The Best Desserts Near Prince Conti Hotel in the French Quarter

The Best Desserts Near Prince Conti Hotel in the French Quarter
Photo courtesy of The Bombay Club on Facebook

New Orleans is the city of over-indulgence, known for its cocktails and rich Creole cuisine. It’s also a great place for desserts. Doberge cake, bananas Foster, pralines and snoballs are just a few confections that were invented or perfected in the Big Easy. Looking for a place to satisfy your sweet tooth? Here are a few essential spots in the French Quarter — start with dessert-caliber breakfast and end with hot buttered rum. Life is sweet.

Arnaud’s (813 Bienville St.)

“Bread Pudding Fitzmorris” at this iconic and upscale Creole establishment is named after the city’s famous food critic and radio host of “The Food Show” on WWL Tom Fitzmorris. It’s not his recipe, but Fitzmorris praised this version of the dessert so much the restaurant owner named it after him. Antoine’s bread pudding is bread layered with thick slabs of custard and thinner layers of cinnamon and topped with rum-soaked raisins and warm Bourbon Sauce. It’s also offered as part of Arnaud’s excellent jazz brunch menu. Then, of course, there’s a whole slew of classic New Orleans desserts beyond bread pudding, like the old-fashioned pecan pie, bananas Foster, and café brûlot (hot spiced coffee flamed with brandy tableside).

Bombay Club (830 Conti St.)

Nightcap or dessert? A sweet cocktail such as Irish coffee, brandy milk punch or a grasshopper solves the age-old dilemma. There’s also bread pudding and house-made ice cream floats at this swanky live jazz club.

Brennan’s (417 Royal St.)

To this day, the original recipe Bananas Foster is Brennan’s most-ordered item. The restaurant reportedly flames 35,000 pounds of bananas for the famous dessert. The dramatic, tableside-flambéed original remains a standalone draw for the post-dinner crowd, visitors and locals alike, who flock to enjoy just the dessert, maybe with a cocktail, at the restaurant’s lush, iconic courtyard.

Café Conti (830 Conti St.)

Sweeten up breakfast with a Nutella and banana, peaches and cream or chocolate and strawberry crepe, among other flavors. Sometimes there’s also a sweet French toast of the day at this elegant little café.

Café du Monde (800 Decatur St.)

It wouldn’t be a trip to New Orleans without a beignet (or three). Deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar, they’re a little bit of heaven served with a cup of café au lait.Court of Two Sisters (613 Royal St.)

The historic courtyard at this restaurant is so great they named the restaurant after it, and its Creole menu and the jazz brunch are staples of the local culinary scene. The brunch buffet’s selections change seasonally, but Court of Two Sisters made the traditional version of Bananas Foster part of its dinner and jazz brunch menus (it’s served with brandy and banana liquor over French vanilla ice cream). Other luscious selections New Orleans classics plus ice cream and New York-style cheesecake.

Croissant D’Or Patisserie (617 Ursulines Ave.)

This pretty, pastel coffee shop serves up house-made pastries, including almond croissants, fruit tarts, eclairs, crème brûlée, tiramisu, and specialty cakes.

Southern Candymakers (334 Decatur St.) 

Do you like fresh pralines? This classic southern confection makes for a great edible souvenir to take home, and Southern Candymakers makes small batches daily (you can also check out Loretta’s at the French Market).

Guide to Glam in the French Quarter – Prince Conti Hotel

Guide to Glam in the French Quarter - Prince Conti Hotel

Coco Chanel famously offered the following fashion advice: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” They’re words of wisdom to live by unless you’re in New Orleans. Things that might be considered over-the-top elsewhere — glitter, false eyelashes, rainbow-hued wigs — won’t turn any heads in the Big Easy.

And from bal masques to fundraiser galas, New Orleans offers endless opportunities to dress up. Step one in pulling together your look? Hair and makeup. Fortunately, the French Quarter boasts a wealth of talented stylists and makeup artists who are all too happy to get you glammed up. Here are a few that are just steps from the Prince Conti Hotel.

Fifi Mahony’s (934 Royal St.)

For full glam, Fifi Mahony’s is the place to be. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you pass a lavish assortment of custom Technicolor wigs displayed in the front window. Step inside this boutique, which houses a wig shop, as well as makeup and locally made accessories. Makeup artists can imbue you with natural-looking beauty or give you the glittery lips and false eyelashes of your wildest dreams.

Blo Blow Dry Bar (5530 Magazine St.)

You’d expect a blowout bar to be a master of hairstyling — and you’d be right. Blo delivers gorgeous hairstyles ranging from Hollywood curls to sleek side ponytails. Thanks to their expert combination of skills and products, a blowout can last a couple of days and still look great. Best of all, there’s no need to trek Uptown — Blo will send a stylist to you for an added fee.

Paris Parker (633 Carondelet St.)

Got a gala, black-tie event or public appearance on your itinerary? Go where New Orleanians go: the Paris Parker Salon (there are three locations in New Orleans, the one in CBD on Carondelet St. is closest to the hotel). The glossy Paris Parker is an Aveda concept salon that offers hair, makeup and nail services. It’s home to the most talented stylists in the city — and they’ll make sure you leave looking and feeling absolutely gorgeous.

Rocket Science (640 Elysian Fields Ave.)

Rocket Science is for you if you want amazing, cool-girl hair without the holier-than-thou attitude. The salon is inside a sunny, inviting double shotgun on Elysian Fields, near Washington Square Park in the Marigny, just steps away from the bustling Frenchmen Street. Cuts, color, perms, manicures and pedicures — they do it all, making Rocket Science the spot for a truly head-to-toe makeover.

Salon D (317 Burgundy St.)

Owner Dianna Thomas-Weder is known for her incredibly photogenic bridal makeup and hair, but she’s equipped to style patrons for any occasion. Salon D’s two storefronts are steps apart: at 317 Burgundy, you’ll find the hair salon, where airbrush makeup applications and spray tans also are on the service menu. Walk to 301 Burgundy St., Suite E, and finish off your look with a manicure and pedicure or leg wax. Also, their stylists will come to you for a travel fee.

Places to Hear Live Jazz in and Near Prince Conti Hotel

Places to Hear Live Jazz in and Near Prince Conti Hotel
Photo courtesy of Preservation Hall on Facebook

Around the turn of the 20th century, several cultural influences converged in New Orleans to create jazz. At Congo Square, free people of color and enslaved African-Americans performed bamboulas, calindas and more. Throughout the city, Spanish and French people marched in parades with brass instruments. Intermingling Caribbean influences brought a Latin tinge to the whole melee. Honed to perfection in Storyville brothels, the uniquely New Orleanian music became known as jazz when a 1916 Times-Picayune article referenced “jas bands.”

The spelling has changed, but you can still hear traditional live jazz — as well as its more experimental offshoots — at venues throughout the Vieux Carré. Here are a few to check out.

Bombay Club (830 Conti St.)

When former owner Richard Fiske took the wheel at Bombay Club in the early 2000s, jazz was scarce in the Quarter (except for Preservation Hall). Fiske aimed to make Bombay Club a live jazz destination on par with nightclubs of the 1940s. He succeeded at his task, and although he has since passed on, his legacy continues in the nightly lineup of jazz luminaries. There’s no better place to savor music alongside new Louisiana cuisine and cocktails, all in a comfortably luxurious atmosphere.

Preservation Hall (726 St. Peter St.)

There’s no food or drink for sale or public restrooms at this no-frills, all-ages venue (you can bring your own drinks). What you will find, though, is a bastion of traditional New Orleans jazz that has branched out in recent years to embrace performances by artists ranging from Mos Def to Foo Fighters. Grab a go-cup and get ready to sweat it out — a concert at Pres Hall is truly a New Orleans bucket-list item.

Fritzel’s European Jazz Club (733 Bourbon Street)

Fritzel’s is a great spot for live jazz, and it regularly dishes out plenty of old-school Dixieland. It’s calm and laid back in almost inverse proportion to much of the rest of Bourbon Street — a perfect stop if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the crowds, or if you just want to listen to some good music.

The Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen St.)

It’s raucous, it’s loud, it’s standing room only, and it’s one of the best places to throw down in New Orleans. This casual, petite Frenchmen Street venue has no cover (but there is a drink minimum, and the bar is cash-only). Traditional jazz, modern jazz, blues and funk — you’ll find it all at the Spotted Cat. If things get too hot and crowded, just step outside with your drink for a breather — chances are, you’ll find a brass band playing on the street.

Three Muses (536 Frenchmen St.)

Grab a seat at the bar or a tall bistro table, order Chef Daniel Esses’ tapas and one of the on-point house cocktails, and settle in for an intimate night of music. Curated by musician and Frenchmen Street fixture Sophie Lee, the nightly lineup includes Shotgun Jazz Band, Gal Holiday, Tom McDermott, and many others.

Getting Fit in the French Quarter

get-fit-french-quarter

New Orleans may be the city that care forgot but that doesn’t mean it has to be the city where your fitness regime is forgotten, too. Admittedly, it’s not always easy to stay disciplined, especially on vacation. Between beignets, jambalaya, eggs Benedict and bourbon milk punch, the Crescent City offers many delicious ways to fall off the wagon, diet-wise. But what most people don’t know is that the French Quarter also is host to several fantastic gyms, running paths and group exercise classes. If all else fails, just walking the Vieux Carré’s slate-paved sidewalks is a great way to plow through calories — strap on a pedometer and watch the steps add up alongside your sightseeing.

Craving a more intense burn? Here are some fantastic workouts that’ll take you into the vibrant, bustling heart of the French Quarter itself.

Running the Riverwalk

More than 16 million gallons of water roll down the mighty Mississippi River every minute — and with this sunny riverside run you’ll be getting in the flow right alongside them. The paved route is six blocks from Prince Conti Hotel’s front door. Looking for an energizing two-mile route? Make a right when you hit the river, jog through scenic Woldenberg Park until you approach the Aquarium of the Americas, then double back and run to the opposite end of the Moonwalk (a paved path named for former mayor Moon Landrieu).

For a more challenging, 5.5 mile route, tack on a jaunt down Crescent Park. You’ll exit the Moonwalk, make a right on Decatur Street, follow it to Esplanade Avenue, turn right on Esplanade, and follow the signs to a beautiful 1.4-mile linear park connecting the Bywater, Marigny and French Quarter. Run to the end and back, and by the time you return to your room, you’ll have racked up almost a 10K.

P.S. Forget to pack your sneakers? The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, where you can snag a pair of discount designer running shoes, just steps away from this path.

New Orleans Athletic Club

A local staple since 1872, frequented by stars ranging from Tennessee Williams to Clark Gable, this opulent gym is worth a visit even if all you do is splash in the pool. (Where else will you find chandeliers, ballrooms, a library, and a full bar alongside top-of-the-line fitness equipment and weights?) The daily drop-in rate is $20 and includes admission to yoga and group exercise classes. Just bring your driver’s license and hotel room key to register.

The Sweat Social

For many, high-energy group exercise classes are a great motivator. (You’re not going to phone in your workout when an instructor is right there demanding more reps, right?) The Sweat Social is a group exercise class geared toward travelers, offering yoga, high-intensity interval training, mat Pilates, bodyweight strength exercises, kickboxing, and many other workouts for people of all fitness levels. Best of all, instructors encourage participants to mingle with team-building exercises, icebreakers, and raffles — so who knows, you might find a new drinking buddy to grab cocktails with after class. Scheduled on demand, classes are held in central locations in the French Quarter. Pricing varies depending on the type of class and group size.

Yoga at the Cabildo

This elegant building housed the Spanish colonial building in the 1700s, and now it’s a venue for yoga classes (also, a museum). For a double-dose of history and fitness all under one French mansard roof, check out Yoga at the Cabildo. Appropriate for all practice levels, classes take place in a sunny, high-ceilinged room overlooking Jackson Square from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. They are $15 or $10 for Friends of the Cabildo members.

Guide to Frenchmen Street: The Venues, Music and More

Frenchmen Street
Frenchmen Art Market photo by Connie Ma

Check out the city’s robust music culture — there’s no better place for live music than the Marigny Triangle. Situated between Esplanade Avenue and Elysian Fields, this wedge-shaped neighborhood is bisected by Frenchmen Street, a pedestrian-friendly strip of music clubs, bars, restaurants, and art markets that don’t get going until after 10 p.m. At that point, brass bands, pedestrians and food trucks combine to create a giant block party. Dance on the street corner or venture into one of these excellent music venues.

Blue Nile (532 Frenchmen St.)

You may have spotted a neon crescent moon sign of this stalwart music club hanging above the sidewalk. Blue Nile hosts a wide range of musical genres ranging from funk to brass bands. Cover price varies depending on the act, and a word to the wise: the club’s second-floor balcony is the best place to overlook the wild street party that is Frenchmen Street.

Downtown Tattoos (501 Frenchmen St.)

This corner tattoo shop is the premier place to get inked in New Orleans. Its roster of talent includes heavy hitters, and the shop takes walk-ins for the ultimate souvenir — but if you’re not ready to commit to artwork on your skin, you can hang the tattoo artists’ work on your walls when you visit the adjacent art gallery. There, tattooers who also paint on canvas sell their work.

13 Monaghan (517 Frenchmen St.)

Want to grab a bite without experiencing Frenchmen FOMO (fear of missing out)? Belly up to the bar at 13, a late-night restaurant serving up well-executed takes on pub grub, with Louisiana twists and many vegetarian and vegan options. The tachos (tater tot nachos) are a cheesy, can’t-miss appetizer, and boudin bahn mi is delicious. There are also a couple of vegan options on the menu. Grab a Guinness, eat up, and prepare for a night on the town.

Three Muses (536 Frenchmen St.) 

Three Muses is one of the best dinner-and-a-show venues in the city, and there’s live music every night. It can get crowded, so you want to make a table reservation (good for 90 minutes, after which you can go to the bar). Some of the best musicians have played there, and the excellent food menu has a lot of vegetarian options.

The Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen St.)

Petite, sweaty, noisy and fun, this music club features up to three bands nightly. It draws an eclectic crowd — you’ll see everyone from college students to septuagenarian tourists out there dancing. There’s a one-drink minimum, and the bar is cash only, so go prepared. The venue can get crowded, so if you need to get some air, step out and take a breather at a nearby art market.

Palace Market Frenchmen (619 Frenchmen St.)

This nightly art market is held in a quirky, light-strung lot, lined with vendors selling everything from handmade soap and incense to original art and clothing. It’s a good place to shop, chat and hang out when the hustle and bustle of Frenchmen gets too overwhelming. Bring your drink and settle into a cozy nook, where you can chat and people-watch until you catch your breath.

Where to Eat Breakfast in the French Quarter

Where to Eat Breakfast in the French Quarter

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s also a great opportunity to soak up New Orleans’ culinary traditions. Beignets, eggs Benedict, brandy milk punch—some of the city’s most revered dishes and beverages were made to be consumed before noon. Of course, breakfast is also a time to refuel and give your body the nutrition it needs for a long day (and night) of exploring. Fortunately, thanks to a bevy of breakfast spots near Prince Conti, it won’t be hard for you to find a meal that hits the spot.

Cafe Conti

Deep-fried everything topped with cream sauce — if that sounds like the stuff you’ve been eating in New Orleans, you aren’t alone. Louisiana cuisine can land heavy, which is why a healthy breakfast can be such a refreshing way to start your day. Cafe Conti (830 Conti St.), located in the Prince Conti Hotel, offers the best of both worlds — hearty Southern fare like po-boys and Cuban sandwiches, as well as lighter fare including fruit salads and crepes.

Brennan’s

Brennan’s (417 Royal St.) is a bastion of Creole dining that’s been known for indulgent Creole breakfasts since 1946. Seafood gumbo, eggs Benedict, duck Andouille, buttermilk biscuits, served along with the classic eye-opener cocktails. You’ve never had breakfast this luxurious or service this attentive. There’s also a two-course, prix fixe breakfast option for those who want to indulge just a tiny bit less.

Cafe du Monde

Here’s the thing about Cafe du Monde (800 Decatur St.): You really can’t pick a bad time to visit the 24-hour beignet destination. It’s great in the afternoon when the French doughnuts and cafe au laits serve as sugary, caffeinated pick-me-ups. The cash-only joint is also great for late-night noshing when a greasy snack to soak up the booze is just what the doctor ordered. But it may be best in the morning when the sun rises over the Mississippi, the streets are freshly washed and the vendors are just setting up in Jackson Square. Beignets for breakfast at a spot that’s been slinging them since 1862 — there’s nothing more New Orleans than that.

Croissant d’Or

Stepping into this pastel jewel-box of a cafe is like stepping into a 19th-century ice cream shop (probably because that was the building’s original use). Grab a cup of coffee and a fresh-baked almond croissant for the best pastry outside of Paris, and enjoy both in Croissant d’Or’s (617 Ursulines Ave.) petite courtyard, populated by fountains, plants, and sparrows swooping in to peck up crumbs. Those with larger appetites may opt for something heartier, like the huge ham and cheese baguettes or spinach quiche. It’s really hard to go wrong when the ambiance is this charming and everything displayed in the gleaming case so delicious.

Stanley

 Stanley (547 St. Ann St.) has so much going for it: the sunny, airy space, prime location overlooking Jackson Square, a literary reference in its name, and generously portioned yet affordable all-day breakfast packed with Louisiana favorites like fried oysters and BBQ shrimp and grits. Try the signature Bananas Foster French toast, or Eggs Stanley: cornmeal-crusted oysters, poached eggs, Canadian bacon and Creole hollandaise on a toasted English muffin. Eggs Benedict gets a po-boy treatment by being served on toasted French bread. Or, if you can handle it, try the breakfast seafood platter, with soft-shell crab, oysters, and shrimp. Wash it down with a Mega (double) Bloody Mary or a milkshake punch while you people-watch.

The Ruby Slipper Cafe

With seven locations in New Orleans and counting, The Ruby Slipper Cafe (1005 Canal St. and 204 Decatur St. are two locations in the French Quarter) is a local chain that’s slaying the breakfast and brunch game. Breakfast staples like omelets and buttermilk pancakes meet distinctly Louisiana fare like shrimp and grits and bananas Foster pain perdu. Plus, there’s a lengthy selection of breakfast cocktails at the homey, comfortable cafe. It’s the perfect spot to chow down after a feat of endurance, like running the Crescent City Classic or window-shopping on Royal Street.

We hope to welcome you to Prince Conti.

9 Reasons to Stay at the Prince Conti Hotel in the New Orleans French Quarter

Located comfortably in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, the charming Prince Conti Hotel is just steps away from all the fun and excitement the city has to offer. Despite its proximity to the 24/7 action, Prince Conti Hotel offers a quiet respite from it all, an oasis with an elegant yet relaxed vibe. Read on to discover why the Prince Conti Hotel is an ideal choice for travelers of any group size, who want to stay in the French Quarter during their visit to New Orleans.

1. Modern Amenities Combined With Old-World Elegance

Our historic hotel is a cool oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, featuring an old-world southern atmosphere yet with modern amenities. The hotel is housed in a historic 19th-century townhouse, which sports a carriageway and plenty of European charm. Some of its rooms feature exposed brick, and recent renovations updated the amenities and the interior’s rich colors and moldings, adding touches of opulence and the classic New Orleans charm.

There are five room types, with either a king or a queen bed, and we also have rooms with two queen beds. The petite room is well-appointed and offers great value. If you treasure your privacy and are sensitive to noise, the windowless interior room with two queen beds also offers great value and all the peace and quiet you need. Our beautiful deluxe room offers a little more space and features elegant decor. The junior suite, with its sitting area, and the suite rooms with a separate elegant parlor, offer the most space.

We welcome groups of all kinds, too, including meetings, tour groups, conventioneers, family reunions, couples, and wedding groups at our convenient French Quarter location!

2. Martinis and Live Music on Premises

Guests of the Prince Conti Hotel don’t have to walk far to experience the elegant yet relaxed atmosphere and outstanding New Orleans cuisine. The hotel houses the Bombay Club Bar & Restaurant, a classic New Orleans favorite featuring creative cocktails and bar bites. The Bombay Club is tucked away in the carriageway at the back of the hotel. There you will find nightly live music, including jazz and cabaret performers, an inventive menu (think British with a Cajun twist), and the largest selection of martinis in the city.

In the morning and afternoon hours, dine in style at the Cafe Conti, also located in the Prince Conti Hotel. Serving a variety of breakfast and lunch fare daily, the Cafe Conti’s menu gives special attention to Creole and French cuisine.

3. Prime Location in the Heart of the French Quarter

The Prince Conti Hotel is also very close to a plethora of renowned historic sites and fun destinations. The always-hopping Bourbon Street is only a block away, and the historic St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square are six blocks away.

The shopping and dining destinations of Canal and Royal streets are close by, and the museums and world-class restaurants of the CBD are a short ride away. New Orleans is also known for its exciting nightlife, and the Prince Conti Hotel puts you close by some of the best nightlife destinations, like Harrah’s New Orleans Casino, Pat O’Brien’s, House of Blues, and more.

4. Easy Access to Other Neighborhoods 

Just outside the Quarter, not far from the Prince Conti, you’ll find a wealth of nearby neighborhoods with their own distinctive character. You can bar-hop to live music in the Marigny, hit the many museums and art galleries of the Arts District, get a crash course in Tremé history at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, ride the historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar into the majestic splendor or the Garden District, or walk or bike along the Mississippi from the Marigny to the Bywater through Crescent Park.

5. Navigation Is a Breeze

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.

Everything you’ll need in terms of dining, shopping, sightseeing, and entertainment in the French Quarter and nearby will be within walking distance from the Prince Conti Hotel. You don’t even have to venture far from the hotel as Conti Street, on which the hotel is located, has a few great bars and restaurants of its own. And if you want to go outside the Quarter, try a cab or rideshare, or a streetcar.

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 $39 for adults and $10 for kids under 12. To hop on the historic 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. It’s only $1.25 one way (exact change only, passes also available).

6. Festivals Near You, Year-Round

From major music and culture events to 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.

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.

Want to cross an iconic New Orleans restaurant off your bucket list? There’s no time like the Restaurant Week New Orleans, 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. September fun continues with the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, with performers from all over the world competing for the title of “Queen of Burlesque.”

Closing the month of September are the ever-expanding National Fried Chicken Festival at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park; and NOLA on Tap Beer Fest at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds, the largest fundraiser for the Louisiana SPCA and the largest beer fest in the area, with more than 400 beer offerings from the local and national breweries and homebrewers.

October is pretty heavy on food festivals as well: The Beignet Festival and Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival happen then, plus 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, a 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 that your children will love.

Then, of course, there’s Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, a mammoth outdoor music festival that takes over City Park with the national headliners, art installations, and throngs of partiers in their Halloween finery.

November brings more food festivals — the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, Fête des Fromages, Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival (in conjunction with the Congo Square Rhythms Festival), and the celebrity-chef studded annual fundraiser by Emeril Lagasse, Boudin, Bourbon & Beer.

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, 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.

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 simply strolling 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 Lafayette Square in the CBD.

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, marking the beginning of the Mardi Gras season, which culminates every year on Fat Tuesday anytime between February 3 and March 9 (look up the upcoming dates here).

The lovely weather and the endless festivals continue this time of year with BUKU Music + Art Project; 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; 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.

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 is also packed with events, despite the heat and humidity. 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 spin-off of sorts, 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 Running of the Bulls brings Encierro to New Orleans, except the bulls are the Big Easy Rollergirls.

And that’s just a taste of what’s going in New Orleans year-round!

7. Unique Shopping Opportunities

Gifts and souvenirs as distinctive as New Orleans itself can be found in many local shops, and several of the best are in or near the Quarter, not far from the Prince Conti Hotel, including the gift shop at Basin Street Station, the French Market, or the many vintage boutiques and clothing shops throughout the Quarter (there’s a high concentration on Chartres Street in particular).

8. Non-Stop Music

Want to dive into New Orleans’ storied nightlife? You’ve got a head start at the Prince Conti Hotel. The Bombay Club, the hotel’s swank in-house bar and restaurant, is just steps away from your room.

Start your evening at one of the club’s nightly music showcases, where you can sip a perfect martini from the largest martini selection in town while listening to live music. The musical menu changes nightly, so the Bombay is always a good launching pad for hitting the streets at other legendary New Orleans venues.

Then, the world is oyster as you bar- and club-hop your way through the live-music spots of the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street in the Marigny.

9. Dining for Every Budget

Whether you’re indulging your family with an all-out feast at one of the French Quarter’s storied old-school restaurants, crossing gumbo and po-boys off your New Orleans food bucket list, or just want a quick bite that won’t break the bank, options are abundant. From decadent breakfast to exquisite dessert, the French Quarter is teeming with dining options that run the gamut from casual to the world-class, chef-driven gems.

Don’t wait! Book your room at the historic Prince Conti Hotel today, and come explore the many sights, sounds, tastes, and charms of the New Orleans French Quarter!

Check out the Prince Conti Hotel’s specials, and stay in touch and save on rates and more at the Prince Conti Hotel by signing up for our email list at https://www.valentinohotels.com/email-offers/. If you find lower rates on your Prince Conti Hotel rooms at the time of booking, call 1(800) 366-2743 and we will match the rate.

Prince Conti Hotel’s Ultimate Guide to the French Quarter

The French Quarter has a lot to offer round the clock in terms of sightseeing, food, cocktails, nightlife, history, and old-world charm. For over 300 years, it’s been a cultural medley of Spanish, French, Caribbean, and African influences, and it’s evident in every cobblestone, wrought-iron balcony and lush tropical courtyard.

In the French Quarter, you can sample uniquely New Orleans dishes prepared by award-winning chefs, walk the streets steeped in over three centuries of volatile and magical history, witness only-in-New-Orleans traditions playing out in the street, and catch a performance of a world-class musician. There’s no other city like New Orleans, and its heart, the French Quarter, distills everything that makes New Orleans so alluring, and dishes it out 24/7, with flair.

Needless to say, finding your way through the French Quarter can be a little overwhelming to a visitor. We would like to make sure that you experience the best of the Quarter’s many sights, sounds and tastes, so if you need help locking in a perfect itinerary and choosing a room that would best suit your needs, read on! Here we offer our recommendations on what to see, do, eat, and drink, and give you a little more information about our well-appointed rooms.

Choosing the perfect room at the Prince Conti

Our historic hotel is a cool oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, featuring an old-world southern atmosphere yet with modern amenities. The Prince Conti Hotel is also very close to a plethora of renowned historic sites and fun destinations. The always-hopping Bourbon Street is only a block away, and the historic St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square are six blocks away. The shopping and dining destinations of Canal Street are close by, and the museums and world-class restaurants of the CBD are a short ride away. New Orleans is also known for its exciting nightlife, and the Prince Conti Hotel puts you close by some of the best nightlife destinations, like Harrah’s New Orleans Casino, Pat O’ Brien’s, House of Blues, and more.

The hotel also houses the Bombay Club Bar & Restaurant, an elegant New Orleans favorite featuring creative cocktails and bar bites. The Bombay Club serves up dozens of the varieties of a martini and the nightly live music. In the morning and afternoon hours, dine in style at the Cafe Conti, also located in the Prince Conti Hotel. Serving a variety of breakfast and lunch fare daily, the Cafe Conti’s menu gives special attention to Creole and French cuisine.

There are five room types, with either a king or a queen bed, and we also have rooms with two queen beds. The one-bed rooms 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.

Minimalists will love the petite room, it’s well-appointed and offers great value. If you treasure your privacy and are sensitive to noise, the windowless interior room with two queen beds also offers a great value and all the peace and quiet you need. Our beautiful deluxe room offers a more space and features elegant decor. The junior suite, with its sitting area, and the suite rooms with a separate elegant parlor, offer the most space.

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

Getting around

The Prince Conti Hotel is located within walking distance from the many attractions the whole family will love, such as the Riverwalk along the scenic Mississippi River, where you can enjoy watching the boats go by, have a picnic, or just stroll and people-watch. The Aquarium of the Americas features an IMAX theater and is located on the river, too. There are plenty of shopping areas to visit as well, including the historic open-air French Market. New Orleans is known for its amazing food, and your trip would not be complete without having an order of beignets and a cafe au lait from Cafe Du Monde. Enjoy live music next door, and try not get that powdered sugar all over yourself!

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. If you want to go outside the Quarter, try a cab or rideshare, or a streetcar. The historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar stops across Canal Street, and will take you through the CBD, the Garden District, Uptown, and all the way to the Riverbend for just $1.25. Riding the famous green streetcar is a rite of passage for many a visitor, and one of the easiest ways to get around and see the nearby neighborhoods. It stops on almost every block, and you can explore at your own pace.

Similarly, the City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On, Hop-Off double-decker bus tour is another flexible and convenient way to travel from the French Quarter to the Garden District and Magazine Street shopping district. Your ticket includes three free walking tours, and the buses come to each stop every 30 minutes. You can hop and off anytime, as the name suggests, allowing you to travel and sightsee on your own terms. 

Wondering what’s on Conti Street? A nod to the city’s multicultural history, it connects the Mississippi River and Rampart Street. Named for French royalty, a prince in the Bourbon family, Conti Street today is home to numerous restaurants, bars and other attractions. Check out the free Irish Cultural Museum, which explores the rich history of the city’s Irish residents dating back to the 1700s, and has a whiskey and coffee bar on-site; or the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture, which has one of the largest personal collections of Mardi Gras costumes in the city. 

Where to eat

Besides the casual Cafe Conti that makes a great breakfast or dessert stop, and the elegant Bombay Club, both located inside the Prince Conti Hotel, few popular restaurants call Conti Street home. Those include the Gulf seafood haven Ocean Grill, the cocktail pro standout Kingfish, the 24-hour burger and breakfast mainstay Deja Vu Bar & Grill, and Broussard’s, the grande dame of Creole dining that’s been delighting New Orleanians with oysters Rockefeller, shrimp remoulade, trout almandine, and other local delicacies since 1920.

If you’re out late and need a bite, don’t miss the family-owned agave bar and restaurant Cuñada (open till 4 a.m.), or head to the local fave, Erin Rose. This beloved Irish bar dishes out Guinness on tap, very good frozen Irish coffee, and hosts a po-boy popup in the back, Killer Po-Boys.

What to do

The many attractions of the French Quarter are located within walking distance and just waiting to be explored, including the antique store-packed Royal Street, the 18th century (and still operating) Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop bar, and such notable landmarks as the Old Ursuline Convent, the oldest surviving example of the French colonial period in the country, circa Louis XV.

There’s plenty to do in the Quarter, whether you’re short on time, on a limited budget, working during your visit, or facing a rainy day. We have suggestions on how to stay fit during your New Orleans stay, or where to celebrate a romantic occasion. The French Quarter is a simply perfect backdrop for your romantic getaway! Need some local tips on how to spend a perfect girls’ day in the Quarter, including getting glam? We have recommendations, too!

And, of course, the Quarter (and the adjacent Marigny with its incredible club-hopping destination, the Frenchmen Street) never really sleeps, so we hope you take advantage of the abundant nightlife, with its live music, burlesque, karaoke, and all kinds of late-night entertainment.

Where to shop

The one-of-a-kind boutiques of Chartres Street, the souvenir shops blasting zydeco that pepper the long strip of Decatur Street, the daily flea and food markets at the French Market and Shops at the Colonnade, plus three malls (including the upscale Shops at Canal Place), are all within walking distance from the hotel.

Gifts and souvenirs as distinctive as New Orleans itself can be found in many local shops, but also any of the last-minute essentials should you find you forgot to pack a toothbrush, need an umbrella, or want to stock up on snacks for your hotel room. The French Quarter also packs an impressive number of women’s shops, including some vintage gems.

The best time of the year to visit

If you can handle the heat, anytime, really, is a good time to visit. The city’s event calendar is staggeringly full all year, though the fun intensifies, if that’s possible, in the fall and leading up to the holidays, and stays that way through Mardi Gras and the spring festival season. Even when the heat and humidity descend on the city in late spring and till mid-fall, Crescent City still parties hard. Just to give you an idea, here are just a few highlights of all that’s going on inNew Orleans year-round.

No matter when you visit, we’d love to have you. Book your room today and take in all the wonderful and delicious things the French Quarter has to offer!

Romantic Fun in the French Quarter

The French Quarter has cast its spell on lovers for centuries. And if you’re staying at the 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, and is 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 ($5) like sparkling rosé or signature cocktails ($6) like Champagne Cheryl during the Bombay Club’s leisurely happy hour, which stretches from 4 to 7 pm Monday-Friday and 1 to 7 pm on Saturday & Sunday. Whet your appetite for the night ahead on spicy regional small bites ($5), including Boudin Croquettes and Cajun Poutine.

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 swooniest 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 Cool Live Jazz at the Bombay Club (830 Conti St.)

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 all variety of diviners will look into your future.

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