With summer here, choosing the perfect vacation destination is top of mind. New Orleans’ proximity to many cities in the Southeast and Central US, with lower prices and fewer crowds, makes it the perfect destination for a road trip. From unique festivals like New Orleans Wine & Food Experience; Creole Tomato Festival and Essence Fest to discounted menus at top restaurants during Restaurant Week New Orleans and COOLinary, and refreshing ways to cool off with Sno-balls and Hotel Pool Packages, New Orleans offers the ultimate road trip reward: rich culture, iconic cuisine, vibrant music, and unforgettable memories. From weekend escapes to extended summer stays, there’s never been a better time to pack your bags, turn up the playlist, and experience the magic of the Crescent City.
Sleep
Virgin Hotels New Orleans
Summer sunshine has arrived in the Big Easy, and Virgin Hotels New Orleans is the perfect destination for a sun-soaked getaway. Located in the city’s lively Warehouse District, the hotel mixes a passion for food and beverage with music and culture that fuses with the Crescent City’s unique personality, providing an inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike.
The Pool Club, located on the hotel’s rooftop, is a true oasis in the heart of downtown New Orleans featuring refreshing cocktails, delicious bites, and endless skyline views. The rooftop pool is open daily for hotel guests and day pass holders from 10AM-8PM, with the rooftop bar open late for a nightcap cocktail. For guests looking for a refined, but Southern culinary experience, indulge in Chef Chris Borges’ summer menu at Commons Club, the hotel’s signature restaurant, bar, and lounge. Now through September, guests can take full advantage of everything Virgin Hotels New Orleans has to offer with exclusive rates and seasonal packages.
The hotel invites visitors to linger a little longer this summer with Summer Longer – a special offer that includes half off parking and a $75 dine and drink credit, perfect for indulging, exploring, and discovering the best of the Big Easy. For those planning an extended stay, two additional packages make it even easier to stay and save. With Stay More, Save More, guests can enjoy up to 20% off when booking two nights or more. Or, for planners, the Advance Purchase offer gives travelers up to 30 percent off when booking their summer getaway at least 14 days ahead. Summer rates start at $259 per night. The Virgin Hotels New Orleans is located at 550 Baronne Street. https://virginhotels.com/new-orleans/offers/
Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery
Perfectly situated in the artsy downtown Warehouse District, just steps from the French Quarter, The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery is one of New Orleans’ most distinctive and authentic boutique hotels. With works by local artists adorning exposed brick walls, oversized rooms with wood floors, gracious amenities, and Compère Lapin, the coveted restaurant from award-winning chef Nina Compton just off the hotel lobby, the former warehouse space is the perfect New Orleans perch for those seeking out a bona fide experience in the Crescent City. During the summer, when the humidity rises, prices drop but there are still vibrant festivals and attractions, fun and frivolity for those eager to experience it. As Old No. 77 celebrates its 10th anniversary alongside Compère Lapin this summer, the property offers a myriad packages for visitors running the gamut from culinary sojourns to drive market specials. The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery is located at 535 Tchoupitoulas Street in the downtown Warehouse District of New Orleans. For more information and reservations, visit www.old77hotel.com; Telephone: (504) 527-5271.
Eat
Compere Lapin
Named Food & Wine’s “40 Most Important Restaurants of the Past 40 Years,” Compere Lapin is helmed by St. Lucian native and James Beard Award-winning Chef Nina Compton. The restaurant features robust dishes that meld the flavors of Compton’s Caribbean upbringing and love for French and Italian cuisine while highlighting the Gulf and Louisiana’s beautiful indigenous ingredients.
A stellar cocktail program, helmed by Lead Bartender Erika Flowers, shines a spotlight on the Caribbean and perfectly complements signature dishes like Curried Goat with sweet potato gnocchi, Fried Chicken with jerk honey butter and coconut grits, and Broiled Shrimp with spicy chili butter. Compere Lapin is located at 535 Tchoupitoulas Street. http://comperelapin.com/
Tujague’s
The birthplace of brunch and the Grasshopper cocktail, and the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans, Tujague’s has been visited by former Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, and France’s De Gaulle. Executive Chef JD Eubanks has created a Creole menu featuring dishes like Crispy Pork Belly with parmesan polenta and pepper jelly gastrique, and Oysters en Brochette – bacon wrapped Gulf oysters with wilted spinach, Crystal butter sauce, and tomato jam. Decadent Brunch offerings and a stellar selection of cocktails make Tujague’s the perfect perch for modern Creole cuisine and innovative libations served up in a four-story space complete with private dining rooms and courtyard seating. Tujague’s is located at 429 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. https://tujaguesrestaurant.com/
Alma Cafe
Just a stone’s throw from the French Quarter is the award-winning Honduran restaurant, Alma Café, now with two outposts in Mid-City (301 N. Carrollton Avenue) and the Bywater (800 Louisa Street). Under the auspices of Executive Chef/Owner Melissa Araujo, two-time semifinalist for James Beard: Best Chef South, Alma pays tribute to Chef Araujo’s grandmother and her cooking with traditional dishes like Baleadas and Fritas Hondureñas, along with modern creations including the Celebration of Tomatoes and a Soft Shell Crab Benedict. A creative cocktail program and exceptional coffee program round out the experience. From start to finish, Alma has its roots deeply entrenched in tradition and celebrates Honduran culture, food, and music. https://eatalmanola.com/
Osteria Lupo
Located on the famed Uptown shopping corridor, this Magazine Street eatery showcases Northern Italian cuisine with a variety of house-made pasta, roasted meats, and vegetables from the wood-fired oven, seafood, and other regional specialties. Enjoy a menu of shareable plates like Black Truffle Arancini, Red Snapper Crudo, and Campanelle with Mushrooms – ruffled, bell-shaped pasta with porcini, shiitake, and oyster mushroom ragu. The restaurant offers an exceptional Italian wine program and a full bar. Osteria Lupo, located at 4609 Magazine Street, is the perfect perch for drinks & dining with friends, also offers a tasting menu for large groups to try fan favorites. https://www.osterialupo.com/
Drink
The Bower Bar
The Bower Bar is the perfect perch to gather with friends for cocktails, conversation, and bites. The cocktail program at The Bower Bar is under the direction of Beverage Director Mickey Mullins and features field-to-glass libations focusing on seasonal herbs, flowers, and produce from local partners Sugar Roots Farm. The Bower Bar is located at 1320 Magazine Street. https://www.thebowernola.com/the-bower-bar
