Every occasion in the Big Easy calls for a parade, so naturally, New Orleans events to look forward to this holiday season include two parades that rhyme! The 2017 Krewe of Jingle Parade rolls through downtown on Saturday, December 2nd on dozens of bedazzled cars all playing Christmas music. The following Saturday, December 9th, the 16th Annual Krewe of Kringle Parade rolls (or rather struts and stumbles) through the Quarter. Although Kringle is a “private parade,” all you need to join the fun is a Christmas costume and $20! Make your way to Molly’s By the Market (1107 Decatur St.), or to BB King’s (across the street at 1104 Decatur), and register before the list closes at 8 p.m. SHARP. At 8:30 p.m., the parade marches with a band and police escort around the Quarter, and ends quite a few…
Planning to spend Thanksgiving in New Orleans? Well, you hit the jackpot (and not just because the casinos are open)! What could be a better setting for a holiday that celebrates gratitude and great food than the city known around the world for Carnival and cuisine? Visitors have the option of either a spin on the traditional holiday—a Thanksgiving steeped in centuries of New Orleans’ history and heritage, or the opportunity to hit the streets and enjoy a parade, a party, or both. Traditional Fare With Trimmings Eating and drinking are two of the best things to do in New Orleans. Many French Quarter restaurants celebrate the holiday by serving sumptuous Thanksgiving Day feasts with local flair. You can sample delicacies like Smoked Rabbit and Andouille Gumbo with Herb Roasted Turkey at The Bombay Club Bar & Restaurant, located at…
When it comes to Halloween, New Orleans knows how to celebrate. From walking tours that explore the city’s macabre history to zombie roller girls, October brings festive events and activities for ghouls and goblins of all stripes. Here are our choices for the best Big Easy Halloween events. Halloween New Orleans – Project Lazarus The story of Halloween New Orleans is a story of the New Orleans gay community—a community coming together to share their love and sense of family, a community celebrating its unique culture and love of showmanship, a community coming to the aid of its own in the dark days of the AIDS crisis, and a community triumphing over challenges with a resilient, joyful spirit. For 33 years, Halloween New Orleans has been raising money for Project Lazarus, an assisted-living home for those with HIV/AIDS in New…
No trip to New Orleans can truly be complete without tipping back a few drinks at one of the city’s numerous watering holes. There’s no shortage of places to choose from, but these happy hour spots are standouts. If you’re on the hunt for things to do, our tour guides recommend a stop at one of these beloved bars for cheap eats and booze. Blind Pelican Happy hour isn’t just about the drinks; you need something to snack on if you’re going to party the night away. Oysters are a mainstay of the city’s happy hour scene, and no place has them cheaper than Samuel’s Blind Pelican during their daily happy hour from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For $3, you can get a dozen delicious Gulf oysters as long as someone at your table orders a drink—but you were…
New Orleans is a city where people live out loud. Few places on the planet can compete with the pageantry, culture, and sheer energy that goes into having a good time in the Crescent City. But even the merriest of revelers need to recharge from time to time. These cozy attractions offer the perfect laid-back alternative for people looking to relax in New Orleans. 1000 Figs/Swirl Wine Bar & Market 1000 Figs makes fresh, delicious Mediterranean cuisine in the leafy Faubourg St. John. Right next door, Swirl Wine Bar and Market features a wide selection of bottles as well as cheeses, beers, and regular tastings. On a nice day, these two make the perfect combination for an impromptu picnic. Grab some food to go (the chicken salad sandwich is highly recommended) and a bottle of wine and walk across…
Prostitution is widely recognized as the world’s oldest profession and our “Brothels, bordellos and ladies of the night” tour seeks to give these founding mothers their due. This tour traces prostitution from the colonizing of New Orleans up to the Storyville District (1897 – 1917) and beyond. The two hour tour has pulled from many resources and is continually refreshed as new information is always forthcoming. Christine Miller, our Head Chick in Charge, is the tour’s designer. She’s always investigating new material and attended a book signing and symposium, just this month. This tour is two hours with two bar/bathroom breaks and covers a little over a mile in that time. This tour has been awarded some special accolades including Top 10 Walking Tours around the World – Forbidden Vancouver – LINK “One of a Kind Tours” an international list…