Destinations · United States
New Orleans
The only American city that feels like somewhere else entirely.
New Orleans is Creole and French and West African and Spanish layered on top of each other for three hundred years, and you taste all of it. The French Quarter is what people picture; the Garden District, Marigny and Treme are where you actually want to stay. It is a world-class food city at every price level — a $12 po’boy and a $200 tasting menu can both be the best meal of the trip. For a group celebration it is unmatched, because the whole city is set up for parties, second lines and brass bands included.
What a week actually costs
Indicative shapes, not quotes — an advisor verifies real prices for your exact dates before anything is offered.
Under $1,800 for the weekend
Two people in a Marigny guesthouse, walking and streetcar, beignets, a jazz club, a cemetery tour, and eating extremely well for very little.
$7,000–18,000
A Garden District house for a group, a private second line with a brass band and police escort, a cooking class, a swamp day, and a chef dinner at home.
$50,000+
A wedding weekend — courtyard ceremony, second line through the Quarter, a ballroom reception, guests hosted and moved.
What to watch for
- A second line parade requires a city permit and a police escort. It is arranged, not spontaneous, and it is worth every dollar.
- Mardi Gras is not a good first visit unless you specifically want Mardi Gras. Hotels triple and the city belongs to the parades.
- Bourbon Street is not the city. One walk down it is enough; everything better is elsewhere.
- Summer heat and humidity are serious for older guests and anyone with a heart or breathing condition. Plan indoor afternoons.