Social Activities, Restaurants, and Attractions Available (not facilitated by IFD&TC)
The 11th annual Mid City Bayou Boogaloo is a FREE arts and music festival held each year at a park along the river in Mid-City New Orleans. This year it is happening on Friday 5/19 through Sunday 5/21 – just before the conference. There will be plenty of great music, food, arts and crafts, and good times to be had!
You can get there by taking a 20-minute cab ride from the hotel, asking the driver to take you to the park at 803 N Jefferson Davis Pkwy, New Orleans, LA 70119.
Or take a fun ride on the historic Canal Street Streetcar:
Walk from the Westin Hotel to Harrah’s Casino (0.1 miles)
Get on the 47 (Canal Cemeteries) streetcar (about 20 minute ride)
Walk 0.5 miles Northwest on Canal Street towards Jefferson Davis Parkway
TripAdvisor’s Ten Best French Quarter Restaurants
Borgne
Daisy Dukes
Port of Call
Coops Place
Killer PoBoys
Lucy’s Retired Surfers
Drago’s
Barcadia
Mulate’s
Deanies
Café Sbia
Pelican Club
Bonton Café
Peche
Cochon
Sylvain
Nola – Emeril’s Restaurant
Meril– Emeril’s Restaurant
La Boca
Café du Monde – a tourist must – get there early!
Kingfish
Vic’s Kangaroo Cafe
Molly’s at the Market
Mother’s Restaurant
The Jazz Playhouse – 300 Bourbon Street, (504) 553-2299
The Jazz Playhouse, the best jazz club in town showcasing New Orleans’ greatest Jazz talents and serving your favorite cocktails and appetizers in a luxurious and intimate venue on the lobby level of the hotel. Shows begin at 8 p.m.
Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub – 733 Bourbon Street, (504) 586-4800
Oldest operated Jazz club in New Orleans, Fritzel’s is situated in an historic 1831 building nestled in the heart of New Orleans’ storied French Quarter. Since its founding in October 1969, it has become a mecca for Jazz lovers and musicians alike.
The Funky Pirate Blues Club – 727 Bourbon Street
The best Blues club on Bourbon Street is undoubtedly the famous and fun Funky Pirate™ featuring the internationally acclaimed “Big Al Carson” (495 pounds of pure New Orleans Blues) & The Blues Masters is open at 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and at noon Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Other great local talent is spotlighted for Blues and Jazz such as Marc Stone and Mark Pentone.
Blue Nile – 532 Frenchmen Street, (504) 948-2583
A range of acts from Funk & Blues to Brass Bands takes the stage at this longtime live music bar.
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro – 626 Frenchmen Street, (504) 949-0696
The club books strong Jazz talent, among best in NOLA. Two levels for the audience (upstairs/downstairs), intimate atmosphere but concert rather than club. Altogether, a very good place to listen to high-brow Jazz, not so good for Blues or jam sessions. Arrive early (45 mins?) as it is first come/first serve, and the front tables are much better.
Spotted Cat Music Club – 623 Frenchmen Street, (504) 943-3887
If you’re looking for some live music (specifically some smooth Jazz), you can’t go wrong with the Spotted Cat, which hosts live bands every night of the week, just steps from the French Quarter.
D.B.A. – 618 Frenchmen Street, (504) 942-3731
This music club features performances by local and regional acts every night of the week, and all tickets are first come, first serve. When you’re not nodding your head to some tunes, you can partake in the killer selection of wine, cocktails and draft beers that’s available. Or you can do both at the same time, whatever.
The Maison – 508 Frenchmen Street, (504) 371-5543
With three stages and a restaurant, this Frenchmen Street music hall is bound to have something up your alley, if your alley is one in which you like to boogie. It features live music every single day, too, so whenever the spirit takes you, you can show up and see who’s ripping it up on stage, from Jazz to Funk, almost every act is a seriously dance-able one.
The Eight Best Nightclubs in New Orleans
The Official New Orleans Travel Site
Trip Advisor’s Top Things to Do in New Orleans
Mardi Gras World
Riverboat Cruise
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