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WHY IT RATES: Travel agents and advisors should be selling New Orleans to clients looking to travel before the end of 2018.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.
TRICENTENNIAL:
New Orleans celebrated its 300th anniversary throughout 2018.
—As one of the world’s most unique and diverse cities, New Orleans celebrated its past accomplishments, the resilience of its people and set the course for the future. We look forward to several new developments in 2019, including a new airport, cocktail museum, children’s museum and more, as the city continues to evolve.
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) opened The Orléans Collection in October. The Orléans Collection is an exhibition of selections from the magnificent collection of the city’s namesake, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (1689-1723).
—On view from October 26th, 2018 through January 27th, 2019, The Orléans Collection brings together, for the first time, a selection of masterpieces from institutions such as the National Gallery of London, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the National Gallery of Scotland to tell the story of the collection’s formation, its reputation, and its impact in early 18th century Paris.
LUNA (Light Up NOLA Arts) Fete 2018, the outdoor public art show that uses New Orleans as a canvas, will begin on December 6th running 6 – 10 p.m. nightly in Lafayette Square through December 9th. The Arts Council has dubbed this year’s event the Tricentennial Luna Fete.
—LUNA Fete will feature illuminated installations, video-mapping projections, digital sculptures featuring a roster of international, national and local artists.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
December in New Orleans brings Christmas New Orleans Style, a month of holiday celebrations that includes light displays, festivals, concerts and more.
—Enjoy light displays across 25 acres of New Orleans City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, during Celebration in the Oaks, open now through January 1st, 2019.
—Audubon Zoo Lights will illuminate the Audubon Zoo for the first time ever this holiday season through December 30th.
—NOLA ChristmasFest takes over the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for 10 days, December 20th – 31st, featuring an indoor ice-skating rink, carnival rides, holiday events and more.
—In Creole tradition, restaurants across the city present Reveillon dinners during the month of December, with modern takes on the traditional nineteenth century holiday feasts. Restaurants have also added a cocktail component to the dinners, Reveillon on the Rocks, serving up holiday-themed cocktails.
—Throughout the month of December, travelers can enjoy Papa Noel Hotel Rates for hotel rooms across New Orleans as well as for bed and breakfasts.
HOTELS:
Atelier Ace, the creative group behind the Ace Hotel, is opening Maison de la Luz, a distinctive new guest house located in the city’s Central Business District in early 2019. The new property will feature 67 guest rooms, a library bar and a curated concierge service.
RESTAURANTS/BARS:
French Brasserie Couvant recently opened in the Eliza Jane Hotel, serving simple brasserie fare with relevant renditions of iconic French dishes. The restaurant also features a six-seat raw bar.
Bacchanal Wine Bar and Chef Alex Harrell are the forces behind the Elysian Bar which recently opened in the Hotel Peter and Paul. The concept is a small plates only menu influenced by Southern staples.
Chef Donald Link is gearing up to open his latest concept, Gianna, an Italian restaurant.
—James Beard Award-winning Chef Rebecca Wilcomb will be the executive chef.
—Located on the corner of Magazine and Girod streets in the newly built Kalorama building.
Chef Justin Devillier and his wife Mia Freiberger-Devillier will open their third restaurant, Justine, in the coming months. Justine, located in the French Quarter at 225 Chartres Street, will be a brasserie offering contemporary interpretations of classic French fare.
Saint Germain Wine Barrecently opened its doors in the Bywater at 3054 St. Claude Avenue. The 1700-square foot space features a cozy dining room with roughly a dozen seats and an open outdoor patio where guests can enjoy drinks and bistro style small plates.
Tales of the Cocktail will open its own bar taking over the former home of Pigeon & Prince, an events space in the Central Business District.
—The four-floor venue will be called Storyteller X Tales (“Storyteller by Tales”) and will be the future home to private events, classes and the Tales of the Cocktail Bar, which is expected to open in the coming months.
Warbucks, the new concept from Executive Chef-Owner Todd Pulsinelli recently opened at 3218 Magazine Street, featuring a creative menu and playful atmosphere. Warbucks is a representation of everything Chef Pulsinelli enjoys – hip hop music, skateboarding, comradery, family and great food and drink.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is on track to open the new 972,000 square-foot facility in May 2019.
—This new, world-class terminal complex will completely replace the current facility.
—The $1 billion project includes in-line baggage screening, a consolidated security checkpoint to three concourses and 35 gates, a 2,200-car parking garage and more concessions options located down the center of aisle.
—Food and beverage concessions and news, gift and specialty treat retail concessions will feature a mix of local brands representative of Louisiana and New Orleans as well as national brands that appeal to both the local and visiting passengers.
—The new facility is expected to increase the airport’s economic impact by approximately 20% in the next five years and will support 64,000 jobs and $6.4 billion in local spending.
New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) will open doors to the public in January 2019 at 725 Howard Avenue with classes beginning January 7th.
—The new $32 million culinary and hospitality institute will be home to teaching kitchens, a wine and spirits lab, a retail café space, separate classroom and office spaces for NOCHI and Tulane University and an event center on the top floor.
—A range of enthusiast classes will be offered to locals and visitors alike for those passionate about food, wine and cocktails, looking to improve their skill.
Several new developments have broken ground across the city.
NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS
Spirit Airlines announced two new daily nonstop flights from Denver International Airport (DEN) to New Orleans and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ATX) to New Orleans, both beginning on Februarys 14th, 2019.
Allegiant Air announced a new seasonal nonstop flight from Louisville International Airport (SDF) to New Orleans beginning February 28th, 2019 through May 5th, 2019. The flight will be offered twice weekly on Sundays and Thursdays.
Spirit Airlines announced a new seasonal nonstop flight from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to New Orleans beginning on May 2nd, 2019.
MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS:
Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges Annual Meeting | December 8th – 11th
For more information, reach out to your local travel agent.
SOURCE: New Orleans & Company press release.
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