The good times are rolling once again in New Orleans. This year saw the triumphant return of Mardi Gras celebrations after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, with festive parades filling the city’s famed streets in the first months of 2022. What's more, the Big Easy has recently welcomed multiple new hotels and expanded a number of popular museums, providing plenty of new opportunities for travelers.
And while visitor numbers have not yet reached 2019 levels, demand for the Crescent City is strong, according to Kelly Schulz, senior vice president of communications for New Orleans & Company. Not only does New Orleans offer plenty of outdoor options for the pandemic era, but at a time when many clients are looking to travel domestically, the destination also holds a uniquely international appeal.
“Visitors love New Orleans for its European feel; beautiful, historic architecture; and cobblestone streets,” Schulz said. “From swamp tours and haunted buildings to paddleboating and more, adventure calls around every unique neighborhood, historic avenue and cozy corner of New Orleans.”
From swamp tours and haunted buildings to paddleboating and more, adventure calls around every unique neighborhood, historic avenue and cozy corner of New Orleans.
In addition to its classic offerings, there are also plenty of new developments attracting visitors to the Big Easy.
Here’s a look at what’s noteworthy for travel in 2022 and beyond.
New Hotels in New Orleans
The Crescent City welcomed a few new hotels last year, including the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, which opened in August on the riverfront at the foot of Canal Street, just steps from the French Quarter. In addition to a 34th-floor observation deck, the property has two restaurants from acclaimed local chefs.
Virgin Hotels New Orleans opened the same month in the Warehouse District, offering a rooftop Pool Club with views of the city, while Kimpton Hotel Fontenot began welcoming guests in May in the Central Business District (pro tip: recommend that clients visit the opulent Peacock Room bar).
Updated Attractions and New Activities
When it comes to activities, culinary-minded clients can now take a chef-led Cajun or Creole cooking class at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum. Guests will make iconic local dishes while learning about their unique cultural and historical origins, as well as enjoy a curator-led tour of the museum.
The National WWII Museum (located in the Warehouse District), meanwhile, plans to debut the new Liberations Pavilion this year; currently under construction, the three-story addition will explore themes of liberation, freedom and democracy through interactive experiences and thought-provoking exhibits. Also of note is the new Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, which opened in early 2021 in New Orleans’ Arts District and explores the unique history and culture of Southern Jews.
The National WWII Museum is expanding.
Credit: 2022 Paul BroussardIn-Demand Cultural Experiences, Including the Renovated New Orleans African American Museum
New Orleans has long been a capital of Black history and culture in the U.S., and now more than ever, travelers are interested in diving into this rich legacy.
Clients can visit historically Black neighborhoods such as Treme, which is known as the oldest African American neighborhood in the U.S.; or Central City, a former hub for the Civil Rights Movement that now features stunning street murals. For more local art, travel advisors can recommend a visit to Studio Be, a warehouse installation by artist Brandan “BMike” Odums that explores Blackness through visual arts.
Demand for New Orleans travel is strong.
Credit: 2022 New Orleans & CompanyThe New Orleans African American Museum is another heritage highlight. Dedicated to protecting, preserving and promoting the African American communities of New Orleans and the wider African diaspora, the museum reopened just before the pandemic in 2019, following a six-year closure and a $2 million renovation. In addition to its exhibits, the museum hosts a free event featuring local Black business vendors, farmers and artists every third Saturday in 2022. Travelers can even book the museum’s Treme Experience for a half- or full-day guided visit to the historic area.
Travel Opportunities
Schulz notes that New Orleans & Company offers travel advisor rates during the summer and in December at participating hotels, as well as a VIP Pass that grants travel professionals exclusive discounts for popular restaurants, tours and attractions in the city. Agents can also become a certified New Orleans expert by completing the company’s courses.
When it comes to COVID-19 protocols, advisors can let clients know that (as of March 21, 2022) New Orleans has lifted its mandates, though mask requirements are still in place where federally mandated, such as on public transportation and at healthcare facilities. Up-to-date information can be found on New Orleans & Company’s website.
Editor's Note: This story (originally published March 6, 2022) was updated on April 5, 2022, to reflect revised COVID-19 information.
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