Established in 2002 as a small gathering of cocktail lovers, TOTC is now the world's premier…read morecocktail festival. The TOTC Foundation's mission is to Educate, Advance, Support, & Grow the international cocktail community. They also offer scholarships and apprentice programs. The week-long conference is tailored towards bartenders, cocktail enthusiasts, distillers, & others in the spirits industry. It gets bigger & better each year and the parties become more elaborate. I've lost track of how many years I've been attending this fantastic event. (There was a virtual conference during COVID.) It's nice to see how the trends have changed over the years--such as the evolution of N/A spirits & mocktails--and the growing focus on the overall mental health for industry workers. I always have a great time, make new friends, and reconnect with old ones. I enjoy the opportunity to meet the distillers, try new products, and make connections in the industry. The week begins with a Day of Service where attendees work with a local non-profit to give back to the community and ends with Pig & Punch - a big ole BBQ Party for Charity. In between there are seminars, tastings, networking events, spirited dinners, and parties. There is a morning wellness session and a running group that meets daily. The main event is the Spirited Awards, which recognizes every facet of the spirits and cocktail industry on a global scale. There is also the Speed Rack Challenge, which is a female high-speed bartending competition designed to highlight up-and-coming talent in the cocktail industry. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. and run into the wee hours of the next morning. My schedule is jam packed every day. It's impossible to attend every event. I do have my favorites that I look forward to. The swag is great and the food is plentiful with free bites along the way. Seminars and tastings are in the hotel. Parties and other events are held at various locations throughout the city: Bars, Mansions, The Sazerac House.... Bartenders from some of the most prestigious establishments around the world volunteer for guest shifts. I commend them because they hustle making expertly crafted cocktails for a crowd. The volunteer staff are fantastic too. Needless to say, I can't wait for next year.

For industry workers they sure don't tip. After a day and a half over 30 rides and tipped by no…read moremore than 5 I'm working the other side of town. Big shout out to Eric of Jacks bar one airport trip in., and another ride across town with an additional rider still waiting on a tip from my name sake!!!

Our wedding party went have a good time!! January 10th we got married. Had a great time!!! We…read moreloved the KJ . She was awesome!!! The staff was unbelievably amazing!!! If we go back ... or when we go back... we will be coming back!!! The vibes were there!!!

Avoid the convenience store that's attached. The cashier told me the coffee was $2, then she…read morecharged me $4. I came all the way back to question her and she got an attitude and started calling me homophobic names,making fun of my nails. In 2026! Robbed by the cashier and then cursed out. Wow

Francis -Parkinson Keyes, one of my favorite authors lived here so we always pay homage on a trip…read more it never gets old. Built in 1926, This architectural treasure is an outstanding example of a raised center hall villa and includes both Creole and American features in an elaborately detailed residence. BK House's diverse history includes the stories of those who both lived and labored here for nearly 200 years. Originally owned by Ursuline nuns and subsequently occupied by PT Beauregard and Francis- Parkinson Keyes. FPK also wrote a novel called The Chess Players, based on chess champion Paul Morphy, who was also the grandson of the original owner of the house, LeCarpentier.(A great book). Our first tour a few years ago was just us and the docent. There was an ermine cape as worn by FPK and I tried it on. It fit perfectly. Another Urban gem in New Orleans.

The BK Historic House and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark built in 1826 and restored to its…read morepresent condition by renowned author Frances Parkinson Keyes beginning in 1948. It is an example of a raised Creole cottage and is lovingly cared for by the Keyes Foundation. Reasonable admission price, the tours start every hour on the hour. You are not allowed inside to wait more than 10-15 minutes before the tour begins, so be aware of that during the hot summer months. This is well worth the stop if you are in the area. It is located in the French Quarter, but off the beaten path.

We had a great time at the Old Mint Museum. It was a calm, peaceful morning, and the museum was…read morevery clean and well maintained. There is a lot of history throughout, and the Mint itself was especially interesting. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy learning about local history.

U.S. Mint Portion: Pretty cool…read more It's small and it's free. Good place to check out if you have a free hour. Moderately interesting stuff, but if your a history buff, you'll really enjoy it. Not a lot of people visiting, so you can take your time. Jazz Museum Portion: 2nd floor, a lot of very cool stuff from "The Gift", New Orleans favorite son, Louis Armstrong. Take your time and read. There is an interview running from TV'S Dick Cavett Show with Satchmo. It's fun. The 3rd floor has a studio with musicians explaining in layman's terms about jazz, and performing. Seats about 50. Cool, interesting.

Thanks for the breakfast chicken and waffles and vegetable omelet…read more The fried chicken tenders were so tender with the right amount of crunchy breading. The waffles had a hint of sweetness. My hubby enjoyed his veggie omelet with a sliced avocado. Coffee is available via a dispenser for free. An easy place to get breakfast if you are staying at the Cambria Hotel in the Warehouse District and are on a time crunch (on Moving Day).

What a lovely spot to sit and relax for a moment. Evidently events are held here for the Italian…read morecommunity and the museum nearby. A water feature and arches play prominent roles in the plaza. The architecture is lovely. There are few shade trees, a couple of benches. It is kind of surprising to see this in an otherwise business and restaurants and museums area.

This plaza was near my hotel, I tried several times to enter, and each time I found the gates…read morelocked. From what I can see, I didn't miss much, I got a few pics from the gates. Btw, the hours on the gates go from 7am (I think) until dusk.

This is a beautiful theater in Metairie. I gifted my Brother tickets to a show, and we were both…read moreabsolutely thrilled with the experience. The theater itself is charming, cozy, and very comfortable, with multiple seating options, a definite plus. The staff was friendly and helpful, which truly enhanced the overall experience. Parking was also incredibly easy, something I always appreciate. If you have the opportunity to see a show here, I highly recommend taking advantage of it.

Jefferson Performing Arts Center took my breath away...and bot in a good way…read more I've been to Jefferson Performing Arts Center many times, and usually, it's a shining example of how to host a stellar event. The seats are comfy, the staff is welcoming, the logistics run like clockwork, and the acoustics are consistently phenomenal--every note rings out perfectly, no matter where you sit. Last night's Black Jacket Symphony performance of Led Zeppelin's music was no exception on the performance side--just incredible. But oh, let's talk about the atmosphere. When I stepped into the auditorium, I wasn't met with the warm embrace of a perfectly tuned heating system. No, I was smacked in the face by a wall of heat so intense I briefly considered whether Led Zeppelin might've been covering Hot for Teacher. Thankfully, someone on staff noticed that the audience wasn't exactly giving a standing ovation to the HVAC situation and turned the heat off. But then came the second act of discomfort: stagnant air. The kind of air that just sits there, like a guest at a dinner party who refuses to leave. No fans, no circulation--just a thick, unmoving mass of stuffiness that somehow felt more oppressive than the heat itself. And here's the thing: when you're in a packed room where the average age skews over 60, and you add in the not-so-subtle aroma of decades of cigarette smoking clinging to clothing? Let's just say it wasn't a breath of fresh air. The show itself was phenomenal--so good that I stayed despite feeling like I was trying to breathe through a wet blanket. But honestly, Jefferson Performing Arts Center, you've got to do better. Temperature control and air circulation aren't just "nice-to-haves"; they're the baseline for a venue of this caliber. I want to keep coming back for these incredible performances, but next time, let's make sure the only thing taking my breath away is the music--not the HVAC drama.

Celebrating 30 years in existence this museum has two locations with the original building…read morecurrently under renovations with the exceptions of completion at the end of the year. We were graciously greeted at the door by a worker offering of taking a photo of us. Admission is very reasonable $25 and there are discounts. There are two floors with amazing installations covering the untold stories of Hurricane Katrina. Without giving too much away, you will be moved spiritually to your core by the images, stories and struggles. My favorite has to be the mirrored rooms and the blue quilt of stories penned by residents.

Great local museum explaining the African-American experience. Museums like this are especially…read moreimportant in a time that politicians seem to want to sanitize or even rewrite truthful history. Admission price was slightly aggressive, but worth it. The main building itself is newly renovated recently and beautiful.