Here is the current itinerary for the trip to New Orleans January 16-20, 2025.
Thursday 1/16
We will leave on a OK Tours motorcoach from San Antonio to New Orleans with a stop in Houston. Please be at the Beethoven parking lot by 8:45 AM to load onto the motorcoach. Here is a video of the inside of the bus. We will have a cooler with ice, and a bathroom on board, so bring some beverages and snacks for the ride! We will stop for lunch on the way. After we arrive and check in to the hotel, you can explore the area for dinner; some recommendations are below. We are located on the edge of the French Quarter on Canal Street, in the Central Business District (CBD).
Friday 1/17
On Friday morning, we will visit Mardi Gras World, where floats are made and stored. For lunch, we will get back on the bus and drive to Parkway Tavern for some Po’Boy sandwiches. The bus will then bring us back to the hotel, and we will walk two blocks to the Sazerac House, an interactive tasting experience and store. After a short rest, we will meet in front of the Courtyard Marriot to head to the Deutsches Haus for our concert and Fasching ball.
Saturday 1/18
On Saturday we will explore the National WWII Museum and the Garden District. Lunch will be around the Museum, there are many restaurant options within a few blocks. Then we will take the bus to the Garden District for a 2-hour walking tour of the historic architecture. When we are done, the bus will take people back to the hotel. Feel free to stay in the area and visit the shops on Magazine Street, or eat dinner at one of the close restaurants. You can take the St. Charles Street Car back to the hotel or hire an Uber once you’re ready to call it a night.
Sunday 1/19
Sunday we are hanging out in the French Quarter! It will be a walking day (no bus transport) with cobblestone streets, so wear comfortable and stable shoes. We will meet outside the hotel to walk over to Brennans for brunch. In the afternoon, we take the Steamboat Natchez for a Jazz cruise on the Mississippi. Dinner is on your own, and then we will meet back up at night for the walking ghost tour! You will have time between activities to explore the area; there’s shopping, museums, live music and of course food!
Monday 1/20
On Monday we will meet in front of the Courtyard Hotel at 8:45 AM to depart for Houston and San Antonio. We will stop for lunch on the way, and plan to be back in San Antonio by 7 PM.
Food & Drink Recommendations
A Google map I (Danielle) created of food and drink recommendations can be found through this link. If you’re joining me on my pub crawl, this map will have the stops listed if you are separated from the group.
New Orleans has an iconic food culture. This Guide from Eater New Orleans dives into the food and drinks that NOLA is famous for including Beignets, Gumbo, Oysters, cocktails, and more.
Bratz Y’all is a German restaurant and Bier Garten in the Bywater area; a short Uber ride from the hotels.
Oysters on the half shell are in season and there are some great Happy Hour spots to get them for a discount. Here is a list from Eater with their top picks.
Cafe Du Monde is world-famous for beignets; they only accept cash as payment!
King Cake is in season. Visit King Cake Hub for a one-stop shop of area favorites.
Best Restaurants in the French Quarter according to Eater New Orleans.
Visit the local grocer Rouse’s for some local food souvenirs such as Hubig’s Hand Pie, King Cake, Prawlines, cajun seasoning, and chicory coffee.
Things to Do
We have some time outside of our planned activities, and here are some recommendations of things that are within walking distance or a short Uber or Streetcar ride from the hotel.
Check out the city tourism site NewOrleans.com for a calendar of events and lists of things to do around town, including this Walking Tour link to self-guided walking tours of area neighborhoods.
JAMNOLA-Interactive Music/Art Museum in Marigny/Bywater.
Learn about the history of Jazz in New Orleans and then catch a Jazz show at Tipitinas, Preservation Hall, Kermit Ruffins Mother-in-Law Lounge, Blue Nile, or Bayou Bar. Kermit plays at the Blue Nile at 11 PM most Fridays. Or just head over to Frenchman Street for many live music options and a night market.
Caesar’s Casino – Formerly Harrah’s, Caesar’s has recently been rebranded and remodeled and is within walking distance of our hotels.
Audubon Aquarium – Recently renovated, the aquarium includes an insectarium and coral reef exhibits. Conde Nast Traveler rated it as one of the best in the country.
New Orleans Carriages offers mule-drawn carriage rides around the French Quarter at $60 per person for a 1-hour tour.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum – Circa-1823 apothecary turned museum in the French Quarter.
There are many parks in the area including City Park, Audubon, and Louis Armstrong Park.
The Saints may have a playoff game…TBD.
Shopping on Magazine Street in the Garden District or the French Quarter. My favorites are Fleurty Girl, Dirty Coast, and the Antique shops on Royal Street. There’s also the French Market or “Shops of the Colonnade,” an old-fashioned shopping area featuring local vendors selling candy, clothing, gifts, and souvenirs.
Take a tour of the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. The Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 has been closed to the public.
The French Quarter is home to the oldest Cathedral in continuous use in the US; the St. Louis Cathedral. They are open daily from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM, and still hold daily and Sunday services.
Getting Around
The Saint Charles streetcar runs right in front of our hotel. Learn more about the streetcars on the New Orleans Tourism website.
The Beer Bus is a weekend-run transportation service that hops along a route of breweries in the downtown area.
Uber and Lyft are available in New Orleans.
If you have made a reservation for activities and have not paid, please contact Danielle Plecash to make arrangements. Payment is due January 1st, 2025.