Never-ending fun in NOLA

From its world-class gastronomy and eclectic art scene to its distinctive architecture and proud musical heritage, New Orleans feels like no other city. Use the interest-based suggestions below from NewOrleans.com as guides for your own trip.

Girls’ Getaway

Whether you’re planning a bachelorette party, mom-daughter trip or just a besties gals getaway, here are some great ideas for the perfect girls’ weekend in New Orleans.

• Grab beignets and coffee at the iconic Cafe du Monde, to kick off your girls’ weekend in true New Orleans fashion.
• Check out Jackson Square, primed and ready for your “Princess and the Frog” moment.
• Take a walking tour – Support woman-owned tour companies like Two Chicks Walking Tour for a tour of the Garden District or French Quarter.
• Enjoy Creole and Cajun cuisine at one of New Orleans’ many amazing restaurants or food halls, all great for lunch, dinner, or brunch with live jazz.
• Do some shopping on Magazine Street, which has everything from boutique shops to record stores, bars and restaurants to coffee shops, plus antique stores and spas.
• If you need a break from Magazine Street shopping, book an appointment at a spa such as Earthsavers.
• Savor a New Orleans cocktail or two at one of New Orleans’ rooftop bars, such as Hot Tin, located above Jack Rose restaurant, with the best view in the city.
• Surround yourself with live music – Just about anywhere in NOLA on any given night, you can find tunes that flow nonstop. Check out various venues on Frenchmen, along with Preservation Hall, Tipitina’s, The Maison or Lafitte’s Blacksmith’s late-night piano bar.

Family Fun

Ask any local mom or dad you meet in town and they’ll tell you that New Orleans isn’t just for grownups. From Mardi Gras and museums to zoos and family-friendly jazz clubs, there are cultural events and attractions all over town that can show the whole family a good time.

• Listen to music at Preservation Hall, at the Spotted Cat on St. Claude Avenue and from buskers at Jackson Square and along Royal Street. Depending on the time of year, there also are free concerts on Wednesdays in Lafayette Square and Thursdays in Armstrong Park.
• Ride the streetcar through different neighborhoods.
• Take the ferry across to Algiers Point.
• Book a swamp tour for up close views of gators and other wildlife.
• Visit the green oasis of City Park. There’s a lake for paddleboat rentals, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, with its antique carousel, and Storyland, a Mother Goose-themed playground.
• Spend some time at the Audubon Zoo, the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium, or the Louisiana Children’s Museum.
• Experience the history and culture of the city on a walking tour with French QuarTour Kids, which offers fun and entertaining tours for kids 4-18, designed and led by teachers.

A Luxury Trip

Whether you’re celebrating something special or are looking for a way to treat yourself, New Orleans has endless possibilities. From spa treatments to Michelin-starred restaurants, here are a few places to splurge.

• Historic hotels such as Le Pavillion and The Roosevelt, and 5-star properties such as the Four Seasons New Orleans and Ritz Carlton, New Orleans will give you a luxurious home base for your exploration of the city.

• Fine Dining – New Orleans is is brimming with historic fine dining establishments such as Brennan’s and Commander’s Palace, or you can try Magazine Street staples like the James Beard Award-winning La Petite Grocery or Coquette in the Garden District.

• Shopping opportunities abound in the Big Easy, with each NOLA neighborhood having its specialty. Experience antiques, fine art and estate jewelry in the French Quarter, the best boutique shopping in the city on Magazine Street in Uptown, and a haven for art collectors and art lovers on Gallery Row and Julia Street in the CBD/Warehouse District.

• Sightseeing and experiences: Get a behind-the-scenes view and access to some of the most exclusive artifacts at the National WWII Museum with a Behind the Lines tour package, or take a private tour around the city in a restored classic car. You also can have VIP experiences at one of NOLA’s many festivals, such as the Jazz and Heritage Festival or the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience.

• Spas — Traveling can be exhausting, but New Orleans has several spas to get some R&R. The Ritz Carlton Spa, Spa at the Windsor Court and Waldorf Astoria Spa are great escapes in the CBD and French Quarter area.

Wow! There is so much to see and do that the options can be overwhelming, right? Where will you stay? What kind of VIP access and one-of-a-kind experiences can be arranged? That’s where Legacy Travel Designs comes in! Now that you’ve found your inspiration, call me with your questions and requests, and let me help you personalize your dream trip to New Orleans with that special bit of “lagniappe” (a little something extra)!