Let the good things roll on your workation in New Orleans – the city is bustling with energy and an indomitable spirit to live life king size. A fine mix of picturesque landscapes, historical architecture, food, and music, the city packs quite a punch for the tourists.
Enveloped with the Mississippi River and other water bodies, stories from the past, the one-of-a-kind cemeteries that are hard to be found in any other part of the world, the city has a character of its own that grows on you. This city is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations and invariably an important pointer on the bucket list for globetrotters
So, here’s everything you need to know about planning a workation in New Orleans in 2021.
How to plan a Workation in New Orleans
Mobile Network in New Orleans
There are zero issues with network availability in Honolulu. Services like AT&T, Verizon works best everywhere in Aspen, and all properties provide WIFI.
Traveling in and around New Orleans
New Orleans is a great walking city, with many of the main things to see and do located in or near the French Quarter, but to explore the Garden District, you may want to hop on a historic streetcar. Buses are also a great way to get around, particularly for visiting attractions like the zoo that are further afield.
Food Option in New Orleans
A variety of heritages create the Creole culinary culture that rules here in the Crescent City, with French, Italian, Spanish, African, German, and Indigenous food traditions all at play.
New Orleans is home to some great Cajun food as well — marked by all things pork — though Cajun is primarily associated with Acadiana, a region about two hours from New Orleans that’s named for the French-Acadians who settled there.
When it comes to the specialties of the city, among its vast food iconography are the famous dishes invented by New Orleans restaurants, from Antoine’s oysters Rockefeller to Brennan’s coming up with bananas Foster to Central Grocery, the original home of the muffuletta.
Weather Conditions in New Orleans
January to April- 64° F to 79° F
May to August- 85° F to 92° F
September to December- 88° F to 65° F
Best Time to Plan a Staycation in New Orleans
The best time to visit New Orleans is from February to May when the weather is comfortably cool and the celebrations are in full swing.
If you’re not interested in Mardi Gras mania, plan to visit in December or January, when the city is calm and you don’t have to worry about making hotel reservations a year in advance
Things to pack for a Workation in New Orleans
Planning a trip here calls for a little weather-centric research as heat, humidity, and hurricanes are par for the course. So, here is the list of everything you need to fill your suitcase with –
- 2 casual pants, skirts, or capris
- 3 casual t-shirts
- 1 long sleeve shirt for layering on cool evenings
- 1-2 dressier pants or skirts for evenings out
- 1-2 dressier shirts or blouses
- A pair of walking shoes
- Dancing shoes (learn the Lindy Hop & Zydeco while you’re in town!)
- A light jacket or sweater (winters are cool and the AC in summer can sometimes be too cold)
- 1 rain jacket or travel umbrella
- 4 pairs of socks
- 1 swimsuit
- 1 water bottle
Where to stay in New Orleans for a Workation
Olivier House Hotel
Accommodation Type: Suites, Non-smoking rooms
Cost : $188 per day
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, Free Parking, Newspaper
Address: 828 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70112-3492
Hotel Monteleone
Accommodation Type: Suites and Family rooms
Cost : $233 per day
Amenities: Valet Parking, Wifi, Gym, Pool
Address: 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Pontchartrain Hotel
Accommodation Type: Nonsmoking Rooms
Cost : $155.30 per day
Amenities: Wifi, Parking, Pool, Bar
Address: 2031 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130-7101
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel New Orleans
Accommodation Type: Nonsmoking room and suites
Cost : $210 per day
Amenities: Private parking, Wifi, Gym, Bar, Bicycles
Address: 300 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130-1104
The Higgins Hotel New Orleans, Curio Collection by Hilton
Accommodation Type: Suites and Family room, City view
Cost : $285 per day
Amenities: Pool, Wifi, Gym, and Free Parking
Address: 1000 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130-3816
Cost for a 1-Month Workation in New Orleans
| ITEMS | COST AVERAGE | COST PER MONTH |
| Meal | $36 | $1080 |
| Transportation | $41 | $1230 |
| Travelling+ Sight Seeing Rent |
$191 per day $190 per night |
$5730 $5700 |
Off-beat places to explore in New Orleans on a Vacation
Most of the action for tourists is centered around the French Quarter, with the infamous Bourbon Street at the heart of the district.
Along the Mississippi River, which borders the French Quarter to the south, are horse-drawn carriages waiting to take visitors on a tour, the Steamboat Natchez docked along the shore, and tourists lined up to buy beignets. Beyond the French Quarter, the city has many quaint areas worth exploring, from the trendy Warehouse District to the posh Garden District.
Here is the list of all the offbeat places in New Orleans you want to explore-
French Quarter
The French Quarter of New Orleans is what most tourists come to see when they visit the city. Set along a bend on the Mississippi River, the main attraction here is the architecture, but it is also a great area for dining and entertainment.
The old buildings, some of which date back 300 years, show French influences, with arcades, wrought iron balconies, red-tiled roofs, and picturesque courtyards. Many of these buildings now contain hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, galleries, and a profusion of jazz spots with entertainment of varying quality.
The most famous street in the French Quarter is Bourbon Street, but it is not necessarily the highlight of the area. This street is relatively benign by day but at night transforms into a loud and boisterous pedestrian area that may not always feel safe.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is New Orleans’ signature event, with celebrations that span a two-week period, ending with the finale on shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
Celebrations include almost daily parades and all kinds of entertainment and festivities that increase in intensity as the event draws closer to the end. Onlookers crowd the balconies and sidewalks to watch the parades and catch strings of beaded necklaces tossed from the outrageously decorated floats.
Bourbon Street is one of the main areas where people congregate, but the whole French Quarter is generally packed. The tradition was introduced to the city by French settlers and became particularly popular by the end of the 19th century. This is a must visit on your workation in New Orleans.
National WWII Museum
The National WWII Museum is an outstanding museum with engaging exhibits and documentary snippets that tell the history of WWII.
The museum is divided into three sections, with one section devoted to the war in the Pacific, another devoted to the war in Europe, and a third building that houses WWII aircraft.
A film entitled Beyond All Boundaries, produced and narrated by Tom Hanks, is shown in the 4D Theater, with chairs that rumble as tanks go by on the screen, and stage props that turn the film into a full-on sensory experience.
As you move from room to room through the exhibits, short black-and-white documentary-style film segments give a real-life look at how the items on display were involved in the war. Oral histories add to the impact.
Jackson Square
Jackson Square is the main square in the heart of the French Quarter, originally known as Place d’Armes. In the center of the square, surrounded by trees and greenery, is an equestrian statue (1856) of General Andrew Jackson.
Standing prominently at one end of the square is the landmark St. Louis Cathedral, with its white façade and cone-shaped spires. Also in the vicinity of the cathedral are the Presbytere and Cabildo, both Louisiana State Museums.
The area in front of the cathedral, along the iron fence that surrounds the square, has long been an artist’s hang out, and nearby are shops and restaurants, making it a popular spot for tourists.
Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is an unassuming old building that has long been an institution in New Orleans known for jazz music. The historic hall still features traditional jazz by local artists. Opening times and events are listed on the door each day, so if you are walking past in the afternoon you can see what’s happening in the evening.
Address: 726 St Peter Street, New Orleans, Louisiana
How to Reach New Orleans
New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is located about 20 km west of downtown New Orleans and is situated in the neighboring Jefferson Parish. At 2 feet below sea level, it is the world’s second lowest-lying airport in terms of elevation.
The city has several airlines providing regular connectivity to domestic United States destinations like Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, New York, Atlanta, etc. New Orleans tourist places are also connected via flights to some international destinations like Toronto, Canada, Panama City, Panama, Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, etc.
There are also some flights that operate seasonally, especially during Mardi Gras as part of New Orleans tourism packages.
New Orleans is one of America’s most unique cities, with a vibe you simply can’t find anywhere else.
So, plan your workation in New Orleans in this amazing place soon!
