New Orleans Christmas

Christmas decorations at night with lights at La Galerie Hotel

Stay Cool: 7 Refreshing Experiences for a New Orleans Summer

The Most Instagrammable Spots in the French Quarter

Looking to add some flair to your Instagram feed or consider yourself a bit of an influencer? Then New Orleans is the perfect place to liven up your photographs while on vacay.

22 Things To Try In New Orleans 2022

Planning a trip to New Orleans in 2022 is full of possibilities. There are so many different things to do and places to see that you’ll never get bored. Use our list of 22 things to do in NOLA as a jumping-off point, no matter what time of year you decide to visit The Big Easy.

Celebrate National Dog Day in NOLA

National Dog Day is right around the corner on August 26th. If you’re planning on taking a vacay to New Orleans to celebrate, you don’t need to leave your furry friend at home. La Galerie Hotel is proud to be a pet-friendly hotel, and there are plenty of ways to spend time with Fido in the Crescent City.

Exploring New Orleans with Kids

If you're planning a family vacay, New Orleans delivers some fun, kid-friendly attractions too.

Top NOLA Parks for the Ultimate Spring Picnic

And as springtime approaches, those pleasant days start to increase in number. It’s the perfect time for some picnics in the park, featuring delicious food and fabulous surroundings, two things that NOLA has in abundance.

New Orleans Christmas: Shopping for the Season

Whether you’re a local New Orleanian who has some Christmas shopping to do, or you’re a visitor to the Big Easy looking for some seasonal souvenirs, the French Quarter is a great place to find some Christmas magic.

What’s Open in New Orleans

Whether you’re a Big Easy local or planning to visit NOLA for a much-needed getaway, something is spellbinding about this unique city!

Four Best Places to Watch the Saints During Covid-19

If you’re a die-hard Saints fan, then you’re likely struggling with the fact that you don’t get to watch your beloved football team from their home in the dome.

New Orleans: Haunted Legends and Mysteries- Marie Laveau’s Tomb

The Big Easy is full of tales of the supernatural, mysterious, and downright puzzling. When you take a stroll through the French Quarter, pop into a neighborhood restaurant, or even browse through one of the many local shops, you’ll likely find yourself exploring a haunted place (whether you realize it or not). This darker side of the city is part of what gives NOLA such a rich and colorful story and enticing charm.

Art Lover’s Halloween: JAMNOLA and a Stay at La Galerie Hotel

When you visit New Orleans, in addition to the fantastic food and amazing sights and sounds, you’ll also discover endless opportunities to discover art and music. Furthermore, during Halloween, there are no exceptions to this rule. In fact, you’ll be treated to a bevy of design that celebrates the spooky season with the newest addition to the NOLA art scene, JAMNOLA.

Taking It Outside: NOLA Style

New Orleans might be known for its fun atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and Creole culture, but there are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors!

Dog-Friendly Guide to New Orleans

New Orleans is a welcoming city for people and pets alike. It’s filled with dog-friendly restaurants, activities, and so much more. There’s even a dog parade, Barkus, during Mardi Gras! This pet-friendly destination is one of the best places to travel—not just because you can bring your pet along with you, but because there is so much to see and do. However long you plan your stay, there’s always more to experience. Our dog-friendly guide to New Orleans provides you with all the information you need to plan an amazing stay with your dog in the Crescent City. Get insider tips on accommodations, restaurants, things to do, and important information for your next trip to New Orleans.

Say What? New Orleans Lingo - Know Before You Go

If you’re planning to make a visit to New Orleans, then you’re in for a real treat. There is no other city that is quite as unique and vibrant as the Big Easy; from the people to the architecture and the vast array of eclectic entertainment options that you’ll discover at every turn. Another element of NOLA that possesses its own special charm is the language. New Orleans natives and self-made locals speak a whole different vocabulary that can make you feel like it’s a foreign language.

How To Beat the Heat on a New Orleans Vacation

There’s no place that can match the magic and romance of New Orleans, but if you’re traveling to the Big Easy during the summer, it can get hot and steamy (which isn’t always a good thing)! Lucky for you, NOLA is packed with possibilities for all sorts of fun, including many attractions that keep you nice and cool while you explore.

Five Art Galleries You Don’t Want To Miss Near NOLA’s La Galerie Hotel

One of the biggest draws of New Orleans is its rich culture and opportunities to experience incredible art. La Galerie makes it easy to channel your inner art-lover.

COVID-19 Protocols

Magazine Street Guide

Stretching an astounding six miles long as it winds through the city, Magazine Street is a destination unto itself. You can easily spend a day (or days) traversing this amazing thoroughfare and still barely make a dent in seeing everything it has to offer. Luckily, we’ve put together a comprehensive Magazine Street itinerary as a handy guide to some of the street’s best bars, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and more, so you can spend less time looking up places to visit and more time enjoying the endlessly fun Magazine Street!

New Orleans Streetcar Guide

Can't quite figure out the streetcar yet? View our guide to learn about the routes closest to La Galerie, where they go, and what you can do on each line.

Best Outdoor Activities in New Orleans

Don't miss out on all the natural beauty New Orleans and the surrounding areas have to offer. Discover the best outdoor activities in New Orleans today!

‘Tis the season for Christmas lights all aglow, singing carols, and if you’re lucky, catching a glimpse of Mr. Christmas himself, Santa Claus. But, this year, it’s also the season for sanitizing, social distancing and wearing masks to help stop the spread of Covid-19. When you’re celebrating Christmas during a pandemic, it can be tricky to know where to go and what to do.

Before you head out to spread some holiday cheer (and nothing else), check out a few of your options for New Orleans Christmas activities during Covid:

This season, you might be trading in your ugly Christmas sweater for a face mask, but there are still lots of ways to enjoy this special time. Of course, at Christmas time, a drive down Canal Street or Esplanade Avenue will treat you to some stunning residences decked out for the holidays and sure to dazzle and delight. You can also see some impressive favorites, albeit they are doing things a bit differently.

Celebration in the Oaks

This famous light display is one of the most dazzling in the country, featuring over a million lights and incredible displays of the holiday season. For 35 years, Celebration in the Oaks has brought smiles of delight to visitors of all ages, with the proceeds going toward the maintenance and beautification of City Park. This year, visitors can still enjoy these fantastic displays, but on a 2.25-mile driving tour through the park.

You also need to make a reservation to secure a vehicle pass. There are add-on options available that allow guests to park and enjoy some holiday festivities in Carousel Gardens, including a train ride, hot chocolate, photo opportunities, and yummy s’mores. For more information and to book your reservation, visit the website.

If you want to enjoy some nibbles or a full-course meal along with your Christmas displays, then you have plenty of opportunities to do so! From cruises to cookies and dinners galore, you’re sure to find just the thing to satisfy your Christmas appetite.

Cruising with Claus

Enjoy a delicious brunch aboard the new, stunning City of New Orleans riverboat and get a visit from Santa Claus! This special cruise is available at 11:30 am on December 6th, 13th, and 20th. The vessel also offers an option to enjoy the cruise without brunch. You can book your reservations by visiting the website. The City of New Orleans riverboat will also offer a special Christmas Eve Celebration on December 24th.

WWII Museum Cookies with Santa

This Christmas event features entertainment from the talented Victory Belles, tasty Christmas cookies, a special gift for each child, and a socially-distant visit with Santa. The event has seatings on December 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th. There are special restrictions in place for Covid-19, so make sure to read through them carefully before booking your reservation.

Court of Two Sisters Brunch with Santa

Enjoy a fabulous brunch buffet and a visit from Santa at the fabulous New Orleans restaurant, The Court of Two Sisters. Seatings are available on December 5th, 12th, 19th, and 23rd, but spaces are filling up fast, so don’t wait to make your reservation! Every child in attendance will receive a special gift.

Christmas Eve Bonfire Adventure Tour

Hop onboard Gray Line’s round-trip motor coach tour and enjoy a journey along River Road to witness the classic lighting of the bonfires along the banks of the Mississippi River. For years, these massive bonfires have served to light the way for Papa Noel (the Cajun Santa Claus) as he makes his way to bayou country. The adventure includes a guided tour of the San Francisco plantation, eggnog, and a Christmas-inspired dinner featuring bread pudding, fried turkey, cornbread dressing, and more.

Réveillon Dinners

Many of the city’s best restaurants celebrate this time-honored Creole tradition of welcoming in the holiday season with a delicious four-course meal. Originally, a Réveillon (derived from a French word meaning awakening) dinner was a meal served after midnight mass on Christmas eve. The tradition began in the 19th century with the French colonists and continues today at such iconic restaurants as Antoine’s, Bourbon House, and Galatoire’s.

The dinners are typically offered from December 1st - 24th, but it’s recommended to contact the individual restaurant for their own particular times, menu, and Covid guidelines. Some other restaurants serving Réveillon dinners are Boucherie, Broussard’s, Commander’s Palace, Tableau, Restaurant R’evolution, Muriel’s, and many more. To see if a particular restaurant features this special holiday meal, simply check out the establishment’s website or call to see if it has a special Réveillon menu.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in New Orleans, just perhaps a bit differently than in past years. But, even amidst a pandemic, the spirit of the season endures. As long as you take the right precautions, you can welcome the holiday season safely and celebrate Christmas NOLA-style.