New Orleans Ranked #1 of 40 Biggest Cities ranked by their Food

   New Orleans is a city drenched in its cuisine, rooted in the culture of setting a pot of gumbo on the front porch and inviting over the masses or throwing a street-wide crawfish boil on a muggy spring day. Its seasons are centered, not around the calendar, but around food, which is arguably easy to do when your seasons have more 90+ degree days than below 70, but it's even easier when January 6th kicks off Mardi Gras/king cake season, Christmas means epic Reveillon feasts, fall ensures a few alligator sausages in the Superdome, summer brings the first taste of sno-balls and the annual closing of Casamento's, and spring starts with the first crawfish boil. Its food pride extends inexpressibly beyond those signature dishes that everyone knows: its crispy, golden-fried oyster po’boys, award-winning fried chicken platters, and piping-hot beignets. Oh, also their spicy, blackened redfish, rich gumbo, and even richer crawfish étouffée. And don’t forget those buttery pralines or the smoky jambalaya or the Monday night-staple of red beans & rice.

   This might be the point when you’re wondering if there are good restaurants in the city, not just a rabid fanbase of hungry locals. Well, hate-reading New Yorker, the answer is yes. Five of the oldest restaurants in the country are here and still serving, and they aren’t just boring standbys that should’ve closed their doors long ago: Commander’s Palace is helmed by a James Beard-winning chef, while Antoine’s is still awing with its never-been-revealed recipe for oysters Rockefeller, which they invented (yep, you’ve only eaten fakes elsewhere). And new(er) guys like Donald Link’s fish-to-tail Peche, John Besh and Alon Shaya’s pizza-haven Domenica, and Philip Lopez’s incredibly inventive Square Root, one of the best restaurants in America, keep things inventive. It would be an unmitigated task to start naming all of the tiny Creole, Cajun, Vietnamese, and Italian spots that fill in the huge gap between the new all-stars and the grand dames, but that’s why New Orleans visitors have created quite the cliche when they return from a visit: you could eat all day, all week in New Orleans and never get a bad meal or fully grasp the cuisine melting pot that fills the city.

Come stay at the Staybridge Suites Downtown New Orleans and dine at some of these amazing spots.

Celebration in the Oaks. A New Orleans Style Christmas.

Celebration in the Oaks in City Park is one of the most spectacular holiday lights festivals in the country, with more than 165,000 visitors pouring into the park to see the magical winter spectacle. City Park’s famous oaks are swathed in hundreds of thousands of twinkling white lights and breathtaking light displays (including the crowd-favorite Who Dat tree) are scattered throughout 25 acres of the park, including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens.

New Orleans’ mild winter weather and City Park’s stunning natural landscape, with its oak groves, moss-covered cypresses and meandering lagoons, make Celebration in the Oaks a truly unique holiday event. This beloved annual celebration is fun for all ages and has become an enduring holiday tradition for families, who come to Celebration in the Oaks to ride the train or carousel every year. Visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions, from light displays to the walkways lined with dozens of Christmas trees decorated by local school groups. Perennial favorites include the two-mile train ride through glittering light exhibits, the animated Cajun night before Christmas display, and of course, New Orleans’ iconic snowman Mr. Bingle – a holiday character beloved by generations of New Orleanians.

Celebration in the Oaks opens:

The 2014-2015 season: November 28 - January 3 Closed: 12/1-12/4; 12/24 and 12/31

Due to the immense popularity of this holiday attraction, we strongly recommend buying tickets in advance at this link to avoid waiting in lines.

The #MerryMakers! Check out a preview here.

-No pets allowed.

-Minor Escort Policy: All minors age 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older. Anyone 21 years or younger should be prepared to show a driver license, state ID or passport before purchasing a ticket for entry.

For more information and for how to purchase tickets to one of New Orleans most beloved events visit: http://neworleanscitypark.com/celebration-in-the-oaks

If you are looking for somewhere to stay when you come to New Orleans during the holiday season, look no further than the Staybridge Suites New Orleans French Quarter Downtown. Call today to reserve your room or book online!

Old Algiers Riverfest

September 28-29, 2014

Directly across the Mississippi River from downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter is another older section of the city known as Old Algiers. Founded in 1719, only a year after the founding of New Orleans proper, Old Algiers is situated on a sharp bend of the river and, because of this, the area is also called Algiers Point.

Historic and somewhat isolated from the rest of the city, Old Algiers celebrates its long heritage every year around mid-April during a weekend called the Old Algiers RiverFest. For two days, in typical New Orleans fashion, Old Algiers parties it up with a street festival featuring music, food and cultural offerings.

This continually growing festival, dedicated to preserving the traditional jazz and indigenous sounds that came of age along the banks of the Mississippi River, is an authentic New Orleans cultural experience that features performances by some of the top names in traditional jazz, gospel choirs, brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians. Old Algiers RiverFest also offers local cuisine, local and regional arts and crafts and children's activities along the levee near the Canal Street/Algiers Ferry landing.

It may be off the beaten track for most visitors, but Algiers Point is worth the ride across the river. Some call it "New Orleans' Best-Kept Secret," and the FREE ferry ride (for pedestrians) across the mighty Mississippi offers some of the best views of the city's unique skyline.

Old Algiers History

Old Algiers, nestled in the curve of the Mississippi River's west bank (which, incidentally, is more south than it is west of the rest of New Orleans!) was granted by the King of France to Jean Baptiste LeMoyne Sieur de Bienville, the city's founder. It was originally part of the "King's Plantation" that stretched along a long stretch of the river from Plaquemine to Donaldsonville (near Baton Rouge) and then to Natchez, Mississippi. Native Americans lived along the river banks before it was settled by the French.

For nearly a century and a half, the area served as the place where African slaves were held before they were sold into a lifetime of slavery. Some scholars argue that Old Algiers is actually the site of the origins of jazz. The slaves – frightened, sick, isolated from the families – quite likely used their tradition of "call and response" and single-line melodies to communicate and comfort themselves and their families; sounds that have influenced the jazz we hear today.

One of the attractions of Old Algiers is the Jazz Walk of Fame on top of the river levee, starting at the ferry landing with a statue of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Lamp posts and benches recount the origins of jazz and the earliest pioneers of the genre who had their roots in New Orleans in the early 20th century. 

For more information, please visit www.oldalgiersmainstreet.com or call (504) 362-8813.

Satchmo SummerFest

Satchmo SummerFest 2014 will take place over the weekend of July 31-August 3, primarily on the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint, conveniently situated on the edge of the French Quarter between the French Market and Esplanade Avenue. The festival is free and open to the public.

Outdoor events at SatchmoFest feature live bands on several stages, starring some of New Orleans’ top musicians. Many of them will pay their tributes to Armstrong and his music. Samplings of New Orleans’ world-famous culinary delicacies will be offered for sale in and around the festival site, while refreshing Southern-style beverages and other soft drinks will keep you cool and hydrated.

When the City of New Orleans was planning a tribute to one of its most famous native sons, the late Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong on the centennial of his birth, they had no way of knowing how successful such an event would be at the height of the summer when most people are seeking comfort in the shade, the swimming pool, or in their air-conditioned homes.

The summer heat was not the deterrent that many skeptics thought it would be as thousands of people turned out for the first Satchmo SummerFest in 2001. In fact, it was so successful that it became an annual three-day event held on the first weekend of August every year since.

Sponsored by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., the organization that also sponsors the highly successful French Quarter Festival and Christmas New Orleans Style, “SatchmoFest,” has evolved into one of the top celebrations in a city internationally renowned for its large-scale festivities. For many people who regularly attend the festival it is the highlight of the summer season.

For more information on SatchmoFest visit: http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/festivals/musicfestivals/satchmosummerfest.html

Whitney White Linen Night

It has been called the "SoHo of the South" and every summer during the first Saturday evening in August, the Warehouse Arts District centering on Julia Street shows why it has earned that nickname.

For three hours on that first Saturday evening in August, four blocks of Julia Street are closed to vehicular traffic and a huge, festive, uniquely New Orleans-style block party known as Whitney White Linen Night kicks off. The event is free and open to the public.

Centuries ago, when New Orleanians who ventured outdoors in the hot summertime had to get where they were going on foot, on horseback or in open carriages, they devised ways to lessen the effects of the summer heat. One of them was wearing white linen clothing. Men wore white suits and hats to reflect, rather than absorb, the sun's rays, and women wore white dresses and hats for the same reason.

In the early 1990s, owners of the art galleries, centered primarily on or near Julia Street, brainstormed about ways to attract potential art buyers into the area. They came up with the idea of reviving the old summertime white linen tradition and the first White Linen Night was held in 1994. Its success took off from there and the event has grown steadily in popularity and attendance ever since.

Sponsored by Whitney Bank, Whitney White Linen Night will be held this year on Saturday, August 2nd. In the closed-off 300 to 600 blocks of Julia Street, stages are set up for live entertainment featuring some of New Orleans' top bands. Immediately following the three-hour block party, the nearby Contemporary Arts Center, hosts its annual Whitney White Linen Night party with live music, refreshments, and more art work on display. There is no required dress code for the event but everyone is encouraged to wear as much white attire as they can.

For more information about Whitney White Linen Night and the post-party call the Contemporary Arts Center at (504) 528-3805 or visit: http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/festivals/artfestivals/whitelinen.html

1000 Bonus Point Package

 

 

 

...

1000 Bonus Point Package

at the Staybridge Suites New Orleans!

Our all-suite hotel is

 “your home away from home” 
in New Orleans!

  



Located in the
 central business district,
 convenient to the French Quarter,

1 block from Harrah’s Casino,

within walking distance to the

 World War II Museum,

 City Sightseeing Hop On-Hop Off Bus,
 Mississippi Riverboat cruises

 and famous restaurants. 

Package includes:

 1,000 Bonus Points for Any Stay

Exclusive to IHG® Rewards club members - Earn 1,000 bonus IHG® Rewards Club points for your stay when you book the 1,000 Bonus Point Package. A stay is defined as one night or consecutive nights at the same hotel, regardless of frequency of check-in/out. Membership in IHG® Rewards Club is free! Points can be redeemed at any time for a variety of rewards, including free hotel stays starting at just 10,000 points, airline miles, name-brand merchandise and more. Book now to take advantage of this special offer!

Rates from $207.99 USD

Suite accommodations with a fully-equipped kitchen

 complete with a full-sized fridge,

 stovetop, a microwave,

 complimentary breakfast buffet daily,

 our complimentary Social Reception every
Tues-Thurs which includes light dinner, wine, beer and soda,

 free WiFi, local and 800 number calls,

 health and fitness center,  free laundry facilities, outdoor pool and much more!

Amenities

Business Center with Internet, Fax, Printer, and Copying

On-site Health and Fitness Center featuring Cardiovascular Equipment

including Elliptical and Nautilus Machines.

High-speed Internet Access plus Wireless Internet

Barbeque Grills

Outdoor Pool

On-site Guest Self-Laundry Facilities (washer/dryer)

Daily Housekeeping

Same Day Dry Cleaning

Safety Deposit Box available at Front Desk

For reservations:

www.staybridgeneworleans.com

A Providence Hospitality Partners Property

http://providencehospitality.com/

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Staybridge Suites New Orleans

Lagniappe Package...a little somethin' extra!

 ...at the Staybridge Suites New Orleans

  

 

 

 

New Orleans is famous for always giving a little somethin' extra...

so we've created a package to do just that!

Drive and stay at our all-suite hotel and we’ll pay you $25!

Package includes:

2 nights stay, suite accommodations w/fully equipped kitchen complete with a full-sized refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave;

 $25 Gas Card, Complimentary breakfast buffet daily,

 Complimentary Social Reception every Tues-Thurs which including a light dinner, beer, wine and soda!

Free WiFi, Health and Fitness Center, Laundry facilities, Outdoor pool and much more! 

   While you're here we suggest visiting the world famous New Orleans French Quarter, World War II Museum, Audubon Aquarium and Zoo, Harrah's Casino, shopping and of course, the Mississippi River boat cruises.  

 

 

 Lagniappe Package ~ Rates from $121.32!!

Call to book your reservations today! 1-800-972-2791

24-Hour Reservation Line

or online

www.staybridgeneworleans.com 

 

Please Like us on Facebook:

Staybridge Suites New Orleans

This offer is based on Availability. Black-out dates may apply.

 No other offers apply. Must be 21 years old to check in.
$25 gas card is limited to one per package sold (reservation sold)

 

A Providence Hospitality Partners Property

http://providencehospitality.com/