by Jay

Enjoy the Music at Satchmo SummerFest in New Orleans

One of the best things about New Orleans is the city’s undying passion for music. Music lovers come from near and far to experience New Orleans’ diverse music scene, which features a variety of musical artists and genres.

This summer, the popular Satchmo SummerFest will be returning to New Orleans on August 5-6, 2023, with two stages, a delicious culinary lineup, and indoor lecture series at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint.

New Orleans French Quarter

Experience Foot-Tapping Music at Satchmo SummerFest

Satchmo SummerFest is New Orleans’ tribute to one of its most famous native sons, the beloved Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, on the centennial of his birth. This festival began back in 2001 and has since evolved into one of the top celebrations in the city.

For many who attend this dynamic festival, it’s the highlight of the summer season. This festival includes live bands on two different stages, featuring some of New Orleans’ best musicians. Many of the musical artists performing will play their tributes to Louis Armstrong and his famous music.

Some of the past headliners at this New Orleans festival include the Preservation Hall Brass Band, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Bill Summers and Jazalsa, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, and many others.

satchmo fest

In addition to the vibrant outdoor music scene, this New Orleans festival would not be complete without plenty of delicious local food and drink. This festival offers some of New Orleans’ world-famous culinary delicacies for sale around the festival site, as well as refreshing beverages, to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

There are also several indoor events at Satchmo SummerFest, including inspiring indoor lecture series created to highlight Armstrong’s history and enduring impact.

Shrimp From The Bombay Club in New Orleans

Looking for Hotels in New Orleans? Choose the Prince Conti Hotel

When it comes to hotels in New Orleans, location is key. The Prince Conti Hotel is located just blocks from the New Orleans Jazz Museum, where Satchmo SummerFest will be taking place this coming August.

You don’t even have to venture far to listen to live New Orleans music when you stay at the Prince Conti Hotel. The hotel’s own restaurant, The Bombay Club, features live music every night.

The Prince Conti Hotel is also a quick walk to Frenchmen Street, where you will find tons of local bars and restaurants playing live music for all to enjoy.

The hotel is also located near the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, which can take you to New Orleans’ Uptown to visit famous places for music like Tipitina’s and Le Bon Temps Roule.

If you are planning a trip to New Orleans this summer, be sure to check out the city’s unique music scene and book your reservation at one of the best hotels in New Orleans with great low room rates, the Prince Conti Hotel!

The Prince Conti Hotel in New Orleans, LA

by Jay

Shopping for Women Near the Prince Conti French Quarter Hotel

Photo courtesy of Hemline on Facebook

Shopping in New Orleans gives visitors another way to experience the city’s vibrancy. Clothing in the French Quarter runs the gamut of styles and this list of some of the area’s best women’s clothing shops reflects that. Whether you’re looking for vintage or contemporary, formal or casual, there’s something for everyone in the French Quarter.

Dirty Coast 

713 Royal Street

Dirty Coast offers casual New Orleans-themed clothing and gifts for women and men. Their French Quarter location opened in 2016 “at the corner of Pirates Alley and Touchdown Jesus” (their description). Since 2002, the company has printed more than 250 local designs for t-shirts and posters that proclaim their love for New Orleans.

Co-founder and designer Blake Haney was in Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina and created the company’s first design, a bumper sticker that said “Be a New Orleanian, Wherever You Are” and stuck 5,000 of them all over the city as soon as he could move back. Write-ups in the Times-Picayune and The New York Times followed. The company now has devotees around the globe — locals and visitors  — who want to celebrate how much they love New Orleans.

Dollz & Dames

216 Decatur Street

A colorful boutique offering everything you’ll need for one-stop shopping for a glam evening out or a stylish, retro-inspired daytime outfit. Retro-chic polka dot halter dresses, boleros, rompers, kimonos, Irregular Choice heels (when you know, you know) — it’s all there.

Dollz & Dames is a treasure trove of accessories too, from funky-glam clutches to bold jewelry to embellished sunglasses. Don’t stop there though, especially if you’re shopping for a gift. There are fragrances plus bath products, candles — the list goes on.

Fifi Mahony’s

934 Royal Street

Fifi Mahony’s has been wigging Mardi Gras krewes, the burlesque community, performance artists, fashion shoots and shows, and us mortals who just need a fresh wig for Mardi Gras Day, since 1997. A second location, with a beauty parlor, opened in Bywater (3212 Dauphine Street) recently.

A true New Orleans original, Fifi’s will make a glam queen out of you in one afternoon with its vast collection of makeup, glitzy accessories, sunglasses, and, of course, wigs. Oh, the wigs. Do you wanna be a “Marylin” or “Antoinette”? Done, and done. Any style, length, or color you have in mind, Fifi’s will have it. Custom wigs run for around $200, but you can snag a wig for as low as $40, too. Beware, come Halloween or Mardi Gras, the line is out of the door, so prep accordingly.

Hemline

609 Chartres Street

Hemline is an elegant boutique with two locations in New Orleans. Their flagship store is located in the French Quarter and sells contemporary designers like Nanette Lepore, Tracy Reese, Amanda Uprichard, and Dolce Vita, among many others. Brigette Holthausen moved to New Orleans from Brazil at age 16 and started the business selling backpacks, sandals, and jewelry at the French Market, opening her shop on Chartres several years later.

Lost and Found

323 Chartres Street

A quirky boutique with women’s fashions in a wide size range, whimsical accessories, and unique gifts. It’s a gem of a place if you have your eye on a swing dress or a unique accessory to go with it.

Trashy Diva

Trashy Diva Clothing Boutique (537 Royal Street)

Trashy Diva Lingerie (712 Royal Street)

Trashy Diva started in 1996 as a traditional vintage clothing store and has expanded into five shops across New Orleans carrying vintage-inspired clothing and lingerie with contemporary touches. There are two locations on Royal Street: a lingerie shop near the cathedral and a clothing boutique two blocks up.

Trashy Diva’s lingerie shop offers custom-fitted corsets and boudoir glam, essential to the city’s burlesque community, as well as myriad other lacy undergarments. Many styles in the clothing boutique pay homage to the 1940s and 50s; bold Asian-inspired prints and elegant florals decorate day dresses while evening options include velvet, bias-cut gowns like something Audrey Hepburn might wear to Tiffany’s.

UAL (United Apparel Liquidators)

518 Chartres Street

UAL focuses on deeply discounted designer fashion. The inventory changes almost daily and the wide variety of merchandise in the store’s single room makes digging for the perfect look a lot of fun. Christian Louboutin heels, Kara Ross handbags, and Chloe blouses will fill the store one week, and next week that’s gone and Alexander Wang dresses occupy the racks along with Balmain and Valentino. Some of the pieces are sample items or marked as defective, so a careful eye makes for the best shopping experience.

All of these shops are in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, short blocks from the Prince Conti Hotel. Guests can enjoy first-class accommodations as well as shopping that reflects the diversity of cultures and styles that make New Orleans unique.

Bombay Club
by Jay

Eat, Drink, Work: Co-Working in the French Quarter


Photo Courtesy of The Bombay Club

Traveling purely for pleasure is delightful. But if you need to work remotely on the road, New Orleans is one of the best places on the planet to mix business with pleasure. Many charming spots in the Quarter near Prince Conti are co-working havens with blazing Wi-Fi, where you can soak up local ambiance along with cafe au lait, craft cocktails, and gourmet New Orleans cuisine.

Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe (308 Decatur St.)

One of the few coffee shops in the city that serves shots of booze in their coffee, Envie has it all: steaming cups of java, scrumptious pastries and breakfasts, and a full-service bar.

French Truck Coffee (217 Chartres St.)

Need a jolt of caffeine to get down to business? French Truck boasts some of the city’s best locally-roasted coffee, prepares espresso to perfection, and puts a unique spin on mocha with hints of cayenne and cinnamon.

Kingfish (337 Chartres St. at Conti)

Known for its award-winning craft cocktails, the Kingfish is another great happy hour co-working spot. Sip $7 cocktails, $6 wine, or $4 beer, and sample $9 small-plate specials like fried boudin balls or duck and Andouille gumbo. Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Bombay Club (Prince Conti Hotel, 830 Conti St.)

You could work in your room at the Prince Conti Hotel. But what fun is that? Wander down to The Bombay Club during happy hour, and graze on small and shareable bites like Ploughman’s Board or Natchitoches meat pies while imbibing great specials on beer, wine, and house cocktails. From 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

by Jay

Getting Around As a Guest of the Prince Conti Hotel

You can pretty much walk to all of your destinations in the French Quarter from the hotel as the terrain is flat, the area is just 78 square blocks, and the street layout makes sense and is easy to navigate. The next best thing would be to bike or hail a pedicab (check out Blue Bikes). If you want to go outside the Quarter, try a cab or rideshare, or a streetcar.

Taxicab and ride-share services

The ride-share options in New Orleans include Uber and Lyft. We also recommend United Cabs, Inc. (504-522-9771). Use the United Cabs Passenger app to book.

Bus and streetcar

City buses run every 30 minutes on average on weekdays (less often on weekends) and have special schedules on holidays. It costs $1.25 one-way (a transfer costs 25 cents), and you can see routes and schedules online. To pay the fare on the bus, you must have exact change, but you can also buy passes via the Le Pass App, online, and at the ticket machines.

Another option is the Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker bus tours by City Sightseeing. They run every 30 minutes on a two-hour loop; the unlimited one-day pass is $46 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3-12. To hop on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, walk to Canal and Carondelet streets (directly across Canal from Bourbon St. in the French Quarter) and look for the iconic green car.

by Jay

Running of the Bulls Brings Excitement to New Orleans This July

Photo: Some rights reserved by Infrogmation

You haven’t seen it all until you’ve witnessed New Orleans’ eccentric version of Running of the Bulls. This wild festival, known as San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, is fashioned after the traditional event that takes place in Pamplona, Spain, each year. But instead of the wild beasts running in the streets goring people, the Big Easy Rollergirls dress up like bulls and skate after runners, attempting to whack them with wiffle ball bats. This fest is sure to get your blood pumping!

The runners are encouraged to wear all white with red accents like sashes and kerchiefs (following the style of the traditional Spanish festival). The bulls sport black and red, and horned helmets. Both the runners and the bulls are known to get creative with their costuming, so you’ll have the chance to see some pretty eccentric creations out there.

This year, the festival will be held over the weekend of July 42-16, 2023. The Encierro (the run) itself is always held on Saturday, and the partying starts early. Around 6:30 a.m. people will start gathering around the Sugar Mill (1021 Convention Center Blvd.) in the Central Business District in downtown New Orleans, enjoying live music, food trucks, and sangria. After the procession and the invocation honoring San Fermin, patron saint of Pamplona, the run begins at 8 a.m., making its way through the CBD and Warehouse District on a near-mile-long route.

Although you will get some exercise while running from the Derby Girls, Running of the Bulls is just as much about the food and drinks as it is about the “running.” Many participants stick around after the run is done, at approximately 11:30 a.m., to continue with the bar-crawling in the area.

Another option is to attend a live music show back at the Sugar Mill (the route begins and ends there). After that, you can also check out the after-party, La Fiesta de Pantalones (2023 location TBA).

The festival’s opening party on Friday is an annual ticketed fundraiser with an open bar, an auction, and delicious food provided by local restaurants. The closing party on Sunday, called El Pobre de Mi (“Poor Me”), will wrap things up (2023 location TBA). This will be your chance to recover from the run with burlesque and cocktails.

The events happening on Friday and Saturday are ticketed, while the Sunday closing party is pay-as-you-go. Proceeds go to Beth’s Friends Forever, a charity named after Nola Bulls cofounder Beth Hanning, which raises money for local women fighting cancer; and the Big Easy Animal Rescue.

Come run with the bulls this summer at San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, and stay at the historic New Orleans hotel close by, the Prince Conti Hotel. Conveniently located in the French Quarter, the Prince Conti Hotel has all of the new amenities and conveniences you want, without sacrificing any of the old-world charm.

by Jay

Year at a Glance in New Orleans

From major music and cultural events to the festivals that honor just about every local food there is, New Orleans celebrates life like no other city. From the fabulously unique traditions like Reveillon and Super Sunday to the Saints football season, the city doesn’t stop eating, drinking, and celebrating. To give you a glimpse of just how much is going on in New Orleans all year round, here’s a quick look at the annual highlights grouped by season.

Fall (September 1 – November 30)

Cooler temps and the seemingly endless slew of food, drink and music festivals are on tap in the fall in New Orleans, starting over the Labor Day weekend with the massive and fabulous Southern Decadence, a popular festival that celebrates LGBTQA+ with block parties, shows, and a parade. September fun continues with the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, with performers from all over the world competing for the title of “Queen of Burlesque.” The Beignet Festival is also held in late September, at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds.

October begins with the ever-expanding National Fried Chicken Festival at the Lakefront. Also, New Orleans throws its version of Oktoberfest over the three weekends at Deutsches Haus in Mid-City, to celebrate the city’s rich German history, followed by one of the best-attended art events in the city, Art for Art’s Sake.

October is pretty heavy on food festivals as well: Mac n’ Cheese Fest and Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival happen then (sometimes on the same day), plus the Tremé Fall Festival and the New Orleans Film Festival, which is one of the largest film festivals in the South and is the longest-running one festival of its kind in the state.

New Orleans does Halloween like no other city, so if you’re lucky to be visiting around that time, consider any of the balls, costume parties, parade, haunted tours, and a huge block party on Frenchmen Street! The kid-friendly parade called Krewe of Boo rolls through the French Quarter, courtesy of Kern Studios, and there are many more Halloween activities around the city happening in the couple weeks leading up to Halloween.

November brings more food festivals — the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival and Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival (now merged with the Congo Square Rhythms Festival).

Thanksgiving at the Fair Grounds Race Course is a long-standing New Orleans tradition of turning out at the track on Thanksgiving Day to watch the opening-day races while sporting cocktails and some seriously fabulous hats. Next, there’s Bayou Classic, a fan fest, a parade, the battle of the bands, and, of course, the big game at the Superdome between Southern University and Grambling State University. The beloved Celebration in the Oaks kicks off the holiday season with a dazzling holiday lights festival scattered throughout the 25 acres of the City Park, including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.

Winter (December 1 – February 28)

There’s a whole slew of events that accompany Christmastime in the Crescent City, from bonfires on the Algiers levies to concerts at St. Louis Cathedral to the family-friendly NOLA ChristmasFest to Reveillon menus at some of the city’s classic Creole restaurants.

But surely one of the most pleasurable things you can do during the winter holidays in New Orleans is to simply stroll through the French Quarter, marveling at the light displays that are hung from wrought iron fences and elegant European-style balconies. The streetcars are decked with wreaths, and the city is alight with the holiday sparkle, including at the annual LUNA Fête that brings large-scale light and sound installations to the Convention Center.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Orleans include the Dick Clark Rockin’ New Year’s Eve at the historic Jax Brewery in the French Quarter, with a fleur-de-lis drop at midnight to the countdown on Jackson Square, quite a few balcony parties on and around Bourbon Street, and the fireworks over the Mississippi River.

The first day of the carnival season, known as Twelfth Night, or the Epiphany, kicks off every year with three parades — Phunny Phorty Phellows ride the streetcar from Uptown to Canal Street and back, plus the walking Krewe of Joan of Arc in the French Quarter, and the Société Des Champs Elysée that follows the N. Rampart/St. Claude streetcar route.

The King Cake Festival also marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season, which culminates every year on Fat Tuesday anytime between February 3 and March 9. There’s not enough room to describe one of the great spectacles in the world, but keep up with the parade schedule to at least get started on how to do Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

February closes with an enormous public Tet celebration in New Orleans East to celebrate the Lunar New Year (did you know that New Orleans is home to one of the largest Vietnamese diaspora communities in the country?), and Valentine’s Day – which isn’t unique to New Orleans but is nevertheless good to celebrate in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Spring (March 1 – May 31)

Lovely weather and endless festivals continue this time of year with Wednesday at the Square; the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival (don’t miss the “Stella!” shouting contest); the Mid-City’s own Bayou Boogaloo, held on the picturesque banks of Bayou St. John; the Freret Street Festival that’s getting bigger every year; and, of course, the two heavy hitters and the reason so many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring – the French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest.

March rages on with NOLA on Tap Beer Fest at the Lafreniere Park (March 18, 2023), the largest fundraiser for the Louisiana SPCA and the largest beer fest in the area, with more than 400 beer offerings from local and national breweries and homebrewers.

St. Patrick’s Day and Easter are subject to more celebration, with multiple parades and parties. Finally, the Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday is a treasured tradition dating back to the 19th century and held on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day, which gets its own unique celebration across the Catholic churches and even private homes in the city with the beautifully appointed altars (the Italian-Sicilian contribution to New Orleans’ rich cultural tapestry).

Summer (June 1 – August 31)

Want to cross an iconic New Orleans restaurant off your bucket list? There’s no time like Restaurant Week New Orleans (June 19-25, 2023), during which dozens of participating restaurants, from the James Beard luminaries to the new hotspots to the Creole grand dames offer set course menus at a deep discount. Also in June (June 7-11, 2023), is another culinary fest, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, and the popular Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival, held at Louis Armstrong Park.

The best restaurants and bars in town celebrate Tales of the Cocktail in July, and COOLinary New Orleans with prix fixe menus in August. You can also browse the galleries on the White Linen Night (or its cheeky cousin, the Dirty Linen Night).

The city comes to life for the Satchmo SummerFest and a slew of events over the Fourth of July and the Labor Day weekends, like Go 4th on the River, and the Essence Festival at the Superdome. The French Market Creole Tomato Festival is one of the smaller fests to enjoy, and Running of the Bulls brings Encierro to New Orleans, except the bulls are the Big Easy Rollergirls.

Finally, the Red Dress Run (who doesn’t want to run a madcap two-mile course through the city in August while wearing a red dress?) will at least keep your mind off the heat.

Phew! These are just some of the annual highlights. Happy exploring, in any season!

by Jay

Romantic Fun in the French Quarter

The French Quarter has cast its spell on lovers for centuries. And if you’re staying at Prince Conti, you don’t have to venture far to find romance. The Bombay Club, one of the city’s most charmingly intimate lounges, is just down the carriageway at the back of the hotel. It’s a perfect spot to start and end a romantic night. There’s also a wealth of other options in and around the Quarter guaranteed to get sparks flying.

Jumpstart Happy Hour at The Bombay Club (830 Conti St.)

Sip romantic wines like sparkling rosé or signature cocktails like French 76 during the Bombay Club’s leisurely happy hour. Whet your appetite for the night ahead on spicy regional small bites, including Natchitoches meat pies and Ploughman’s Board.

Cruise the Mississippi on the Creole Queen

The mighty Mississippi isn’t just one of the world’s busiest ports. It’s the perfect backdrop for romance when you cruise its waters at night. Teleport back in time to the glamorous riverboat days of yore on The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, where you can dance to live jazz on the dance floor, or stroll outside on the deck and enjoy the twinkling skyline view under a canopy of stars.

(Departs from Poydras Dock at Spanish Plaza; book in advance online)

Take a Mule-Drawn Royal Carriage Through the Quarter

Clip-clop, clip-clop. There’s no better place to whisper sweet nothings into your honey’s ear than in the back of a mule-drawn carriage winding its way through the Quarter on cobblestoned streets. Steered by savvy guides, Royal Carriages offers several tour options for small groups. But for max romance, book a private tour with your own personal driver, who can point you to some of the Quarter’s swoon-worthy spots.

(700 Decatur St.; book in advance online)

Enjoy a Romantic Dinner for Two

For old-school French Creole elegance, book a table for two at Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon St.), one of the grande dames of New Orleans dining (jackets required for men.) Or dine al fresco in the lovely courtyard of Cafe Amelie (912 Royal St.), named for the first American Princess of Monaco, who lived on the grounds in the mid-1800s. More in the mood for steak? Head for Doris Metropolitan (620 Chartres St.), where the dry-aged beef and other fine meats are a gourmand’s delight.

Catch Live Jazz at The Bombay Club

Curtained private booths enhance romance at The Bombay Club, where you can sip the bistro’s signature martinis or other classic cocktails while listening to the cool jazz stylings of some of the city’s top artists. Cap off your night before turning in, or just take a break in your hotel room before heading out for more fun.

Get Your Fortunes Read in Jackson Square

What will the rest of the night hold? Should you dive into the wild and noisy end of Bourbon Street or stroll down to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon St.) for a quieter nightcap? Ask one of the colorfully-garbed soothsayers in Jackson Square, where a variety of diviners will look into your future.

(Decatur St. in front of St. Louis Cathedral)

We hope you have a fun, romantic day in the French Quarter!