A New Orleans Girls' Getaway

Each time I visit New Orleans, the city reveals a different layer of its soul. For this trip, I stepped into the role of guide, curating a “girls’ getaway” for my mother and her friends. To balance communal bonding with local charm, I chose the Bywater Suite Hotel. The neighborhood’s colorful, bohemian vibe set the perfect tone, and the hotel’s spacious common room became our sanctuary—a place for morning coffee while planning our route and evening wine to decompress after a day on our feet.

Lunch at Ugly Dog

Culinary landmarks: A taste of tradition

New Orleans is a city where you plan your day around your next meal. We focused on the “Grand Dames” of the French Quarter to give my mother’s group a truly classic experience.

• Arnaud’s: This felt like stepping back in time. Dining under the sparkling chandeliers, we started with their world-famous Shrimp Arnaud, drenched in a tangy, spicy Remoulade sauce that has been a secret recipe for decades. The service was impeccable, making us feel like royalty in a room that has hosted generations of celebrations.

• Muriel’s Jackson Square: Located right on the corner of the historic square, Muriel’s is as much about the atmosphere as the food. We were fascinated by the Seance Lounge, a lushly decorated room kept permanently set for the restaurant’s resident ghost. For dinner, the double cut pork chop with a sugarcane apple goat cheese crêpe was a standout—a perfect example of how the city blends sweet and savory flavors.

Cocktails at Muriel's

From Muriel's balcony

Immersive history and architecture

Our exploration of the city’s past was multi-layered. At The National WWII Museum, the scale of history is breathtaking; standing beneath the massive wingspan of a suspended B-17 Flying Fortress offers a perspective that textbooks cannot provide. We were particularly moved by Beyond All Boundaries, the 4D cinematic experience narrated by Tom Hanks, which uses tremors and atmospheric effects to make history feel startlingly present.

We spent hours wandering the French Quarter, where the air is a thick mix of jasmine and powdered sugar. No trip is complete without the sensory ritual of Café Du Monde: the sound of the bustling crowd and the sight of white-aproned waiters serving melt-in-your-mouth beignets buried in a mountain of sugar.

For a change of pace, we took a ride-share to the Garden District, marveling at the “Lace Brick” fences and the sprawling oak canopies that shade the historic mansions along Prytania Street.

Beyond the city limits

To understand the broader history of the South, we drove to Oak Alley Plantation. Walking through the iconic tunnel of twenty-eight giant evergreen oaks is hauntingly beautiful, but the experience is grounded by the sobering tours of the reconstructed slave cabins. It’s a site of striking contrasts, famously recognizable from films like Interview with a Vampire.

Oak Alley Plantation

We ended our journey with a Cajun Pride Swamp tour. Gliding through the moss-draped cypress trees is a humbling experience. Our guide pointed out the subtle ripples in the water that signaled an alligator’s approach, and we were lucky enough to spot alligators sunning themselves, wild hogs foraging along the banks, and even the occasional snake draped over a low-hanging branch.

Gator

Raccoon and a couple gators

• Try the restaurant, eat all the food, and have the signature cocktail.

• Talk to locals, ask them questions. They are so proud of their city and most importantly, want to share it with you.

• Be safe, and be aware.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our New Orleans page.