Once you visit New Orleans, you’ll never forget it. Louisiana’s largest city is one of the last true cultural epicenters of the United States and home to some of the best food, music, architecture, and art the country has to offer. New Orleans is also known, of course, as a place one comes to let loose. Celebrations in the Big Easy don’t start and end with Mardi Gras in late winter, however, but continue with a jam-packed festival season that includes Tales of the Cocktail, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, Essence Festival, and the kickoff to a true NOLA summer: the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, better known as simply Jazz Fest. The 2024 event runs April 25 through May 5, and this year’s lineup is one of the most exciting yet, with acts like the Rolling Stones, Anderson .Paak, Samara Joy, Jon Batiste, Big Freedia, and many more set to take the stage at the Fair Grounds Race Course.
Even if you can’t make it to Jazz Fest, the city’s busy cultural calendar means there’s really never a bad time to plan a trip to the Crescent City. Ahead, Harper’s Bazaar shares our favorite spots to eat, drink, dance, and shop in New Orleans. Laissez les bon temps rouler—let the good times roll!
One of the greatest things about New Orleans is that there’s no shortage of gorgeous hotels to host you. A personal favorite of mine is Hotel Saint Vincent—a former orphanage turned mod-inspired abode (and also where I happened to get married)—tucked away in the quiet Lower Garden District and home to one of the best pools in the city. Those who want to be closer the action (i.e., the reckless abandon of Bourbon Street) can opt for lodging closer to the French Quarter, where Expedia-approved properties such as the Eliza Jane, the Kimpton, and the newly renovated Four Seasons New Orleans provide not only top-tier hospitality, but also the ultimate convenience: being able to step out the door and join any party that’s passing by. New Orleans has a subtle duality that one notices once they get to know the city better—and part of its beauty is being able to switch between the lavish celebrations and the more laid-back, slow-to-start Southern mornings.
There’s no such thing as a bad drink in New Orleans. Whether you’re looking for an artisanal cocktail or a glass of funky natural wine, anywhere you stumble into will likely have the libation you’re looking for. For those who want to spend the day with a bottle and the best damn charcuterie plate you’ll ever have, head to Bachannal in the city’s hipster haunt of Bywater. If it’s time for happy hour, Luke’s downtown has a perfect French 75 (with cognac! the NOLA way!) paired with a dozen fresh oysters, and there’s Peychaud’s or Columns Bar for dirty martinis done right. Paradise Lounge at Hotel Saint Vincent also makes a mean Italian margarita and rosemary spritz, and the roof of the Ace Hotel is the perfect spot for a nightcap (and makes a top-shelf espresso martini).
Don’t tell New York, but to me, New Orleans is America’s best food city. While on a macro level the town is known for the obvious contenders (beignets! gumbo! po’boys!), it also has so many hidden gems from local chefs aiming to reinvent how the world sees Creole cuisine. Be sure to visit Acme’s Oyster House for traditional New Orleans eats, (get a dozen chargrilled, add hot sauce, and ask for extra bread), Elizabeth’s in Bywater for a perfect Southern breakfast (praline bacon: Don’t ask, just do!), and Cafe Sbisa for chicken and (sweet potato!) waffles and sinfully good shrimp and grits. For chef-driven sandwiches bigger than your head, head to Turkey & the Wolf; or for a gorgeous weekend brunch in a dreamy garden, opt for Cafe Amelie. Satsuma is great for vegetarians or anyone hoping for bit of lighter fare, and Dakar has been highlighted nationwide for its take on Senegalese cuisine. Cafe du Monde and its pillowy-soft beignets are, of course, nonnegotiable.
Technically, the party can be wherever you want it to be in New Orleans, but for the sake of brevity, the best place to find live music in the city would be anywhere on Frenchman Street. Nightlife staples include DBA New Orleans, the Spotted Cat Music Club, the Rabbit Hole, and Treme Hideaway, among many others.
New Orleans is a city for music lovers and eccentric dressers. Any vinyl fan will have a field day sorting through vintage LPs at NOLA Mix Records in the Lower Garden District, while independent boutiques like Lekha, Elysian by Emily Morrison, and Saint Claude Social Club provide provide eclectic pieces for your home and wardrobe. Nestled inside of Hotel Saint Vincent, ByGeorge is perfect for any luxury lover: The mini boutique sells resortwear and accessories from brands like Loewe, Dries Van Noten, Christopher John Rogers, and Rabanne.
