These Lovely Hotels Are Thankfully Far Very Away From Bourbon Street
There's a time and a place for Bourbon Street, but its flashing lights can trick tourists into thinking that's all New Orleans has to offer. This couldn't be farther from the truth, and your experience (and enjoyment) of New Orleans can be greatly enriched by spending time in its less tourist-trodden neighborhoods. These hotels introduce you to gorgeous pockets of the city you might have missed otherwise.
The Quisby
Why it made the list
This affordable, newly renovated hostel is a great choice for those wanting to experience a more authentic Mardi Gras. All major parades roll down St. Charles Avenue, right past the Quisby's sunny windows, and the crowds gathering to watch here celebrate hard, but are more chill and family-oriented.
The Drifter Hotel
Why it made the list
If you still like to party, but don't enjoy the tacky or sometimes aggressively drunk nature of Bourbon clientele, then the Drifter is the place for you. In a part of Mid City that uninspired tourists rarely venture to, the pool bar is a favorite hangout for a young, festive crowd, and the entertainment celebrates local up-and-coming music and performing arts.
Catahoula Hotel
Why it made the list
Technically speaking, it's not too far from Bourbon Street (about an 8-minute walk), but at this small boutique hotel you'll be enjoying craft Pisco cocktails, piano music, and rooftop sunsets, instead of styrofoam-cup beers and bachelor party crowds.
Pontchartrain Hotel
Why it made the list
A large hotel with tons of local spunk, The Pontchartrain is located on St. Charles Avenue in the Lower Garden District, just minutes to the CBD and on a convenient streetcar line. The neighborhood offers great bars, restaurants and historical sites, as does the hotel itself: The renovated 1930s building celebrates much of its former past, and the Caribbean Room, Bayou Bar, and rooftop Hot Tin are all excellent choices for local splendor and indulgence.
Henry Howard Hotel
Why it made the list
This impeccably restored historic mansion couldn't feel farther from the grit and grime of Bourbon. Garden District blocks such as this one are the real gems of the neighborhood, where live oaks and blossoming bougainvillea bushes frame some of the best residential architecture in the city. And it's not like you're in the middle of nowhere: It's a quick walk to both St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street, where you'll find some of the city's best boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
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