Virtual Vacations
Welcome to New Orleans
Via Houston
In the city where laissez les bons temps rouler rules, discover some of the gems that makes the Big Easy unlike anywhere else in America. Put on your comfy clothes, grab a Sazerac, and let’s go.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, FOUND is producing free Virtual Vacations to encourage everyone to learn more about global culture while social distancing.
The local businesses, restaurants, and bars in our own hometowns of Houston and Austin need our support too, so we encourage you to order take-out and delivery as often as you can via our Perfect Pairings.
New Orleans has a very special place in our heart. We wish them a speedy recovery and we’ll be there as soon as possible.
Music in the air
April 23-26 and April 30 to May 3 would have been the 51st annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Celebrate at home by livestreaming performances of your favorite artist or musician via WWOZ OnlineWire. They have a daily listing of performances beginning on April 23. The Bayou Boogaloo is also putting together weekly live streaming programming via their Facebook page.
On April 25th, some of New Orleans best performing artists are convening for The Band Together Benefit, a virtual music festival where all proceeds go towards supporting up-and-coming musicians in the city.
Continue your day visiting the The New Orleans Jazz Museum where you can catch free weekly musical content.
You can also livestream and discover new artists via New Orleans Culturalyst or check out Buffa’s live stream concerts, too! House of Blues NOLA is also live streaming concerts via their Instagram.
Stop by the historic Preservation Hall, which has been celebrating Jazz music in New Orleans since the early 1950’s. Ben Jaffee of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is opening his doors for nightly concerts in his backyard via Instagram Live.
Local Houston Pairings
Start your morning off with some beignets from Crescent City Beignets. Known for their beignets, they also have a full menu of Louisiana inspired options.DoorDash delivery.
There’s also a virtual tour of Cafe Du Monde to imagine you’re actually there eating your warm sugar-coated beignet alongside the Mississippi.
There may not be a more comforting Southern breakfast food than biscuits and gravy. The Breakfast Klub provides, and get that New Orleans feel with their cafe au lait. Carry out and delivery on their site.
Boozy brunches are nothing new in Houston or New Orleans, and Lucille’s brings it. Their family brunch and to-go bottled mimosas will start your weekend off right. You can also order lunch and dinner and wine and my-oh-my are we excited! Curbside or DoorDash delivery.
Throw me somethin’ Mister/Sister!
Think you’re missing out because Mardi Gras is over for the year? Nope. The history and pagentry live all year round. Start by admiring the amazing, colorful floats held at Mardi Gras World. You can even see them being made by hand.
Can’t score a ticket to a Mardi Gras ball but still wanna see what it’s like? Check out the history and some ball costumes at Arnaud’s Restaurant. Head back downstairs and grab some of their souffled potatos while you pop into the French 75 bar and get, of course, a French 75.
Local Houston Pairings
BB’s, the local Houston chain of TexOrleans cooking restaurants that counts Beyonce as a fan, will meet all your needs! They’re doing a limited menu, but they’re really going big on the crawfish (even boil at home kits), the gumbo, and the gallon of Hurricanes! Call your local location to order, or use your favorite delivery app.
Poboys and crawfish and oysters and bread pudding oh my! The Boot has everything you need for a full day of Cajun food. Call and pick up, or GrubHub delivery if your in the area.
Ragin Cajun has a full menu, and is one of the few places with Cajun food that offers vegetarian options. Pick up and delivery from various services.
Antone’s has 3 locations and all are doing pick-up and are available on your preferred delivery app. They’re known for their po boys and muffeletas, but also have veg-friendly options.
Playing the Tourist
Walk off lunch by heading down to the Central Business District (CBD). Start with a visit to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art exhibits. After, it’s only a quick jaunt to the National WWII Museum, one of the city’s most fascinating museums in our opinion! They have a ton of webinars and podcasts on specific topics, some of which are relevant to current life. Curious to why the national museum for World War II is in New Orleans? It makes complete sense.
After art and education, take a load off and catch a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar to Lafayette Cemetery. Switch the seats on the streetcar and go back to the French Quarter. Stop by The Historic New Orleans Collection as they present their “History from Home” exhibit. Just around the corner, make sure to walk over to Jackson Square Park and take in the St. Louis Cathedral and some amazing people watching.
Looking to get out of the center of town? City Park is the home of New Orleans’ Museum of Art. Admire their current exhibits (with more being added) available via Google Cultural Institute.
Want to discover lesser-known New Orleans topics? New Orleans Secret Tours are offering their tours virtually via their Facebook page. End your day by catching the best insta-worth sunset shot aboard the Steamboat Natchez.
Local Houston Pairings
To sate your crawfish craving, we’ve rounded up a few establishments serving up some tasty critters:
- Crawfish & Noodles is about as good as it gets for Viet-Cajun crawfish. They’ve even been on Ugly Delicious, and that means something. Pick up at their place, or delivery via Postmates.
- The Crawfish Pot is doing online ordering and pick up. Full menu and tasty business.
- LA Crawfish has tons of locations all over Houston. They’re known for their spicy crawfish, but tack on an order of the wings too. You will not regret it. Pick up and delivery through DoorDash.
For a fancy night in, it doesn’t get more New Orleans in Houston than Brennan’s. They have you covered for curbside pick-up-to-geaux and delivery via UberEats (alcohol is pick-up only). Almost a full menu, wine, beer, and even a grocery box is available. No jacket required.
Nightcap
Close out your evening at one of our favorite cocktail bars in London, Cahoot’s. They are posting a cocktail masterclasses on their Instagram. Drinks while taking the Tube that don't come in a can...yes please!
Learn to make an East Gin & Tonic from Bombay Sapphire Cocktail’s website. We had the honor of visiting Bombay Sapphire's amazing distillery last year and was wowed by the hospitality and their focus on conservancy (oh, and the gin).
Since you're upping your cocktail skills at home, join the blokes from Here Nor There (HNT) on their Instagram IGTV for some serious lessons. They learned their trade at one of our favorite bars in London, Trailer Happiness, and now we get to enjoy their drinks locally. While some are not traditionally British cocktails, learning how to make a proper Margarita is always welcome.
For a very British summer-y cocktail to ease the days indoors, opt for a refreshing Pimm’s cup or a bubbly-blackberry Bramble.