best hotels on Bourbon Street, it’s hard to top Royal Sonesta. It’s located right in the heart of all the action on the Big Easy’s most legendary party street. This historic New Orleans hotel is actually celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! 

The Royal Sonesta has almost 500 rooms, ranging from their standard guest rooms up to their fancy balcony entertainment suites. All rooms are very well-appointed, each featuring a flat-screen TV, Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, and much more. 

Every room boasts a view of the French Quarter. Many of them have wrought-iron balconies, some facing straight onto Bourbon Street that make for great people watching. Others face their tranquil outdoor pool and courtyard, for those who prefer a bit more peace & quiet. 

This is more like a resort than a hotel, with several different bars and restaurants to choose from. There’s even a jazz bar here with nightly live music. In addition to the pool, there’s also a 24/7 fitness center. With so much to offer, the Royal Sonesta is definitely one of the top French Quarter hotels. Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Four Points by Sheraton

Location: 541 Bourbon Street

Rating on Booking.com: 8.7/10

Price: Rooms from $282

Location, location, location! The Four Points by Sheraton is right in the center of Bourbon Street, meaning you’re just a short walk away from landmarks such as Jackson Square and Preservation Hall. 

This is certainly one of the nicer looking hotels on Bourbon Street, as it used to be a French opera house. It’s a classy oasis in the middle of a wild party, and the perfect place to retreat to after a big night out on the town.

Rooms here have a view out to their courtyard or the French Quarter. Many of them feature a balcony looking right out onto Bourbon Street. If you’re worried about the noise, don’t be — they provide earplugs so you can still get a good night’s sleep.

There are two different restaurants on-site here – Cafe Opera and the Puccini Bar. They also have a nice outdoor pool and a well-equipped fitness center for when you need to work off that tasty New Orleans food and daiquiris! Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Lafitte’s Guest House

Location: 1003 Bourbon Street

Rating on Booking.com: 8.6/10

Price: $189

This boutique hotel is set in a restored home that dates all the way back to 1849. It feels more like staying on someone’s home than a hotel here, as there are only 14 rooms in total.

Lafitte’s Guest House is located on Bourbon and St. Phillip Street, which is a great location for exploring all that the French Quarter has to offer. The hotel features several shared balconies and some rooms have private ones as well. Each room has a private bath along with a flat-screen TV and a mini-fridge. 

This is definitely one of the best hotels on Bourbon Street if you’re looking to have a wedding, reunion, or just a fun get-together in the Big Easy. They can help you plan an event for anywhere from 10-100 people, as they can offer additional accommodation at their sister property the Frenchmen Hotel.

One of the best things about staying here is that it’s located right next door to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar & Shop. This is the oldest bar in town and one of the coolest places on Bourbon Street to visit. Enjoying a drink in this historic watering hole while you listen to some live piano is a must-do when in New Orleans. Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Hyatt Centric French Quarter

Location: 800 Iberville Street

Rating on Booking.com: 8.8/10

Price: Rooms from $312

While this hotel isn’t technically on Bourbon, it’s close enough. It’s right around the corner and offers some rooms with balconies overlooking Bourbon Street. After a late-night out on the town, you’re just stumbling distance from your room!

As it’s located near Upper Bourbon Street, this is a great option for those who are attending an event at the Superdome or Smoothie King Center. Both are just 15-20 minutes away on foot or by public transportation. 

The Hyatt Centric has a wide variety of rooms to choose from, including some pretty swanky suites. All guests can enjoy the outdoor pool and gym. If you need to get some work done while you’re here, there��s also a business center on the premises.

With a few different restaurants and bars on-site to choose from, you don’t have to go far to get some tasty food or cocktail. There’s even a poolside bar that’s open from April to September. This is definitely one of the best hotels close to Bourbon Street! Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Astor Crowne Plaza

Location: 739 Canal Street

Rating on Booking.com: 8.4/10

Price: Rooms from $196

While their address is listed as being on Canal Street, the Astor Crowne Plaza is still located right on Bourbon Street. The building itself dates back to the 1850s, but the hotel was recently renovated. It’s a 4-star hotel in the heart of NoLa and it comes at a very reasonable price.

The Astor Crowne Plaza is an excellent choice for travelers who still need to get a bit of work done in between all the sightseeing and partying on Bourbon Street. Rooms here have complimentary WiFi and executive work desks. There’s also a business center in the hotel.

This is one of those French Quarter hotels that really exemplifies southern hospitality. They’ve got an attentive concierge service, as well as laundry, valet, limo, and room service available. You can get late-night munchies to your room anytime as room service operates 24/7!

With nearly 700 rooms and 32,000 square feet of event space, this is a great choice for large gatherings like weddings or conventions. There’s also a really nice outdoor pool and a fully stacked fitness center here. Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Best Hotels Near Bourbon Street

Near to all of the action, but just a little farther away.

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Location: 717 Orleans Street

Rating on Booking.com: 8.9/10

Price: $242

For those looking to be near Bourbon Street but not right on it, this is a great choice. Bourbon Orleans Hotel is located just around the corner from the action but it feels worlds apart once you’re inside.

This hotel has a lot of history, as it was once a high-society ballroom and then later a convent. Some actually say it’s a haunted hotel! A common ghost story is that of a little girl rolling her ball up and down the hall. You can read more about the spooky history of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel on their website.

For wining and dining options, you’ve got their signature Creole restaurant Roux on Orleans and their Bourbon “O” bar for some of the best New Orleans cocktails and live jazz.

With a great location, comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and some great food & beverage options, this is one of the best French Quarter hotels around. Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Hotel Le Marais

Location: 717 Conti Street

Rating on Booking.com: 9.2/10

Price: Rooms from $169

Hotel Le Marais must be doing something right, as they have a 9.2 score on Booking.com with over 700 reviews. That’s pretty impressive! It’s located on Conti Street, right around the corner from Bourbon. This puts you close to all the bars but far away enough to be able to sleep.

I don’t think I can describe this hotel to you better than they do on their website. Their description says, “the elegance of a luxury hotel fuses with the intimacy of a boutique hotel.” Sounds great, doesn’t it?

They have a few different types of rooms here. Their deluxe rooms have limited views, while the superior rooms feature courtyard or French Quarter views. If you want to splurge, go for the premium room with its own private balcony. All rooms have a nice desk, ergonomic chair, fast WiFi, and coffee maker if you need to get some work done.

This is one of few hotels close to Bourbon Street that actually has breakfast included. You can also work up a sweat in the gym, cool off in the pool, and start your night off with a cocktail at their on-site bar, Vive! Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Omni Royal

Location: 621 St. Louis Street

Rating on Booking.com: 8.9/10

Price: Rooms from $269

This is one of the most historic French Quarter hotels, dating back to 1838 when it was called the City Exchange. It was constructed as a “European grand” hotel and was the first of its kind in New Orleans.

Over the years, the hotel crumbled and burned down several times, but it was always rebuilt. It was here that one of the most quintessential New Orleans dishes (gumbo) was invented. The phrase “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” also comes from this hotel, which once offered free food to daytime drinkers to entice them to keep ordering rounds.

Getting to and from this hotel is a breeze, as they have a partnership with the official shared shuttle service at the airport. A quick walk brings you right to the center of Bourbon Street. With a heated rooftop pool and a fully-equipped fitness center, you’ve got a nice place to retreat to after sightseeing.

While staying at the Omni Royal, be sure to sit down for a drink and a meal in their award-winning Rib Room. If you’re in town over a weekend, don’t miss out on their Sunday champagne jazz brunch. Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Hotel Mazarin

Location: 730 Bienville Street

Rating on Booking.com: 9.1/10

Price: Rooms from $179

This is definitely one of the classiest hotels near Bourbon Street. Rooms here feature crystal chandeliers and black porcelain, and they’re accented with gold leaf. Talk about fancy! If you really want to splash out, you can book their amazing Fleur de Lis Suite.

Hotel Mazarin is just a quick walk from Bourbon Street. It’s a great location for those who want to take advantage of the nightlife here but still be able to get some decent sleep. In the morning, you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast in their lovely courtyard and get a quick workout in before exploring New Orleans.

One of the best things about staying here is the 21st Amendment bar. Inspired by the Prohibition era (the 21st Amendment officially repealed Prohibition and made alcohol legal again), this speakeasy is definitely one of the best bars in New Orleans. 

Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Hotel Maison de Ville

Location: 727 Toulouse Street

Rating on Booking.com: 8.5/10

Price: Rooms from $254 (two-night minimum)

Last but certainly not least on our list of the best hotels near Bourbon Street is Hotel Maison de Ville. As with many of the other French Quarter hotels on our list, there’s a lot of history behind this building.

Maison de Ville (meaning “townhouse” in French) was originally built back in 1793. The slave quarters were built 50 years before the main building and are believed to be among the oldest buildings in the city.

They were later used as “garconnieres” (bachelor quarters), as Creoles in the 18th and 19th century had separate living quarters for their adult sons to use until they married.

One of the early residents here was Antoine Amede Peychaud, an apothecary who is credited with creating the Sazerac — the original New Orleans cocktail. Another famous guest here was the playwright Tennessee Williams, and they actually named his favorite room after him.

Guests here love the beautifully decorated rooms that feature antique furnishings. The hotel also provides free coffee and pastries in the morning. While there isn’t a gym on-site, guests have complimentary access to the nearby Downtown Fitness Center. Click here to see the latest price from Booking.com.

Excited for New Orleans?

Hopefully, this post has helped you find the perfect place to rest your head in the Big Easy. Whether you go with one of the hotels on Bourbon Street or opt for one that’s nearby, you’re sure to have a blast in New Orleans. After all, the city’s motto is “Let the good times roll!”

New Orleans is probably my favorite city to visit in the US. The food is incredible, the bars are tons of fun, and the city hosts festivals and big sporting events all throughout the year. Plus, there are numerous day trips you can do from here, including a swamp tour.

I was last in the Big Easy for WrestleMania and had such an amazing time. I’m hoping to finally cross Mardi Gras off my list in 2020 and I’ve already got my eye on a few of these French Quarter hotels.

Have you been to New Orleans? Do you have a good recommendation for a hotel that’s on or near Bourbon Street? If so, drop a comment below and let us know about it!

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