Tag: New Orleans

Five years ago, New Orleans was turned upside down by Covid. Last year, however, confirmed a postpandemic renaissance and a tourism boom—a return for New Orleans as a prime destination location. The city had record or near-record attendance for Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest, among other events, as if the entire world were crawling out of a dark cave and sought New Orleans as a place to bask in the glow of sunshine again.

Mardi Gras is only the beginning of many lively celebrations dished up in the Big Easy. Don’t be surprised to see a colorful second line parade saunter by on a Sunday afternoon, with its requisite dancing, joyful horn tunes, and trademark parasols. Get ready to immerse yourself in all aspects of the city’s unique history as you feast on food that’ll nourish your body and your soul and raise a glass to round-the-clock fun.

Perhaps it was, as Jonathan Swift once wrote, a bold man who first ate an oyster, but it wasn’t a hard sell for me to join Four Seasons New Orleans’s new Oysters Take Flight experience. On this bright, balmy morning, I set out from the 34-story hotel overlooking the Mississippi River for Southern Seaplane airport in nearby Belle Chasse.

The best form of sensory overload is found in New Orleans, where your eyes try to take in the dizzying rainbow array of shotgun homes and you can’t walk more than one block without hearing jazz playing on the street. The vibrant city may overwhelm with humidity most days of the year, but it’s hard to resist its charms—especially if you’re a food enthusiast.

Plus other foodie news, including multicourse dining in Amelia Island, cocoa–inspired experiences in Elizabeth City, and new and noteworthy eats from across the Southeast.

Chief entomologist Jayme Necaise reveals his favorite bug, the most tempting bug snacks, and which high-profile guest once took home a cricket cake.

 Most people, it is safe to assume, do not go to New Orleans to relax. But when days of trolleys and po’ boys are followed by nights of jazz clubs and Sazeracs, relaxation is...

Where to celebrate the first anniversary of the federal holiday

The terrace-level restaurant in Midtown’s swank Epicurean Hotel serves creative dishes like hay-smoked rack of lamb and king trumpet oyster mushrooms with cherry confit.

Jazz musician Robin Barnes shares her ideal 24 hours in her hometown.