The New Orleans Film Festival
Photo courtesy of The New Orleans Film Festival/Craig Mulcahy
The New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF) has been constantly evolving since its inception in 1989. As the movies and the technology behind them have become more advanced, so too has this local event, which promotes and fosters the cinematic arts for audiences and filmmakers in the Crescent City.
To date, the New Orleans Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in the South and is the longest-running festival of its kind in the state. The festival has grown to the point of attracting thousands of attendees and industry insiders, plus more than 400 filmmakers and over 200 films annually.
This year, the in-person festival kicks off on Wednesday, October 16, and runs through Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at multiple venues across the city. The virtual version starts at the same time, but runs till Sunday, October 27, 2024.
The event is facilitated by the New Orleans Film Society, which is a nonprofit, year-round organization made up of full-time staff, volunteers, local cinephiles, and donors. The Film Society screens movies in the greater New Orleans area throughout the year, but there is no cinematic event in the city’s busy calendar quite like the NOFF.
Now in its 35th year, the Film Festival has grown into a massive undertaking. It’s one of the few film festivals in the nation that showcases Oscar-qualifying films drawn from all three Academy-accredited categories: Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short. The festival is a subject of considerable media attention too.
As befits a city that has a long history of involvement in social justice and civil rights movements, the festival has a stated commitment to diversity. As such, over 50% of the featured films are created by women and gender non-conforming filmmakers, and the same goes for productions created by filmmakers of color. The festival also works hard at creating networking events for the filmmakers to connect with the industry presence, and meet the distributors and the media. You can see the film lineup here.
In addition to film screenings, there will be panels, workshops, and artist talks. Back this year is the South Pitch, which is a program that selects up to 12 film teams to pitch their works-in-progress to a distinguished panel of funders, broadcasters, distributors, and producers. Each pitch lasts 5 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of feedback.
South Pitch features two tracks: South Pitch Narrative and South Pitch Documentary. The winning pitch in each track will receive a $10,000 award, and all pitchers will receive a minimum of a $1,000 award, in addition to a travel stipend and pass to attend the New Orleans Film Festival. Winners are announced during the Festival Awards Brunch.
Last but not least, let’s not forget to mention all the parties, receptions, and a VIP lounge experience. For more information on the panels, parties, special guests, and a schedule of events, visit the New Orleans Film Society website or the festival’s Facebook page.
Want to attend the NOFF? There are several different ticket packages available for attendees, including individual screenings and all-access passes. You can buy all-access passes online ($350). New Orleans Film Society members get a discount on the passes.
Fall in New Orleans is packed with festivals and other celebrations of art, music, food, and culture. Looking for a place to stay when you’re visiting? There’s no place better than a historic French Quarter hotel! Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to see our top picks.
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Nola Funk Fest 2024: Celebrating Louisiana’s Rich Musical Heritage
Are you ready for a three-day musical extravaganza that celebrates the rich heritage of Louisiana’s music scene? Look no further than the second annual Nola Funk Fest, taking place from Friday-Sunday, October 18 to October 20, 2024, at the iconic New Orleans Jazz Museum, located at 400 Esplanade Avenue right between the French Quarter and the Marigny. This festival promises to be a grand celebration of funk music and a glimpse into the future with The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience. Let’s take a closer look at what Nola Funk Fest has to offer.
The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience
The inaugural Nola Funk Fest in 2023 served as the grand unveiling for The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, an ambitious project that aims to create a 120,000-square-foot museum, set to be built across from the New Orleans Convention Center, dedicated to the preservation of Louisiana’s rich musical history. This museum, with a projected opening in 2027, will tell the captivating story of music in Louisiana, from its roots in Congo Square to the contemporary sounds of today. What sets this museum apart is its commitment to interactivity and live music performances. It’s not just about looking at artifacts; it’s about experiencing the music in a new way.
Live Music Lineup
The heart of Nola Funk Fest is its outstanding lineup of musical performances. With more than 30 of the city’s best local funk acts gracing two stages, this festival promises to be a non-stop party for music lovers. The star-studded lineup includes the Russel Batiste Memorial second line featuring The Original Pinettes and the Baby Dolls, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, The Soul Rebels, Bucktown Allstars, Marcia Ball, Tank and the Bangas, and many more.
Tickets and Other Information
- Tickets range from $20 for students to $900 for Super VIP. General admission is $40 for one day (if you buy online in advance). Children under $10 can attend for free. Children 11-15, accompanied by a parent or guardian, may purchase a $5.00 cash ticket at the door.
- There will be bag checks at the entrance.
- No outside chairs, coolers and ice chests, and no food and drink.
- Also, no pets.
- Getting to the festival is easy, but parking is challenging. Arrive early to park in these lots located in the heart of the festival: French Market, 500 Decatur Street, 300 North Peters Street, 211 Conti Street, Canal Place, and various locations within walking distance.
- You can also bike, bike parking is available. Another option is to use public transportation.
Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this incredible celebration of Louisiana’s musical heritage and to support the development of The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience museum. Early bird tickets are available on the Nola Funk Fest website. Make sure to mark your calendar for October 18-20, 2024, and get ready to groove to the rhythm of Louisiana’s soulful music at Nola Funk Fest!
For more information and ticket details, visit the official Nola Funk Fest website: https://www.nolafunkfest.com/. Follow the updates on Instagram and Facebook.
Need a hotel? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Break Out the Lederhosen: Oktoberfest Returns to the Deutsches Haus
New Orleans throws its version of Oktoberfest over the three weekends in October at Deutsches Haus, a social club located in Mid-City, to celebrate the city’s rich German history with all the usual trappings, including authentic food and live music. There are other Oktoberfest events throughout the metro area, but the Deutsches Haus’ one is by far the biggest.
So, here’s what you need to know about celebrating all things German, from the sizable contribution to the city’s culture made by the German immigrants throughout the three centuries of New Orleans’ existence, to beers and brats, and, yes, the chicken dance.
For the three Fridays and Saturdays — October 11-12, 8-19, 25-26, 2024 (4-11 p.m. on Fridays and 1-11 p.m. on Saturdays), Deutsches Haus center in Mid-City, located just across the street from Bayou St. John at City Park (1700 Moss St.), will host the Bavarian-themed fun, replete with authentic food and music, children’s activities, and other opportunities for the attendees to immerse themselves in German culture and traditions.
Food and Drink
It won’t be Oktoberfest without such classics as brats, sauerkraut, and desserts like strudel. Pair it with over 20 varieties of German beer, plus wine and schnapps, and you got yourself a feast. The event’s organizers promise that the entrees will be a rotating selection of German specialties, so expect such delicacies as schnitzel, German meatloaf, sauerkraut, a variety of German cheeses, large Bavarian-style pretzels, and flammkuchen (a German variation of pizza with white and creamy sauce). Not ready for brats or schnitzel? The fest will also serve the traditional American fest fare like fries and chicken nuggets.
Music, Activities and Events
The Deutsches Haus promises both local and out-of-state bands, and everything from yodeling to oompah to Schnitzelbank, a traditional humorous German song with audience participation. Daily activities will, of course, include the Oktoberfest must, Dancing Chicken, plus the daily Masskrugstemmen (beer-stein holding contest), the children’s corner with arts and crafts called Kinderecke, a VIP room, a gift shop, and a historic exhibit.
Admission and Tickets
Daily admission to Oktoberfest is $10 and free for children under 12 years old. Tickets can be purchased on-site, cash only (there are ATMs on-premises).
Getting There
There’s parking on-site but it’s limited. You can’t park on the banks of the bayou, but there should be a fair amount of street parking in the neighborhood around Esplanade Ave. Better yet, if you bike, the fest offers free bike parking just inside the Moss Street gate closest to Esplanade.
If you’re traveling from the French Quarter, the streetcar that runs on Canal St. has its final stop by the City Park/Art Museum, and it’s about a six-minute walk to the fest from there. The #90 Carrollton Ave. bus stops right in front of the Deutsches Haus, and the #91 Jackson-Esplanade bus will get you to Esplanade Ave. and Moss St. (a four-minute walk or so to the Deutsches Haus).
So, break out your lederhosen, bring the kids, and enjoy some Bavarian-inspired fun!
Are you looking for a place to stay when you’re in New Orleans this October? There’s no place better than a French Quarter hotel. Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to see our top picks.
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The National Fried Chicken Festival Is Back
Image courtesy of The National Friend Chicken Festival on Facebook
It appears New Orleans does indeed have room for more festivals, especially if it honors the beloved fried chicken. Between Popeyes and the takeover by Brothers Food Mart and the popping up of the excellent gas-station chicken counters, New Orleans has its fried chicken game on lock, and the two-day, 2024 National Fried Chicken Festival (FCF), held on Saturday, October 5 – Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the New Orleans Lakefront, (Lakeshore Dr. & Franklin Ave.) aims to also showcase as many variations as possible.
FCF 2024 will feature its largest and most diverse food lineup to date, with over 40 participating restaurants showcasing their unique spins on the iconic Southern dish for an opportunity to take home the festival’s “Best Fried Chicken” and “Best Use of Fried Chicken in a Dish Awards.”
As in previous years, the highly-coveted Culinary Icon Award will also be presented to a prominent chef who has made remarkable contributions to the culinary industry. Not to mention, the festival was named the “6th Best Specialty Food Festival” by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The festival’s roster of “experiences” has a beer garden, two VIP lounges, a family-friendly block party, and more. The beer garden gives you unlimited access to beer, complimentary snacks and water, as well as VIP restroom trailers.
The VIP option includes access to two exclusive lounge areas located at each main music stage (this is new), three alcoholic beverages of your choice from either lounge, a friend chicken meal from an award-winning restaurant, front-stage viewing, and better restrooms.
Besides the diversity of musical acts on four stages (Big Freedia, The Soul Rebels, Kermit Ruffins, Amanda Shaw, and many more have played in the past), there’s also going to be a diversity of cooked chicken. While everyone is coming to the festival to partake of the South’s favorite fried treat — a meal that is, indeed, beloved around the world — don’t forget that there are some competitions on the line.
As in the previous years, the fest will have more than chicken. It promises vegan options, vegetarian options, gluten-free options, and more. Vendors include past winners like Bao Mi and Bonafried, plus a slew of new vendors — Crawlins Seafood, Fatty’s Cracklings, Lufu NOLA, Picnic Provisions & Whiskey, and more.
Here’s what else you need to know if you are attending:
- This festival is cashless. No cash of any kind will be accepted.
- Parking is free but limited to the designated areas.
- Shuttles are available from the main UNO campus free of charge.
- All VIP lounges are 21+ only.
- Folding, festival-style chairs are permitted.
- No wagons, ice chests, or coolers of any kind are permitted on-site.
- The festival is rain or shine, so please plan accordingly.
- Pets are not allowed inside the festival grounds, except for service animals.
- Only VIP ticket holders will be permitted re-entry to the festival.
So, come with an appetite. This is New Orleans, and folks love their chicken. We expect to see many tourists and local friends with a wing in their hands, and a smile on their faces!
The National Fried Chicken Festival, presented by Raising Cane’s, is held on October 5-6, 2024, at the Lakefront. General Admission tickets start as low as $5 with upgraded options starting at $39 for the unlimited beer garden and $79 for the VIP lounges. Free for kids under 12. Get your tickets here.
Need somewhere to stay during your fall visit to New Orleans? Be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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NOLAxNOLA Comes Back for Its Fourth Year
Did you know that October is considered Music Month in New Orleans? That’s saying something, considering New Orleans’ vibrant music ecosystem all year around. Here, our festival and music culture reflects the city’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage. And we have over 130 annual festivals to show for it. There’s a celebration of so many things, from a Creole tomato to beignets to Louisiana seafood to beer… You get the drift.
Music, however, is a constant presence in the magical equation that is a New Orleans festival. And what better time of year to throw an 11-day music party at the end of September, going into early October, when the temps are pretty much perfect and fall is finally in the air?
So, what is NOLAxNOLA exactly? Pronounced “NOLA by NOLA,” it’s a celebration of New Orleans music, venues and artists. In 2021, a coalition of New Orleans artists, venues and cultural leaders banded together to support one another and keep the music community and culture bearers strong in those difficult times. The event featured a huge and impressive case of New Orleans artists and was a success, so it came back in 2022 with even more shows and more venues participating.
In its fourth year, NOLAxNOLA will run from Thursday, September 26, through Sunday, October 6, 2024. The astonishing 49 venues will host over 400 shows during that time. They are both indoor and outdoor, located all over the city, and span from the dives and breweries to hotel bars, music halls, jazz clubs, and iconic venues like Preservation Hall and Tipitina’s to local theaters (Civic, Joy, Orpheum, and more).
The lineup is very local and breathtakingly extensive. Think of a perfectly put roster of all of your favorite local acts, and that’s the artist list scheduled to perform at the event. That would be The Revivalists, Betty Winn and the One A-Chord Gospel Singers, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Amanda Shaw, Big Freedia, many brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians — the list goes on and on (there are 494 artists listed on the event’s website). Many shows are free, others are ticketed as determined by each venue.
NOLAxNOLA was co-founded by Sig Greenbaum, Founder and CEO at Sigfest Events. He has over 20 years of experience producing global live events. For updates and to see the full lists of participating venues and artists, visit the event’s page on NewOrleans.com and follow NOLAxNOLA on Instagram.
Need somewhere to stay during your fall visit to New Orleans? Be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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Frenchmen Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
Frenchmen Street. Photo by Stephen McCarthy via Flickr
To this day, tour guides tell you that Frenchmen Street is an off-the-beaten gem, a “local’s Bourbon Street” where real New Orleanians gather to listen to live music and grab a drink.
Excuse a bit of an eye roll on our part; that “locals-majority” term may have rung true at the beginning of the twenty-teens, and to a degree, it’s an accurate description of Frenchmen throughout the 90s and much of the noughties. But the street really achieved a critical mass of popularity post-Katrina, and in the past few years, Frenchmen is tourist-central come evening, especially on weekends.
But so what? It’s still a blast. On Frenchmen Street, certain things are just guaranteed: proximity to good music, good food, interesting culture, and an unbeatable street scene. Of course, this street is popular — who wouldn’t be lured in by those considerable qualities?
Here’s our block-by-block breakdown of what to look for on Frenchmen Street, starting from the Decatur-Esplanade intersection and moving “down” towards St. Claude Avenue. Keep in mind that music sets usually pop off between 6 and 11 p.m., although there is always room for variation.
Note that we only cover the “music strip” of Frenchmen Street in this article; there are other parts of the street that include both residential, parkland, and commercial blocks.
Check Point Charlie by Infrogmation of New Orleans on Flickr
Esplanade & Decatur
Of course, the weirdness gets a start right at the beginning of iconic Frenchmen. Heck, it gets a start before you even get on Frenchmen — there’s usually a jumble of tourists, locals having a night out, and tribes of youths in the neutral ground (median) that runs through Esplanade Avenue out here.
Be on the lookout for Check Point Charlie (501 Esplanade Ave). This may look like a rough punk music bar (and it still is, in a lot of ways) from the outside, but management attracts a pretty wide range of clientele. Check Point Charlie feels pretty divey, but once inside, the music is almost always wonderful. An added bonus: Check Point sells amazing cheeseburgers throughout the evening. A nicely charred patty on a bun is a great means of regaining energy during late Frenchmen Street nights.
LA Music Factory. Photo by Infrogmation New Orleans on Flickr
Esplanade & Decatur, Part 2
The city streets do a weird geography trick, forming a “v” around the Faubourg Marigny fire station. Frenchmen Street exists on both sides of that “v.”
Just around the corner (and technically not on Frenchmen, but worth noting) is the Dragon’s Den (435 Esplanade Avenue), one of the city’s standout music clubs. You won’t get any PreHall-style Dixieland jazz here — the Den, which has been featured in TV shows like True Detective, is all about an eclectic range of music, from DJ nights to reggae to Latin dance parties.
Also at the edge of this block is the enormous Louisiana Music Factory (421 Frenchmen Street), your one-stop shop for all things related to the state’s considerable musical heritage. Seriously, if someone cut an album and has a connection to the state of Louisiana, chances are the staff here can get that music into your hands.
Beyond the above, be on the lookout for pop-up art galleries and similar businesses in this stretch of Frenchmen.
The Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street. Photo by Stephen McCarthy via Flickr
Between Decatur & Chartres
Now the street is getting hot.
First up: The still-vacant space at 504 Frenchmen Street, which used to be home to the mainstay Mona’s, replaced post-pandemic by the now-defunct Torshi. We’re hoping the space won’t stay vacant for long. Just across the street, a little ways off of Frenchmen, is the Brieux Carré Brewing Co. (2115 Decatur Street), a microbrewery with a dozen taps, snacks, and an outdoor seating area.
Moving on. This is Frenchmen Street, so music is in the cards. The Maison (508 Frenchmen Street) is a relatively new bar compared to some of its neighbors on this street, yet it is one of the major centers of gravity for local live music. Jazz acts take over the large front area, where you can order excellent imbued spirits from behind the bar. This spot, plus the nearby Bamboula’s (516 Frenchmen Street), seems to attract a younger crowd on the weekends, although to be fair, you can get any kind of crowd anywhere depending on the time of the year.
Further down the street, we come across the Blue Nile (532 Frenchmen), one of the city’s great jazz clubs. There’s never really an off night here, although you can get acts ranging from raucous brass band dance parties to soulful crooners; make sure to check the online schedule before you pop in.
Nearby, the Three Muses (536 Frenchmen) is one of the great dinner-and-a-show venues in town, seeing as it combines those two elements on any night you please. It can get crowded, so you want to make a table reservation (good for 90 minutes, after which you can go to the bar.) The rule makes sense, else everyone would sit through the nightly shows and no tables would ever open up.
Dat Dog. Photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans
Between Chartres & Royal
Pro tip: Not only is the second floor of Dat Dog (601 Frenchmen) filled with decorations culled from the Krewe of Chewbacchus (the city’s science fiction/fantasy-themed Mardi Gras krewe), but the balcony is also a great spot for people-watching, especially the bands that often play at the intersection of Frenchmen & Chartres. The hot dogs are pretty amazing too.
Cafe Negril (606 Frenchmen) is one of our favorite spots for reggae and dancehall music in the city, not least because there’s an excellent taqueria slinging tacos in the back kitchen. Across the way, the Apple Barrel Bar (609 Frenchmen) is one of the smallest, most intimate venues in New Orleans; upstairs, you can treat your date to a romantic Italian dinner at Adolfo’s.
Afterward, head next door to the Art Garden & Floating Gallery (613 Frenchmen), an open-air venue that showcases local artwork, sculpture and crafts. Want a souvenir from New Orleans? Get one here, as you would be giving your money directly to local creators.
We continue this trip with three excellent jazz clubs: d.b.a. (618 Frenchmen), with its enormous beer and whiskey menu and consistent lineup of great acts; Snug Harbor (626 Frenchmen), the classiest jazz joint in the neighborhood, where you can enjoy a dinner with your show; and The Spotted Cat Music Club (623 Frenchmen), a club where you can groove to some of the most talented live acts in the city.
On the same block, you’ll find Frenchmen All Day (630 Frenchmen St.). Small and quaint, Frenchmen All Day is a cafe with indoor seating, as well as sidewalk cafe seating, a full bar, coffee, and brunch fare. The menu has breakfast quiches, Cuban sandwiches, and NOLA staples like crawfish etouffee. The last venue we’d like to highlight that lives on the block is Marigny Brasserie (640 Frenchmen St.). This casual, live music venue at the end of Frenchmen offers an elevated Cajun/Creole menu, hand-crafted cocktails, a good wine list, and local draft beer plus, of course, live music.
Between Royal & Dauphine
Across the street, on the 700 block of Frenchmen Street, you’ll find the tiny but popular Remedy Bar (The Royal Frenchmen Bar, 700 Frenchmen St.). Sharing the same address is Mr. Joe’s Island Grill & Seafood BBQ, where you can get ribs, jerk chicken and smoked brisket platters till 2 a.m. We end our journey at Washington Square, a charming, historic park where you can walk your dog, rest on the benches in the shade, picnic, fly a frisbee, or hit the small playground with your kid.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Royal Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
Royal Street between St. Louis and Conti streets. Photo by Ken Lund
For a full 13 blocks stretching in the French Quarter, Royal Street runs parallel to Bourbon Street, yet this thoroughfare — one of the finest stretches of art galleries, antique stores, wrought-iron balconies, restaurants, and architecture in the USA — is sometimes almost completely missed by visitors. This is a real shame; beyond the qualities we’ve just described, Royal Street makes a nice counterbalance to the neon and noise of Bourbon. Well, you’ve read these words, so now you’ve been briefed: Royal Street is pretty cool. Here’s our block-by-block guide, running from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue.
Hotel Monteleone and the Carousel Bar & Lounge
214 Royal Street
The Monteleone is one of the grandest old-school New Orleans hotels and has a history of housing authors — from Ernest Hemingway to William Faulkner to the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival — and ghosts. We are not big on contacting other realms of existence here, but we have come close at the excellent Carousel Bar, where the constantly rotating main bar area conspires with the strong drinks to make you feel extra loopy.
Cafe Beignet
334 Royal Street
Almost everyone coming to New Orleans has heard of Cafe Du Monde, but Cafe Beignet seems to fly under a lot of radars. Without making a value judgment, we’d say the beignets at Du Monde are smaller and crisper; the ones at Cafe Beignet are larger and softer. One definitive judgment call: This is one of the most romantic outdoor dining destinations in the Quarter. You’re on a quiet, pretty stretch of Royal where the main company is begging pigeons and sparrows.
The 400 Block
The 400 block of Royal is distinctive because an entire side of the street is taken up by one building: the Louisiana Supreme Court. This massive, marble Beaux Arts building wouldn’t feel out of place in Washington, D.C., but for the palm trees and humid wind that always sways around the steps.
The structure was finished in 1910, vacated in 1958, neglected for decades, and eventually restored to its old glory in the 1990s. On the front steps, you’ll see a statue of Edward Douglass White Jr., 9th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme County, best known for upholding the right of states to segregate in Plessy vs. Ferguson and upholding the eight-hour workday after reviewing the Adamson Act.
Across the street is Brennan’s (417 Royal Street), one of the most important restaurants in the city. Back in the day, spots like Brennan’s led the revival of Creole cuisine that popularized New Orleans food across the country. Stop in for any meal, although we particularly love breakfast with a classic “eye-opener” (cocktail).
The Pedestrian Mall
The blocks of Royal between Bienville and Orleans streets become a pedestrian mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Take advantage of that window and use your feet to explore this gorgeous stretch of the French Quarter.
Trashy Diva
537 Royal Street
Ladies looking to look good: It’s hard to beat this shop (even if by name alone), which sells 40s and 50s-inspired retro dresses, jewelry, lingerie, and all-out fabulousness. There’s an entire line of clothes for those who live rockabilly, plus some corsets and other fun finds if you’re feeling adventurous. (There’s another location, at 712 Royal street, dedicated to lingerie).
The Court of Two Sisters
613 Royal Street
Get a little dressed up and treat yourself to a classical Creole brunch, accompanied by jazz music, in the airy, lovely courtyard this restaurant is named for. Or take a date here in the evening; there are few restaurants in this city that can match the sheer romantic power of the Court.
Royal & St. Peter
While buskers can be found plying their trade all around the Royal Street pedestrian corridor, for some reason — maybe it’s the acoustics of the area — the quality of the live musicians who occupy this patch is generally quite high. Stop by, and try to soak up the shade and the sounds.
Royal & Orleans
While we would generally characterize Royal Street as the quiet alternative to Bourbon Street, this particular intersection, which sits at the back of the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, is one of the busiest street scenes in the city. Artists hawk their paintings, street performers and puppeteers busk for the public, tourists mill about, and a general air of playful chaos extends onto the whole scene. This is one of our favorite intersections in the city.
Reverend Zombie’s House Of Voodoo
713 Royal Street
What do you need? Love potions? A psychic reading? A little gris-gris to make the day go by easier? A fetish doll for the nightstand? A mask from a continent far away? This store got you covered.
Gallery Burguieres
736 Royal Street
You should probably stop into every art gallery you encounter on Royal Street, but we have to cop to being particular fans of the works of Ally Burguieres, who is best known for her sketches and paintings of animals. Her work is characterized by bold color, flowing lines, and a general funky sensibility that’s easy to love.
ESOM ART
811 Royal Street
ESOM ART replaced the quirky and popular Tresor Gallery in this space, showcasing abstract art, mixed media, and jewelry made by Tony and Tracey Mose, both artists and owners of this gallery.
Cafe Amelie
900 Royal Street
Did you skip our suggestions about having a nice date night at The Court of Two Sisters? That’s fine — the elegant courtyard and delicious modern Louisiana fare at Cafe Amelie are all part of a package that is equally as romantic and heart-stopping.
Fifi Mahony’s
934 Royal Street
New Orleanians like to get dressed up — we’re not ones to say no to a costume party. And seeing as no costume is complete without a fabulous hairpiece or wig, we feel confident saying Fifi Mahony’s is vital to the very cultural heartbeat of the city. Seriously: The staff here knows how to put together some amazing head ornamentation or help you select the perfect wig for your dome. Don’t leave town without popping inside.
Gallier House
1132 Royal Street
One of the best-preserved historic homes in the city, the Gallier House was built over 150 years ago and reflected the then-cutting-edge interior design. The house is operated as a museum alongside the Hermann-Grima House; visitors can marvel at period furniture and architectural details, and learn about both the Gallier family and the slaves, and later domestic servants, who enabled their opulent lifestyle.
Verti Marte
1201 Royal Street
If it’s late at night and you need a po-boy in New Orleans, head on down to Verti Marte, which somehow packs the crowds in a store that feels like it has a total of 10 square feet of floor space. There’s plenty to love on the menu of this bastion of calories, but you can’t go wrong with All That Jazz — ham, turkey, shrimp, mushrooms, and melted cheese doused in a sinful sauce that we dream about in the wee hours. Verti Marte is open till midnight nightly.
Bennachin
1212 Royal Street
Not many visitors list West African cuisine as their number one reason for visiting New Orleans, even if much of the Creole food they enjoy has its roots in that part of the world (gumbo, for example, has clear links to West African stews). In any case, you can sample dishes like sauced piquant chicken served over jollof rice and wonderfully spiced greens, all served in a friendly, cozy dining room. Bennachin was one of the first places in New Orleans to feature vegan items on its menu.
Mona Lisa
1212 Royal Street
We know it’s weird that this spot seems to share an address with Bennachin (above), but they’re just adjacent to each other. Mona Lisa is what a lot of people imagine when they hear “Italian restaurant” — it’s not fancy, but there’s dim lighting coming from candles plunked in Chianti bottles, pictures of the old country, and some of the best pasta in the city. Bonus: It’s inexpensive, including the delicious red wine, and the place is covered in the Mona Lisa art of every iteration.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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North Rampart Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
Rampart-St. Claude streetcar by Cheryl Gerber
For people who like living on the edge — of the French Quarter, that is — North Rampart Street is where it’s at. This street serves as the northernmost boundary of the French Quarter, dividing it from Tremé. You’ll find less foot traffic on this bustling thoroughfare than in other places in the Quarter, but no shortage of photo-worthy destinations. Plus, thanks to the recently installed streetcar line, getting around Rampart Street is a snap. Here are a few must-visit destinations on the historic thoroughfare, starting by Canal Street and going toward Esplanade Avenue.
Rampart-St. Claude Streetcar Line
Long ago, almost all of New Orleans was crisscrossed by streetcar tracks. In the mid-20th century, streetcars fell out of favor as buses became the norm, and many tracks were ripped up and repaved. Today, this charming, energy-efficient form of mass transportation keeps regaining popularity.
The newest streetcar line is the Rampart-St. Claude route, which travels from the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal to the intersection of St. Claude Avenue (Rampart changes to this name when it passes Esplanade Avenue) and Elysian Fields Avenue in the Marigny. Each ride costs only $1.25 (exact change required; or you can buy passes for up to one month online).
Saenger Theatre
1111 Canal Street
The beautiful, 4,000-seat theater opened in 1927 as a silent movie destination. Eventually renovated after years of neglect following Hurricane Katrina, it shines more brightly than ever. One hundred and fifty lights twinkle in the domed auditorium ceiling, evoking a starry nighttime sky, and the entire interior resembles a 15th-century Italian courtyard replete with columns, arched doorways and mosaics. Broadway shows, touring musicians and comedians all make stops at this theater — which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — and you should, too.
New Orleans Athletic Club
222 N. Rampart Street
Established in 1872, this marble-clad, chandelier-hung gym boasts the Old World opulence you’d expect of a club where Tennessee Williams and Clark Gable once worked out. Modern exercise equipment meets luxurious amenities, including a saltwater lap pool, free parking, over 50 group exercise classes, and a full bar. Your hotel key, ID and $20 get you a day pass to this storied gym, and you truly can make a day of it. Start with free coffee and newspaper in the impressive library, move on to a yoga class in the ballroom, then sit in the sauna, shower, grab a cocktail, and finally head out on the town feeling refreshed.
Palm & Pine
308 N. Rampart Street
This relative newcomer (since 2019) is a relaxed, brick-lined restaurant serving local, Mexican & Caribbean cuisine, plus wine and craft cocktails. Think laid-back, casual-cool fine dining.
Black Penny
700 N. Rampart Street
This dive bar has several pages’ worth of craft beer on the menu (and most come in a can). The space is both weathered and welcoming, featuring a refurbished bar, exposed brick and beams, and long booths.
Louis Armstrong Park
701 N. Rampart Street
Inside this leafy, 31-acre park, a large statue of Satchmo himself presides over fountains, walking trails, lagoons, and the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Armstrong Park is also the location of Congo Square, where enslaved Africans and free people of color congregated on Sundays to socialize, dance, and sell goods in the 18th and early 19th centuries. This historic park is the birthplace of jazz, named for a jazz legend, and it’s definitely worth a visit. The park also hosts several annual festivals.
Rampart Treehouse
740 N. Rampart Street
Self-billed as a “slice bar,” Rampart Treehouse is a colorful, well, bar that serves pizza. There are at least 10 pizzas on the menu, including vegetarian and vegan options, and available both to go or in-house, whole or by the slice. There are also a couple of salads and sandwich options on the menu, plus a whole lot of booze one would expect from a full bar.
Bar Tonique
820 N. Rampart Street
For the destination revered for its perfectly crafted cocktails, there’s not an ounce of pretentiousness about Bar Tonique. It’s small, cozy, and even romantic (there are comfortable couches, nooks, and a fireplace). Overall it feels more like a neighborhood bar, with specials chalked on the board (no food, no live music), not a cocktail lounge. The ingredients, however, are often house-made, and the extensive menu is staggeringly categorized. There are daily specials (whiskey flights Tuesdays and caipirinha Thursdays, for example). Some are unique to the bar; others are modern twists on the classics, with welcome deviations and house-made syrups. Service industry folks enjoy a discount.
MaMou
942 N. Rampart Street
Opened in 2022 (replacing the longtime neighborhood fave, Meauxbar), MaMou is a modern French brasserie from Executive Chef Tom Branighan and Sommelier Molly Wismeier. The menu is European continental cuisine with Creole influences, using mostly Louisiana ingredients and prepared with French techniques. The airy, whimsical interior serves as a perfect backdrop.
Effervescence
1036 N. Rampart Street
The French Quarter has a champagne-centric bar to call its own. Effervescence opened its tall doors on N. Rampart St. in March of 2017 and has become the destination for high-to-low sparkling wines from all over the world, champagnes, small plates, and live music. The setting is modern and polished, and there’s ample outdoor seating. There’s also a full bar, and dozens of still wines by the glass and bottle, plus a limited beer selection — but it’s the bubbles you’d come for. Check out a variety of themed flights, or order half a glass, if you’d like to try a variety. The small plates are meant to be shared — like the Gulf seafood plate or crispy Brussels sprouts. Effervescence is also a good spot to try caviar, from the prized osetra to the local (and more affordable) bowfin.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Chartres Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
Photo by Trevor Mark
When it comes to Chartres Street, the best approach is to keep it simple. That guideline pertains to both the street’s name (no need to pull out your French pronunciation guide — it’s simply pronounced CHART-ers), and your approach to exploration. Chartres Street is lined with historic sites, restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Here are just a few top spots to check out.
Photo by Teemu008 on Flickr
Napoleon House
500 Chartres Street
Although this weathered brick building was offered as a refuge to Napoleon Bonaparte by its owner, New Orleans mayor Nicholas Girod, the exiled emperor died before taking advantage of the gesture. However, the name stuck. Napoleon House served as a family home, grocery store, and bar before coming into the ownership of Ralph Brennan in 2015, who added it to his lauded restaurant collection. Today, it’s a unique place to taste New Orleans cuisine in a setting that feels rich with history.
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
514 Chartres Street
Truly one of New Orleans’ must-see oddities, this museum is a beautifully preserved, circa-1823 pharmacy. From leech jars to bloodletting devices and a soda fountain, the multi-story building’s medical paraphernalia and exhibits offer a glimpse into the past — and a reminder that simpler times weren’t always better.
United Apparel Liquidators (UAL)
581 Chartres Street
Frugal fashionistas: Your “it” spot is here on Chartres Street. Balenciaga, Chanel, Givenchy, Alexander Wang — you’ll find all these designer labels at UAL, discounted 70% to 90%. The small chain was launched in 1980 and now boasts 10 locations across four Southern states.
Photo courtesy of Sylvain on Facebook
Sylvain
625 Chartres Street
This chic gastropub is a great place to grab a cocktail or a multi-course meal. Lauded by publications including Southern Living and Travel + Leisure, it’s dim, intimate, and very New Orleans.
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
The Cabildo and The Presbytere
701 and 751 Chartres Street
These neighboring 17th-century structures were built in the Spanish colonial style (and later destroyed by a 1788 fire and rebuilt). They have served as courthouses and commercial sites, but today they house the Louisiana State Museum.
Photo by Trevor Mark
Muriel’s Jackson Square
801 Chartres Street
There’s no better place to sip a brandy milk punch than on the second-floor balcony at Muriel’s overlooking Jackson Square, where both the people-watching and the view are excellent. But Muriel’s courtyard is a close second. Don’t forget to stop by the Sunday Jazz Brunch! Somehow, shrimp and grits just taste better paired with the lively sounds of a jazz trio.
Photo by Louisiana Travel on Flickr
Old Ursuline Convent Museum
1100 Chartres Street
Built in 1748, this gracious, French Colonial cathedral is one of New Orleans’ oldest buildings. It was also the place where many of New Orleans’ founding matriarchs first resided. These casket girls, who were sent from France to serve as brides for colonists, lived with nuns until marriages could be arranged. Many locals proudly claim their casket girl ancestry — and even more, come to this convent to pay homage to the original New Orleanians.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
Dauphine Street, a Block-by-Block Guide
A dauphine is the wife of the French king’s oldest son — and just as its name suggests, a stroll down Dauphine Street will make you feel like royalty. That’s thanks in part to the standout restaurants that line the elegant (and, yes, regal) corridor. But Dauphine Street is also host to attractions that range from humble to down-out weird. Here are just a few top spots on Dauphine Street.
Killer PoBoys
219 Dauphine Street
Killer PoBoys launched as a pop-up in the rear of Erin Rose bar — and the proprietors still sling sandwiches there. But if you want to taste the innovative po-boys in a more expansive environment, this counter-serve restaurant fits the bill. Killer PoBoys expanded to these Dauphine Street digs in 2015, where a steady flow of French Quarter workers, locals and tourists rub shoulders over truly outstanding po-boys. There’s a sweet potato and greens version for the vegan crowd, a cheddar omelet po-boy for breakfast fiends, and a seared Gulf shrimp and sriracha version that has the flavor profile of banh mi. In short, Killer PoBoys has a po-boy for every palate (the menu changes, so this is just a sample of what to expect).
Museum of Death
227 Dauphine Street
What better place to contemplate your mortality than the most haunted city in the United States? The Museum of Death offers creepy, oddball, and downright disturbing artifacts and paraphernalia. Shrunken heads, mortician equipment, serial killer letters, graphic crime scene footage, and more fill the space. This morbid museum may be a little too intense for children, as well as some adults.
Deja Vu Restaurant and Bar
400 Dauphine Street
This full-service restaurant and bar in the French Quarter is always ready to accommodate. You will find a wide variety of options on the menu ranging from traditional New Orleans fare to downhome comfort food, all reasonably priced. Deja Vu serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day long and is available for dine-in, carry-out or delivery. Open till 11 p.m. nightly.
Bayona
430 Dauphine Street
Legendary chef (and James Beard awardee) Susan Spicer has crafted a restaurant empire, racking up accolades from Food & Wine, the John Folse Culinary Institute, the Zagat guide, and many others. Opened in 1990 in a 200-year-old cottage, Bayona is the restaurant that put her on the map. Today, its globally accented Louisiana cuisine feels both classic and forward-thinking.
Good Friends Bar
740 Dauphine Street
Laid back and welcoming, this is the Cheers of French Quarter gay bars. You’ll feel welcome at its mahogany bar (or on its second-floor balcony) whether it’s your first visit or your 50th. P.S. Good Friends is a great place to watch the New Orleans Saints play.
Matassa’s Market
1001 Dauphine Street
It’s an MVP for French Quarter locals and tourists alike: a family-owned market where you can grab everything from a sausage po-boy and a six-pack to paper towels and bananas. Plus, they deliver. Is it any wonder Matassa’s business has been booming since its funding in 1924?
Washington Square Park
Dauphine Street forms the northernmost boundary of this dog-friendly park in the Marigny, where you’ll find playground equipment, shady oak trees, benches, and grassy fields. The 2.54-acre park is a comfortable neighborhood hangout and a great place to unwind. Grab a beer and a hot dog from Dat Dog, or get a latte and a sandwich from Ayu Bakehouse, and enjoy a picnic in the park.
For more, check out our guide to the Famous Streets of the French Quarter.
Also, are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans soon? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
All photos except Deja Vu are by Cheryl Gerber
