Item Description

TRAVEL

2 round trip airline tickets from any where in the contential US to New Orleans - blackout dates apply

Old 77 Hotel - 2 nights

Located three blocks from the French Quarter, the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery is the latest incarnation of a building that began its life in 1854 as a warehouse serving the Port of New Orleans. Opened in April 2015 following a renovation highlighting rustic original details – like hard wood floors and exposed brick walls – it pairs sophisticated modern design with culture and art rooted in New Orleans courtesy of partnerships with the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Where Y'Art and a chandlery filled with the work of local makers.

Rooted in history, the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery celebrates the artists and makers of New Orleans today and in the future. Partnering with the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, the city's premiere publicly-funded arts high school, the hotel features student art in all guest rooms and a lobby art gallery featuring the work of students, faculty and alumni. A second gallery in partnership with Where Y'Art showcases works by New Orleans artists and a chandlery sells a curated selection of items from local makers.

Johnny Sanchez Restaurant - gift card - $75

A smart, chic and authentic restaurant that embodies the warmth of traditional Mexican cooking, and the fun and genuine hospitality that defines New Orleans. It bridges traditional Mexican food with a cutting-edge, modern approach to dining that utilizes the very best ingredients. 

Serious food in a fun environment is the name of the game. Stepping through the door will bring guests out of their everyday routine and into an inspired atmosphere reminiscent of Mexico City.

Johnny Sánchez is the inaugural restaurant collaboration of two old friends known for their world-class cuisine. John and Aarón, each of whom has been recognized with some of the culinary world’s most coveted awards, met years ago when Aarón began his career in New Orleans, working for legendary chef Paul Prudhomme. Later, the chefs’ paths crossed again while competing on the first season of Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef.” Since then, the two have become great friends and each has lit up the culinary scene by utilizing his unique talents and skills to entertain and educate the country about shared passions: food, drink, and hospitality.

Bon Ton Cafe - gift card - $100

The flickering gas lights and canvas canopy that announce the entrance to the Bon Ton Café are the first hints to an experience in dining that has almost vanished in our fast-paced lives.

Housed in the historical 1840’s Natchez building, within earshot of boat whistles on the Mississippi, its checkered red and white tablecloths, wrought-iron chandeliers and soft-brick walls create an atmosphere to enjoy Cajun food prepared stylishly from original family recipes. Combined with the down-home friendliness of the staff, dining at the Bon Ton often becomes an event long-remembered.

Originally opened in the early 1900’s, it has long been a favorite of local dining connoisseurs. After a brief recess, Al and Alzina Pierce came to New Orleans in the early 1950’s from their home along the bayous of South Louisiana and reopened the Bon Ton. With them came recipes that their families had created while living deep in the Cajun country of Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

Armed with these recipes, they opened one of the first restaurants in New Orleans to challenge the city’s renowned Creole cooking with authentic Cajun cuisine that depends heavily on foods from Louisiana’s bayous and the Gulf of Mexico. Once found only in the kitchens along those bayous, dishes such as crawfish etouffée, crawfish bisque, shrimp and oyster jambalaya, now appeared on a restaurant table. Other Bon Ton specialties made with lump crabmeat, oysters, crawfish and soft shell crabs began to pamper New Orleans diners—one of the world’s most critical group of gourmets.

Adding to the nostalgia of Cajun lore are two specialties of the house prepared as only the Bon Ton knows how - its famed Rum Ramsey cocktail adapted from a recipe handed down from the early 1900’s and known only to the owners, and its Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce that is so delicious it verges on being wicked.

Cafe du Monde - gift card

Beignets

Beignets were also brought to Louisiana by the Acadians. These were fried fritters, sometimes filled with fruit. Today, the beignet is a square piece of dough, fried and covered with powdered sugar. They are served in orders of three.

History

The Original Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand was established in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market. The Cafe is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It closes only on Christmas Day and on the day an occasional Hurricane passes too close to New Orleans.

The Original Cafe Du Monde is a traditional coffee shop. Its menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The coffee is served Black or Au Lait. Au Lait means that it is mixed half and half with hot milk. Beignets are square French -style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar. In 1988 Iced Coffee was introduced to the cafe. Soft drinks also made their debut that year.

Funky Pirate - gift card - $40

The National WWII museum - 2 adult tickets

The National WWII Museum

Ranked by TripAdvisor as the #1 Attraction in New Orleans, named by USA Today as the #1 Best Place to Learn U.S. Military History, and designated by Congress as America’s official museum about World War II, The National WWII Museum features a rich collection of artifacts that bring history to life. Discover the most impactful event of the 20th century and the legacy of the greatest generation in thought-provoking exhibits, and explore the American experience in the war that changed the world.

From D-Day galleries to the 4D cinematic experience, Beyond All Boundaries, from the soaring US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center to the groundbreaking new Campaigns of Courage, this world-renowned history museum is designed to inspire visitors of all ages in the lessons of World War II and the stories of heroism, tragedy, and liberation.

According to TripAdvisor, The National WWII Museum ranks as:

• #1 attraction in New Orleans
• #4 top museum in the United States
• #11 top museum in the world

Item Special Note

Bon Ton Cafe - Downtown New Orleans

Open Monday - Friday ONLY, reservations recommended. 

The National WWII museum

2 adult tickets