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Holiday Magic in the Crescent City

The holiday season in New Orleans is a magical time as the city’s traditions and history come to life to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for all. 

We invite you to explore all the Crescent City has to offer from your home base: the Lanaux Mansion, and this year, we’re sharing a few classic holiday must-dos and a limited time special for booking your holiday stay!

 

Merriment on Magazine

Beginning on November 25th, Magazine Street will host Merriment on Magazine. Boutiques and shops up and down Magazine Street will offer holiday fashions, holiday home decor, and gifts for all the special individuals on your list. 

When you’ve finished shopping, enjoy a cocktail or a meal at one of the many fantastic restaurants on Magazine Street!

For information on special holiday sales, gift guides, and events, visit https://magazinestreet.com/event/merriment-on-magazine/.  

 

Reveillon Dinners

Throughout the month of December, New Orleans’ restaurants will offer exclusive Réveillon menus. This Creole Christmas tradition, which dates back to the 1800s, includes impressive multi-course meals and specialty cocktails so every visitor can enjoy a taste of New Orleans’ finest cuisine.

To view a list of this year’s participating restaurants, visit https://holiday.neworleans.com/food-and-drink/. 

 

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s Holiday Spectacular

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will host their Holiday Spectacular on December 2nd at the Orpheum Theater. The 90 minute concert will feature all the holiday favorites and is a holiday experience the whole family can enjoy together.

For tickets and more information, visit https://lpomusic.com/.  

 

The Marigny Opera Ballet’s Jazz Nutcracker

From December 8th to 10th and 15th to 17th this year, The Marigny Opera Ballet will present their reimagining of The Nutcracker, accompanied by an original jazz score by New Orleans’ own Lawrence Sieberth.

For more information, visit https://www.marignyoperaballet.org/. 

 

LUNA Fête

Arts New Orleans will bring back LUNA Fête for the holiday season from December 7th to 10th this year. In their 10th anniversary year, this free festival of light, art, and technology boasts large-scale outdoor light projections across 7.5 acres of the Mississippi River Heritage Park and Convention Center Pedestrian Park.

In addition to art installations, attendees can discover local artists and check some items off their holiday gift list. You’ll also find food vendors, drink vendors, and multiple surprise entertainment experiences. More information can be found at https://www.lunafete.com/. 

 

Holiday Home Tours

On December 17th, the Patio Planters will present their annual self-guided Holiday Home Tour from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours showcase classic French Quarter homes, courtyards, and gardens in their full festive decor, and this year the Lanaux Mansion is one of those elegant homes!

Tickets go on sale on November 1st. For more information, visit https://patioplanters.net/events/holiday-home-tour/. 

 

NOLA ChristmasFest

Get in the holiday spirit at NOLA Christmas Fest from December 21st to 30th at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Admission provides access to carnival rides, an indoor ice skating rink, ice slides, and so many activities for children, including cookie decorating, gingerbread house making, and visits with Santa. 

Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, expect a few special surprises! For tickets or more information, visit https://nolachristmasfest.com/. 

 

A Magical Holiday Stay at the Lanaux Mansion

New Orleans is a perfect destination for an enchanting Christmas getaway, and when you stay at the Lanaux Mansion, you’ll be steps away from the festivities.

This year, we’re pleased to announce our Holiday Happenings package. Join us in our festive surroundings for the holiday season and enjoy a 10% discount on Sundays through Thursdays from November 13, 2023 to December 28, 2023. A two-night minimum stay is required, and this promotion is based on availability. 

Whether you’re looking for a one-bedroom suite or a two-, three-, four-, five-, or six-bedroom suite to host the whole family, the Lanaux Mansion will provide the grace of a bygone era with the modern comforts you want. Browse our available suites here to see which room is right for you. 

 

 

When you’re ready to book your stay, visit https://secure.thinkreservations.com/thelanauxmansion/reservations and use promo code “HOLIDAY” today!

If you have any questions about booking or holiday recommendations (including our favorite restaurants and other activities), please don’t hesitate to reach out at lanauxevents@gmail.com or (504) 948-6119. 

We look forward to celebrating the holidays with you!

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Strolling Through Summer

Warm breezes off of the Mississippi River, leisurely strolls shaded by magnolia trees, and streams of jazz music pouring out of restaurants: summer in New Orleans brings the meaning of “the Big Easy” to life. 

Whether your definition of vacation centers around enjoying delicious food, sipping on bubbly cocktails, or swing dancing to lively jazz music, summer in the Big Easy is all you need to wind down, enjoy, and relax.

 

New Orleans Jazz Museum

Music lovers everywhere know the importance of jazz to the city of New Orleans, and where better to experience the rhythms of the city than at the New Orleans Jazz Museum*! 

Take a short stroll from the Lanaux Mansion to the museum where you can explore exhibits dedicated to famous musicians and the specific instruments used to make our beloved signature music.  

The museum also hosts live performances from local jazz and funk artists in its courtyard, so you can enjoy the outdoor air while basking in the sounds that define the spirit of the city.

Visit the museum’s website to learn more about the myriad events hosted there throughout the summer. Chances are, you’ll find something great to add to your visit. 

 

Tales of the Cocktail

New Orleans is home to many of the world’s most adored cocktail bars, and many beloved mixed drinks have been invented here. It’s only fitting that the Big Easy should host one of the world’s largest events for cocktail enthusiasts. Tales of the Cocktail, a week-long conference taking place each July, features over 300 workshops, seminars, and tastings centering around the art of crafting cocktails. 

Sip and savor the flavors of various drinks, and learn how they’re made in the city that knows how to raise a glass!

 

Coolinary

Each August, famous local restaurants throughout the city take part in the Coolinary tradition. 

These restaurants offer prix-fixe menus with two- and three-course options set at the same prices across each restaurant, allowing you to indulge in the various cuisines New Orleans is known for while remaining budget-friendly. 

This tradition is known as a way for local chefs to “compete” to see who can put together the best menu for a set price. That spirit of competition creates a setting in which the dishes they prepare never leave you disappointed.

Many of the city’s top and most well-known restaurants participate each year, such Dickie Brennan’s Tableau*, Saint John*, and The Elysian Bar.* For a complete list of restaurants taking part this year, visit the Coolinary website.

 

Satchmo Summerfest

On August 5th and 6th in historic Jackson Square,* the spirit of jazz comes alive to celebrate the life and legacy of one of our most beloved musicians: Louis Armstrong. This weekend-long festival has hosted some of the most well-known New Orleans musicians, such as Kermit Ruffins and the Preservation Hall Brass Band. 

In addition to live music, Satchmo Summerfest boasts educational lectures about Armstrong and his contributions to jazz music and the city’s history. 

From the Mansion, take a leisurely walk down Decatur Street, Chartres Street, or North Peters Street to this lively celebration honoring a pioneer in the genre that continues to inspire New Orleans traditions.

 

A Place to Relax

Before a day of fun and exploring, you’ll want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready, and the Lanaux Mansion has all that you need. 

With deluxe rooms and suites fitted with every amenity for your comfort and convenience, you’ll have all the energy you need for attending festivals and events that are steps away from our front door.

Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, we have plenty of space for you in the Mansion! Couples will rest easy in our courtyard suites: Sophie’s Enchanted Cottage and the Wieland Suite. Both contain kitchenettes, renovated private bathrooms, and quaint sitting areas in addition to sharing a courtyard where you can gather to unwind together. Sophie’s Cottage even has a private fountain courtyard for your exclusive enjoyment!

 

Looking for more information about our various suites? Visit www.thelanauxmansion.com, or call us at (504) 948-6119 today. 

It will be our pleasure to make your stay in the Big Easy as warm and welcoming as the summer breezes!

 

 

*Walking distance to the Lanaux Mansion

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A Weekend In New Orleans

Planning your visit to the Big Easy soon? Or maybe your trip is already booked, but you’re looking for ideas on how to spend your time in NOLA. As locals, we’re experts on the top things to do in New Orleans during your stay.

We hope you booked a long weekend…or an even longer stay! But if not, you’ll just have to start planning your next visit now. 

Here are our recommendations for you to make the most out of your trip to New Orleans.

 

Places

For a smaller city, New Orleans has so much to offer. We can’t list all of the places you should see while you’re here, but we’ll list a few of our favorites, including some family friendly stops.

Stroll through the Garden District – Victorian-style mansions abound in this New Orleans neighborhood, and they’re just a streetcar fare away. Take the streetcar just one and a half blocks from the Lanaux Mansion down the Riverfront to St. Charles. Ride down St. Charles to view the columns and estates, or wander on foot past regal homes and preserved buildings. This neighborhood is known for its homes and gardens, not to mention the unique shopping opportunities and fantastic restaurants. 

Explore French Quarter Architecture – The French Quarter was New Orleans’ first neighborhood and as such is home to some of the city’s most historic homes. The architecture throughout is a mix of French and Spanish with influences from Europe and the Caribbean. Keep an eye out for our street tiles on the corners. Take note of ornate ironwork and the colorful array of facades. If you prefer to learn about historic homes rather than just view them, walking tours and home tours are available daily.

Swing down Frenchmen Street – Live music is the soul of New Orleans, and one of our favorite places to soak it in is on Frenchmen Street, just steps from the Lanaux Mansion. Find live shows, pop-up musicians, dancing, and jazz all evening. Let the music guide your feet onto the dance floor at The Spotted Cat or The Maison. When you’re ready to rest your dancing feet, finish the night with a late bite at Willie’s Chicken Shack or another one of Frenchmen’s local eateries. 

Things

Things to do, things to see, and even more to remember. New Orleans culture floods the French Quarter and there are some things you can’t miss during your visit. 

Peruse Art in Jackson Square – There’s an incredible amount of history in Jackson Square but we’ll let you in on those secrets another time. The Square itself boasts a beautiful garden, water feature, and statues. It’s  overlooked by the mighty St. Louis Cathedral. On any given day, you can take a stroll under the oaks and enjoy the art hung on the iron gates. You’ll also find tarot readers, street musicians and other performers to entertain you. Take a stroll to view the art or purchase a piece of the Crescent City to take home with you. When you’ve had your fill, Cafe du Monde is just across Decatur for a spot of breakfast or an afternoon treat. 

Relax on the River – The mighty Mississippi carries much in her stream, yet her waters are perfect for cruising. Hop on the ferry to visit historic Old Algiers or the Chalmette Battlefield. You can even book a riverboat cruise with live music, dancing, food, and drinks on the Creole Queen. For less sea-worthy legs, tour the Riverboat Louis Armstrong for a piece of jazz history.

 

Looking for more recommendations? Please feel free to reach out to us! There’s always something popping up in the Big Easy. 

Still looking for a unique place to stay in New Orleans? Join us at the Lanaux Mansion! We are perfectly located to access each of these places and things to do. To book your stay, visit https://secure.thinkreservations.com/thelanauxmansion/reservations. 

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