The Big Easy’s Best Bets

In planning your attendance at a New Orleans wedding, be sure to allow extra time at the Higgins Hotel for a few days on your own! You should be fine as long as you adhere to the rules of common courtesy. Being punctual, respecting the couple’s wishes, and limiting your alcohol intake are only some things you should keep in mind when attending the wedding. You should be considerate to others and ensure that you do not interfere with the ceremony in any way. Even if you do not know many people at the event, you can have a good time and enjoy yourself. Here are the top things you need to know to avoid faux pas when attending your first wedding.

Confirm Your Attendance Promptly

When you receive a wedding invitation, you must confirm your attendance. By telling the couple if you can or cannot attend, they will be able to plan more accurately, for instance, how much food they will need at the wedding reception. You should send your reply promptly and avoid unnecessary delays. The couple will also tell you how you can RSVP. Make sure that you fill in the information accurately. Sometimes, you might receive a printed card that you should fill in with all the information they need. On other occasions, it might be enough to send your answer digitally. And if there is any change in your circumstances, let the couple know as soon as possible.  After confirming, be sure to check availability at the Higgins Hotel, Curio by Hilton to assure you can book your choice of room there.  See:  http://www.higginshotelnola.com/our-wedding for a specially discounted rate for wedding attendees.   In spring and fall, availability is sometimes more constricted, due to convention activity, so book early!

Send Your Gift At The Right Time

Getting a perfect gift for the couple does not need to be difficult. All you need to do is listen to what the couple asks for. If they have a registry, then use it. And if they ask everyone to donate the money elsewhere instead of buying a gift, listen to them. On the other hand, if they do not say anything about gifts, then you can never go wrong with cash. However, you also need to give the couple the gift at the right time. Greenvelope’s blog can help you learn more about wedding gift etiquette, and you might find further inspiration there. You can also give the couple a nice card they can keep to commemorate the special day.

Plan Your Travels In Advance

Punctuality is one of the most significant rules of every good wedding guest. It is highly important that you come to the ceremony on time. So, you should plan your travel arrangements in advance. If the wedding venue is a bit far from your home, you might want to plan in more detail. For instance, if you would need to travel too far, be sure to book a hotel room and spend a couple of nights before the ceremony, allowing  you to enjoy the city prior to the event. But even when you are not spending the night, you need to plan your transportation carefully. Have a look if there are any road closures that you need to be aware of. And if you are traveling by public transport, ensure that there is a connection that can take you to the location on time.

Wear A Suitable Attire

If you are not careful about what you wear to the wedding, you could make quite a faux pas. Women should wear a nice cocktail dress or a long gown, and it is important that you avoid white color. It might be taken as disrespect towards the bride. After all, the bride should be the center of everyone’s attention during the ceremony and upcoming celebrations. Men, on the other hand, can wear a tux or even a blazer with a dress shirt. However, when you are picking your outfit for the wedding, the most crucial thing is to adhere to the dress code. From there, it will be much easier to choose what to wear. Some weddings can be more formal. But on some occasions, the newlyweds prefer more casual events. Find out the dress code in advance, and you will not be able to go wrong.

Switch Off Your Phone

There are only a few things that could be more awkward than a phone that starts ringing during the ceremony or one of the speeches at the wedding reception. So, before the wedding starts, you should switch off your mobile phone. If you cannot part with the online world, you should at least turn on the silent mode. This way, you will be able to avoid an unnecessary embarrassment that could interfere with the celebrations. You should also listen to the couple’s wishes. At some weddings, couples might ask the guests to turn off their phones or not to post anything on social media. In that case, you should respect their request and enjoy the day without the device.

Watch Your Alcohol Intake

When people reflect on the wedding, they should be talking about the bride and the groom. If you drink too much alcohol, you might lose control of your behavior. The intoxication might lead to many unpleasant situations, and then, if people talked about the event, they would remember the unfortunate incident. You should enjoy yourself at the wedding and have a good time with others. So, you should be very careful about how much alcohol you drink. You also must remember that you should not be driving after drinking alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32 Americans die in drunk driving accidents every single day. Drink responsibly and do not put others in danger.

Do Not Take Attention Away From The Couple

At the wedding, all the attention should be on the couple. Weddings tend to make people very happy, but there are still some things you should not share with others. For example, a wedding should not be a place where you announce your engagement or pregnancy. Even though it is an exciting announcement, it would be considered rude to share that at someone else’s wedding. You might take attention away from the couple, and in the end, it might ruin their day, no matter how happy they would be for you. When you have some happy news to share with the world, try to do so after the wedding.

Stroll Down Magazine Street

Magazine Street has miles of eclectic shops, restaurants, and more. Pick up one-of-a-kind gifts at mom-and-pop boutiques or snag sidewalk seats at a nearby café for perfectly crafted coffees and cocktails.

Visit Audubon Park
Famous for the “Tree of Life,” a majestic Étienne de Boray Oak, there are few better times to explore the park than during spring. Make a reservation at Audubon Zoo, pack a picnic, or simply enjoy the easy life while resting under the shade of hundred-year-old trees.

Hop Aboard The Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise
Cruise up and down the Mississippi River while enjoying live jazz on the deck. No trip to New Orleans is complete without dipping your toes in the unbelievable music scene our city harbors and creates.

Next time you sit down to drink this smooth but powerful concoction—made of rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, Herbsaint, and sugar—remember these fascinating legends surrounding its creation.

The Sazerac dates back to the 1830s and it’s believed a Creole Apothecarist named Antoine Peychaud invented it in his French Quarter pharmacy on Royal Street. He added some dashes of his family’s bitters to his favorite cognac and served it in an egg cup called a coquetier, which is said to have morphed into the word “cocktail.” Another story claims that the owner of The Sazerac Coffee House began serving the drink with Sazerac-de-Forge et fils cognac and added a couple of dashes of Peychaud's bitters. Towards the latter portion of the 1800s, cognac became sparse due to an epidemic in the vineyards of France. The cognac was then replaced with rye whiskey, bringing us to our current delicious but strong recipe.

First, beat the afternoon heat by catching up on some summer reading indoors. Grab your favorite novel, trade magazine, or audiobook, and allow yourself to become immersed in the story.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge in some of New Orleans’ finest food without leaving your room. A gourmet meal is just a phone call away. Opt for a decadent main course or make a meal of salads and sides—just don’t forget to add a drink and dessert.

After dinner, it’s time to get ready for bed. Slip into your PJs and find your favorite movie channel on TV. Slipping into a restful night’s sleep is just moments away—our heavenly premium bedding is what sweet dreams are made of.

As past French Quarter resident and writer William Faulkner once said, "The past isn’t dead. It’s not even past."

New Orleans is a city that still brims with evidence of its past. Go for a historically-minded stroll to see what you can spot: from the horse and buggy city tours that conjure up nostalgia for colonial times, to the elaborate wrought-iron balconies in the French Quarter that represent the ornate aesthetic of the Victorian era. 

History lessons explain how New Orleans was founded by the French, followed by a period of Spanish control, then was ruled once more by the French before being acquired by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase.

For evidence of the Spanish influence, head to St. Charles Avenue. The Baroque-looking government buildings on this street—such as the Cabildo and the Presbytere—drip with Spanish architectural details. Look out for arches and Arabesque ironwork.

From ancient oaks and cemetery crypts to entire buildings and streets, New Orleans history is not just visible—it's flaunted.

On Saturday, March 14, indulge in live music, beer, and delicious bites at Parasol’s Block Party (located at 3^rd and Constance, 10 A.M – 8 P.M.) or Tracy’s Block Party (2604 Magazine St, 11 A.M. till the last partier decides to leave). For parades, choose from the Irish Channel Parade, which steps off from Napoleon Ave and Tchoupitoulas at 1:30 P.M. or the Italian-American St. Joseph’s Parade, which steps off from Convention Center Blvd and Girod St at 6 P.M. The next day, Sunday, March 15, you can catch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Metairie Road, which starts at noon in front of Rummel High School. Finally, on St. Patrick’s Day itself, Tuesday, March 17, head over to the Irish Channel Block Party at Annunciation Square starting at 1 P.M. for dance, drink, food, and live musical entertainment. Later, at 6 P.M. the annual Downtown Irish Club Parade kicks off at the corner of Burgundy and Piety, then winds its way over to Bourbon St in the famed French Quarter.

Endymion. Steps off on Saturday, February 22, at 4:15 P.M. from the corner of City Park Ave and Orleans Ave in Mid-City.

Named for a beautiful mortal beloved of Selene, goddess of the moon, Endymion has been a Carnival staple since 1967. Today, the Krewe of Endymion puts on the biggest Carnival parade, with 37 floats and 3100 riders. The parade doesn’t start till late afternoon, but due to its extraordinary popularity, many spectators will claim their places along the route early in the morning.

Bacchus. Steps off on Sunday, February 23, at 5:15 P.M. from the corner of Tchoupitoulas St and Napoleon Ave in Uptown.

The Roman god of wine, agriculture, and fertility, Bacchus could throw a really wild party. From its floats to its marching bands to its celebrity grand marshals, the Krewe of Bacchus parade lives up to its namesake in every way. The parade, which has been going strong since 1968, today boasts 31 fabulous floats and 1600 members.

Rex. Steps off on Tuesday, February 25, at 10 A.M. from the corner of Napoleon Avenue and S. Claiborne Ave.

The Krewe of Rex, meaning “king,” was established less than a decade after the Civil War in an attempt to boost tourism and encourage new businesses. Rex is responsible for a surprisingly large number of traditions, the most prominent of which are the official purple, green, and gold hues of Carnival. Today, the Krewe of Rex puts on a 600-man parade (and we do mean “man,” as all the riders are male) that steps off just after Zulu.

Though the Ogden houses the largest collection of Southern art anywhere in the world, the museum nevertheless maintains an intimate and welcoming atmosphere across its five floors, with exhibits that ground museum-goers firmly in time and place. During your visit, you’ll marvel at voodoo-inspired sculptures, paintings that blend the phantasmagoric landscapes of Hieronymous Bosch with the pathos of the African-American struggle, striking photography that ranges from straightforward realism to spectral surrealism, modern and contemporary abstract experimentation, and much more. Be sure to check out Ogden After Hours as well—the museum’s weekly happy hour where you can enjoy live music and a cash bar as you mingle with other art lovers and listen-in on live interviews with some of the South’s most dynamic musicians. 

Address: 925 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130

The Krewe of Jingle Parade. On Saturday, December 7, at 1 P.M., NOLA’s highly-anticipated downtown Christmas parade returns to entertain attendees with magnificent marching bands, flamboyant floats, agile stilt walkers, and some surprise special guests, which in past years have included Frosty the Snowman and the Jolly Old Elf himself.

Zoo Lights. One of our city’s most beloved family attractions, Audubon Zoo is a must-do if you’re visiting with kids during the holidays. From November 29 to December 30, Zoo Lights promises not only a breathtaking light display, but a fully-realized winter wonderland packed with games, costumed Christmas characters, live musical entertainment, and much, much more.
 
The Nutcracker. Perhaps the most beloved ballet in the world, The Nutcracker is a staple of holiday celebrations from Saint Petersburg to San Jose. Here in the Big Easy, not one but two outstanding professional ballet companies offer you the chance to revel in Tchaikovsky’s Christmas dance spectacular: the New Orleans Ballet Theater Company, which will be performing at the Orpheum Theater on December 14, 15, 21, and 22, and the internationally-renowned Moscow Ballet, which will dazzle audiences at the Saenger Theatre on December 27.

Discover the story of legendary New Orleans boatbuilder Andrew Higgins, whom our brand new hotel honors with its name. On various dates through November 10th, head to BB's Stage Door Canteen (945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130) to dive into his story over brunch.

Get seated for brunch at 11:30am, and enjoy the show starting at 1pm: “Higgins: The Man, the Boat, the War” while ordering brunch specialties, from country chicken to creme brûlée. The show is a combination of live-action newsreel re-creation, musical revue, and dramatic history. You’ll learn the story of one of America’s most famous wartime contractors on the home front, as well as the combat watercraft (amphibious Higgins boats) he built to carry the Allied effort to victory.

But the official hotel of the famous New Orleans WWII Museum manages to straddle the line between modern creature comforts and the antiquated charm of 1940s NOLA. From Rosie’s on the Roof, the district’s newest rooftop bar, to the .30 caliber bullets embedded in each glass at Cafe Normandie, our hotel is a clear extension of its closest neighbor. To stay at Higgins Hotel is to step into an era that few remember first-hand for an inside look at the American experience during one of the world’s most trying times. It is more important than ever to peek through the curtain of the past in order to steer our futures toward a brighter, more beautiful tomorrow. Read on with Travel + Leisure for more details about our hotel’s unique ambiance.   

Dating back to the 1800s, the Arts & Warehouse District was originally a patchwork of foundry space and industrial buildings supporting the port city. Over the years, changes in commerce slowed the area until, in the mid-1970s, when the Contemporary Arts Center opened. Artists began using the dormant manufacturing spaces for galleries, and to store and showcase their artwork all along Julia Street. Fast-forward to the present day, and the Arts & Warehouse District is a thriving bohemian haven for the city’s creativity.

There are over 25 galleries throughout the Arts & Warehouse District, featuring an endless array of contemporary artists and their works. Crowds come in droves to check out the latest exhibits, along with popular museums, live entertainment, coffee shops, and quirky bookstores, all situated behind aged brick buildings and wall murals along the Mississippi River.

Exciting nightlife abounds here, offering visitors a more unique New Orleans experience. Live music venues like Howlin’ Wolf and Republic bring in up-and-coming performers from bluegrass bands to hip hop groups. The Rusty Nail beer garden provides a great ambiance in its outdoor courtyard, while Barcadia’s combined bar and video arcade is a boozy blast from the past. For the best of both worlds, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art hosts a weekly happy hour featuring live shows and interviews with local musicians. Whatever your artistic tastes may be, there is always something interesting to do in the Arts & Warehouse District.