Rathbone Mansions
Historic New Orleans Hotel, Steps From the French Quarter
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Insiders Guide of things to do, eats and drinks in New Orleans

Rathbone Mansions Insiders Guide

With its unique, vibrant history, award winning chefs, craft cocktail bars, and party atmosphere, there's no wonder NOLA is consistently ranked one of the best cities to visit. We've got you covered with insiders' tips on the best places to visit, eat and drink during your stay. Click through our blog for suggestions, current events and truly experience New Orleans like a local.

New Orleans has a unique, vibrant history, award winning chefs, craft cocktails galore, and a low-key, Southern fun atmosphere. There's no wonder NOLA is consistently ranked one of the best US cities to visit.  We've got you covered with tips on locals' favorite spots to check out during your stay. Scroll through our blog for suggestions, current events and truly experience New Orleans like a local.

 

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Sightseeing Can Be Fun

 

Are you in New Orleans for a limited time? If so, a tour is just the ticket for the whole family. Yes, it’s structured – but in a good way – you won’t be aimlessly wandering around. Wait a minute! Maybe you can do both with a Hop-on, Hop-off tour!  

City Sightseeing Hop-on, Hop-off Tour

PHONE: 504-207-6200

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Here’s how this works: You hop on an open-top double-decker bus and then 20 minutes later your eyes widen as you suddenly realize you want to get off and explore. And that’s exactly what you do: wander down a narrow side street, peek into a tiny antique shop – and then 30 minutes later you go back from where you hopped off and here comes another bus. In one hour and 45 minutes you can see a lot of New Orleans this way.

Oh yes, we almost forgot: there are some great deals along the way. For example: all you have to do is present your bus tour ticket at various restaurants and gift shops to receive a “visitor’s discount.” It’s a win-win all around.     

Haunted History Tours

PHONE: 504-861-2727

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I think everyone loves the idea of ghosts and haunted, spooky places where folks almost jump out of their skin as they scream their heads off – and then double over laughing when they realize how nutty they’re acting. The Travel Channel voted “Haunted History Tours” as “The #1 Tour in New Orleans.”

They have been in business for over 20 years and offer a variety of daily and nightly spine-tingling, two-hour ghost tours in the French Quarter and the Garden District.

Warning: never say, “Nonsense, I don’t believe in vampires.” One may visit you later and ask for a Bloody Mary!

Swamp & Plantation Tour

PHONE: 504-708-5161

After reviewing perhaps ten tours, I whittled my list down to three and, of these, I think this is my favorite. Why? For starters, it’s an all-day nine-hour tour with pick-ups and drop-offs in New Orleans. It starts at 8:15 am with a swamp tour and has a full day of activities that includes an afternoon visit to a famous plantation.

Spanish moss adds a delicate touch

Spanish moss adds a delicate touch

IT ALL STARTS with a tour of the Maurepas Swamp, an 112,000-acre protected area that’s 25 miles west of New Orleans. You explore in a flat-bottom boat equipped with comfortable captain’s chairs that swivel 360 degrees. The boat only holds six people and, because of its small size, can go deeper into the swamp. This also means you can chat freely with your captain. What you will see is mind-boggling! The overall scene includes cattail, maple and American elm trees. But the showstoppers are the 100-year-old bald cypress or willow trees draped with Spanish moss. This entire area is home to the white-tailed deer, rabbits and squirrels. Folks who love bird watching can look for – and spot – a wide mix of bald eagles, ospreys, wood ducks, egrets and herons.    

A graceful egret in flight

A graceful egret in flight

THE LUNCH STOP is at B&C Seafood Cajun Restaurant located near the Whitney Plantation. It offers an amazing gumbo and specialties made with locally caught seafood – this includes stuffed crab and Gulf shrimp. The restaurant’s regular customers come here because of the reasonable prices and delicious homemade bread. One visitor wrote, “They serve hush puppies to die for.” B&C is closed on Sundays, so the tour group goes to the restaurant at the Oak Alley Plantation that is down the road in Vacherie. They serve delicious plantation omelets and Pain Perdu (Cajun French toast).   

Originally founded in 1752, the Whitney Plantation opened as a museum in 2014, following 16 years and $8 million worth of renovations. It is the only museum in America dedicated to telling the story of the African slave trade and what life was like for the people who worked on these plantations.

Wrapping up, here’s an option that’s offered by this tour company. It reads: “If you would prefer a different style of plantation (from the Whitney) we can offer visits to the nearby Laura and the Oak Alley Plantations.

CLICK HERE to read our blog about plantations in this area.

WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? Here’s the good news: our planet is 70% water – which, as we all know – heals one’s body and soul. After a long day of exploring our fair city it’s nice to know that you can take a dip in our hot tub or pool until midnight. You’ll feel 100% ready for everything that’s ahead!    

PLEASE PHONE, USE EMAIL OR CHECK THE WEB for the current status of whatever tour or activity you choose.

Shaun Nelson-Henrick

 
Christina DiPierro