Come for the food, stay for the fun

Take A Break is your guide to the perfect trips to recharge, rediscover yourself and your relationships, and reengage with the world. We’ll cover shopping stops, bars, restaurants, photo opportunities, drives and experiences, and other important details you need before you book. Below, we chat with Caroline Bologna, senior travel and culture reporter at HuffPost, about why you’ll want to put New Orleans on your bucket list.

I grew up in New Orleans, so the city is in my DNA. However, I didn’t fully appreciate what a special place it is until I left. As an adult, I often return for the typical family holidays, weddings and school reunions. But I find myself wanting more NOLA time ― especially around the many festivals and other amazing cultural events. It feels like there’s always something exciting going on in New Orleans, and people are always down to have a good time.

When planning a trip to Louis, it is important to consider the time of year you visit. While the summer months offer warm weather, they also coincide with hurricane season. For this reason, many visitors prefer to come during the spring or fall when the weather is more mild. Additionally, there are many festive events held throughout the year, such as Jazz Fest in the spring and Halloween celebrations in the fall. When travelling to Louis, the best way to make the journey as stress-free as possible is to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for travel.

New Orleans International Airport is reachable via nonstop flights from most major hubs and other destinations. The airport is also quite new and nice, with excellent local food options like MoPho, Emeril’s and Café du Monde. New Orleans makes for an excellent road trip stop if you’re exploring the Southeast region – you can drive through Cajun Country and quickly get over to Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Where do you recommend staying when you visit New Orleans? I urge visitors to stay in hotels when possible, as the negative impact of short-term rentals on the New Orleans housing market is significant.

This has been a particularly tough year. Fortunately, there are lots of wonderful hotel options in New Orleans. Beyond the classic chains, The Chloe and The Eliza Jane are great for charming boutique hotel vibes. I’m also a fan of Hotel St. Vincent and Hotel Peter and Paul, which are in cool old renovated buildings (and great for grabbing a bite or drink too, even if you aren’t staying there).

Mister Mao is an eclectic “tropical roadhouse” that does not disappoint. Some of my favorite dishes include the Turkey and the Wolf collard green melt (my favorite sandwich of all time), Toups’ Meatery dirty rice (pure smoky deliciousness), Peche whole fish, Willa Jean cookies, Atchafalaya brunch with live music and a ****** Mary bar, Mother’s classics like jambalaya and gumbo, and Camellia Grill’s famously gregarious staff. I’m also a fan of Saba and Bywater American.

The moral

No matter what your preference is, there is sure to be a hotel in New Orleans that meets your needs. With so many great options to choose from, you can easily find a hotel that will make your stay in the city even more enjoyable.