Maximizing Your New Orleans Bleisure Itinerary: Work and Play Tips

New Orleans, the storied city along the Mississippi River, has emerged as a prime destination for bleisure travel – the growing trend of blending business trips with leisure pursuits. With its distinct cultural heritage, world-class cuisine, and boundless entertainment options, the Big Easy offers professionals the perfect balance of work and play when away from the office.

TL;DR

• Careful planning allows you to maximize free time between work obligations
• Choosing accommodations that balance convenience and proximity to attractions is crucial
• Engaging with locals, whether colleagues or residents, can provide insider tips and enhance your experience

Optimizing Your Work Schedule

As a bleisure traveler in New Orleans, optimizing your work schedule is key to ensuring you have ample time to explore the city’s many attractions. Prioritize essential meetings and business activities, and block off dedicated work times to stay productive. When scheduling meetings and site visits, aim for efficiency to free up leisure time. For example, if your conference is at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, consider booking a hotel in the nearby Warehouse District or Central Business District, which offer easy access to both the convention center and popular attractions like the French Quarter.

Choosing Ideal Accommodations

When choosing accommodations, consider factors such as location, amenities, and workspace. Hotels like the Hilton New Orleans Riverside or the Hyatt Regency New Orleans offer convenient access to the convention center and downtown attractions, as well as on-site business centers and meeting spaces. For a more immersive experience, consider vacation rentals in neighborhoods like the French Quarter or Garden District, which offer a taste of local life and unique architectural charm.

Getting Around the City

Getting around New Orleans is easy, with options ranging from walking and streetcars to rideshares and taxis. Staying in a central, walkable location like the French Quarter allows you to easily navigate between work obligations and leisure activities. The city’s historic streetcars, particularly the St. Charles line, offer a scenic and affordable way to explore different neighborhoods. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are also widely available for longer distances or late-night outings.

Indulging in New Orleans Cuisine

No bleisure trip to New Orleans would be complete without experiencing the city’s legendary cuisine. From classic dishes like gumbo and jambalaya to po-boys and beignets, there’s no shortage of culinary delights to sample between work commitments. For quick lunches near the convention center, try local favorites like Cochon Butcher (930 Tchoupitoulas St, open 10am-9pm) for artisanal sandwiches and charcuterie, or Mother’s Restaurant (401 Poydras St, open 7am-10pm) for traditional New Orleans fare. Happy hour is a great way to unwind after a long day of meetings, with options like the Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone (214 Royal St, open 11am-1am) or the rooftop bar at Hot Tin (2031 St Charles Ave, open 4pm-12am) offering craft cocktails and stunning city views. For business dinners or special occasions, splurge on a meal at iconic restaurants like Commander’s Palace (1403 Washington Ave, open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm & 5:30pm-9pm, Sat 11:30am-12:30pm & 5:30pm-9:30pm, Sun 10:30am-1:30pm & 5:30pm-9pm) or Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon St, open Tue-Sat 11:30am-10pm).

Exploring Attractions and Culture

When it comes to exploring New Orleans’ attractions and culture, prioritize top sights and experiences that fit your interests and schedule. If time is limited, focus on shorter excursions like a stroll through Jackson Square, a visit to the historic Cabildo museum (701 Chartres St, open Tue-Sun 10am-4:30pm, $10 admission), or a jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters (613 Royal St, daily 9am-3pm, $36-$45 per person). For longer outings, consider a guided tour of the Garden District’s antebellum mansions, a steamboat cruise on the Mississippi River with the Steamboat Natchez (daily departures from Toulouse St Wharf, $38-$44 per person), or an evening of live music on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny neighborhood.

Connecting with Locals

Connecting with locals is one of the best ways to gain insider insights and enrich your New Orleans experience. Tap into colleagues’ knowledge of the city, and attend networking events or interest groups related to your industry. Strike up conversations with residents at local coffee shops like Café du Monde (800 Decatur St, open 24/7) or bars like the Spotted Cat Music Club (623 Frenchmen St, open daily 2pm-2am), and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations on everything from the best po-boy spot to hidden gem music venues.

Balancing Work and Leisure

Finally, make the most of your evenings and weekends in New Orleans by balancing socializing and networking with restorative solo time. Plan ahead for any special events, festivals, or shows you don’t want to miss, like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (late April to early May) or the French Quarter Festival (mid-April). However, leave flexibility in your itinerary to explore spontaneously or simply relax and soak up the city’s unique atmosphere. Whether it’s listening to street musicians on Royal Street, people-watching from a café in the Marigny, or taking a leisurely stroll along the Mississippi River, sometimes the most memorable moments are the unplanned ones.

By strategically planning your work schedule, choosing the right accommodations, experiencing the best of New Orleans cuisine and culture, and engaging with locals, you can maximize your bleisure trip to the Big Easy and return home feeling both professionally accomplished and personally enriched.