The Big Easy. The Crescent City. NOLA. New Orleans wears many monikers, but nothing encapsulates it better than a place to laissez les bons temps rouler — that is, let the good times roll. Defined by its French, Spanish and Afro-Caribbean influences, NOLA is a destination where it’s not uncommon to see a local strutting down the street in a purple wig and boa, no matter that it’s a hum-drum Monday afternoon. After all, life here is for celebrating. But rest assured the important things are sacred: food, music and Southern hospitality. Do as the locals do and step off Bourbon Street to smell the scent of jasmine, swirled with a hint of sugar-dusted beignets. Indulge in shopping on Magazine Street. Stay in the city’s first five-star hotel. End your evenings with the best live music that can only be heard here. Whatever you do, it’s imperative: Let those good times roll.
Photography provided by Jewel of the South
Dine
Finding a fantastic cocktail is a rite of passage in New Orleans; there’s certainly no shortage of places to toss back a tipple, and Jewel of the South is one of the best. Need proof? The upscale watering hole earned the James Beard Outstanding Bar Award in 2024 and ranked among the World’s Best 50 Bars in 2025. Here, the cuisine is as impressive as the cocktails. While the menu is seasonal — featuring standouts like the wagyu beef tongue and redfish — the always-present caviar service ushers in a festive feast and pairs well with the jewel martini. The bar is best known for its brandy crusta — a classic cocktail that was invented here, swirled with cognac, lemon juice, curaçao and maraschino liqueur with a “crusta” sugared rim (which pairs perfectly with the chocolate cremosa dessert). The setting also feels like quintessential New Orleans: a colorful Creole cottage that’s more than 200 years old with cozy furnishings, low lighting and pretty wallpaper. When the weather allows, the courtyard is the perfect perch for sipping a French 75.
Photography provided by Papier Plume
Shop
As they say, good things come in small packages, and Papier Plume is a shining example. Located in a blink-and-you-miss-it jewel box on Royal Street in the French Quarter, this is a haven for writing aficionados and stationery lovers. It’s also the perfect place to find locally made gifts. Guests are often greeted by owner Patrick Rideau, who is delighted to walk you through the assortment of high-end fountain pens, hand-dipped inks, custom wax seals and gorgeous gift wraps. You’ll also be invited to the monthly pen club’s Ink and Drink events, which pair calligraphy with coffee and cocktails. You can’t get more New Orleans than that. Pro tip: Don’t leave without picking up a pack of stunning stationery from local designer Alexa Pulitzer.
Photography provided by Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans
Stay
Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans
Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to chic places to stay here, but there’s only one five-star hotel that rises above the rest (literally and figuratively). The Four Seasons is the antidote to all the things we love about the creative chaos of this city. Nestled along the Mississippi River, the property offers a true respite from top to bottom. Guest rooms are swathed in creamy neutrals. The onsite spa — known as the beauty atelier — is a 5,000-square-foot sanctuary boasting the city’s largest swimming pool. And because this is New Orleans, the dining options are helmed by some of the city’s most prestigious chefs. The lobby is anchored by the Chandelier Bar, where guests tip back Champagne beneath a custom chandelier made from 15,000 crystals. The Four Seasons is one of those places where you never have to leave to have a fabulous time; but this is New Orleans, and so you must — and then return swiftly for another cocktail under the crystals.
Photography provided by Joseph
Shop
So many luxury department stores have become relics, but Joseph on Magazine Street is still ready to dress. This is the place to go when you’re looking for the perfect silk holiday frock, studded platform booties or stackable jewelry — and a friendly sales associate is ready to help style you from head to toe. The shop feels more like a specialty department store on a smaller, more manageable scale, offering every hallmark of a superb shopping experience. Intimate personal attention? Check. A stunning space that’s marvelously merchandised? Check. A carefully curated selection of brands? Check. The team at Joseph travels around the world to handpick luxury selections from designers including Valentino, Christian Louboutin and Hilton Hollis, as well as fine cosmetics, fragrances, handbags and giftables.
Photography by Cheryl Gerber
Do
This French Quarter music venue is not a secret, but it certainly feels like one when you’re sitting in the pocket-sized room listening to the esteemed Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The group is dedicated to celebrating the New Orleans tradition and plays a handful of sets each night. The space is about as no-frills as it gets and holds about 100 patrons. Music lovers can be seen sat on one of the rickety old benches (and do their best to keep cool in the non-air-conditioned room), standing and singing along, or sitting cross-legged on the floor, with tears of joy welling in their eyes. The hour-long set is pure NOLA magic.
Photography provided by Emeril’s
Dine
If there’s one thing to say about the newest iteration of this famous family’s flagship restaurant, it’s not “bam!” but perhaps “buckle up.” The journey through the tasting menu establishment is helmed by E.J. Lagasse, Emeril’s son. And while he may be barely old enough to serve a wine pairing, it’s clear that he’s been cutting his culinary teeth for years. The menu is playful (a one-bite fried oyster po’boy). It’s extravagant (salmon cheesecake topped with mounds of caviar). It’s interactive (kitchen tours for all). It’s local (sno-balls with Hansen’s Sno-Bliz’s cream of nectar, for those in the know). And it’s absolutely everything you could ask for when plunking down $200. The best part? Sorcery happens behind the floor-to-ceiling glass panel, offering diners an immersive look into the kitchen. The next best part? The take-home gift, or lagniappe as they say in New Orleans, is a breakfast treat to enjoy the next day. A genius offering that can be opened at the exact moment you’re craving another bite of the experience.
