A bastion of hedonism, New Orleans is where indulgence is expected, revelry encouraged, and a good time all but guaranteed. Without question, eating and drinking is part and parcel of any visit to the Big Easy—but the city’s culture stretches far beyond beignets and Sazeracs, converting first-time visitors into lifelong devotees of its countless charms. This magnetism can be experienced through its most celebrated events—from Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras to Tales of the Cocktail and the Essence Festival. That said, even if your visit doesn’t coincide with programming, all it takes is a stroll down its oak-lined avenues and historic corridors to spark a lifelong love affair with New Orleans.
For centuries, the city has played host to literary giants and jazz luminaries, civil rights leaders, and iconic artists. It’s a mysterious place where funerals become parades, Voodoo is still practiced, and tombs are above ground. Adding to its uniqueness, the city winds along the Mississippi River and is surrounded by atmospheric wetland habitats of swamps, bayous, and marshes.
The oldest neighborhood here is the French Quarter (also known as Vieux Carré), which despite its reputation for rowdy tourists and souvenir shops, is tightly woven into the tapestry of New Orleans culture (read: don’t skip it). But you shouldn’t stop there—the Marigny, Bywater, Tremé, Garden District, Bayou St. John, Freret, and Algiers Point (among others) should also be on your radar when curating an itinerary.
Whether you’re planning a first-time visit or returning for an annual pilgrimage, laissez les bon temps rouler with our New Orleans travel guide below.
Getting Around
Experiencing New Orleans by foot is lovely. Thanks to flat terrain, compact neighborhoods, and several pedestrian-friendly streets, it ranks high in walkability. If you plan to use the streetcar to get around (another great option relied upon by tourists and locals alike), download the Le Pass app to search for schedules and purchase your ticket ahead of time. (If you don’t, be sure to bring exact change—$1.25—with you.) The are five different streetcar lines, the historic, open-air Saint Charles Line being the most charming (more on that ahead). Rideshares like Lyft and Uber are also available in New Orleans.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit New Orleans depends on your goals. If pleasant weather is your prerogative, spring and fall will both be cool and comfortable. For those eager to join Mardi Gras festivities, late winter is your best bet, whereas if you prefer the spooky vibes (New Orleans is very good at those, by the way), October can’t be beat. For die-hard cocktail lovers willing to brave the heat, come in July when Tales of the Cocktail takes place.
Where to Stay
You can almost imagine what it felt like to stroll through its glamorous halls when The Pontchartrain Hotel originally peeled its doors open in 1927. This Garden District icon (which began as a luxury apartment building but converted to a hotel in the ‘40s) clutches onto its nostalgic charm with details like the lobby’s original terrazzo floor, heavy velvet drapes, and gleaming crystal chandeliers. (Not to mention the hotel key cabinet behind the front desk.) The original owners allowed long-term guests to haul in their own furniture and decor, and that pied-à-terre flair lingers throughout the suites and guest rooms. There are four food and beverage spaces in the hotel: the Hot-Tin Rooftop Bar, their fine dining concept Jack Rose, The Silver Whistle Café, and the Bayou Bar for Creole-inspired dishes and live jazz. Previous guests include Truman Capote, Frank Sinatra, The Doors, and Tennessee Williams, who worked on A Streetcar Named Desire during his residency here.
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Located in the Marigny (the French Quarter’s quieter, calmer neighbor), this boutique property from Ash Hotels is set within a former Catholic church that was erected in the 19th century. The rooms (each individually decorated) stretch across three different historic buildings: the schoolhouse, the rectory, and the convent. (There’s also the brick church next door with its stained glass windows and restored murals that is now used as an event space.) This is no doubt an aesthete’s hotel—there are over 700 antiques throughout the expertly curated spaces as well as furnishings produced locally. (Don’t miss the cypress double staircase by the front desk, it will take your breath away.) From limestone clawfoot tubs, sumptuous canopy beds, and perfectly mismatched upholstery, a stay at Hotel Peter and Paul is right in step with what makes New Orleans a destination with distinction.
For those naysayers who profess they’ll never stay overnight in the boisterous French Quarter, The Celestine has other plans for you. This 14-room boutique hotel strikes a fetching balance between modern creature comforts and old world charm (think: antiques and four-poster beds puzzled together with Dr. Vrajes toiletries and a curated wet bar)—and the interior courtyard set to the gurgling tunes of its three-tier fountain offers a slowed-down pace to immerse in the old city. The building dates back to 1791 and was once the home of Antoine Amedee Peychaud (founder of Peychaud’s bitters, father of the Sazerac cocktail) and his wife, Celestine. Tennessee Williams also stayed here when he was working on A Streetcar Named Desire in the 1940s, and his former suite has been converted into the hotel’s lobby. While here, don’t miss out on Peychaud’s Bar where guests and passersby alike can enjoy a reserve cocktail dreamt up by Neal Bodenheimer from Cure Co.
As with so many historic hotels in New Orleans, Columns has toggled through several previous lives—first as a private residence, then as a boarding house during World War I, and finally as a hotel (which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Locals know and love Columns for its massive porch—which becomes particularly lively during weekend brunch—and the interiors retain that private residence feel for guests, from toile wallpaper and stone fireplaces to a mahogany staircase that climbs upwards to reveal a stained glass skylight. When you’re hungry (and thirsty), head for the bar (or garden) for a cocktail, followed by dinner at the restaurant helmed by executive chef Paul Terrebonne.
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This 14-room boutique hotel tucked in the heart of the leafy Garden District is a refined respite brought to you by local hospitality veterans, LeBlanc + Smith. The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival is the structure—it’s housed within a 19th-century mansion that’s been painted a shadowy slate blue. Similarly, the walls in the interior public spaces are tinted in deep jewel tones and decorated with a textural mix of clever antiques (e.g., wood-carved birdcage) and vintage objects. There’s an all-day restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating (the focaccia with goat cheese and olive oil is nonnegotiable), a stylish lobby bar where you can pull up a stool or take your cocktail out onto the front porch, and out back, you’ll find a pool with an adjacent bar serving up small bites and tropical drinks.
A grand dame of New Orleans, this magnificent property opened its doors in 1893 as the Grunewal Hotel, eventually coming to bear its current moniker in honor of former president Theodore Roosevelt in 1923. Stepping into the gilded, block-long lobby with its soaring ceilings and 1867-era Eugène Farcot clock, guests are ushered back in time. Dive deeper into the hotel’s history with a visit to The Sazerac Bar, an iconic watering hole from the 1940s with well-preserved Art Deco design. Also not to be missed: the extensive salumi menu at the property’s Domenica restaurant, plus a bit of pampering at the Waldorf Astoria Spa (complete with a glass of welcome Champagne).
The first new-build hotel along St. Charles Avenue in the last several decades, Hotel Henrietta injects a fresh perspective to the Garden District, with rooms designed for both short and long-term stays. (The expansive suites are equipped with kitchenettes and can be combined for large groups.) The design leans into texture, color, and silhouette to shape the aesthetic, with details like velvet headboards, mosaic tiles, and wall coverings by French design legend Pierre Frey. There are balconies on every floor, plus a front porch equipped with fire pits and snug seating nooks (ideal for enjoying a post-dinner amaro from the lounge, which also serves coffee in the morning and small dishes all day).
Well positioned within the Warehouse District, this elegant hotel (formerly Maison de la Luz) was built in the early 1900s and served as an annex to New Orleans s former city hall. Now, it’s one of the most admired boutique guesthouses in the city offering 67 rooms. A nightly wine and cheese hour offers the opportunity to enjoy the ground-level lounge, which resembles the parlor of a well-traveled collector. (There’s also an honor bar for whipping up your own Sazerac or French 75). Stroll through to the next room and you’ll discover the Instagram-ready breakfast nook with its blue-and-white wallpaper and impressively tall windows. When you’re ready for a drink, slip into Salon Salon for a craft cocktail and small bites (we recommend the pommes pave), or opt for an even more intimate setting in the guest-only speakeasy-themed after astrology and accessed via a bookcase door.
Despite being a city largely defined by its waterways, there aren’t a lot of hotels in the Crescent City that showcase views of the Mississippi River. Thankfully, Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans does—and quite magnificently so. The property sits along the riverbanks and soars four hundred feet into the sky, culminating at a 34th-floor observation deck. Among its many highlights include the rooftop swimming pool, as well as the circular Chandelier Bar in the lobby that sits beneath a glittering installation of more than 15,000 crystals (if you’re here on a Thursday, there’s live jazz from 6 to 9 p.m.). Enjoy a dinner at the property’s Miss River restaurant helmed by Chef Alon Shaya—the sweet potato brioche bread service is a must, as is the carved buttermilk-fried chicken for the table. As for accommodations, nothing beats watching Steamboat Natchez gliding by from the hotel’s gorgeous river-view suites.
Among the oldest hotels in New Orleans, this 1885 Beaux-Arts landmark is one of the city’s crown jewels. Slipping past the doors (attended to by friendly bellhops) is like stepping back in time, where coffered ceilings, sparkly chandeliers, marble floors, and a wood-carved grandfather clock greet guests. Several important authors throughout history have written about the property, thus its designation as a literary landmark, and its suites dedicated to legends such as Truman Capote and Ernest Hemingway. Hotel Monteleone’s pièce de résistance is the Carousel Bar on the ground level, which has been rotating and serving up drinks since 1949. Securing a seat at the 24-person bar is a feat, but guests can join an early access experience with the hotel’s renowned mixologist, Marvin Allen, who regales imbibers with tales of the bar’s storied past.
It’s the facade that first grabs your attention at Hotel Saint Vincent—two levels of ornate ironwork, with a red brick edifice rising handsomely from behind. The Lower Garden District landmark first opened in 1861 as an infant asylum, funded by an Irish philanthropist named Margaret Haughery. Much later, after a complete renovation, the hotel was unveiled in 2014. The interiors by Lambert McGuire Design strike a balance between nostalgia and modernity: teak chairs sit in dialogue with vintage Murano glass chandeliers, which cast light on custom Voutsa wallpaper in a psychedelic pattern. This interplay between texture, color, and shape weaves throughout all of the hotel’s spaces, including San Lorenzo and Paradise Lounge (the seasonal Italian restaurant and lobby bar) and a moody bar named Chapel Club. Order a spritz by the pool beneath the green scalloped umbrellas, or pop into the ByGeorge boutique for an embroidered Bode shirt or locally crafted candle before retiring to one of the 75 guest rooms and suites.
Where to Eat
Blink and you might miss the entrance to Patula, but that would be a shame. This new all-day cafe and wine bar is cozied away in Krewe’s courtyard, and has rapidly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Chef Rob Tabone is among the cast of characters revitalizing the French Quarter’s dining scene, working hand-in-hand with local farmers and purveyors to curate a menu worth singing praises about. The wine list is equally distinct, with bottles coming from small producers focused on low intervention winemaking.
You can’t discuss the modern craft cocktail movement in New Orleans without paying tribute to Cure. Neal Bodenheimer’s beloved spot on Freret Street—opened in 2009—is now one of the most celebrated bars in the country, with accolades including a James Beard Award and multiple inclusions on 50 Best. Despite all the clout, the atmosphere at Cure is relaxed and convivial, anchored by an imposing bar and ceiling-to-floor windows. A warning: Choosing your libation will prove challenging. The rotating cocktail list is packed with mind-bending flavors and combinations that are created in collaboration with Cure’s talented team of bartenders.
Hop across the bridge to the West Bank for a meal at Cassi Dymond and Melissa M. Martin’s new restaurant in Algiers. Easily reached yet worlds away in ambiance, Saint Claire occupies a history property that lies beneath an old oak grove. The revolving menu makes good use of the Louisiana bounty—jumbo lump crab cake, grouper, rabbit rillettes—and their clever picnic experience offers visitors the chance to enjoy these flavors in a countryside setting. (There is also seating inside, surrounded by cottagecore interiors.)
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Opened in June 2025, this contemporary Asian restaurant by Chef Ashwin Vilkhu is a love letter to family dinners from his childhood growing up in New Orleans. The Farouki Farouki interiors are inspired by golden hour in his family’s home where he learned to cook, and the restaurant is named after the street his family lived after they moved from New Delhi to New Orleans in the 1980s. The four-course dinner takes guests on a sensory tour of his most cherished flavors, including the crab, brie, and Champagne soup, which pairs beautifully with a crémant.
For an easygoing snack and drink, head for Bar Pomona in the Marigny. The interiors read like a countryside diner (in the best way) and on Mondays they serve up lasagna alongside natural wines from regions such as the Jura and Savoie.
If you’re not already a tiki cocktail convert, this is the place to try it. The founder, Jeff Berry, is credited with reviving vintage tiki cocktails to their original glory in the 1990s, and the menu weaves together premium spirits with compelling flavors like anise, pandan leaf extract, and almond.
Rightfully earning its position on The New York Times’s 2024 Best New Restaurants list, this seafood-driven Mexican spot in the Bywater neighborhood is in a league of its own. Co-owned by sisters and Mexico City natives Ana and Lydia Castro (the former a James Beard Award-nominated chef), Acamaya is one of the most exciting new additions to New Orleans’s storied hospitality scene. There’s no point giving ordering advice here—everything on the menu is just that good.
Caribbean flavors meet Cuban heritage at this French Quarter mainstay that’s helmed by executive chef Alfredo Nogueira. The bar has been open for over a decade, but each visit offers something new thanks to its seasonal approach to ingredients. The cocktail menu is sensational (first-timers should get the classic Hurricane Table) and flavorful dishes like the sweet plantains and fish rundown complement each other from start to finish.
A New Orleans fine dining classic, Brennan’s has been an institution since opening in 1946. The restaurant is credited with inventing the flaming dessert, Bananas Foster, which is theatrically prepared table side and worth a visit for alone (though it’s worth mentioning the Eggs St. Charles on the brunch menu are to die for).
Perched on a quiet corner along Magazine Street, this uptown restaurant sits in a 19th-century building that once sold provisions like butter, fresh cream, and imported teas. The menu is helmed by James Beard Award-winner Chef Justin Devillier and offers a creative, contemporary spin on traditional New Orleans cuisine. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying the blue crab beignets.
There are few culinary experiences in New Orleans more stimulating than the tasting menu at Emeril’s. Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse opened the flagship restaurant in 1990 and it’s now deftly guided by his son E.J. Lagasse. Expect it all—a lavish butter cart, Petrossian caviar, the finest and freshest Louisiana meats and produce—all savored within an elegant dining room designed with floor-to-ceiling glass that showcases the kitchen in its entirety, which you get a mini tour of at the beginning of your evening. (Might we suggest opting for the wine pairing with your tasting menu?)
There’s no such thing as the best po’boy in the city—there are too many fine contenders, each offering their own standout style. While Liuzza’s by the Track, Domilise’s, and Parkway Bakery Tavern are worthy shout-outs for this Louisiana classic, Verti Marte is an undeniable top pick. Don’t expect to be seated—this is a cash-only deli in the French Quarter. But what it lacks in table space, it more than makes up for in flavor.
This modern Senegalese tasting menu—which was named the best new restaurant in the country at the James Beard Awards this year—was born from Chef Serigne Mbaye’s memories of growing up in Senegal. Many of the courses are served family style (a nod to West African dining traditions) and the menu draws a focus on seafood and produce from local farmers in South Louisiana. The menu changes often, but expect highlights like soupe kandja, a Senegalese okra gumbo soup with gulf crab, palm oil, and Louisiana rice.
Named America’s Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit in 2017, this humble sandwich shop continues to live up to its accolades. Hopefully you’re not on a diet: the fried bologna—which includes potato chips inside the sandwich—is a must-order, as is the frozen margarita, which is prepared with Cointreau, squirt, and Mountain Dew.
Ask any local what that turquoise-and-white Victorian building in the Garden District is and they’ll know instantly—it’s Commander’s Palace. Since 1893, this landmark restaurant has been serving up classic Creole classics such as turtle soup au sherry and Creole gumbo. Book a table on Saturday or Sunday for the lively jazz brunch.
Spend enough time in New Orleans and you’ll become acquainted with the grand dame restaurants of the city—Arnaud’s being one of them. This family-operated restaurant is over 100 years old, has a jazz brunch, a killer ‘shrimp Arnaud’ dish, a bar dedicated to the French 75 cocktail, and flaming table-side service for their delicious Café Brûlot for two. (Tip: Ask about their secret Mardi Gras Museum.)
Right in the heart of Jackson Square yet somehow hidden in plain sight, this new raw bar is one of the most exciting recent openings in the French Quarter. Fives is in a National Historic Landmark building that dates back to 1851, and the design centers around a wooden horseshoe-shaped bar installed beneath a striking antique chandelier. It’s the kind of peaceful spot you can quickly pop into for a half dozen oysters and a glass of bubbles… but find yourself lingering around for the beef tartare and curated martini menu.
Tourist haven it may be, a pillowy beignet and cup of chicory coffee is a must when you’re in New Orleans—don’t question it! If you’re not up for the wait at the original location, there’s an outpost in City Park that’s just as lovely.
Sylvain is a low-key (but reliably good) Southern bistro in the French Quarter that serves up crowd favorites like cast iron cornbread and slow-cooked short rib. If you’re here for brunch, the Champagne Fries menu is an obvious go-to.
Chef Emeril Lagasse’s first concept dedicated to the flavors of his Portuguese heritage and his late mother, Hilda, 34 Restaurant Bar is a 245-seat restaurant with a jamon bar and a menu serving tasty bites like pao com tomate and batatas bravas (best complemented by a glass of sangria, naturally).
When you’re in the mood for a thoughtful, well-crafted beverage, head to Jewel of the South. This James Beard Award winner and America’s 50 Best destination is a worthy stop on any New Orleans cocktail crawl, coupling classic techniques with seasonal flavors.
Need a romantic date night spot serving natural wines and French classics like escargot and bouillabaisse? Head for this tried-and-true spot in the Bywater. (Request a table in the garden out back for extra romance.)
Impeccably designed, flooded with natural light, and stocked with heavenly pastries, the Ayu Bakehouse team has made a major splash since opening in 2022. This Marigny bakery is helmed by Breads Bakery alumni Kelly Jacques and Samantha Weiss, and offers a menu told through the lens of their upbringings—expect muffuletta breadsticks and chocolate babka knots placed beside Pandan-infused coconut buns (a nod to Jacques’s Southeast Asian heritage). Also a must: the jalapeño cookie, which pairs well with the chai latte made in-house.
Known and adored for both their warm muffulettas and refreshing Pimm’s Cup, Napoleon House is always worth a pitstop. It sits within a 1791-era building that was once inhabited by the mayor of New Orleans, and would go on to become a restaurant and bar by the Impastato family who emigrated from the Sicilian town of Cinisi.
Told through the lens of Latin, Southeast Asian, Indian, and other global flavors, the culinary narrative of Mister Mao is one that’s eclectic, lively, and unapologetically fun. The restaurant—decorated in the spirit of the tropics—is led by Chef Sophina Uong (who is Cambodian-American) and dishes range from an Indonesian fruit salad to addictive garlic noodles.
Though it’s closer to the cacophony of Bourbon Street than we’d prefer to be, the frozen Irish coffee at Erin Rose is entirely worth shimmying your way past the beaded crowds for this refreshing pick-me-up.
Where to Shop
This New Orleans-based eyewear brand’s French Quarter flagship on Royal Street is ideal for picking up a new pair of sunnies while in town. Stick around long enough and they may even offer you a glass of frosé from their in-store frosé machine.
Located within the former convent at Hotel Peter and Paul, this petite shop offers a fun mix of vintage clothes, stylish giftables, artisan jewelry, home goods, and more. Iris 1956 Founder Candias Smith curated the assortment and it even includes items from the hotel, including the robes, bath line, and custom candles.
Since opening their doors in 2016, Pilot Powell co-owners Kathryn Bullock Joyner and Coeli Hilferty Boron have been Nola’s resource for approachable luxury. Harmoniously blending brands like Totême, Bernadette, and Rochas, this Magazine Street store is where to go when you need a new wardrobe hero.
Die-hard vintage enthusiasts shouldn’t miss out on this Lower Garden District shop, which sources rare garments from several eras in fashion all around the world (everything from ethereal 1930s chiffon gowns to Moschino and Miu Miu). The owner modeled her brick-and-mortar after the great boutiques and salons of Paris, catching the attention of shoppers such as Blake Lively and Dita Von Teese along the way.
Head for Kentucky Street in the Bywater for this “unusual New Orleans culinary antiques shop” hawking everything from gorgeous copper cookware to brass bar carts. Or perhaps you’re after a French 19th-century hand-blown verre a café? This is the place to come and get lost in history.
Much more than a bookstore, this Black-owned independent company (named after writer James Baldwin) donates hundreds of books to impoverished communities, all in service to its mission of nurturing communities through the written word. On any given day, visitors can shop from the extensive assortment of titles by Black writers, sit in on an author talk, and spark up a dialogue with fellow book lovers at their cafe.
What to Do
Hop aboard a flat-bottomed boat with Cajun Encounters to glide through the wild Honey Island Swamp. The company arranges pick-ups and drop-offs from several points throughout New Orleans and it takes about an hour to arrive in gator territory. If you prefer a swifter speed, book a tour with Airboat Adventures to explore 20,000 acres of cypress swamps.
Often cited as the birthplace of jazz, this open space in the southern corner of Louis Armstrong Park is the site where enslaved people of color gathered on Sunday afternoons during the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s here that enslaved Africans drummed, danced, sang, and traded, with some of these gatherings numbering as many as 500 to 600 people. Born from these cultural expressions gradually came Mardi Gras Indian traditions, the Second Line, and eventually New Orleans jazz as we know it today.
Arguably the best World War II museum in the world, this comprehensive collection tells the story of the war that changed the world through impressive multimedia experiences, immersive exhibits, and an eye-popping number of artifacts and first-person detail. Be prepared to spend several hours here (if not the entire day) and don’t miss the 4-D experience narrated by Tom Hanks titled ‘Beyond All Boundaries.’
Often billed as the best way to see the city, New Orleans streetcars are as charming as they are convenient. If you have a free morning, grab a latte and pastry from Lagniappe Bakehouse Coffee and hop on the St. Charles Streetcar to ride up its namesake avenue to admire the architecture and historic Oak trees. (Tip: download the ‘Le Pass’ app ahead of time to buy your ticket, and simply show your screen to the conductor upon boarding. Otherwise, it’s $1.25 per ride and exact change only.)
Take yourself on a self-guided walking tour of this elegant neighborhood, brimming with architectural significance. Whether it s a Greek Revival mansion once owned by Anne Rice or the three-story Italian property where Mark Twain used to party, behind every iron gate lies a story worth untangling.
Formerly a 19th-century church, this opera house is now a striking performing arts venue in the Marigny that’s also played host to a couple of notable celebrity weddings and even a Depeche Mode music video. While in town, check the event calendar to see what’s on during your visit.
Housed in the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley and one of the few remaining structures built during the French rule (reminder: most buildings in the French Quarter were constructed during the Spanish occupation), this convent was completed in 1752 and offers a fascinating look back in time through the lens of the Ursuline nuns who braved a five-month voyage on the Atlantic Ocean to run a hospital and educate young girls.
It would be sacrilegious to visit New Orleans and skip out on jazz. But where to begin? Frenchmen Street is always a strong bet—walk along the three short blocks and go where your ears take you (Snug Harbor, The Spotted Cat, and Blue Nile are all solid picks). And for free and reliably knock-your-socks-off kind of jazz, head to Bayou Bar inside The Pontchartrain Hotel for their weekly programming.
New Orleans is a community that doesn’t shy away from the supernatural—it’s part of their daily vernacular. Understandably, the city’s many historic cemeteries play an integral role in its cultural identity, with many offering guides or the opportunity to explore alone. If you re a first-timer, begin with a tour at the city s oldest cemtery, St. Louis No. 1, where Marie Laveau is buried.
While the sculpture garden in City Park is indeed well worth a visit, for an off-the-beaten-path experience, head for Couturie Forest on the northern side of the park. This hidden gem offers several walking trails that wind through wetlands and woodlands, which are especially hospitable to birders (it’s considered the city’s top bird-watching destination).
This strange (and at times, macabre) collection of artifacts pertaining to the history of pharmacy and medicine sits within a classic Creole townhouse in the French Quarter. Step inside and you’ll be immediately transported back to the 19th and early 20th century, surrounded by old stethoscopes, opium bottles, and even irradiated face powder (remember when beauty products were radioactive?)
Rent a stand-up paddleboard or go on a kayak tour on Bayou St. John for a view of this historic neighborhood from one of the city’s most historic waterways. Keep an eye out for turtles and Egrets, and sneak a peek at Park Island—a little-known area with mid-century modern architecture like the famed Ashtray House.
If your visit coincides with a particularly humid day, beat the heat with some time by the pool. Day passes at both The Blackbird Hotel and The Garden District Hotel are available to non-guests, with the latter offering a swim-up bar and in-water loungers. If you’re near the Bywater, The Country Club (famed for its drag brunch) also offers day passes for its pool.
