ELLE Escapes: New Orleans

Perhaps one of the most romanticized places in the South, New Orleans has a charm that makes it easy to understand why. Sure, some might associate the city solely with Mardi Gras, but it’s so much more than beads and boas (although people here do love a good party). Warm and vibrant, NOLA has been a breeding ground for authors, poets, musicians, artists, and most importantly, lore. Vampires and voodoo aside, it has a spirit unlike any other destination in the country, one built over centuries of mixing cultures, people, ideas, and food.

For an area that’s had its unfair share of ups and downs, New Orleans is experiencing a revival of culture and tourism, thanks in large part to a community of creatives and entrepreneurs, including the hospitality collective LeBlanc + Smith, which invests in local initiatives and community-building activities. Here, find the best spots to visit on your next escape to The Big Easy.

What to See

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Baldwin & Co.

D.J. Johnson founded Baldwin & Co. (named after legendary writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin) as a way to enrich and give back to the cultural landscape. Both a bookstore and a coffee shop, the business is so much more than that. Baldwin & Co. largely functions as a community space with author events, a podcast studio, and a non-profit foundation that supports literacy through tutoring, festivals, and book giveaways. Its primary goal is to engage people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Baldwin would be proud.

Peaches Records Store

An independent, family-owned record shop since 1975, Peaches Record Store boasts 14,000 square feet of every kind of music you could possibly think of. From Dolly Parton to Kevin Gates, at Peaches you’ll find old-school and contemporary, mainstream and local, and any genre you might fancy. The music culture in New Orleans is part of its charm—just visit Preservation Hall in the French Quarter to get a taste of its jazz heritage. At Peaches, you can take a piece of it with you.

Sazerac House

Another must in NOLA: indulge in the spirit and cocktail culture. The famed cognac and rye brand Sazerac, in particular, became popularized here in the 1800s. Cocktail enthusiasts can explore the history of the iconic spirit at Sazerac House, a museum, bar, and distillery downtown. Tours and tastings offer an educational and cultural experience that’s also just plain fun.

Where to Eat

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Sylvain

A unapologetically southern-style bar and restaurant, Sylvain is the spot to get a quality New Orleans culinary experience. From cast-iron cornbread to slow-cooked short rib, the restaurant serves a variety of elevated comfort food with thoughtful cocktails. Set in a late-1700s carriage house in the French Quarter, it’s perfectly located for an excellent meal and setting.

Turkey and the Wolf

If you love sandwiches—and let’s be real, who doesn’t?—you have to visit Turkey and the Wolf. If you don’t enjoy deliciousness pressed between loaves of bread, this eatery will undoubtedly change your mind. A silly, non-pretentious sandwich shop set in the lower garden district, it has garnered stellar reviews from top foodies and casual travelers alike, and it’s easy to see why. Just looking at a photo of its sandwiches, made with quality ingredients and flavors that are both classic and innovative, is enough to make you hungry.

The Will & The Way

Set in the French Quarter, The Will & The Way is a casual, chic spot that’s perfect for daytime or nighttime chilling. With yummy eats like housemade pimento, loaded Korean hot fries, the signature TW&TW burger, and an array of custom or classic cocktails, you can enjoy the space inside at the bar or outside in the back courtyard amongst classic architecture.

Where to Drink

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Barrel Proof

Whiskey lovers will enjoy Barrel Proof, a cocktail bar in the Garden District with over 350 different whiskeys to offer. With knowledgable bartenders and a comfortable, casual setting, the watering hole is great for those looking to try different spirits and cocktails, or patrons just looking for a quick beer.

Anna’s

Anna’s is for those who prefer comfortable dive bars over swanky cocktail bars, although you can still enjoy a house-crafted beverage here. Located in the Marigny neighborhood, the space and the menu are designed to welcome everyone into an establishment filled with character, art, and, of course, a pool table.

Bar Marilou

Located in a former library in the Warehouse District, Bar Marilou is an Instagram paradise. Fun and bold, yet chic and elevated, the bar offers the best of New Orleans style (think: red bookshelves, green velvet chairs, and greenery). The cocktails and bites feel just as luxurious, making this the perfect spot for a sophisticated night out.

Where to Stay

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The Chloe

Nestled in the Garden District, The Chloe offers the comfort of an historic home with the luxury of a boutique hotel, with just a little bit of New Orleans mysticism mixed in. Interior designer Sara Ruffin Costello used the unique structure of the residence to create moody alcoves where guests can lounge, work, gather, or just explore. If you’re lucky enough, you may even get a room boasting a wardrobe that’s actually a door leading to the cozy bath and shower room (basically The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but for adults). The property also has a restaurant and bar, a pool stocked with its own drinks, a front yard and porch with games and seating, and bike rentals that guests can use to explore the city.

Dew Drop Inn

Housed in a newly renovated historic music venue, the Dew Drop Inn has been dubbed “the South’s swankiest spot.” Previous guests of the rock-and-roll hub, hotel, restaurant, and nightclub include Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Little Richard, and Irma Thomas. Now, guests can enjoy the legendary location for themselves. With 17 rooms and a 350-person music venue (which two VIP suites overlook), as well as a pool and restaurant, the inn is a modernized version of the once-happening hot spot.

The Celestine

The Celestine is a new boutique property in the French Quarter, right by Preservation Hall and The Will & The Way. Its indoor-outdoor component is what makes it stand out, with each room boasting a private balcony overlooking either the French Quarter or the hotel’s courtyard, which is where Tennessee Williams is said to have written A Streetcar Named Desire. Also designed by Costello, the brains behind The Chloe, the hotel creates a world of French, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences—with a touch of antique glamour—right above Peychaud’s, where guests can enjoy cocktails while listening to the bustling jazz of the neighborhood.

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