July 4th weekend brings Essence Festival to the Superdome , a gathering created by Essence Magazine that encompasses live music and comedy performances ; wellness , fashion , and beauty exhibitions focused on African-American women ; and conferences , including the Global Black Economic Forum and The Power Conference . So , it ’ s unsurprising that Michelle Obama headlined the 2019 fest , helping to mark its 25th anniversary . Happily , most of Essence Fest is inside airconditioned venues because the July heat in New Orleans is brutal .
More fests always on the calendar include the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience held in June , Tales of the Cocktail for a week in July , and the Oak Street Po ’ boy Fest , one glorious day every November filled with music and more po ’ boys than you could ever eat .
STAY
New Orleans has a hotel for every taste , from posh to party central . For luxury lovers , put the new Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans on your list , along with the Vue Orleans experience found atop the 33-story historic skyscraper ; both opened in 2021 and were instant hits . The Ritz-Carlton , New Orleans , and the Windsor Court also rate five stars , while the classic Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street in the French Quarter has been a mainstay since 1866 . That lovely place even has the famous revolving Carousel Bar — and ghosts , too ! To be right in the heart of the party , there ’ s nothing quite like the Royal Sonesta Hotel , located smack dab on Bourbon Street , complete with balconies to watch the crowds go by ( and drop some beads during Mardi Gras to happy revelers ).
DINE
From elegant dining experiences to chowing down on a messy roast beef debris po ’ boy on the fly , New Orleans is a food town like no other . Emeril Lagasse adopted the city and made his name here , first as head chef at the venerable Garden District favorite Commander ’ s Palace ( make sure to eat there ) and later with his Creole-influenced restaurants in the city . Try Emeril ’ s Restaurant or Meril ’ s ; both serve delicious dishes . We love Bayona from Susan Spicer , another awardwinning NOLA chef who serves an eclectic mix of global flavors , as well as old-school classics like Mandina ’ s ( family-owned since 1932 ) and Mother ’ s , which indeed does have the world ’ s best ham , served in a cafeteria-style “ working-class ” eatery .
Streetcar on St . Charles Avenue
Credit : Travelview
And that debris po-boy , made with shredded , seasoned roast beef that melts in your mouth , served on the classic Leidenheimer Bakery ’ s French baguette ? Find the best one in town on the way in from the airport at the Short Stop in Kenner , or grab one as you head out . Other good po ’ boy stops to make include Parasol , Bears , and Domilise ’ s , where the fried seafood ( shrimp , oysters , catfish , and even soft-shell crab ) will remind you that no other place in the world knows how to fry better than New Orleans . Bar lovers should seek out Jean Lafitte ’ s Blacksmith Shop in the Quarter , reportedly the oldest bar in the USA , and hit Bacchanal in the Bywater for one of the hottest scenes in town .
GETTING THERE
United Airlines offers daily nonstop flights from Dulles International Airport ( IAD ) to Louis Armstrong International Airport ( MSY ). Southwest Airlines and American Airlines both offer nonstop flights from Reagan National Airport ( DCA ) to Louis Armstrong International Airport ( MSY ).
French Quarter
Credit : Travelview
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