Curator’s statement
Growing up in Houston, New Orleans was THE road trip, the place my friends and family drove to for birthdays, festivals, and celebrations of every kind, and it is still one of my favorite cities in the country. The birthplace of jazz blends French, Caribbean, and Creole flavors into a culture you can hear, taste, and feel the moment you arrive, whether you come for Jazz Fest, the French Quarter Festival, Mardi Gras, or a Halloween and Christmas you will never forget. It is also one of the best group destinations in the United States, suiting friends, families, girls’ trips, bachelorette parties, and milestone celebrations alike. New Orleans gives every group its perfect night, from a rowdy karaoke set on Bourbon Street to a white-tablecloth jazz brunch in the Garden District. I built this guide to help you gather your favorite people and celebrate the way locals do, with great music, even better food, and plenty of room to wander.
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Things to do
Live brass band in front of Jackson Square
Frenchmen Street (Faubourg Marigny)
This is where I send a group that wants the real thing: catch live music at d.b.a. or Snug Harbor, then grab a late-night hot dog at Dat Dog when the dancing makes you hungry. Still a tourist destination, to be sure, but with far less debauchery than Bourbon and far more local jazz, soul, and authentic New Orleans.
Bourbon Street
Bourbon swings from rowdy to romantic, so let the group’s mood lead. Sing your heart out at the Cat’s Meow karaoke bar or catch live jazz at Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub, then walk down to the quiet end at a legendary stop, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, a candlelit 1700s cottage widely considered one of the oldest structures used as a bar in the country. Order a Voodoo Daiquiri or the famous Purple Drank, settle in around the back-room piano once it starts up in the evening, and let the sing-along pull the whole group in.
Preservation Hall
A few steps off Bourbon, this gloriously worn room has hosted traditional New Orleans jazz since 1961, and there is nothing else like it. The space is intimate and there is no air-conditioning, so reserve in advance and choose an earlier show, especially for a group that wants seats. It is short, soulful, and worth every minute.
Jackson Square, the cathedral, and the riverfront
The heart of the French Quarter, where St. Louis Cathedral presides over street musicians, tarot and palm readers, local artists, and voodoo shops tucked down the side streets, a uniquely New Orleans afternoon. Wander the Moonwalk and Riverwalk along the Mississippi, once the busy harbor that built the city, and make the obligatory stop at Café du Monde for beignets and café au lait. The line moves quickly, and yes, you will get powdered sugar everywhere.
The Garden District
For a quieter, more elegant few hours, the Garden District is classic Southern sophistication, all Victorian mansions, grand oaks, and manicured gardens made for a leisurely stroll. Ride the historic St. Charles streetcar there and keep an eye out for the Buckner Mansion, the 1856 home that played Miss Robichaux’s Academy in American Horror Story: Coven.
Marigny and Bywater by day
Just outside the French Quarter, these artsy neighborhoods are all colorful Creole cottages, bohemian energy, and a creative streak you can feel. Spend a daytime hour browsing Bywater's galleries and dining spots, then take in the river views from Crescent Park before the evening pulls you back to the music.
The Warehouse (Arts) District
Once industrial, now the city’s gallery and museum quarter, packed with trendy eateries and a great fit for art lovers and foodies in the group. The National WWII Museum is one of the finest in the country, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a local gem, and the Contemporary Arts Center keeps things current.
New Orleans Jazz Museum
Housed in the historic Old U.S. Mint, this is a lovely, air-conditioned hour with the instruments, photographs, and stories behind the music that defines the city, including live performances on many days. A meaningful stop for any group of music lovers, and a welcome break from the heat.
Backstreet Cultural Museum (Tremé)
Small but profound, this Tremé institution holds the elaborate, hand-beaded suits of the Mardi Gras Indians and tells the story of second-line parades and jazz funerals you will not find anywhere else. For a group that wants to understand the soul of Black New Orleans, it is unforgettable. Plan ahead, since hours can be limited.
Longue Vue House and Gardens
A short drive from downtown, this 1939 estate and its eight acres of formal gardens make a serene, elegant morning for a group that wants to slow down. Think fountains, allées, and Southern grace, a gentle contrast to the energy of the Quarter.
Places to eat & drink
Fried crawfish eggs benedict on a crabcake at Atchafalaya's Brunch. A quintessentially NOLA meal.
Atchafalaya (Irish Channel)
My personal favorite for brunch, a contemporary Creole charmer in a cozy cottage with live music on weekends. Come hungry for the fried green tomatoes, the duck hash, and the chicken and andouille gumbo. Reservations are needed, and groups can book one of two private rooms.
Commander's Palace (Garden District)
The turquoise grande dame of Creole fine dining and the place to mark a milestone, all tableside ceremony and impeccable service. Do not miss the turtle soup, the pecan-crusted fish, and the bread pudding soufflé, and ask about the 25-cent martinis at lunch.
The Carousel Bar and Lounge (French Quarter)
Inside Hotel Monteleone, the bar literally revolves, a slow, gentle turn that makes for the one of the best group photos in the city. Order a Vieux Carré, the cocktail born here, and settle in for live music many nights. It fills up fast, so arrive early to claim your spot.
Tea service at the Ritz-Carlton (French Quarter)
For an elegant pause that gives the group a breather between adventures, the Ritz pours a proper afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, and a glass of Champagne. A special experience to be sure!
Acme Oyster House (French Quarter)
Worth the wait, and there is almost always a wait. The chargrilled oysters, bubbling in garlic butter and Parmesan, are unmatched, and the line moves faster than it looks. Go at an off hour with the group and split a few dozen.
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro (Frenchmen Street)
A Frenchmen Street institution in a building that dates to the 1800s, where you come for the food and stay for the music. The seafood gumbo and the barbecue shrimp are the move, and the intimate room hosts some of the best live jazz in the city. Book a dinner-and-show seating for the group.
Willa Jean (Warehouse District)
A sunny bakery and restaurant beloved for its brunch, its pastries, and some of the friendliest service in town. The fried chicken and waffles is the order, the hangover bowl earns its name, and the coffee and baked goods alone are worth the stop. Perfect for a casual group breakfast before a big day.
Napoleon House (French Quarter)
A 200-year-old landmark with crumbling, candlelit charm that feels like nowhere else in America. The warm muffuletta, available in sizes from a quarter to a whole, is the thing to order, alongside a Pimm's Cup and a bowl of gumbo or jambalaya. It is as much an experience as a meal.
Mahony's Po-Boys (Magazine Street)
For the classic that defines a New Orleans lunch, Mahony's does hearty, no-fuss po-boys in a laid-back setting. Go for the shrimp or the roast beef po-boy with debris, and do not skip the gravy. Easy, affordable, and made for a casual group meal.
Lula Restaurant Distillery (Lower Garden District)
A distillery and restaurant built for groups, with a lively bottomless brunch, house-made spirits, and a kitchen that handles dietary restrictions with ease. It is the kind of place where a celebration happily settles in for a few hours. Reserve for the group and let the mimosas flow.
Need to know
New Orleans is compact and walkable in the French Quarter and the Garden District, and the historic St. Charles streetcar handles the rest in style. In summer the city is hot and humid, so the trick with a group is to front-load your days: sightseeing and strolls in the morning, a long lunch, the spa, or a museum in the heat of the afternoon, then back out at golden hour. The upside of summer is real, since it is low season, which means better rates at the luxury hotels and far easier reservations.
Practical notes:
Time it well: The calendar is always busy, from Jazz Fest and the French Quarter Festival in spring to Tales of the Cocktail in late July and the elegant, all-in-white White Linen Night in the Arts District at the start of August. If your group has a date in mind, tell me and I will steer you toward, or around, the crowds.
For groups: Reserve group dinners and jazz brunch weeks ahead, and request a private or upstairs room for a milestone.
Dress the part: New Orleanians need no excuse to dress up—being in New Orleans is reason enough. For gentlemen, pack a jacket for dining at more elevated restaurants like Commander’s Palace; for the ladies, a nice dress or a chic pantsuit fits right in.
Stay covered: Hurricane season runs June through November, so I always recommend travel insurance for a summer trip, especially for a group.
Whether you are planning a milestone birthday, a girls’ getaway, a reunion, or a bachelorette weekend, I would love to handle the moving pieces: the room block, the brunch table, the jazz reservations, the cocktail at golden hour, so you can be fully present with your people. Reach out and let’s plan your celebration!
Travel Advisor
Elizabeth Gonzalez
Elizabeth Gonzalez
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