New Orleans is a great destination for winter travel for many reasons

New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans are the only three great cities in America, according to Tennessee Williams. Having lived in all three cities, the author—who was born and reared in the Ozarks—thinks Williams was correct.

Having escaped to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, they are fortunate to call the city home. New to New Orleans, the author, and her spouse have sworn to return and establish a life in the city renowned for its vibrant inhabitants who persevered through a devastating tragedy, as well as its rich cultural heritage and varied food.

After devastating New Orleans in 2015, Hurricane Katrina left 1,800 people dead and 80% of the city underwater. Though there were first concerns about the city’s capacity to recover, more recently, there has been a boom in the IT sector, tourism, and restaurant business. In 2013, Forbes ranked New Orleans as the top “Brainpower City” in the US and the third greatest location for tech expansion.

New Orleans has recovered physically and economically unevenly over the last ten years, but it’s still a great place to visit, especially in the winter when the weather is so beautiful. Like Tennessee Williams, the city has won us over, but it’s warmer and closer than New York or San Francisco. Book DTW flights to New Orleans and experience the city’s diverse attractions and experiences, making it an unforgettable destination.

Here are some reasons to spend wintertime in New Orleans:

1. The Grand Hotels

Travel to downtown hotels in December and check out Windsor Court, which has a spectacular lobby with 25,000 white lights, a toy train, a gingerbread house, wreaths made of magnolia, and Colorado blue spruce Christmas trees. Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt’s is the place to indulge in a drink. Antoine Peychaud, the apothecary, invented this traditional New Orleans pour in 1893. Gaze upon the city’s quaint hotels while sipping the first beverage and admiring the murals created by artist Paul Nina.

2. Oyster Season

Months that conclude in “R” are when New Orleanians honor the beloved shellfish. Popular for its chilly oysters, Casamento’s Restaurant is a gathering place. Expect a queue in the autumn. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant serves a scorching hot chargrilled version of the mollusk with garlic butter, Parmesan, and Romano cheese, which is an excellent way to introduce it to people who aren’t comfortable with shellfish.

3. A Crisp Magazine Street Stroll

A 6-mile stretch of New Orleans’s boutiques, cafés, shops, and art galleries is described in the magazine. Shoppers can get stylish home furnishings at Perch and presents for Francophiles at Aux Belle Choses. Just as it’s entirely okay to sip an ice-cold beer or fresh white wine, strolling down the street with a go-cup is likewise legal and appropriate.

4. Reveillon Dinners

Reveillon Dinner is a big dinner that is served after midnight mass and is a New Orleans tradition that dates back to the early 1800s. These days, it’s staged at upscale eateries like Arnaud’s and Muriel’s Jackson Square, where guests can enjoy opulent dinners inspired by vintage recipes, frequently at a more refined hour.

5. Bike Tours

Savor the pleasant weather and level streets of New Orleans, where residents frequently bike along Magazine Street carrying baskets of drinks or wear seersucker suits to work. Confederacy of Cruisers allows guests to explore vibrant neighborhoods while providing meals, 9th Ward tours, and cocktail tours.

6. Offerings of Art

The dynamic city of New Orleans is well-known for its high-quality food and drinks as well as its diverse cultural offerings. The city offers cultural stimulation with more than fifty artists showcasing their work at around twenty venues. “Modernist Cuisine” is on display at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, while Visions of US: American Art is on display at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Explore the recently refurbished sculpture garden located in City Park at the museum. Artists and tourists alike find the city to be a desirable destination due to its abundant cultural offerings.

7. Holidays in the Autumn and Winter

Many festivals are held in New Orleans, such as the Red Dress Run, Oak Street Po-Boy celebration, Jazz Fest, Boudin, Bourbon & Beer event, Celebration in the Oaks holiday lights celebration, and Carolling in Jackson Square. November’s Oak Street Po-Boy Festival and adult men jogging in red dresses are two of New Orleans’ favorite celebrations.

8. Comforting Sweets

For sweet-toothed Southerners, Willa Jean is a popular location. Desserts vary; try the blazing bananas foster at Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace’s bread pudding soufflé with whisky cream, Café Du Monde’s piping-hot beignets, and Willa Jean’s warm chocolate pudding with coconut and pecans.

9. Stylish Lunches in Uptown

A must-go-to restaurant in New Orleans, La Petite Grocery serves you a wide selection of mouthwatering burgers along with other fine dining alternatives. The streetcar, which is situated on St. Charles Avenue, provides a comfortable, non-air-conditioned ride that is ideal for taking in the exposed lightbulbs and pleasant breeze. There’s also a 25-cent martini at Commander’s Palace, a fancy restaurant. Remember to dress appropriately since an elaborate hat is always suitable in New Orleans.

10. Frenchman music

A superb ensemble called the Bayou Shufflers plays on Sunday nights at Frenchmen Street, a strip of music venues just outside the French Quarter. While taking in the exciting ambiance, guests can enjoy a range of pleasant melodies, such as Blue Nile and The Spotted Cat. Arrange a cheap flights from Detroit to New Orleans if you’d want more information about the city.