Elsewhere, autumnal activities may be corn mazes, hay rides, and pumpkin patches, but here the fall season is distinguished by vibrant seasonal celebrations such as the Krewe of Boo parade, Oktoberfest, Saints games, a festive Halloween celebration where both adults and kids costume, and al fresco dining with hot bowls of gumbo, seafood, and raw oysters. The weather is crisp and mild, and it’s the perfect time to saunter through the French Quarter.
Kim Welsh
Unveiling Mysteriously Good Spirits in the Beating Heart of the French Quarter
August 22, 2025
New Orleans doesn’t just tell enigmatic spooky stories, it lives them. Boasting haunted mansions and mysterious alleys to bars where the spirits come in multiple forms, this city is dripping in eerie charm and untold tales. The line between the living and the spirit world is delightfully blurred. New Orleans has long embraced a reputation of refuge for the lost souls wandering the streets of the French Quarter. Here, we celebrate death in life with a “Second Line,” and befriend the many spirits who have not crossed over yet and are living amongst us.
Discover Uniquely Whimsical Art
August 22, 2025
As autumn unfolds in New Orleans, the city comes alive with revitalizing breezes and seasonal festivities. Whether you’re a fan hoping to bask in the excitement of a Saints game at a local watch party, or perhaps you are just looking to do a little retail therapy and have a bite, it’s a vibrant and exciting time to take a stroll down Royal Street to peruse a few art galleries. It’s a great time to see some of our more fanciful and unusual galleries, well beyond the usual paintings of southern landscapes. We found these two galleries to be exceptionally creative!
From the Seventh Ward to the Vatican - The Creole Heritage of Pope Leo XIV
May 20, 2025
Following the inspiring announcement of Robert Francis Prevost as the first American pope, Historic New Orleans Collection's genealogist Jari C. Honora made a remarkable discovery, shedding light on the pontiff's maternal grandparents who were Creoles of color from the Seventh Ward. A groundbreaking moment unfolded on May 8 as Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was elected, breaking barriers as the first American and Creole pope. Jari C. Honora made this thrilling discovery about the pope's Creole ancestry just hours after the papal announcement was made public.
The Jazz Museum Leaps Into the Future
May 20, 2025
The New Orleans Jazz Museum, long dedicated to preserving the city's profound cultural traditions, is taking a bold leap into the future. With a new focus on harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, immersive technology, and educational innovation, the museum is embracing its dual role as both a guardian of history and a catalyst for transformation in New Orleans' cultural economy.
Beat the Heat! Sip Revitalizing Cocktails!
May 20, 2025
As New Orleans transitions into her sultry summer persona, the city's legendary cocktail culture goes into overdrive. Locals understand that staying cool while basking in the season's vibrant atmosphere is a delicate art. We would like to offer summer sipping suggestions in the city that pioneered the world's first cocktail, the Sazerac. New Orleans cocktails are a harmonious blend of tradition, creativity and local ingredients. Grab an icy refreshing drink, sit back, and experience the unique flavors and atmosphere that make the Big Easy a cocktail lover’s paradise.
Take a Stroll Down Royal Street - Discover the Magic of Art
May 20, 2025
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Danny DeLancey, a self-taught Louisiana artist, has painted in New Orleans' historic French Quarter for over twenty years. Renowned for his vibrant acrylic paintings, DeLancey's artistic career also spans graphic design and curation of several New Orleans art galleries.
Preservation Hall: Preserving New Orleans Jazz
February 24, 2025
Through the iron gate on St. Peter St. lies one of the world’s most respected music venues and the spiritual home of New Orleans jazz, Preservation Hall. It’s small and simple but a little magic happens there daily. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is dedicated to preserving the traditions of New Orleans jazz as it was in its heyday a hundred years ago, and they play four white-hot, hour-long sets each day.
Raise a Glass to Festival Season!
February 24, 2025
It’s our favorite time of year! Spring has sprung and the bead trees, our native species, are adorned with purple, green and gold shiny blooms. Our Spring festival season includes Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, St Patrick’s Day, and many more opportunities to celebrate. Mild weather invites us to imbibe in a cocktail or three alfresco in one of our many beautiful and charmingly romantic courtyards. Here are a few of our favorite places to bask in fresh air and glorious weather while enjoying a few refreshing sips.
James Michalopoulos Visual Interpreter of New Orleans
February 24, 2025
We all eagerly await our first glance at the highly coveted and collectable Jazz Fest posters each year. Have you seen the magnificent poster for this year’s Jazz Fest painted by one of our most well-known, influential, and recognizable living painters, James Michalopoulos? He has become an iconic figure in New Orleans’ vibrant landscape, renowned for his distinctive artistic style and deep connection to the city. He lives as he paints; rhythmically, with heavy texture, dynamic movement and purpose. His paintings are in prestigious collections world-wide.
"Drawing the Music" Capturing How Music Makes Us Feel
February 24, 2025
Emilie Rhys is a supremely talented third-generation artist who specializes in depicting New Orleans musicians, French Quarter rooftop views, and cityscapes. In her serene French Quarter gallery, Scene by Rhys Fine Art at 1036 Royal St., she paints portraits on canvas and smaller images on copper plates. Often spotted at music venues, she spontaneously draws pen and ink drawings of performing musicians with remarkable accuracy. Her renderings capture the immediacy of improvisation. The only thing she enjoys more than hearing music is to "draw the music" while it's playing.
