St. James Hotel Blog

New Orleans booms with excitement during the 4th of July, and we don’t just mean the fireworks. You’ll find all sorts of ways to celebrate our nation’s independence.  Check out some festival fun, a stunning fireworks spectacular above the mighty Mississippi River, or a Broadway musical.

Essence Fest will be back in full force this summer, celebrating black culture through music, food, and a series of empowering events. The legendary celebration welcomes everyone to experience black joy, with special guests and so much more. You can check out Essence Fest in New Orleans in 2022 from June 30th through July 3rd, which promises to be one party-filled weekend.

There’s no denying that summer in New Orleans is hot, but it’s still a great time to visit. You’ll find plenty of ways to keep cool while visiting the Big Easy. You can sip a tasty frozen cocktail and experience an array of indoor attractions like the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Another great way to beat the summer heat is with a little New Orleans shopping. 

Between the outstanding food, world-famous music scene, and nonstop entertainment, New Orleans overflows with unique cultural experiences. The city's also no stranger to incredible art, both from local and global artisans and cr

There’s no denying that Jazz Fest is one of the most legendary festivals, spanning 10 days in NOLA. Visitors flock to the Big Easy from all over the globe to experience the fantastic music, complete with mega headliners. But Jazz Fest isn’t just about music; there’s a whole other side to this festival that can’t be missed -- the food.

It can be hard to put together an itinerary for New Orleans with so many things to do and places to see. While it may seem impossible, we’ve put together the ideal itinerary for a four-day trip to New Orleans. You’ll get to see some of the city’s highlights as well as its hidden gems. 

Planning a trip to New Orleans in 2022 is full of possibilities. There are so many different things to do and places to see that you’ll never get bored. Use our list of 22 things to do in NOLA as a jumping-off point, no matter what time of year you decide to visit The Big Easy.

Cruises are up-and-running again in New Orleans, and there’s no time like the present to set sail. Plus, when you choose to start your cruise in New Orleans, it’s like getting two vacations! You can enjoy all of the fantastic food, music, and culture the Big Easy offers before embarking on your cruise adventure.

One could argue it’s almost always crawfish season in NOLA since, technically, the season goes from November to July. But, if you’re looking for the absolute best time to enjoy crawfish in New Orleans, it’s late February through May. The peak of crawfish season is March, and you’ll start to see all sorts of crawfish specials popping up in bars and restaurants throughout the Big Easy.

It doesn’t matter where you travel, packing the right stuff is essential. And if you’re heading to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you’ll have a few unique items on your packing list. For example, a durable bag and some empty space so you can bring home all your loot from the parades.

If you’re planning to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2022, you might assume you have to be there on March 1st. But, the carnival season lasts a lot longer than one day, so it all depends on what you want to experience. If you’re going to enjoy some parades, eat king cake, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere, you have plenty of options.

There’s a reason locals say “Every day is Valentine’s Day in New Orleans.” NOLA is one of the most romantic cities in the world, so it’s the ideal destination for Valentine’s Day 2022. You’ll find some of the best music, food, and people in the world here. So, show the love of your life just how special they are with a romance-filled New Orleans vacation or staycation.

National Dog Day is right around the corner on August 26th. If you’re planning on taking a vacay to New Orleans to celebrate, you don’t need to leave your furry friend at home. The St. James Hotel is proud to be a pet-friendly hotel, and there are plenty of ways to spend time with Fido in the Crescent City.

Having your wedding in New Orleans gives your friends and family a great excuse to be tourists in the city while also celebrating the marriage of their loved ones. The city is full of different venue options, but if you’re looking to be right in the heart of the French Quarter, look no further than the St. James Hotel. With its neighbor, the New Orleans Board of Trade, you also have a convenient space for a reception that provides space for intimate and larger weddings.

It’s the moment locals and visitors alike wait for each year in The Big Easy, COOLinary New Orleans. During summertime, many fabulous restaurants throughout the NOLA area offer outstanding deals on their most delicious menu items.

If you don’t know anyone who knows their way around a grill or are simply in NOLA on vacation, don’t worry! Good barbeque is not hard to find in this city, so be sure to check out any of these restaurants for your grilled and saucy fix. 

 Satchmo Summerfest will take place the weekend of July 31 through August 1 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, celebrating the life of beloved New Orleans musician Louis Armstrong. 

The 4th of July is just around the corner, and the festivities lined up for that weekend are the perfect way to celebrate! 

If you’re a wine lover, then you may have already marked your calendar for National Wine Day on May 25th. Or, perhaps for you, every day is wine day!

Every year on May 10th, America honors its most-loved seafood, shrimp. Yep, of all the seafood we eat in the US, we eat shrimp the most.

 New Orleans is known for all sorts of sweet treats, like beignets, Doberge cake, pralines, and the ultimate down-home favorite, bread pudding.

This May 5th, make your way to one of these hot spots for some delicious Mexican cuisine and inspired cocktails.

If you're spending your vacation in NOLA, you might refer to these small crustaceans as crayfish, mudbugs, or crawdads, but if you're a Louisiana native or local, it's 100% crawfish.

While there are countless cocktails filling the menus of the Big Easy’s restaurants and bars, there are a few that are undoubtedly classic New Orleans standouts.

Brunch is as common a meal in the Big Easy as breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a springtime must is enjoying a fabulous Easter Brunch. 

 If you're planning a family vacay, New Orleans delivers some fun, kid-friendly attractions too.

And as springtime approaches, those pleasant days start to increase in number. It’s the perfect time for some picnics in the park, featuring delicious food and fabulous surroundings, two things that NOLA has in abundance.

Every year, millions of tourists visit the city to try the fabulous cuisine, experience the incredible architecture and soak in the rich and dynamic culture.

Some of NOLA's classic desserts include things like bananas foster, bread pudding, and of course, the ever-popular beignets.

Here’s a handy guide to some of the most popular words and phrases you’ll hear throughout the carnival season!

St. James Hotel, with its exclusive buyout of its beautiful Natchez Building, is the perfect solution for your group. It’s the perfect way for travelers to ensure they receive the ultimate in comfort, privacy, and personal attention.

 This year it's more important than ever to remember the reasons behind the revelry, so the cherished traditions of carnival season remain strong.

Well, lucky for you, there are several socially-distanced ways to celebrate and some special events that are planned to ring in the New Year in New Orleans. 

With its assortment of unique shops, fun cafes, and artistic sense of local flair, Magazine Street has always been a popular place to spend your day shopping and enjoying NOLA.

‘Tis the season for Christmas lights all aglow, singing carols, and if you’re lucky, catching a glimpse of Mr. Christmas himself, Santa Claus.

Whether you’re a Big Easy local or planning to visit NOLA for a much-needed getaway, something is spellbinding about this unique city!

If you choose to get together with family and friends this holiday season, ensure you follow these helpful tips to do so as safely as possible.

Whether it’s a starter of oyster soup, a side of jambalaya, or a hearty helping of our featured New Orleans favorite, étouffée, you’re sure to have more than enough to eat when you celebrate Thanksgiving NOLA style.

If you’re a die-hard Saints fan, then you’re likely struggling with the fact that you don’t get to watch your beloved football team from their home in the dome. 

You don’t have to be a native New Orleanian to be a fan of the Black and Gold! The New Orleans Saints are one of the country’s most-watched NFL teams and have even been dubbed “America’s Team.”

One of the great features you can enjoy when you stay in the Big Easy is the convenient access to the authentic New Orleans Streetcar. Besides being a go-to form of public transportation for locals, the streetcars are also a tourist destination all their own. Here’s a closer look at everything you need to know about NOLA’s iconic mode of transportation.

The Big Easy is full of tales of the supernatural, mysterious, and downright puzzling. When you take a stroll through the French Quarter, pop into a neighborhood restaurant, or even browse through one of the many local shops, you’ll likely find yourself exploring a haunted place (whether you realize it or not). This darker side of the city is part of what gives NOLA such a rich and colorful story and enticing charm.

Sometimes, you don’t have to go very far to have an amazing vacation.

New Orleans is no stranger to restless souls and ghostly residents; the city possesses a haunted history rich with intrigue, mystery, and even fun. Our third eerie tale in our Haunted Legends and Mysteries Series takes you to one of these very restaurants, reputed to be one of the Crescent City's most haunted places: Muriel's Jackson Square

New Orleans is touted as one of the most haunted cities in the United States, and for good reason. The Big Easy is full of stories about restless spirits, ghostly pirates, vampires, and a legendary voodoo queen, and you don’t need to wait for Halloween to try and catch a glimpse of these famous spirited residents. 

It doesn’t have to be Halloween to enjoy a spooky tale or two when you’re in New Orleans. The city is full of history of the haunted kind, from restless souls to ghostly pirates to a Voodoo Queen, and everything in between. In fact, New Orleans is believed to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States. 

New Orleans might be known for its fun atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and Creole culture, but there are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors!

The pandemic may have shut down the bars, but it definitely didn’t squash NOLA’s love affair with beer. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, you can still enjoy some of the most fantastic beers from several of the city’s top breweries.

If you're planning to get married, there's no place as romantic, charming, and unique as New Orleans. Although there are currently many restrictions because of the pandemic on things like open bars, crowd size, and social distancing, many people are still deciding to press on and tie the knot. Yet, just because your wedding needs to be a little more intimate, doesn't mean it can't make an impression.

The St. James Hotel makes it possible to have a memorable and romantic New Orleans wedding, even when the crowds have to stay small.

A closer look at COOLinary participants: GW Fins, Tommy’s Cuisine, Haiku Sushi and Bar, and Atchafalaya Restaurant

COVID-19 has changed how we do things in New Orleans, but it definitely hasn’t changed the fact that the Big Easy has some of the most incredible cuisine on the planet. For years, NOLA has been indulging in a fabulous culinary tradition to support local restaurants during the slow summer months, known as COOLinary.

If you’re planning to make a visit to New Orleans, then you’re in for a real treat. There is no other city that is quite as unique and vibrant as the Big Easy; from the people to the architecture and the vast array of eclectic entertainment options that you’ll discover at every turn. Another element of NOLA that possesses its own special charm is the language. New Orleans natives and self-made locals speak a whole different vocabulary that can make you feel like it’s a foreign language.

There’s no place that can match the magic and romance of New Orleans, but if you’re traveling to the Big Easy during the summer, it can get hot and steamy (which isn’t always a good thing)! Lucky for you, NOLA is packed with possibilities for all sorts of fun, including many attractions that keep you nice and cool while you explore.

Thinking about getting married in the Big Easy? Let the St. James Hotel add an extra touch of romance and elegance to your special day. 

When you stay at the St. James Hotel on Magazine Street, you don’t have to go very far to create many memorable moments.

When you live in a city as amazing, unique, and charming as New Orleans, you really don’t have to go farther than your own backyard to experience a fabulous vacation. If you’re not ready to travel, then play tourist in your own city and treat yourself to an unforgettable staycation at the historic St. James Hotel. 

Sometimes, you don’t have to go very far to have an amazing vacation

Stretching an astounding six miles long as it winds through the city, Magazine Street is a destination unto itself. You can easily spend a day (or days) traversing this amazing thoroughfare and still barely make a dent in seeing everything it has to offer. Luckily, we’ve put together a comprehensive Magazine Street itinerary as a handy guide to some of the street’s best bars, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and more, so you can spend less time looking up places to visit and more time enjoying the endlessly fun Magazine Street!

Gumbo is consumed year-round in Louisiana, but it really hits the spot when the temperatures are a little cooler. Made of a mix of protein, whether from the sea or land, a thick roux, and the “holy trinity” of all Louisiana cuisine – celery, bell pepper and onion – many compare gumbo’s mix of ingredients to the complexity of the south.