their European family . But times have changed , and now Reveillon dinners shifted from family homes to the tables of the city ’ s top restaurants . Today dozens of New Orleans restaurants in and around the French Quarter offer these dining experiences with menus inspired by these Creole families . New Orleans is also a city that loves our libations . Now with Reveillon on the Rocks , restaurants and bars have created holiday-themed cocktails that complement holiday menus . The Sazerac House is making spirits bright with a host of holiday-themed tastings and seminars . For more information , go to www . sazerachouse . com / events .
The Ritz Carlton
Teddy Bear Tea at The Roosevelt Hotel
Keeping the holidays family friendly , many of our French Quarter hotels and restaurants offer special events for children , such as Teddy Bear Tea at the Roosevelt , Santa ’ s Pajama Party at the Royal Sonesta Gingerbread Build and Papa Noel Tea at the Ritz-Carlton and Jazz Brunch with Santa at the Court of Two Sisters . Other hotels , like the Hotel Monteleone , will have children ’ s singing groups performing in their lobby throughout the month . For some indoor family fun , take your family to NOLA ChristmasFest , presented by Coca-Cola . The 12-day event includes a real indoor ice skating rink , ice slides , carnival rides , Santa and friends , gingerbread houses , decorated trees and a two-mile indoor and outdoor lighting display . For more information on NOLA Christmas Fest , go to nolachristmasfest . com .
Speaking of lights , downtown New Orleans is illuminated with holiday décor . Go hotel lobbyhopping and see some spectacular displays , such as The Roosevelt ’ s canopy of lights and an aisle of white Christmas trees , the Ritz-Carlton ’ s Santa ’ s toy shop , the Royal Sonesta ’ s Christmas Tree Land , the Windsor Court ’ s massive trees and finish it off with Harrah ’ s Hotel outdoor light display and extravagant gingerbread houses replicating New Orleans buildings . The Hotel Monteleone also has children ’ s choirs performing during the day throughout the month .
6 | The French Quarterly
Home for the holidays take a new meaning for enthusiasts of our city ’ s architecture . The Preservation Resource Center and the Patio Planters , conduct New Orleans holiday home tours during select weekends in December . The PRC tours focus on homes in the Garden District and the Patio Planters tours include residences in the French Quarter . The PRC ’ s holiday art and garden tour should not be missed . The selfguided Patio Planters Holiday Home Tour takes in several elegant old French Quarter residences and courtyards . Visit patioplanters . net / holiday-hometour or www . prcno . org for more information .