fbpx
spring in the french quarter

Place d’Armes Hotel’s Guide to a Romantic Spring Getaway in the French Quarter

 

With over 300 years of history, the French Quarter is considered one of the most romantic destinations in the world (we agree). What’s more, spring is one of the best times to visit as the temps are only beginning to soar, the flora is in its glorious tropical bloom, and the festival season is reaching its peak. Which says a lot, for a city that has something to celebrate all year round.

So, here are our recommendations on how to make the best of your romantic getaway if you’re visiting in the spring.

Place d’Armes Hotel is the perfect launching pad

Surrounded by lush tropical courtyards, Place d’Armes is ideally located right in the heart of the French Quarter, where you can stroll hand in hand admiring the wrought-iron balconies or to a candlelit dinner while inhaling the unforgettable tropical scents of blooming magnolias and jasmine. Plus, the hotel embodies old-world charm inside and out — and what’s more romantic than that?

Place d’Armes occupies two restored historic townhouses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, located on a quiet block of St. Ann Street, mere steps away from the excitement of Bourbon Street and the historic Jackson Square (which used to be called Place d’Armes, hence the hotel’s name). Guest rooms facing both the street and the courtyard have wrought-iron balconies and feature exposed brick. The hotel’s courtyard is downright enchanting, showcasing a variety of tropical plants native to Louisiana, fountains, and a sparkling saltwater swimming pool. 

Place d’Armes’ one-bedrooms are ideal for couples, and there are five room types to choose from altogether. You can hole up in the peace and quiet of the windowless interior room or the courtyard room with a view of the hotel’s gorgeous courtyard, or get a glimpse of the French Quarter life round the clock by booking a balcony room that faces St. Ann Street for people-watching round the clock!

You are within walking distance of all French Quarter attractions

We mean it when we say that you are centrally located when you stay at the Place d’Armes Hotel: Bourbon Street, Harrah’s Casino, Pat O’Brien’s, the Superdome, the Riverfront on the Mississippi, and the National WWII Museum are all nearby, and all of the French Quarter attractions are within walking distance.

The nearby neighborhoods of the Arts/Warehouse District, the Tremé, the Marigny, the Bywater, and the Garden District are also easy to get to by car, streetcar, or even walking, and they are teeming with dining, entertainment and sightseeing options.

Top romantic things to do in the French Quarter

When you’re exploring the Quarter, just walking around is enough to satisfy the romantic and the history buff in you. But you can take it up a notch with a Mississippi River cruise on the paddlewheeler Creole Queen, which takes you back to the glamorous days of high-rolling riverboat gamblers. If dancing under the stars to live jazz is not incredibly romantic, we don’t know what is.

Or how about a carriage ride, to take in the sights while cozying up to your beloved? Royal Carriages offers several group tour options led by savvy guides. You can book a private ride, just for the two of you. And why not have your fortune told on Jackson Square, visit a museum, or tour a historic house?

The spring festival season is packed

Romance always seems to be in the air in New Orleans, but spring is especially lovely, because of the not-yet-hot temps, the tropical lushness in bloom, and a packed festival season. Come spring, you’ll have the French Quarter Fest outside your door, for one. Billed as the largest free music festival in the South, the fest takes over the Quarter in April with over 20 stages, dozens of food vendors, and hundreds of musicians, playing traditional jazz, Zydeco, and every Louisiana music genre in between. Special events also abound, including dance lessons, parades, art shows, and talks with some of the biggest legends of New Orleans music.

Another huge annual event also happens in the spring, over two consecutive weekends of April and May. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been around for decades and hardly needs an introduction, but consider that you’re only a short bus, car, or bike ride away from it. Plus, during the fest, many acts, including national headliners, could be found in the Quarter having gigs or just partying.

Then we have St. Patrick’s Day parades, St. Joseph’s Day altars, and the Mardi Gras Indians’ Super Sunday in March, plus Wednesday at the Square, the free 10-concert series held every Wednesday, weather permitting, in Lafayette Square in the Arts District nearby.

Besides the French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest, April kicks into high gear with three Easter parades and Hogs for the Cause at the UNO Lakefront Arena. May keeps the good times rolling with the Bayou Boogaloo, held along the banks of the Bayou St. John, and the Greek Fest in Lakeview. Early June brings the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco concert series and the French Market Creole Tomato Festival.

French Quarter’s most romantic restaurants

The Quarter is teeming with romantic restaurants, from the old-word Creole elegance of Arnaud’s, Broussard’s and Antoine’s to Susan Spicer’s flagship restaurant Bayona, with lovely patio seating. The many stunners make up a list that’s too long, but we feel like the candlelit Sylvain, the sophisticated Muriel’s Jackson Square (with an unbeatable location of being right on a corner of Jackson Square), and the one and only Galatoire’s all deserve a special mention.

From iconic foods to unique and charming cafes and breakfast/brunch nooks to lunch to classic desserts like bananas Foster and bread pudding, the Quarter has it in spades, all within walking distance from the hotel.

There is 24/7 action, round the clock

The French Quarter never closes! You can stay up all night enjoying the cocktails and delicious food, listen to live music, or simply roam the 300-year-old streets — even on the budget. Some of the most romantic bars, like the historic Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and the beautifully appointed Bombay Club, with the largest selection of martinis in the city, are within walking distance from Place d’Armes. So, drink where the locals drink, eat beignets at the 24/7 Cafe Du Monde, or dance till dawn at Santos. You have all of the round-the-clock action at your fingertips!

Planning a trip to New Orleans this spring? Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate!

Happy spring!

History of the Place d’Armes Hotel

The Place d’Armes Hotel in the New Orleans French Quarter takes its name from the period when New Orleans was a French Crown Colony in 1722, during which the area now known as Jackson Square was called the Place d’Armes – military parade ground.  This distinguished hotel holds a unique position as the only hotel at Jackson Square – the very Center of the Vieux Carre Historic District (French Quarter).

New Orleans itself was founded in 1718 by Sieur LeMoyne de Bienville, who chose a strategically elevated spot near the sharp crescent bend of the Mississippi River—the only dry land for miles. French military architect Leblond de la Tour and his assistant Adrian de Pauger designed the layout for the new French Crown Colony, and at its center was the Place d’Armes, a parade ground designated for military drills and ceremonies.

As the years passed, most of the land surrounding the square was granted to employees and investors of the Compagnie des Indes, a trading company sanctioned by the King of France, and led by Scotsman John Law. Numerous early residents built their homes on these land grants, and records trace the ownership history. The Place d’Armes Hotel, however, is comprised of several parcels of land on Chartres Street and St. Ann Street, and none of the buildings that now compose the hotel pre-date 1794, as two major fires swept through the city in 1788 and 1794, destroying most structures.

Seven historic buildings form the Place d’Armes Hotel – five are believed to have been constructed between 1820 and 1880 two of the buildings were added in the 1960s. The row of three 3-story brick buildings at 809, 811, and 815 Chartres Street was built in the 1840s to 1850s and was purchased by Louis Bonnemar in 1844. These structures exemplify the simple Greek Revival architecture, characterized by post and lintel construction, and were initially owned by notable figures such as Jean Baptiste D’Estrehan, the French Colonial Treasurer of the Navy, and later by Francois Broutin, son of the renowned French Colonial architect Ignace Francois Broutin.

The building at 817 Chartres Street, now a 3-story brick structure, is believed to have been erected in 1835 for Dr. Felix Formento. Over time, cast iron galleries were added to the second and third floors, enhancing the building’s appearance. The site was also once home to the Union Hotel and Coffee House from July 1832 to March 1833, offering a range of amenities from ice cream and coffee to cockfighting on the premises.

The property at 617-619 St. Ann Street houses the modern 5-story hotel, constructed in 1964. This development involved the demolition of a warehouse dating back to around 1910, which was possibly used for wine storage. However, the site’s early history is quite significant. It was granted to Sieur Richaume in 1722 but later passed through various owners, including the Capuchin School founded by Father Raphael in 1725. The property changed hands multiple times before being developed into the hotel we know today.

The core property (lobby location) at 623-625 St. Ann was owned by Angelo Glorioso, a Sicilian immigrant (1903) who used the space as a residence and grocery warehouse.  Mr. Glorioso died in 1951 and willed the property to his only daughter, Mary Ann Glorioso Valentino, the Matriarch of the Valentino family who owns and operates the hotel today.  The Place d’Armes Hotel is a masterful restoration of seven, very historic, contiguous, structures that all surround a lush center courtyard (one of the most beautiful in all the French Quarter) in arguably the most coveted visitor location in all New Orleans – Jackson Square at the Mississippi River!

The hotel has welcomed visitors for over 60 years (since 1963) and boasts of its legions of guests who regularly call the Place d’Armes their home in New Orleans whenever they visit.  The Place d’Armes Hotel stands as a testament to the city’s resilience and timeless allure, offering guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in the lively spirit of the French Quarter while being connected to its storied past.

French Quarter Transportation Options for Place d’Armes Hotel Guests


Photo by Cheryl Gerber

There’s plenty to see on foot in the Quarter, and clip-clopping through its streets in a mule-drawn carriage is très romantique. But there’s so much more to New Orleans than the 78 square blocks that comprise the city’s historic heart.

Make the most of your trip to New Orleans by sightseeing on City Sightseeing’s Hop-On Hop-Off buses, riding one of its legendary streetcars, or hiring a human-powered pedicab that can get you to that dinner reservation much faster than you could hoof it.

Blue Bikes Nola

This is a bikeshare option, when you rent a bike, unlock and pick it up at of the designated Blue Bike racks throughout the city, and return it to the rack anywhere when done. You can either pay a prorated fee as you go or get a monthly pass.

City Sightseeing’s Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

With multiple stops all over town and great combo packages with walking tours and harbor cruises, Hop-on Hop-Off bus tours from City Sightseeing New Orleans give you the most bang for your buck and lets you explore New Orleans at your own pace.

City sightseeing tours start at $46 for a one-day pass, but the best deal is the three-day pass ($59), which includes two free walking tours in the Quarter and the Garden District. Sit on the upper deck for the best views, and listen to savvy guides explain exactly what you’re seeing. You can even venture beyond New Orleans’ boundaries by booking tours that visit Louisiana’s swamps and bayous, or Oak Alley Plantation.

Need a Ride New Orleans Pedicabs

1025 Bienville St., Suite 3

Pedicabs are a clean, green way to get around town. NOLA Pedicabs’ motto is “we pedal to please,” and they can take you wherever you want to go, whether it’s the Fairgrounds during Jazz Fest or a Saints game at the Dome. Need a Ride serves the Quarter, CBD, the Arts District, and Faubourg Marigny. Both companies employ savvy seasoned bicyclists who know their way around town.

Royal Carriages

700 Decatur St.

The king of mule-drawn carriage tours, Royal Carriages was named Louisiana’s #1 attraction a few years ago by the Louisiana Travel Association. Enjoy an impromptu 30-minute ride by hiring one of the carriages parked in Jackson Square, or book a one-hour tour online ($60/person).

Streetcars

A streetcar named Desire hasn’t rattled through the streets of New Orleans since 1948, when many of the old neighborhood lines were replaced by diesel buses. But the historic St. Charles line never stopped rolling, and several new lines have been added that make streetcars the most charming, and most economical, way to explore the city.

Quarter visitors can hop the St. Charles line at the corner of Canal and Carondelet, go through the CBD and Garden District, and continue uptown past the stately St. Charles mansions. The Riverfront line is a fun way to see the Mississippi and connects to the Canal St. line, which runs all the way to City Park. The fully air-conditioned Rampart/St. Claude streetcar, the network’s newest addition, runs along the rear of the Quarter on Rampart St. to Elysian Fields and St. Claude, near several lively Marigny music spots.

Streetcars run 24/7, and cost just $1.25 per ride, plus $.25 per transfer. (Exact change only, please.) Visitors can also buy a variety of Jazzy streetcar passes good for designated periods of time. Check the RTA online store for details and to buy.

Taxis

Everyone knows about Uber and Lyft, which function the same way in New Orleans as they do in any city. You can also go old school and hire a taxi, still the preferred form of motorized transportation for many New Orleanians. There are a number of local cab companies, but the biggest and most reliable is United Cabs. All New Orleans cabs take credit cards and have the same set fee schedules.

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! And you can get exclusive deals and discounts at our New Orleans hotel by signing up for our email list.

The Place d’Armes Guide to the French Quarter

valentino-hotel-group-prince-conti-new-orleans

Place d’Armes is located on the quiet 600 block of St. Ann Street, in the center of the French Quarter of New Orleans. You can stroll just two blocks to the historic Jackson Square, or Cafe du Monde for some beignets. The excitement of Bourbon Street is only eight blocks away, too!

Because the French Quarter has so much to offer in terms of history, entertainment and world-class cuisine, choosing a perfect itinerary could be overwhelming. So here’s our guide to what you can see, do, eat, and drink — all near the hotel. Also, do you need help choosing which room to book for your trip? We got you covered, too.

Choosing the perfect room at Place d’Armes

The beautifully restored 18th and 19th-century buildings of the historic Place d’Armes surround the lush tropical courtyards, a sparkling saltwater swimming pool and fountains. There are five room types, with either a king or a queen bed, and we also have rooms with two queen beds.

The one-bedrooms are ideal for solo travelers, couples, or besties who don’t mind sharing a bed. The rooms with two queen beds are well suited for families, friend trips, girl trips, and any small groups that are OK with sharing a room.

If you treasure your privacy and are sensitive to noise, the windowless interior room offers great value and all the peace and quiet you need. Our beautiful deluxe room has a little more space, and a street or courtyard view (great for people-watching!). The balcony room features a balcony that faces St. Ann Street and is perfect for people who want the full French Quarter experience. The courtyard room faces our lush tropical courtyard with fountains and a swimming pool, and the junior suite features the most space with its elegant sitting area.

Keep in mind that due to the historic nature of our property, we have some variations in our room sizes. 

Getting around

Place d’Armes places you within walking distance of numerous New Orleans attractions, restaurants, art galleries, museums, and more. You will be able to browse through famous New Orleans art galleries and antique shops, eat at some of the best restaurants in the country, and shop at the Riverwalk Mall and the French Market.

What’s on St. Ann Street, you ask? St. Ann has its own hidden history, full of characters, places and events that make it one of New Orleans’ most storied streets. Take a trip back to antebellum New Orleans in the 1850 House (523 St. Ann), which is furnished with the exquisite art and decor found in the finest homes of the prosperous local gentry. Situated inside the Pontalba buildings bordering Jackson Square, the elegant apartments were designed and financed by Baroness de Pontalba Micaela Almonester.

The voodoo priestess Marie Laveau’s first house was an old adobe cottage between Rampart and Burgundy streets at an address then known as 152 Rue St. Some say Marie’s spirit continues to inhabit the current house (1020 St. Ann), which was built on top of the old foundation when the cottage was torn down in 1903.

One of the most remarkable historic landmarks, The Presbytère (751 Chartres at St. Ann), was built in 1791 to match the neighboring Cabildo alongside St. Louis Cathedral, and was originally used as a residence for Capuchin monks. It later served as a courthouse and became part of the Louisiana State Museum in 1911. The Presbytère’s permanent exhibits celebrate the joyous spirit and resilience of New Orleans. One of them, Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana, invites visitors to climb aboard parade floats and view historic throws, while Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond documents the city’s remarkable recovery from one of the worst disasters in U.S. history.

If walking around the French Quarter isn’t quite your speed, other transportation options include mule-drawn carriages, pedicabs, streetcars, buses, cabs, Uber and Lyft, and even a ferry that goes to Algiers on the West Bank. One of the most versatile and easy options for visitors to see the city is the City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On, Hop-Off double-decker bus tour. The buses come to each stop every 30 minutes, allowing you to travel and sightsee throughout New Orleans at your own pace. It’s a nice way to get from the French Quarter to the Garden District and Magazine Street shopping district.

Other New Orleans neighborhoods are within easy reach as well. From the music-haven strip of Frenchmen Street in the Marigny to the club-hopping St. Claude Avenue in the Bywater and the galleries and the museums of the Arts District, they all offer a colorful tapestry of unique culture and traditions, within walking distance or an easy ride away.

Where to eat

Whether you’re looking for traditional American options or Creole- and Cajun-inspired recipes the city’s dining scene provides endless options, particularly in the French Quarter. From artisanal pizza to the signature cafe au lait and decadent desserts, the French Quarter has it all.

For breakfast, try the Bananas Foster French toast or eggs Benedict po-boy at Stanley (it also offers a great view of Jackson Square), or the wildly popular eggs cochon and BBQ shrimp and grits at the Ruby Slipper. Vacherie serves authentic Cajun cuisine from the Hotel St. Marie located on Toulouse Street, and the charming, French-style patisserie Croissant D’Or tucked away on a quiet block of Ursuline Avenue is perfect for early risers.

Do you have a food bucket list? Cross off the gumbo, po-boys, charbroiled oysters, muffulettas, and other classic dishes that came to define New Orleans while you enjoy a long, leisurely lunch near the hotel.

How about more classics for dinner? Some of the best restaurants in the Quarter, both fancy and casual, offer up Gulf coast fish, shrimp Creole, crawfish étouffée, and other deliciousness. And why not walk it off afterward, off the beaten path of the hand grenades and giant novelty cups, and explore a few local watering holes?

What to do

The Quarter is over 300 years old and is considered one of the most beautiful historic places in the country. When you’re staying at the Place d’Armes Hotel you’re already immersed in history. Even strolling around informally, you’ll discover storied landmarks just about anywhere you go.

Whether you’re a history buff or just want to explore lightly and have some fun within the walking distance of the hotel, you will not want to miss out on visiting some of the city’s most famous historical landmarks, including the must-visit museums, located right in or near the Quarter.

Whether you’re here on a girls weekend, a romantic getaway, a short stay, visiting with the whole family, or exploring on the budget, there’s plenty to do, round the clock, in and near the French Quarter. Bustling nightlife, walking tours, all kinds of sightseeing tours, and entertainment — you can find it all within walking distance from the hotel.

Where to shop

For souvenirs (including the edible kind like pralines and Louisiana hot sauces) and well-priced local arts and crafts, try Decatur Street and the French Market, including the strip of the Shops at the Colonnade adjacent to the market. Want to pick some cool masks and beads for the kids?

There are quite a few options that are fun for parents, too. There are three malls nearby, and Chartres Street is packed with boutiques, just as Royal Street boasts some of the best antiques and vintage shopping in the country.

The best time of the year to visit

Even during the hot and humid months, the Crescent City’s event calendar is pretty much always full, so when you should visit really depends on your interests and your tolerance for heat. There’s something going on year-round, from food and drink fests to the fall and winter holidays, the Carnival, and the Saints football season.

No matter when you decide to visit, we’ll be happy to have you! Book your stay with us today, and see why no other city compares to the magic that is New Orleans.

12 Reasons to Stay at the Place d’Armes Hotel in the New Orleans French Quarter

Place D'Armes exterior balcony

The Place d’Armes Hotel sits in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter and embodies old-world charm inside and out. It occupies two restored historic townhouses dating back to the 18th and 19th century, located on a quiet block of St. Ann Street, mere steps away from the excitement of Bourbon Street and the historic Jackson Square (which used to be called Place d’Armes, hence the hotel’s name). Here are just a few reasons why Place d’Armes is an excellent choice for your next trip to New Orleans.

beautiful shaded courtyard pool at the Place D'Armes

1. The Old-World Ambiance

Guest rooms facing both the street and the courtyard have wrought-iron balconies and feature exposed brick, conveying the traditional, old-world ambiance of the French Quarter. The hotel’s courtyard is particularly enchanting, showcasing a variety of tropical plants native to Louisiana, fountains, and a sparkling saltwater swimming pool.

Find a spot at one of the patio tables or the benches in the shade of the magnolia trees, and relax to the sound of the gurgling fountains. Or stroll just a block to Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait.

2. We Welcome Groups of All Sizes

The Place d’Armes Hotel presents special opportunities for groups and small meetings looking for a quiet, intimate venue that stands apart from the less-personable offerings of larger chain hotels. We welcome all: meetings, tour groups, conventioneers, family reunions, couples, and wedding groups.

3. Modern Amenities

We want you to feel right at home during your stay, which is why our staff provides guests with some great amenities. You can choose from several room sizes when booking with Place d’Armes, such as the interior room, deluxe room, courtyard room, balcony room, and junior suite. Wi-Fi is complimentary and children ages 12 and under stay for free.

New Orleans street view of balconies

4. You’ll Be Close to All French Quarter Attractions

The Place d’Armes Hotel is centrally located in the French Quarter and when you stay with us, you are in the heart of the action and just a short distance away from Bourbon Street, Harrah’s Casino, Pat O’Brien’s, the Superdome, the Riverfront on the Mississippi, and the National WWII Museum.

The nearby neighborhoods of the Arts/Warehouse District, the Tremé, the Marigny, the Bywater, and the Garden District are easy to get to by car, streetcar, or even walking, and they all have a lot to offer in terms of dining, entertainment and sightseeing.

Even if you just explore the French Quarter alone, there’s much to see and do within walking distance from the hotel. Why not have your fortune told on Jackson Square, visit a museum, or tour a historic house?

French Quarter Festival NOLA

5. The French Quarter Fest Is at Your Fingertips

The French Quarter Fest, billed as the largest free music festival in the South, happens every April, taking over the French Quarter with over 20 stages, dozens of food vendors, and hundreds of musicians, playing traditional jazz, Zydeco, and every Louisiana music genre in between. Special events also abound, including dance lessons, parades, art shows, and talks with some of the biggest legends of New Orleans music. You’ll be in the middle of it all if you stay at Place d’Armes!

Jazz Fest in New Orleans

6. … And Always a Festival Nearby

Every new season in New Orleans brings something special, including a packed festival calendar all year round. Here is a quick rundown of the annual fun by the season, just to give you a glimpse.

The Holiday Season

Dance with the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Quarter, where you can join the throngs of carolers in Jackson Square, and eat elaborate, multi-course Reveillon Dinners based on traditional Creole meals once served after midnight mass. Make advance reservations in classic restaurants like Muriel’s Jackson Square, right next to Place d’Armes, which dishes up specialties like turtle soup and pecan-crusted drum.

Mardi Gras Season

The biggest free party on earth is an entire season that can stretch for weeks, depending on when Easter falls, so be sure to check the Mardi Gras Calendar before booking your rooms. Serious revelers hit the town on the final, parade-packed weekend leading up to Fat Tuesday, but you can also join the revelry at a less frenetic pace. Come for the lovely Joan of Arc Parade on Twelfth Night (January 6), which winds its way through the Quarter on horseback and foot and launches the Mardi Gras season.

Spring and Summer Festival Seasons

Come spring, music lovers make a beeline for New Orleans during French Quarter Fest and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the great-grandaddy of them all, so advance booking is essential. But things slow down in summer, when you get more for your buck, thanks to the great deals on hotels and restaurants. Summer also brings several marquee events in and around the Quarter, including Tales of the Cocktail, Satchmo SummerFest, White Linen Night, and Dirty Linen Night.

Fall/Spooky Season

Many visitors come to New Orleans to pledge their troth as the witching hour of Halloween approaches, and the Quarter becomes even more haunted. And while destination weddings require precision planning (the fall wedding season in New Orleans is always busy), casual visitors can just slip on their fangs, walk out the door of the Place d’Armes, and join the masked revelry throughout the spooky season at several parades and happenings.

In October, foodies chow down at the Mac n’ Cheese Fest; and culture mavens celebrate Art for Art’s Sake and the New Orleans Film Festival. The city also celebrates German food, music, and beer during the three weekend-long Oktoberfest.

Halloween isn’t just one day in New Orleans, where the veil between the living and dead is paper-thin. It’s an entire season, filled with balls, costume parties, and multiple parades. Krewe of Boo, the city’s official Halloween parade, kicks off the season in mid-October with an extravaganza of family-friendly monster floats that throw scads of plush toys and candy. On October 31, join a more Bohemian street parade on Decatur St. and dive into the throngs of costumed revelers on Frenchmen Street, which rages till the wee hours.

Thanksgiving is just the final course of a month’s worth of food festivals in November. Sample more than 50 varieties of New Orleans’ most iconic sandwich at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, then don a fabulous hat and hit Thanksgiving at the Fair Grounds Race Course for the opening day races, a New Orleans see-and-be-seen tradition where you can feast on a sumptuous buffet in the clubhouse whilst betting on the ponies.

Fall also brings football fans eager to catch Who Dat fever in Saints country, which spreads like wildfire in the Quarter on a Sunday afternoon. New Orleanians bleed black and gold, but you don’t have to be a Saints fan to cheer your favorite teams on to glory. College sports fans converge on Thanksgiving weekend for the Bayou Classic, when longtime rivals Grambling State and Southern University clash in the Superdome. Catch your own home team in action-packed Quarter sports bars like the American Sports Saloon; Jimani Lounge & Restaurant; and The Corner Oyster House. But be forewarned: If your team’s playing the Saints, you might be in for a little friendly roasting.

7. The Nightlife Around the Corner

The French Quarter never closes! You can stay up all night enjoying the cocktails and delicious food, dance till dawn, listen to live music, or simply roam the 300-year-old streets — even on the budget.

For some free live music (most often a very decent brass band) plus street performances of every kind hit Jackson Square, only two blocks away from the hotel. From there, the hustle and the bustle of the neon-lit Bourbon Street is an easy walk away (grab a hurricane to go at Pat O’Brien’s while you’re at it).

If you want a historic setting along with your drink, walk down Bourbon toward Esplanade Avenue where you’ll hit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. If you’re heading the other way, toward Canal Street, don’t miss the beautifully appointed Bombay Club. It has live music and the largest selection of martinis in the city.

For some never-ending indoor fun, Harrah’s Casino New Orleans is full of late-night action, and we don’t just mean gambling but all of its restaurants, bars, and so on. To drink where the locals drink, try Molly’s at the Market on Decatur Street or Black Penny on N. Rampart Street.

A lot of restaurants are open past midnight in the French Quarter, but if you want to grab some food way later, Killer Poboys inside Erin Rose doles out some of the best po-boys in the city from a tiny takeout window in the back. Then you can hit the 24/7 Cafe du Monde for some beignets, or dance till dawn at Santos.

Photo courtesy of the Old Ursuline Convent

8. The Opportunities to Celebrate French Culture and Heritage Abound

Signs of New Orleans’ French history can be found all around the city, manifesting so often that people start taking it for granted. Why not stop and visit some of the places that help give New Orleans its unique French flavor? For instance, you can tour the Old Ursuline Convent, the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley. Designed in 1745 and completed eight years later, the building has served as a convent, a school, and many things in between, and is considered one of the best surviving examples of French Colonial public architecture in the country. You will just have to see for yourself!

While you are out, grab a bite to eat at the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States, Antoine’s Restaurant, established back in 1840. This famous restaurant has been a long-time draw for both tourists and locals thanks to its ambiance and unparalleled French-Creole cuisine. Come taste some delectable escargots or Oysters Rockefeller.

If you find yourself in the nearby neighborhood of Mid-City, you can brush up on your art knowledge and tour the restored Degas House, where the French Impressionist has created over 20 paintings and drawings.

9. The Best Local Shopping Within Walking Distance    

The French Quarter is a haven when it comes to specialized shopping. Whether you’re visiting New Orleans with the kids in tow, or shopping for souvenirs for young ones back home, you’ll find a wealth of cool options in the Quarter for kids of all ages that are fun for parents, too — like voodoo dolls, masks, creative toys, Louisiana-centric books, and more.

Want to take a taste of New Orleans home? By all means! From hot sauces to chicory coffee to pralines and a beignet mix in a box, many of the city’s distinctive Creole and Cajun flavors and spices make terrific edible souvenirs to pack in your suitcase. 

10. Dining for Every Occasion and Budget

New Orleans boasts a bounty of iconic foods, from po-boys and muffulettas to hot-out-the-pot boiled crawfish. Many of the items on local appetizer menus, like shrimp remoulade and gumbo, can be a lunch meal in themselves, and some of the city’s tastiest treats are classic desserts like bananas Foster and bread pudding.

That said, for lighter fare on the earlier side (perhaps with a dash of caffeine) you can also hit a number of unique and charming cafes and breakfast/brunch nooks, all within walking distance from the hotel.

New Orleans St. Louis Cathedral

11. Family-Friendly Fun Awaits

Don’t be fooled by New Orleans’ hard-partying reputation. Beyond the 24/7 bars and Bourbon Street debauchery, there’s a culturally rich, historic, and yes, kid-friendly city to explore. That goes double for the French Quarter, which is a tourist destination as well as a living, breathing neighborhood with residents of all ages.

Round up the kids and ride the streetcar, or visit the Audubon Butterfly Garden & Insectarium or Aquarium of the Americas. (Reopening in the summer of 2023.) Take a City Sightseeing Tour on the double-decker bus, or a walking ghost tour (find the kid-friendly ones that focus more on history rather than the gore).

Want to take in a scenic view of the Mississippi River while you dine on the Creole/Cajun buffet? When you take a Creole Queen river cruise you’ll see the French Quarter, the Port of New Orleans, and the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park all in a single morning or afternoon. And your kids will be having so much fun, they won’t realize how much they’re learning!

12. The Place d’Armes Hotel Guarantee

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online.

Make sure to take advantage of our discounted weekday rates and special offers, and receive even deeper discounts when you prepay in advance. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! Also, you can get exclusive deals and discounts at our New Orleans hotel by signing up for our email list.