Travel & Stay
Table of contents
Flights
Book your flight to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Rideshares and cabs from the airport to the French Quarter area typically take 20 minutes and cost $45. Alternatively, The Airport Shuttle offers a shared shuttle service to multiple area hotels for $20.
Accomodations
Hotels
Room block reservations at the Royal Sonesta are now closed. If you would still like to reserve a room at the Royal Sonesta, please do so via their website or by calling (504) 586-0300.
The French Quater also offers many other excellent hotels within walking distance of The Court of Two Sisters.
Airbnb
Airbnb offers affordable accommodations with a local touch. For a truly authentic New Orleans experience, we recommend searching for listings in Marigny, a charming neighborhood adjacent to the French Quarter known for its vibrant local culture and unique architecture.
Book an Airbnb
Transportation Around NOLA
Car Rentals
“Do we want to rent a car, or not?” The age-old question. For guests staying in or near the French Quarter, we do not recommend renting a vehicle due to difficult driving conditions (car and foot traffic) and limited parking. Instead, we recommend walking or using ride shares, taxis, or public transit.
Public Transit
The New Orleans RTA offers buses, ferries, and world-famous streetcars to all main districts (system map). Get an unlimited 1-day Jazzy Pass for $3 online, at ticket vending machines, or via the Le Pass app (iPhone and Android). 3-day ($8) and 7-day ($15) passes are also available.
That said, New Orleans is a city best experienced by walking its streets!
Transportation to the Wedding Events
We recommend walking or taking a rideshare or taxi to our event venues, depending on your starting point. For those wearing heels, be cautious—the sidewalks in New Orleans are cracked and uneven in some places, and we don’t want you to twist your ankle before hitting the dance floor!
Things to Do
There are an endless list of things to do and places to see in New Orleans, but below are our own personal recommendations for both first-timers and return visitors alike! Each place on this list has had at least one visit from us on our many travels to New Orleans.
Food & Drink
French Quater:
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar (historic bar) – Oldest bar in New Orleans. Known for their ‘Voodoo’ (grape) slushies and late–night sing–along piano bar.
- Erin Rose (bar, food) – Serves frozen Irish Coffees in front po’ boys up in the back!
- Verti Marte (deli) – Counter-serve deli open 24/7, known for their Muffuletta.
- Hotel Monteleone (historic bar) – Famous hotel known for their carousel-bar where you can enjoy a few rounds of drinks.
Marigny:
- Paladar 511 (brunch, dinner) – Modern restaurant set in a stunning warehouse with inventive dishes.
- Dat Dog (hotdogs) – Late-night hotdog joint. Huge hotdog menu with unique options.
- Marie’s Bar and Kitchen (bar, food) – Dive bar serving solid smashburgers out of a window in the back.
Bywater:
- Bacchanal (wine, charcuterie, food) – One of our favorite spots in New Orleans. Wine shop in the front and (really good!) live Jazz in the courtyard.
- Vaughan’s Lounge (bar) – Another one of our staples! Dive bar with live music most nights. They have great swing-style dancing.
- BJs Lounge (bar) – Cash-only dive bar with a patio and live music.
Lower Garden District:
- Turkey and the Wolf (lunch) – Grown-up sandwiches inspired by child-like wonder, served over counter! If you are familiar with Big Kids in Chicago, these are the same owners.
- Molly’s Rise and Shine (brunch) – From the same owners yet again, this brunch place feels like you’re eating at your aunt’s house in the 90’s.
Central City:
- Central City BBQ (food) – Great barbecue spot with a huge outdoor patio. This was a close pick for the welcome party! Try a double Jameson and ginger.
- Ecology Beer Creative (brewery) – craft brewery with a lush patio and neighborhood cats.
- Sidecar Patio and Oyster (bar, oysters) / The Rusty Nail (bar) – Huge bar with a patio space tucked away near The National WWII Museum. This was a close pick for the welcome party!
Uptown:
- Bearcat Cafe (brunch) – Brunch worth having almost every time we visit New Orleans! No reservations, so arrive early!
- Cure (cocktail bar) – Won a James Beard in 2018!
- Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar – Have a happy hour with half-price oysters & drinks. Try their frozen pomegranate mojito (at your own risk!)
Music
You can find music on every block, but here are some highlights.
Museums / Tours / Misc.
- The National WWII Museum – Expansive museum offering an immersive experience of World War II. We spent over 5 hours here and didn’t see it all, so plan accordingly!
- Museum of Death – Macabre museum highlighting mortuary equipment, prison notes from serial killers, and more. It’s quite graphic, but fun!
- Backstreet Cultural Museum – Small museum of brass bands, jazz funerals, and the overall culture surrounding Mardi Gras.
- St. Louis Cemetery #1 & #2 Voodoo Tour – This 2-hour walking tour takes you through the French Quarter to St. Louis Cemetery #1 and Congo Square.
- Frenchmen Art Bazaar – Open-air market located on Frenchmen Street. Open Wed - Sunday, 7 PM.
- Garden District Walking Tour – Group tour of many of the famous properties in the Garden District, including The Rink, Lafayette Cemetery #1, and the mansion featured in American Horror Story: Coven. Or, try the self-guided tour.