by Jay

Romantic Fun in the French Quarter

The French Quarter has cast its spell on lovers for centuries. And if you’re staying at Prince Conti, you don’t have to venture far to find romance. The Bombay Club, one of the city’s most charmingly intimate lounges, is just down the carriageway at the back of the hotel. It’s a perfect spot to start and end a romantic night. There’s also a wealth of other options in and around the Quarter guaranteed to get sparks flying.

Jumpstart Happy Hour at The Bombay Club (830 Conti St.)

Sip romantic wines like sparkling rosé or signature cocktails like French 76 during the Bombay Club’s leisurely happy hour. Whet your appetite for the night ahead on spicy regional small bites, including boudin croquettes and alligator sausage.

Cruise the Mississippi on the Creole Queen

The mighty Mississippi isn’t just one of the world’s busiest ports. It’s the perfect backdrop for romance when you cruise its waters at night. Teleport back in time to the glamorous riverboat days of yore on the paddlewheeler Creole Queen, where you can dance to live jazz on the dance floor, or stroll outside on the deck and enjoy the twinkling skyline view under a canopy of stars.

(Departs from Poydras Dock at Spanish Plaza; book in advance online)

Take a Mule-Drawn Royal Carriage Through the Quarter

Clip-clop, clip-clop. There’s no better place to whisper sweet nothings into your honey’s ear than in the back of a mule-drawn carriage winding its way through the Quarter on cobblestoned streets. Steered by savvy guides, Royal Carriages offers several tour options for small groups. But for max romance, book a private tour with your own personal driver, who can point you to some of the Quarter’s swoon-worthy spots.

(700 Decatur St.; book in advance online)

Enjoy a Romantic Dinner for Two

For old-school French Creole elegance, book a table for two at Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon St.), one of the grande dames of New Orleans dining (jackets required for men.) Or dine al fresco in the lovely courtyard of Cafe Amelie (912 Royal St.), named for the first American Princess of Monaco, who lived on the grounds in the mid-1800s. More in the mood for steak? Head for Doris Metropolitan (620 Chartres St.), where the dry-aged beef and other fine meats are a gourmand’s delight.

Catch Live Jazz at The Bombay Club

Curtained private booths enhance romance at The Bombay Club, where you can sip the bistro’s signature martinis or other classic cocktails while listening to the cool jazz stylings of some of the city’s top artists. Cap off your night before turning in, or just take a break in your hotel room before heading out for more fun.

Get Your Fortunes Read in Jackson Square

What will the rest of the night hold? Should you dive into the wild and noisy end of Bourbon Street or stroll down to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon St.) for a quieter nightcap? Ask one of the colorfully-garbed soothsayers in Jackson Square, where a variety of diviners will look into your future.

(Decatur St. in front of St. Louis Cathedral)

Looking for Hotels in New Orleans? Choose the Prince Conti Hotel

When it comes to hotels in New Orleans, location is key. The Prince Conti Hotel is located just blocks from the New Orleans Jazz Museum, where a handful of festivals and other events take place throughout the year.

You don’t even have to venture far to listen to live New Orleans music when you stay at the Prince Conti Hotel. The hotel’s own restaurant, The Bombay Club, features live music every night.

The Prince Conti Hotel is also a quick walk to Frenchmen Street, where you will find tons of local bars and restaurants playing live music for all to enjoy.

The hotel is also located near the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, which can take you to New Orleans’ Uptown to visit famous places for music like Tipitina’s and Le Bon Temps Roule.

If you are planning a trip to New Orleans soon, be sure to check out the city’s unique music scene and book your reservation at one of the best hotels in New Orleans with great low room rates, the Prince Conti Hotel!

We hope you have a fun, romantic time in the French Quarter!

by Jay

Enjoy the Music at Satchmo SummerFest in New Orleans

One of the best things about New Orleans is the city’s undying passion for music. Music lovers come from near and far to experience New Orleans’ diverse music scene, which features a variety of musical artists and genres.

This summer, the popular Satchmo SummerFest will be returning to New Orleans on August 3-4, 2024, with two stages, a delicious culinary lineup, and an indoor lecture series at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint.

New Orleans French Quarter

Experience Foot-Tapping Music at Satchmo SummerFest

Satchmo SummerFest is New Orleans’ tribute to one of its most famous native sons, the beloved Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, on the centennial of his birth. This festival began back in 2001 and has since evolved into one of the top celebrations in the city.

For many who attend this dynamic festival, it’s the highlight of the summer season. This festival includes live bands on two different stages, featuring some of New Orleans’ best musicians. Many of the musical artists performing will play their tributes to Louis Armstrong and his famous music.

Some of the past headliners at this New Orleans festival include the Preservation Hall Brass Band, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Bill Summers and Jazalsa, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, and many others.

satchmo fest

In addition to the vibrant outdoor music scene, this New Orleans festival would not be complete without plenty of delicious local food and drink. This festival offers some of New Orleans’ world-famous culinary delicacies for sale around the festival site, as well as refreshing beverages, to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

There are also several indoor events at Satchmo SummerFest, including an inspiring indoor lecture series created to highlight Armstrong’s history and enduring impact.

Shrimp From The Bombay Club in New Orleans

Looking for Hotels in New Orleans? Choose the Prince Conti Hotel

When it comes to hotels in New Orleans, location is key. The Prince Conti Hotel is located just blocks from the New Orleans Jazz Museum, where Satchmo SummerFest will be taking place this coming August.

You don’t even have to venture far to listen to live New Orleans music when you stay at the Prince Conti Hotel. The hotel’s own restaurant, The Bombay Club, features live music every night.

The Prince Conti Hotel is also a quick walk to Frenchmen Street, where you will find tons of local bars and restaurants playing live music for all to enjoy.

The hotel is also located near the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, which can take you to New Orleans’ Uptown to visit famous places for music like Tipitina’s and Le Bon Temps Roule.

If you are planning a trip to New Orleans this summer, be sure to check out the city’s unique music scene and book your reservation at one of the best hotels in New Orleans with great low room rates, the Prince Conti Hotel!

The Prince Conti Hotel in New Orleans, LA

by Jay

Prince Conti Hotel’s Guide to Summer in the French Quarter

New Orleans is home to many delicious restaurants, famous landmarks, exciting festivals, rich history, and unique entertainment for all ages. It doesn’t come as a surprise that people travel from all over to New Orleans to experience its unique local flavor.

Summer is a good time to visit despite the soaring temps, as the city’s party schedule is jam-packed with festivals and other events unique to New Orleans, and there are also fewer crowds than, say, during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or the cooler months in general.

Take Advantage of the Summer Deals

The city’s local restaurants and cultural destinations sweeten the deal with citywide promotions like Museum Month and COOLinary, both in August (COOLinary ends on September 15, 2024), when you can visit a number of local museums for the price of the annual membership for just one of them, or have a three-course dinner in a top restaurant for a prix fixe deal.

The one-time admission fee to some local museums can run over $20, so this is a great opportunity to explore on the budget. The fees for the smaller museums are probably the best deal, ranging from $30 to $35 annually. (You can buy a membership upon arrival.)

With COOLinary, there’s no better time to try out an award-winning restaurant during your visit, or revisit an old favorite. This dining program offers discounted dining deals at participating restaurants located all over the city. Over 100 participating local restaurants run the gamut from the iconic to the smaller, more casual ones.

Family-Friendly New Orleans

New Orleans is more than a romp on Bourbon Street (though we recommend that too). There is entertainment for people of all ages all year round, but, with fewer people out on the streets, you can really take the time to explore the city at your own pace in the summer. Bring your family to the Audubon Aquarium, the Audubon Insectarium, or the incredible World War II Museum.

Grab a warm and fresh beignet at the famous Cafe Du Monde, or go shopping at the Riverwalk Outlets mall or the French Market open-air mall, where you will find a flea market, local arts and crafts, and edible souvenirs like pralines and every kind of hot sauce under the sun.

Want something special to bring home as a gift? Check out our top recommendations for the unique New Orleans gifts you can get near the Prince Conti Hotel.

Then, of course, there are the stunning St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square to explore, plus dozens of other important landmarks, all located within walking distance in the historic French Quarter. Both the Presbytère and the Cabildo that flank the cathedral have excellent museums worth exploring by the whole family.

A convenient way to check out countless New Orleans attractions is on the City Sightseeing double-decker tour bus. With a pickup location at Basin Street Station, close to the hotel, the City Sightseeing tour is very flexible and allows you to see many famous destinations in the city at your own pace by hopping on and hopping off the bus whenever you desire. This system allows you to stay as long as you would like at each destination, since the bus comes every 30 minutes and runs seven days a week for your convenience.

Another option is to take your family on a historic cruise to Chalmette battlefield, on the Creole Queen. This beautiful paddlewheeler also offers dinner jazz cruises that will keep you cool and entertained.

So Many Festivals and Celebrations

This year’s Independence Day weekend is shaping up to be spectacular as usual, filled with special events, fireworks, and — this being New Orleans — great food and music. Kick off the festivities with Go 4th on the River celebration, a free Dueling Barges fireworks show over the Mississippi River at the Riverfront.

Gear up for the best in R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and blues with ESSENCE Festival of Culture, held at the Superdome and the Convention Center. Beyond the concerts held each night of the fest at the Superdome, the free daytime activities at the Convention Center include motivational seminars, beauty and style presentations, celebrity interviews, cooking demonstrations with top chefs, and lots more.

Running of the Bulls brings Encierro to New Orleans every summer, except the bulls are the Big Easy Rollergirls. San Fermin in Nueva Orleans pays annual homage to the world-famous Encierro of Pamplona, Spain, running through the CBD starting at the Gallier Hall.

Some of the best restaurants and bars in town celebrate Tales of the Cocktail on July 21-26, 2024. Since 2002 the festival has grown from an annual walking tour of historic New Orleans cocktail bars into a series of dinners, tastings, seminars, and more. Expect over 300 events crammed into six days, including the always-popular “best of” Spirited Awards and many cocktail-themed parties.

Satchmo SummerFest, named so after one of Louis Armstrong’s nicknames, started as a tribute in 2001, on Armstrong’s 100th birthday. It has been traditionally held on the first week of August and marked by strong attendance.

The two-day festival (August 3-4, 2024) is held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint at the foot of Esplanade Avenue., and will have music on those days on its two outdoor, tented stages. Other events will include a Sunday morning Jazz Mass at the historic St. Augustine Church in Tremé, seminars and film screenings, kid’s activities, and a second-line parade.

Browse the galleries on the White Linen Night on the first Saturday of August (or its cousin, the Dirty Linen Night, exactly one week later). White Linen Night is a block party and an open house for galleries on the 300-600 blocks of Julia Street in the Warehouse District, with several stages for live music and dozens of food and drink stands. About 20 galleries on and around Julia St. will be open to the public.

The Dirty Linen Night usually follows the White Linen Night on the second Saturday in August. It’s similar in format, though looser in structure and spanning more territory. Although Dirty Linen Night does riff off White Linen Night, it wasn’t created to compete with the Warehouse District event but to promote the many galleries and shops of Royal Street.

The multi-block party takes over the 300-1100 blocks of Royal Street and some cross streets and adjoining areas in the French Quarter, including Jackson Square and Dutch Alley. About 40 galleries are expected to participate again this year, plus a number of shops and restaurants.

The Red Dress Run, always held on the second Saturday of August, isn’t exclusive to New Orleans, but the local participants take it up a notch by costuming on top of wearing their best and/or most outlandish red dress, regardless of gender. This is an annual fundraiser run for local charities organized by hashing groups (adults-only, non-competitive social running clubs) all over the world.

They call themselves “drinking clubs with a running problem” and the local group is no exception. Any adult can participate with registration, and the run traditionally starts at Crescent Park, though the route will not be publicized until the day of the run.

The incomparable Southern Decadence festival is traditionally held on Labor Day weekend. It started as a going-away party in the early 70s but is now considered the fifth-largest event in New Orleans. This massive four-day festival celebrates LGBTQI+ culture and attracts participants from all over the world. Just like every year, most activities will be centered in and around the French Quarter, with lots of block parties and dance parties at bars and clubs on Bourbon Street, plus two parades.

The Nightlife, Of Course

It is no secret that New Orleans is known for its nightlife scene, and the Prince Conti Hotel puts you right by many incredible New Orleans nightlife spots, such as the bustling Harrah’s, Pat O’Brien’s, House of Blues, the legendary music spots on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, and many more. But, really, you don’t need us to tell you that whatever floats your boat, from the dives with local beer on tap to the chef-driven destinations with exquisitely crafted cocktails served alongside small plates, you’re bound to find it in the French Quarter and nearby.

Cooling Off in the French Quarter

Then there are these chilled-out destinations that offer a refreshing refuge from the summer heat along with a shot of New Orleans flavor. The first rule of dealing with NOLA heat: Never walk anywhere without a cool beverage in hand. So, how about a daiquiri? These frozen drinks are seriously the next best thing to a portable A.C. unit. Options run the gamut from classic (the piña colada-flavored daiquiri at Big Easy Daiquiris) to craft (Cane and Table’s inspired creations) Grab a daiq and be restored!

Take the edge off with a classic martini and cool, free live jazz at The Bombay Club — there’s a different local act each night. Best of all, you don’t have to venture outside and brave the heat to experience The Bombay Club’s unique ambiance — it’s actually attached to the Prince Conti Hotel’s back carriageway.

The Country Club requires you to venture outside the French Quarter (it’s about two miles from the Prince Conti Hotel), but it’s well worth the effort. The Bywater neighborhood standby is located in a lushly landscaped Italianate raised center-hall cottage.

Enter through the breezy, fern-hung front porch to find a dining area and granite-topped bar. Beyond that lies a saltwater pool, cabana bar, hot tub, sauna, and shower area accessible via a day pass. It’s the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon. (P.S. If it’s raining, it’s happy hour at The Country Club.)

Staying at the Prince Conti Hotel This Summer

If you are planning a trip to New Orleans this summer? We’d love for you to stay with us! Take advantage of Prince Conti Hotel’s specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!

See you this summer!

by Jay

Shopping for Women Near the Prince Conti French Quarter Hotel

Photo courtesy of Hemline on Facebook

Shopping in New Orleans gives visitors another way to experience the city’s vibrancy. Clothing in the French Quarter runs the gamut of styles and this list of some of the area’s best women’s clothing shops reflects that. Whether you’re looking for vintage or contemporary, formal or casual, there’s something for everyone in the French Quarter.

Dirty Coast 

713 Royal Street

Dirty Coast offers casual New Orleans-themed clothing and gifts for women and men. Their French Quarter location opened in 2016 “at the corner of Pirates Alley and Touchdown Jesus” (their description). Since 2002, the company has printed more than 250 local designs for t-shirts and posters that proclaim their love for New Orleans.

Co-founder and designer Blake Haney was in Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina and created the company’s first design, a bumper sticker that said “Be a New Orleanian, Wherever You Are” and stuck 5,000 of them all over the city as soon as he could move back. Write-ups in the Times-Picayune and The New York Times followed. The company now has devotees around the globe — locals and visitors  — who want to celebrate how much they love New Orleans.

Dollz & Dames

216 Decatur Street

A colorful boutique offering everything you’ll need for one-stop shopping for a glam evening out or a stylish, retro-inspired daytime outfit. Retro-chic polka dot halter dresses, boleros, rompers, kimonos, Irregular Choice heels (when you know, you know) — it’s all there.

Dollz & Dames is a treasure trove of accessories too, from funky-glam clutches to bold jewelry to embellished sunglasses. Don’t stop there though, especially if you’re shopping for a gift. There are fragrances plus bath products, candles — the list goes on.

Fifi Mahony’s

934 Royal Street

Fifi Mahony’s has been wigging Mardi Gras krewes, the burlesque community, performance artists, fashion shoots and shows, and us mortals who just need a fresh wig for Mardi Gras Day, since 1997. A second location, with a beauty parlor, opened in Bywater (3212 Dauphine Street) recently.

A true New Orleans original, Fifi’s will make a glam queen out of you in one afternoon with its vast collection of makeup, glitzy accessories, sunglasses, and, of course, wigs. Oh, the wigs. Do you wanna be a “Marylin” or “Antoinette”? Done, and done. Any style, length, or color you have in mind, Fifi’s will have it. Custom wigs run for around $200, but you can snag a wig for as low as $40, too. Beware, come Halloween or Mardi Gras, the line is out of the door, so prep accordingly.

Hemline

609 Chartres Street

Hemline is an elegant boutique with two locations in New Orleans. Their flagship store is located in the French Quarter and sells contemporary designers like Nanette Lepore, Tracy Reese, Amanda Uprichard, and Dolce Vita, among many others. Brigette Holthausen moved to New Orleans from Brazil at age 16 and started the business selling backpacks, sandals, and jewelry at the French Market, opening her shop on Chartres several years later.

Lost and Found

323 Chartres Street

A quirky boutique with women’s fashions in a wide size range, whimsical accessories, and unique gifts. It’s a gem of a place if you have your eye on a swing dress or a unique accessory to go with it.

Trashy Diva

Trashy Diva Clothing Boutique (537 Royal Street)

Trashy Diva Lingerie (712 Royal Street)

Trashy Diva started in 1996 as a traditional vintage clothing store and has expanded into five shops across New Orleans carrying vintage-inspired clothing and lingerie with contemporary touches. There are two locations on Royal Street: a lingerie shop near the cathedral and a clothing boutique two blocks up.

Trashy Diva’s lingerie shop offers custom-fitted corsets and boudoir glam, essential to the city’s burlesque community, as well as myriad other lacy undergarments. Many styles in the clothing boutique pay homage to the 1940s and 50s; bold Asian-inspired prints and elegant florals decorate day dresses while evening options include velvet, bias-cut gowns like something Audrey Hepburn might wear to Tiffany’s.

UAL (United Apparel Liquidators)

518 Chartres Street

UAL focuses on deeply discounted designer fashion. The inventory changes almost daily and the wide variety of merchandise in the store’s single room makes digging for the perfect look a lot of fun. Christian Louboutin heels, Kara Ross handbags, and Chloe blouses will fill the store one week, and next week that’s gone and Alexander Wang dresses occupy the racks along with Balmain and Valentino. Some of the pieces are sample items or marked as defective, so a careful eye makes for the best shopping experience.

All of these shops are in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, short blocks from the Prince Conti Hotel. Guests can enjoy first-class accommodations as well as shopping that reflects the diversity of cultures and styles that make New Orleans unique.

by Jay

Celebrating Easter Sunday in the French Quarter

Celebrating Easter Sunday in the French Quarter

As a historically Catholic city, New Orleans takes Lent seriously. New Orleans also loves a good parade. Naturally, breaking the 40-plus days of fasting and the arrival of spring are great reasons to catch a parade, show off your bonnet, and feast on some Gulf seafood.

If you’re lucky enough to be staying in the French Quarter for Easter weekend, you can celebrate the end of Lent with three parades, Catholic masses, special Easter brunches, and an Easter Bonnet contest. Here’s a quick rundown of the things you can do on Easter Sunday in the French Quarter (April 9, 2023).

The Parades

Three groups parade annually through the French Quarter and downtown on Easter Sunday. The Historic French Quarter Easter Parade leaves from Antoine’s Restaurant at 9:45 a.m. and proceeds to St. Louis Cathedral for 11 a.m. mass. The riders, clad in their best Easter attire, ride in convertibles and carriages, handing out stuffed Easter bunnies, candy, and other theme-appropriate throws along the way. After mass, the parade slowly weaves its way back to Antoine’s.

The French Quarter Easter Parade rolls at 1 p.m. from St. Louis and Royal streets. The one and only Chris Owens traditionally helmed the parade as the Grand Duchess until her passing in 2022, but the organizers chose to go on in her memory. Expect colorful floats, marching bands, whimsical bonnets, and plenty of throws.

The annual Gay Easter Parade celebrates the city’s LGBTQIA+ community and benefits the Food for Friends charity. It starts at 5:30 p.m. on N. Rampart St. by the Armstrong Park arch and continues to St. Ann, Bourbon, and Esplanade. With stops at some bars along the way, the parade makes it back to N. Rampart for the after-party.

The Easter Bonnet Contest at Good Friends Bar at the corner of Dauphine and St. Ann streets is open to all participants, and spectators decide on the winners. A tall order every year, as the entries are often fabulous and wildly creative.

Brunch

What’s better than marking the end of Lent with a multi-course Cajun/Creole brunch? Many French Quarter restaurants offer a special Easter menu buffet-style or as a sit-down prix fixe option.

Since it’s a family tradition for many, reservations are highly recommended. (You can check the list of participating restaurants and make a reservation via OpenTable.)

Here are our five top Easter Sunday brunch recommendations.

The Bombay Club (830 Conti St.)

Start your Easter Sunday right with a cocktail and eggs in this elegant restaurant located at the back of the Prince Conti Hotel. The extensive Easter brunch menu runs the gamut from lighter fare to the more substantial and New Orleans-focused. Check with the restaurant for this year’s Easter brunch menu.

Antoine’s Restaurant (713 St. Louis St.)

Antoine’s holiday brunch menu will render you speechless with its baked oysters, Gulf shrimp, and other top-notch, Louisiana-centric delights. Top it off with either pecan bread pudding or strawberry mousse. Brunch includes one complimentary Mimosa. Check with the restaurant for this year’s Easter brunch menu.

Arnaud’s (813 Bienville St.)

In the years past, Arnaud’s Easter brunch menu was prix fixe and highlighted the best of the regional cuisine could offer, such as smoked duck, Andouille and oyster gumbo for starters. Let’s hope that this year one of the appetizer offerings will again include the signature Shrimp Arnaud: Gulf shrimp marinated in Creole remoulade. Check with the restaurant for this year’s Easter brunch menu.

Red Fish Grill (115 Bourbon St.)

On Easter Sunday, you’ll typically find a family-style Easter buffet with dishes like alligator sausage and seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, Creole potato salad, BBQ shrimp, oysters, pickled crawfish, and a carving station (just to name a few options). The kids’ buffet usually offers child-friendly versions of the above and a sundae bar. Check with the restaurant for this year’s Easter brunch menu.

Steamboat Natchez Easter Jazz Brunch Cruise (Toulouse St./boardwalk)

The two-hour Mississippi River cruise with live music by The Steamboat Stompers includes a buffet and reserved seating. Kids can meet the Easter Bunny aboard the steamboat. Check with the restaurant for this year’s Easter brunch menu.

Mass

Church services on Easter Sunday start early and continue throughout the day. You can see every year’s schedule on the Archdiocese of New Orleans website. For a truly unique experience, consider a stroll to Jackson Square to hear the bells of St. Louis Cathedral and mingle with the revelers in their Easter finery.

St. Louis Cathedral usually has a mass at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12:30 p.m., and remains open between services. The majestic Our Lady of Guadalupe (411 N. Rampart St.) also offers Easter mass throughout the day, including at least one in Spanish.

by Jay

The Top 10 Landmarks Near Our French Quarter Hotel

The Top 10 Landmarks Near Our French Quarter Hotel

When it comes to travel with a twist of magic and adventure, it doesn’t get much better than exploring the French Quarter on foot. It’s the heart and soul of New Orleans, a testament to its colorful past — a richly woven tapestry of different cultures, cuisines, musical notes, and its everlasting joie de vivre — still manifested ’round the clock in so many unique ways.

Whether you’re on a quest to sample a savory Creole dish, dance the night away to a brass band, stroll the streets to admire the exquisite wrought-iron architectural details, or take in an eclectic street performance — this one-of-a-kind place has them in spades and pretty much around every corner.

While it’s easy to come up with a longer list of must-see landmarks in a city this old and colorful, here are our top 10 recommendations, all located within walking distance from each other in the French Quarter. There’s only one exception — Frenchmen Street is located in Faubourg Marigny, right outside the French Quarter.

1. Jackson Square (751 Decatur Street)

This timeless landmark is located in the heart of the French Quarter. Known since the 18th century as Place d’Armes, it was renamed in honor of Andrew Jackson following the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. Jackson’s bronze statue is the focal point of the square, surrounded by lavish flora and facing the Mississippi River.

Jackson Square is also a host to the open-air artist market and performance space, with local art displayed along the fence. You can have your sketch done, dance to a brass band, or have your fortune told. Carriage rides are offered in front of the square. When you cross the street to the riverside, you’ll find the French Market, Cafe du Monde, and Shops at Jax Brewery.

2. St. Louis Cathedral (615 Pere Antoine Alley)

St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States. It stands between its two historic neighbors, the Cabildo and the Presbytere, overlooking Jackson Square and the block-long row of the Pontalba Buildings. St. Louis Cathedral is one of the most instantly recognizable buildings in the world, its famous steeples showing up on many a postcard and in quite a few films.

The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France was built in 1724 and had been rebuilt twice after a hurricane and a fire. It was dedicated in 1794 and has enjoyed an illustrious and eventful history. One of its most famous caretakers was Pere Antoine, a popular Capuchin priest who had been pastor of the Cathedral from 1785 to 1790 and again from 1795 to the time of his death in 1829.

You can check out the Cathedral’s stunning interior during its hours of operation, and attend a mass or a music concert. If you’re just passing by, depending on the time of day, you may get to hear its bell or witness an occasional wedding party spilling out of the Cathedral, followed by a second line.

3. The Cabildo and The Presbytere (701 & 751 Chartres St., Jackson Square)

General admission to either: $10

Did you know that the 1803 Louisiana Purchase was signed at The Cabildo? This historic building served as the seat of government during the Spanish colonial rule, and was built to replace the building claimed by the fire in 1794. Standing tall right next to St. Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo is now part of the Louisiana State Museum. It houses such precious artifacts as a painting of Marie Laveau by Frank Schneider; a self-portrait by Julien Hudson, an antebellum artist and free man of color; and Napoleon’s death mask, one of only four in the world.

On the other side of St. Louis cathedral is The Presbytere, which was built in 1791 in the style to match The Cabildo. It’s called “Presbytere” because it was built on the site of one, which served as a residence for Capuchin monks. The building served as a courthouse in the late 19th century and is now also part of the Louisiana State Museum, just like The Cabildo.

The Presbytere houses several permanent exhibits, including these two standouts. The magnificent “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana” tells the story of the Carnival traditions in Louisiana, including Cajun Courir de Mardi Gras, Zulu coconut throws, 19th-century Rex ball costumes, and much more. “The Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond” exhibit documents the natural disaster, its aftermath, and the ongoing recovery with interactive displays and artifacts.

4. French Market (2 French Market Place)

French Market was founded in 1791 as a Native American trading post and has been operating continually since, making it the oldest public market in the country. Similar in structure to a traditional European market, this open-air mall covers roughly five blocks, from Cafe du Monde on Decatur St. across from Jackson Square to the daily flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue.

Many retail shops and restaurants surround it in every direction. The flea market area hosts dozens of local artisans, plus vendors from all over the world. You’ll find souvenirs, handmade masks and jewelry, t-shirts, music, and more.

French Market also includes a small pedestrian plaza on Dumaine and St. Phillip streets called Dutch Alley. The food stands at the Farmers Market Pavilion offer a slew of spices, produce and local food that is uniquely New Orleans — from pralines to oysters to the beignet mix or the hot sauce you’d want to take home. The Farmers Market also hosts an annual Creole Tomato Festival to celebrate its harvest.

5. The Riverfront (1 Toulouse Street)

You can access the mile-long riverfront very easily from the Jackson Square area. There you will find grassy Woldenberg Park and a walkway called the Moonwalk, named after the former New Orleans mayor Maurice “Moon” Landrieu.

Woldenberg Park is a popular spot to watch the 4th of July fireworks. It also hosts one of the largest stages during the annual French Quarter Festival, which takes place in the spring.

Stroll along the Moonwalk to view public art, like the Holocaust Memorial, and watch the boats go by. The Riverwalk is also home to two popular family-friendly attractions, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Entergy IMAX Theater.

6. Bourbon Street, French Quarter

That much is true: Bourbon Street is home to one of the wildest nightly street parties in the country. It’s well known for its karaoke and burlesque clubs, bars that never seem to close, and crowds milling about round the clock. This endless party vibe makes Bourbon Street a great destination for your bachelor party, a girls’ night out, spring break, a couple’s getaway — and any other cause for celebration.

It is also one of the oldest streets in the country, a vivid example of Spanish colonial architecture dating back to 1798 and steeped in history, magic and legends. And it’s home to the city’s most iconic destinations like Galatoire’s and The Old Absinthe House. One of the best jazz clubs in the country, if not the world, also has a Bourbon Street address. Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub is located in the historic 1831 building and hosts live, traditional jazz performances nightly, attracting jazz aficionados from all over the globe.

7. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon Street)

This ancient, at least by North American standards, the bar is housed in a Creole cottage on the corner of Bourbon and St. Philip streets. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop was built between 1722 and 1732, and it’s said to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the U.S.

It’s also said to have been used by the infamous Lafitte Brothers, Jean and Pierre, as a base for their smuggling operation in Barataria, operating as a facade for the privateers. We won’t likely know the truth beyond the legend, but the bar is dripping in magic and history, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

8. Museum at the Old Ursuline Convent (1100 Chartres Street)

$8 general admission

The Old Ursuline Convent was built in 1752, which makes it the oldest surviving example of the French colonial period in the country, circa Louis XV. The building first served as a convent for the Ursuline nuns, and then, as centuries ticked on, it had been, at some point: a school, an archbishop’s and priests’ residence, archdiocesan offices/archives, and is now part of the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

9. Royal Street, French Quarter

Only one block away, running parallel to Bourbon Street, Royal Street presents a very different scene — a mix of performance art, live music on the corners, eclectic art galleries, funky boutiques, and upscale antique shops. The French Quarter part of Royal Street stretches for 13 blocks, from Esplanade Avenue to Canal Street, and the stretch between St. Louis and St. Ann streets is a pedestrian mall closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and till 7 p.m. on weekends.

The scenic street is also known for its wrought-iron balconies and other charming architectural details and lush courtyards, including those featured by the street’s many restaurants. Consider having a leisurely break at Cafe Beignet, or Bananas Foster in Brennan’s stunning outdoor seating area.

Among the notable art galleries are Harouni, 933 Royal St., featuring the artist’s own work; and George Rodrique Studios, 730 Royal St., with his ubiquitous Blue Dog paintings on display.

As for shopping for antiques, from exquisite chandeliers to rare 17th-century furniture to fine art and jewelry, Royal Street also got you covered. M.S. Rau Antiques, 630 Royal St., for instance, is considered one of the best destinations in the world for antique shopping.

10. Frenchmen Street, Marigny

Frenchmen Street‘s three-block area has one of the best and most densely packed live-music venues and restaurants in the city. It’s located in Faubourg Marigny, right next to the French Quarter, featuring more than 20 bars and clubs, plus a night art market, a smattering of diverse restaurants, and live music on street, especially at night. Jazz, brass, funk, DJs — you name it — and it’s playing on the corner somewhere on Frenchmen.

Some of the city’s best clubs are located on Frenchmen and offer live music seven nights a week, day and night. The Maison, for example, has three floors and a packed late-night show calendar, plus New Orleans classics on its food menu. Dragon’s Den offers a diverse and eclectic mix of music on its two live music stages, plus the lure of a courtyard and a balcony for a more relaxed experience.

Marigny Brasserie‘s outdoor seating is as elegant as it is perfect for people-watching. Three Muses and Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro are the dinner-and-a-show kinds of places that focus on Creole and regional cooking, and d.b.a.‘s roster of world-famous musicians who have played there is legendary.

For smaller venues and a more intimate ambiance, you can try The Spotted Cat or the cozy, divey Apple Barrel. Finally, top off all the blues and funk with Adolfo’s Creole Italian cooking, from a tiny old-school restaurant directly above the Apple Barrel.

When you’re done with the hustle and the bustle of the French Quarter and the Marigny, have a handcrafted cocktail at The Bombay Club or a bite to eat at Cafe Conti at the Prince Conti Hotel. Although it’s located in the heart of the historical French Quarter, just steps away from its most exciting sights and destinations, Prince Conti offers a quiet respite from it all, an oasis with an elegant yet relaxed vibe.

by Jay

9 Reasons to Stay at the Prince Conti Hotel in the New Orleans French Quarter

Located comfortably in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, the charming Prince Conti Hotel is just steps away from all the fun and excitement the city has to offer. Despite its proximity to the 24/7 action, Prince Conti Hotel offers a quiet respite from it all, an oasis with an elegant yet relaxed vibe. Read on to discover why the Prince Conti Hotel is an ideal choice for travelers of any group size, who want to stay in the French Quarter during their visit to New Orleans.

1. Modern Amenities Combined With Old-World Elegance

Our historic hotel is a cool oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, featuring an old-world southern atmosphere yet with modern amenities. The hotel is housed in a historic 19th-century townhouse, which sports a carriageway and plenty of European charm. Some of its rooms feature exposed brick, and recent renovations updated the amenities and the interior’s rich colors and moldings, adding touches of opulence and the classic New Orleans charm.

There are five room types, with either a king or a queen bed, and we also have rooms with two queen beds. The petite room is well-appointed and offers great value. If you treasure your privacy and are sensitive to noise, the windowless interior room with two queen beds also offers great value and all the peace and quiet you need. Our beautiful deluxe room offers a little more space and features elegant decor. The junior suite, with its sitting area, and the suite rooms with a separate elegant parlor, offer the most space.

We welcome groups of all kinds, too, including meetings, tour groups, conventioneers, family reunions, couples, and wedding groups at our convenient French Quarter location!

2. Martinis and Live Music on the Premises

Guests of the Prince Conti Hotel don’t have to walk far to experience the elegant yet relaxed atmosphere and outstanding New Orleans cuisine. The hotel houses The Bombay Club Bar & Restaurant, a classic New Orleans favorite featuring creative cocktails and bar bites. The Bombay Club is tucked away in the carriageway at the back of the hotel. There you will find nightly live music, including jazz and cabaret performers, an inventive menu (think British with a Cajun twist), and the largest selection of martinis in the city.

In the morning and afternoon hours, dine in style at the Cafe Conti, also located in the Prince Conti Hotel. Serving a variety of breakfast and lunch fare daily, Cafe Conti’s menu gives special attention to Creole and French cuisine.

3. Prime Location in the Heart of the French Quarter

The Prince Conti Hotel is also very close to a plethora of renowned historic sites and fun destinations. The always-hopping Bourbon Street is only a block away, and the historic St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square are six blocks away.

The shopping and dining destinations of Canal and Royal streets are close by, and the museums and world-class restaurants of the CBD are a short ride away. New Orleans is also known for its exciting nightlife, and the Prince Conti Hotel puts you close to some of the best nightlife destinations, like Harrah’s New Orleans Casino, Pat O’Brien’s, House of Blues, and more.

4. Easy Access to Other Neighborhoods 

Just outside the Quarter, not far from Prince Conti, you’ll find a wealth of nearby neighborhoods with their own distinctive character. You can bar-hop to live music in the Marigny, hit the many museums and art galleries of the Arts District, get a crash course in Tremé history at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, ride the historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar into the majestic splendor or the Garden District, or walk or bike along the Mississippi from the Marigny to the Bywater through Crescent Park.

5. Navigation Is a Breeze

You can pretty much walk to all of your destinations in the French Quarter from the hotel as the terrain is flat, the area is just 78 square blocks, and the street layout makes sense and is easy to navigate. The next best thing would be to bike or hail a pedicab.

Everything you’ll need in terms of dining, shopping, sightseeing, and entertainment in the French Quarter and nearby will be within walking distance from the Prince Conti Hotel. You don’t even have to venture far from the hotel as Conti Street, on which the hotel is located, has a few great bars and restaurants of its own. And if you want to go outside the Quarter, try a cab or rideshare, or the streetcar.

Another option is the Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker bus tours by City Sightseeing. They run every 30 minutes on a two-hour loop; the unlimited one-day pass is $46 for adults and $10 for kids under 12. To hop on the historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar, walk to Canal and Carondelet streets (directly across Canal from Bourbon St. in the French Quarter) and look for the iconic green car. It’s only $1.25 one way (exact change only, passes are also available).

6. Festivals Near You, Year-Round

From major music and cultural events to festivals that honor just about every local food there is, New Orleans celebrates life like no other city. From the fabulously unique traditions like Reveillon and Super Sunday to the Saints football season, the city doesn’t stop eating, drinking, and celebrating.

Cooler temps and the seemingly endless slew of food, drink, and music festivals are on tap in the fall in New Orleans, starting over the Labor Day weekend with the massive and fabulous Southern Decadence, a popular festival that celebrates LGBTQIA+ with block parties, shows, and a parade. The fun continues with the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, with performers from all over the world competing for the title of “Queen of Burlesque.”

Closing the month of September are the ever-expanding National Fried Chicken Festival at the Lakefront, the Beignet Festival at the City Park Festival Grounds, and NOLA on Tap Beer Fest Lafreniere Park, the largest fundraiser for the Louisiana SPCA and the largest beer fest in the area, with more than 400 beer offerings from the local and national breweries and homebrewers.

October is pretty heavy on festivals as well: The Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival happens then, plus the New Orleans Film Festival, which is one of the largest film festivals in the South and is the longest-running festival of its kind in the state.

New Orleans does Halloween like no other city, so if you’re lucky to be visiting around that time, consider any of the balls, costume parties, parade, haunted tours, and a huge block party on Frenchmen Street! The kid-friendly parade called Krewe of Boo rolls through the French Quarter, courtesy of Kern Studios, and there are many more Halloween activities around the city happening in the couple weeks leading up to Halloween that your children will love.

Then, of course, there’s Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, a mammoth outdoor music festival that takes over City Park with the national headliners, art installations, and throngs of partiers in their Halloween finery. The festival took a pause during the pandemic but plans to return.

November brings another food festival, the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival. Marching on, Thanksgiving at the Fair Grounds Race Course is a long-standing New Orleans tradition of turning out at the track on Thanksgiving Day to watch the opening-day races while sporting cocktails and some seriously fabulous hats. Next, there’s Bayou Classic, a fan fest, a parade, the battle of the bands, and, of course, the big game at the Superdome between Southern University and Grambling State University.

The beloved Celebration in the Oaks kicks off the holiday season with a dazzling holiday lights festival scattered throughout the 25 acres of the City Park, including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.

There’s a whole slew of events that accompany Christmastime in the Crescent City, from bonfires on the Algiers levies to concerts at St. Louis Cathedral to the family-friendly NOLA ChristmasFest to Reveillon menus at some of the city’s classic Creole restaurants.

But surely one of the most pleasurable things you can do during the winter holidays in New Orleans is simply strolling through the French Quarter, marveling at the light displays that are hung from wrought iron fences and elegant European-style balconies. The streetcars are decked with wreaths, and the city is alight with the holiday sparkle, including at the annual LUNA Fête that brings large-scale light and sound installations to the Convention Center.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Orleans include the Dick Clark Rockin’ New Year’s Eve at the historic Jax Brewery in the French Quarter, with a fleur-de-lis drop at midnight to the countdown on Jackson Square, quite a few balcony parties on and around Bourbon Street, and the fireworks over the Mississippi River.

The first day of the carnival season, known as Twelfth Night, or the Epiphany, kicks off every year with three parades, marking the beginning of the Mardi Gras season, which culminates every year on Fat Tuesday anytime between February 3 and March 9.

The lovely weather and the endless festivals continue this time of year with Wednesday at the Square; Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival, the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival (don’t miss the “Stella!” shouting contest); the Mid-City’s own Bayou Boogaloo, held on the picturesque banks of Bayou St. John; and, of course, the two heavy hitters and the reason so many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring — the French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest.

St. Patrick’s Day and Easter are subject to more celebration, with multiple parades and parties. Finally, the Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday is a treasured tradition dating back to the 19th century and held on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day, which gets its own unique celebration across the Catholic churches and even private homes in the city with the beautifully appointed altars (the Italian-Sicilian contribution to New Orleans’ rich cultural tapestry).

Summer is also packed with events, despite the heat and humidity. Want to cross an iconic New Orleans restaurant off your bucket list? There’s no time like Restaurant Week New Orleans, during which dozens of participating restaurants, from the James Beard luminaries to the new hotspots to the Creole grand dames offer set course menus at a deep discount. The best restaurants and bars in town celebrate Tales of the Cocktail in July, and COOLinary New Orleans with prix fixe menus in August. You can also browse the galleries on the White Linen Night (or its spin-off of sorts, the Dirty Linen Night).

The city comes to life for the Satchmo SummerFest and a slew of events over the Fourth of July and the Labor Day weekends, like Go 4th on the River, and the Essence Festival at the Superdome. The Running of the Bulls brings Encierro to New Orleans, except the bulls are the Big Easy Rollergirls.

And that’s just a taste of what’s going on in New Orleans year-round!

7. Unique Shopping Opportunities

Gifts and souvenirs as distinctive as New Orleans itself can be found in many local shops, and several of the best are in or near the Quarter, not far from the Prince Conti Hotel, including the gift shop at Basin Street Station, the French Market, or the many vintage boutiques and clothing shops throughout the Quarter (there’s a high concentration on Chartres Street in particular).

8. Non-Stop Music

Want to dive into New Orleans’ storied nightlife? You’ve got a head start at the Prince Conti Hotel. The Bombay Club, the hotel’s swank in-house bar and restaurant, is just steps away from your room.

Start your evening at one of the club’s nightly music showcases, where you can sip a perfect martini from the largest martini selection in town while listening to live music. The musical menu changes nightly, so The Bombay is always a good launching pad for hitting the streets at other legendary New Orleans venues.

Then, the world is oyster as you bar- and club-hop your way through the live-music spots of the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street in the Marigny.

9. Dining for Every Budget

Whether you’re indulging your family with an all-out feast at one of the French Quarter’s storied old-school restaurants, crossing gumbo and po-boys off your New Orleans food bucket list, or just want a quick bite that won’t break the bank, options are abundant. From decadent breakfast to exquisite dessert, the French Quarter is teeming with dining options that run the gamut from casual to world-class, chef-driven gems.

Don’t wait! Book your room at the historic Prince Conti Hotel today, and come explore the many sights, sounds, tastes, and charms of the New Orleans French Quarter!

Check out the Prince Conti Hotel’s specials, and stay in touch and save on rates and more at the Prince Conti Hotel by signing up for our email list at GuestService@PrinceContiHotel.com. If you find lower rates on your Prince Conti Hotel rooms at the time of booking, call 1(888) 626-4319 and we will match the rate.

by Jay

Prince Conti Hotel’s Ultimate Guide to the French Quarter

The French Quarter has a lot to offer round the clock in terms of sightseeing, food, cocktails, nightlife, history, and old-world charm. For over 300 years, it’s been a cultural medley of Spanish, French, Caribbean, and African influences, and it’s evident in every cobblestone, wrought-iron balcony and lush tropical courtyard.

In the French Quarter, you can sample uniquely New Orleans dishes prepared by award-winning chefs, walk the streets steeped in over three centuries of volatile and magical history, witness only-in-New-Orleans traditions playing out in the street, and catch a performance of a world-class musician. There’s no other city like New Orleans, and its heart, the French Quarter, distills everything that makes New Orleans so alluring, and dishes it out 24/7, with flair.

Needless to say, finding your way through the French Quarter can be a little overwhelming to a visitor. We would like to make sure that you experience the best of the Quarter’s many sights, sounds and tastes, so if you need help locking in a perfect itinerary and choosing a room that would best suit your needs, read on! Here, we offer our recommendations on what to see, do, eat, and drink, and give you a little more information about our well-appointed rooms.

Choosing the perfect room at the Prince Conti

Our historic hotel is a cool oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, featuring an old-world southern atmosphere yet with modern amenities. The Prince Conti Hotel is also very close to a plethora of renowned historic sites and fun destinations. The always-hopping Bourbon Street is only a block away, and the historic St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square are six blocks away. The shopping and dining destinations of Canal Street are close by, and the museums and world-class restaurants of the CBD are a short ride away. New Orleans is also known for its exciting nightlife, and the Prince Conti Hotel puts you close to some of the best nightlife destinations, like Harrah’s New Orleans Casino, Pat O’Brien’s, House of Blues, and more.

The hotel also houses The Bombay Club Bar & Restaurant, an elegant New Orleans favorite featuring creative cocktails and bar bites. The Bombay Club serves up dozens of varieties of martini and nightly live music. In the morning and afternoon hours, dine in style at the Cafe Conti, also located in the Prince Conti Hotel. Serving a variety of breakfast and lunch fare daily, Cafe Conti’s menu gives special attention to Creole and French cuisine.

There are five room types, with either a king or a queen bed, and we also have rooms with two queen beds. The one-bedrooms are ideal for solo travelers, couples, or besties who don’t mind sharing a bed. The rooms with two queen beds are well suited for families, friend trips, girl trips, and any small groups that are OK with sharing a room.

Minimalists will love the petite room, it’s well-appointed and offers great value. If you treasure your privacy and are sensitive to noise, the windowless interior room with two queen beds also offers great value and all the peace and quiet you need. Our beautiful deluxe room offers more space and features elegant decor. The junior suite, with its sitting area, and the suite rooms with a separate elegant parlor, offer the most space.

Keep in mind that due to the historic nature of our property, we have some variations in our room sizes. 

Getting around

The Prince Conti Hotel is located within walking distance from the many attractions the whole family will love, such as the Riverwalk along the scenic Mississippi River, where you can enjoy watching the boats go by, have a picnic, or just stroll and people-watch. The Aquarium of the Americas features an IMAX theater and is located on the river, too.

There are plenty of shopping areas to visit as well, including the historic open-air French Market. New Orleans is known for its amazing food, and your trip would not be complete without having an order of beignets and a cafe au lait from Cafe Du Monde. Enjoy live music next door, and try not to get that powdered sugar all over yourself!

You can pretty much walk to all of your destinations in the French Quarter from the hotel as the terrain is flat, the area is just 78 square blocks, and the street layout makes sense and is easy to navigate. The next best thing would be to bike or hail a pedicab. If you want to go outside the Quarter, try a cab or rideshare, or the streetcar.

The historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar stops across Canal Street and will take you through the CBD, the Garden District, Uptown, and all the way to the Riverbend for just $1.25. Riding the famous green streetcar is a rite of passage for many a visitor, and one of the easiest ways to get around and see the nearby neighborhoods. It stops on almost every block, and you can explore at your own pace.

Similarly, the City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On, Hop-Off double-decker bus tour is another flexible and convenient way to travel from the French Quarter to the Garden District and Magazine Street shopping district. Your ticket includes three free walking tours, and the buses come to each stop every 30 minutes. You can hop and off anytime, as the name suggests, allowing you to travel and sightsee on your own terms. 

Wondering what’s on Conti Street? A nod to the city’s multicultural history, it connects the Mississippi River and Rampart Street. Named for French royalty, a prince in the Bourbon family, Conti Street today is home to numerous restaurants, bars, and other attractions. Check out the free Irish Cultural Museum, which explores the rich history of the city’s Irish residents dating back to the 1700s, and has a whiskey and coffee bar on-site; or the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture, which has one of the largest personal collections of Mardi Gras costumes in the city. 

Where to eat

Besides the casual Cafe Conti which makes a great breakfast or dessert stop, and the elegant Bombay Club, both located inside the Prince Conti Hotel, a few popular restaurants call Conti Street home. Those include the Gulf seafood haven Oceana Grill, the cocktail pro standout Kingfish, the 24-hour burger and breakfast mainstay Deja Vu Bar & Grill, and Broussard’s, the grande dame of Creole dining that’s been delighting New Orleanians with oysters Broussard, crawfish remoulade, Gulf shrimp, and other local delicacies since 1920.

If you’re out late and need a bite, don’t miss the family-owned agave bar and restaurant Cuñada (open till midnight), or head to the local fave, Erin Rose. This beloved Irish bar dishes out Guinness on tap, very good frozen Irish coffee, and hosts a po-boy popup in the back, Killer Poboys.

What to do

The many attractions of the French Quarter are located within walking distance and just waiting to be explored, including the antique store-packed Royal Street, the 18th century (and still operating) Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop bar, and such notable landmarks as the Old Ursuline Convent, the oldest surviving example of the French colonial period in the country, circa Louis XV.

There’s plenty to do in the Quarter, whether you’re short on time, on a limited budget, working during your visit, or facing a rainy day. We have suggestions on how to stay fit during your New Orleans stay, or where to celebrate a romantic occasion. The French Quarter is a simply perfect backdrop for your romantic getaway! Need some local tips on how to spend a perfect girls’ day in the Quarter, including getting glam? We have recommendations, too!

And, of course, the Quarter (and the adjacent Marigny with its incredible club-hopping destination, Frenchmen Street) never really sleeps, so we hope you take advantage of the abundant nightlife, with its live music, burlesque, karaoke, and all kinds of late-night entertainment.

Where to shop

The one-of-a-kind boutiques of Chartres Street, the souvenir shops blasting zydeco that pepper the long strip of Decatur Street, the daily flea and food markets at the French Market and Shops at the Colonnade, plus three malls (including the upscale Shops at Canal Place), are all within walking distance from the hotel.

Gifts and souvenirs as distinctive as New Orleans itself can be found in many local shops, but also any of the last-minute essentials should you find you forgot to pack a toothbrush, need an umbrella, or want to stock up on snacks for your hotel room. The French Quarter also packs an impressive number of women’s shops, including some vintage gems.

The best time of the year to visit

If you can handle the heat, anytime, really, is a good time to visit. The city’s event calendar is staggeringly full all year, though the fun intensifies, if that’s possible, in the fall and leading up to the holidays, and stays that way through Mardi Gras and the spring festival season. Even when the heat and humidity descend on the city in late spring and till mid-fall, Crescent City still parties hard. Just to give you an idea, here are just a few highlights of all that’s going on in New Orleans year-round.

No matter when you visit, we’d love to have you. Book your room today and take in all the wonderful and delicious things the French Quarter has to offer!

Bombay Club
by Jay

Eat, Drink, Work: Co-Working in the French Quarter


Image courtesy of The Bombay Club

Traveling purely for pleasure is delightful. But if you need to work remotely on the road, New Orleans is one of the best places on the planet to mix business with pleasure. Many charming spots in the Quarter near Prince Conti are co-working havens with blazing Wi-Fi, where you can soak up local ambiance along with cafe au lait, craft cocktails, and gourmet New Orleans cuisine.

Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe (308 Decatur St.)

One of the few coffee shops in the city that serves shots of booze in their coffee, Envie has it all: steaming cups of java, scrumptious pastries and breakfasts, and a full-service bar.

French Truck Coffee (217 Chartres St.)

Need a jolt of caffeine to get down to business? French Truck boasts some of the city’s best locally-roasted coffee, prepares espresso to perfection, and puts a unique spin on mocha with hints of cayenne and cinnamon.

Kingfish (337 Chartres St. at Conti)

Known for its award-winning craft cocktails, the Kingfish is another great happy hour co-working spot. Sip $7 cocktails, $6 wine, or $4 beer, and sample $9 small-plate specials like fried boudin balls or duck and Andouille gumbo. Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Bombay Club (Prince Conti Hotel, 830 Conti St.)

You could work in your room at the Prince Conti Hotel. But what fun is that? Wander down to The Bombay Club during happy hour, and graze on small and shareable bites like Ploughman’s Board or Natchitoches meat pies while imbibing great specials on beer, wine, and house cocktails. From 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

by Jay

Shop for Unique New Orleans Gifts Near the Prince Conti Hotel


Photo by Trevor Mark

Steeped in history and blended with a rich and spicy mix of cultures, New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in the world. The best part? Visitors who immerse themselves in its magic don’t have to leave it all behind when they go home. Gifts and souvenirs as distinctive as New Orleans itself can be found in many local shops, and several of the best are in or near the Quarter, not far from the Prince Conti Hotel.

The Gift Shop at Basin St. Station (501 Basin St.)

There’s no better introduction to New Orleans than Basin St. Station. Once the hub of the city’s rail service, the historic building now serves as a welcome center and offers a wealth of information and exhibits, as well as the city’s most unique gift shop. This streetcar-shaped gift shop stocks a plethora of New Orleans-themed souvenirs, Mardi Gras masks and voodoo dolls, along with local art and a great selection of cookbooks and historical titles.

Forever New Orleans (308 Royal St.; 606 Royal St.; 700 Royal St.)

Whether you’re looking for only-in-New Orleans home decor, want to sport the city’s charms with stylish apparel, or pack its heady aromas in your suitcase, Forever New Orleans has you covered. Local artist Jax Frey’s colorful New Orleans-themed pillows are emblazoned with iconic images like the Desire streetcar, while the dreamy Greetings from New Orleans scarf makes an eye-catching fashion statement. Scent mavens can choose from a wide array of candles, and six distinctive home fragrance room sprays, including crème brûlée and magnolia.

Roux Royale (600 Royal St.)

Another one-stop shop for unique New Orleans gifts, Roux Royale is especially strong on the culinary arts, and offers a host of iconic edibles, along with a wealth of local cookbooks and New Orleans-themed kitchenware. Here you’ll find fleur de lis waffle-makers, alligator gumbo spoons with wide-open jaws, classic barware, and seasonal merch for Mardi Gras and the holidays.

Cafe du Monde: Grandad’s General Store (813 Decatur St.)

You’ll find Cafe du Monde’s classic Beignet & Coffee souvenir package in most tourist shops, but why not get it from the source? Stop by Cafe Du Monde for a final plate of sugar-dusted beignets, dipped in a cup of chicory-laced cafe au lait, and pick up a gift pack on your way out at Grandad’s General Store. You’ll also find plenty of Cafe du Monde-branded kitchenware, including mugs, potholders and the iconic green-and-white striped aprons all the servers wear.

Defend New Orleans Downtown (600 Carondelet St.)

Founded in the early 2000s, this young upstart business garnered national attention in the wake of Katrina, when its “Defend New Orleans” image of a skull with a spiky mohawk emblazoned with a fleur de lis became a symbol of the city’s resilience in the face of devastation. DNO now boasts an entire line of T-shirts in all kinds of cool designs made with sustainable materials. Committed to “engaging with and uplifting our communities,” DNO donates a portion of all its proceeds to support local cultural organizations, so you’re giving something back to New Orleans when you buy one of their products.