Follow Courtney Quinn’s colorful discoveries around the Garden District. Photo credit: Color Me Courtney
To take on a local itinerary from Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District is to enter a world full of art-draped markets, petal-covered streets and sugar-coated sweets. The Garden District is colorful, no doubt, so who better to explore Hotel Indigo’s curated neighborhood picks than the (self-proclaimed) color-obsessed Courtney Quinn of Color Me Courtney?
In 48 hours in NOLA, Courtney covered serious ground (and beignets, cocktails and festivals) in the Garden District and beyond. Take a cue from her list of favorite local discoveries to help plan your own New Orleans getaway:
Where to Eat
Though 90% of her trip focused on eating — as most NOLA trips skew — including tastes of Bakery Bar, Jacques-Imo’s and Three Muses, Courtney’s #1 pick is: “Café Du Monde. (Duh.)” Indulge in a basket of their world-famous beignets and follow this most important tip: Don’t forget to check your face for powdered sugar before you leave.
First, Beignets. Then, face check for the powdered sugar aftermath. Photo credit: Color Me Courtney
Where to Drink
You don’t have to go far from Hotel Indigo for a memorable local cocktail. “I loved the hotel bar!” Courtney says. Start your night with a signature drink at the hotel’s Babin’s Bar & Bistro.
Don’t miss a drink at Babin’s Bar at Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District.
Where to Shop
“Magazine Street was my favorite spot to shop!” Courtney says. “There were a lot of great vintage spots and unique boutiques.” Follow her lead: Head toward Magazine and 8th streets for some of the city’s best shopping and stop for a macaron sundae at Sucré.
One of Courtney’s favorite places to stroll, and shop, was Magazine Street. Photo credit: Color Me Courtney
Where to Explore Art and Design
From the Garden District, hop the streetcar to the French Quarter for more design inspiration. It’s “a wonderland of art, culture and design,” according to Courtney. “I traveled with my mom (an interior designer) and she was in design heaven!”
Art and design inspiration hangs from every corner. Photo credit: Color Me Courtney
Where to Stay
Courtney calls the Garden District a great home base: “Hotel Indigo gives you a prime location to all of the action. You can walk out your door and catch the trolley, or turn to explore all of the beautiful homes in the Garden District. You’ll be traveling to the Quarter no matter what, so I think it’s nice to stay in a different neighborhood with new attractions you might not otherwise visit!”
After a day exploring, relax in your spa-inspired bathroom at Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District. Photo credit: Color Me Courtney
