Experience The Magic Of A New Orleans Stay
One Member reveals close encounters with the charm, mystery and allure of this mesmerizing city
New Orleans offers two very different experiences. There’s the lively, nonstop partying of Bourbon Street, perfect for those who love excitement and crowds. But there’s also a quieter side, full of history and character, where families and travelers can explore winding streets, discover local culture and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.
We visit New Orleans for the second experience. The one that tastes like Creole spice in the air, sounds like trumpet wails echoing from Frenchmen Street and feels like Spanish moss hanging from the oaks of the Garden District. We come for the magic — found in the stories, spirits, music and cuisine that have been simmering here for centuries.
Bluegreen Club La Pension
New Orleans isn’t just a place. It’s a flavor. A rhythm. A conversation between the living and the dead. And when you stay at Bluegreen Club La Pension, you’re not just close to the action, you’re part of the story.
Bluegreen Club La Pension sits at the edge of the French Quarter, perfectly placed between the old-world elegance of Canal Street and the electric pulse of Bourbon Street. Every room is dressed to delight: a lamp shaped like a woman mid-dance, a chair bolted to the ceiling and an art piece featuring a real apple, just waiting to be plucked. These aren’t design quirks — they part of the spell.
Explore New Orleans Culture
Once you drop off your bags, the adventure begins. Start at Jackson Square, the spiritual heart of the city, where artists, street performers and tarot card readers circle like honeybees around history. Dine at Muriel’s Jackson Square (reservations recommended), where ghosts have a reserved table and the food is pure Creole magic.
Pro tip: After dinner, bring your cocktail upstairs to the balcony for some high-level people watching in one of the best seats in the city. Or, if you dare, ask your server to show you the Séance Lounge.
In the square, the St. Louis Cathedral stands tall and timeless. Some evenings, it transforms into a glowing canvas for light shows that dance across its façade. Stories are told in shadows and color celebrating saints, music and the city itself.
Voodoo, If You Dare
And then there’s the queen behind it all.
Marie Laveau, the voodoo queen of New Orleans. Her presence lingers everywhere — from the whispering wind to the flicker of candlelit altars. You’ll find her tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where pilgrims mark the wall and leave offerings in hopes of blessings, love, luck or healing. Voodoo is sacred. It’s a soulful blend of African spirituality, Catholicism and ancestral wisdom. And Marie still watches over it all.
For a taste of the city, book a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking, where you’ll learn to stir roux, flip pralines and mix hurricanes like a pro. Or visit Vue Orleans Observation Deck, where interactive exhibits and a 360-degree view of the city come together in a celebration of its people, music and flavor.
The Soulful Elegance Of New Orleans
Don’t miss the Garden District, where mansions whisper secrets behind wrought-iron gates and centuries-old oaks lean protectively over the sidewalks. This is the other New Orleans, slow and elegant, lined with beauty and stories. When you’re ready to shop, walk along Magazine Street and dive into resale boutiques and vintage gems that always surprise you with something special.
On Frenchmen Street, you don’t plan your evening. You walk, listen and let the music pull you in. A trumpet here, a saxophone there. Before you know it, you’re dancing with strangers or swaying quietly in the corner. The night slips by like a dream you don’t want to wake from.
For a deeper cultural pulse, visit Tremé, one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in America and the cradle of jazz. Eat at Dooky Chase, then stop by the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a beloved tribute to Mardi Gras Indians, social aid clubs and second-line culture.
Speaking Of New Orleans Jazz
Don’t miss Preservation Hall. No microphones. No gimmicks. Only jazz in its raw, powerful, purest form. The music here doesn’t just entertain. It baptizes.
When you’re ready to wind down, slip into one of the city’s best-kept secrets: the upscale hotel bars where locals love to gather. Our favorite? The Roosevelt New Orleans. Elegant, quiet and candlelit, it’s the perfect place to sip a classic cocktail and feel like you’re part of something timeless.
New Orleans is a city that plays your senses like an instrument. It hums in your chest. It lingers in your memory. It leaves powdered sugar on your lips and stories in your bones.
We come back year after year because this place isn’t just fun, it’s alive. And when you stay at Bluegreen Club La Pension™, you’re not just in New Orleans, you’re part of it.
Read “How I Enjoyed A Girls Getaway In New Orleans, From Brunch To Bourbon Street” for another Member’s exciting experience in the Big Easy.
Brock H.
Key Takeaways
Reasons For Joining Hilton Grand Vacations
- Stay In The Heart Of The Action: Bluegreen Club La Pension offers a vibrant home base mere steps from Bourbon Street and the French Quarter.
- Savor The Flavors: From bananas foster at Brennan’s to hands-on fun at the New Orleans School of Cooking, the city’s culinary scene is unforgettable.
- Explore Local Legends: Dive into voodoo history with a Marie Laveau tour and visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 for a glimpse into New Orleans’ mystical past.
- Celebrate The Culture: Experience Mardi Gras traditions year-round at the Backstreet Cultural Museum and catch live jazz on Frenchmen Street.
- Shop With Soul: Magazine Street’s vintage boutiques and art galleries offer one-of-a-kind finds and local flair.
- Make It A Family Affair: With interactive exhibits at Vue Orleans and second-line parades in the French Quarter, there’s magic for all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What’s the best place to stay in New Orleans for a cultural experience?
A. Bluegreen Club La Pension places you in the heart of the city’s historic and artistic districts, perfect for exploring on foot.
Q. Is New Orleans family friendly?
A. Absolutely! From cooking classes to music-filled parades and museums, there’s plenty for kids and adults to enjoy together.
Q. What are must-see attractions near Club La Pension?
A. Don’t miss Preservation Hall, the Backstreet Cultural Museum, Vue Orleans and the legendary Bourbon Street — all within walking distance.
Q. Where can I try authentic New Orleans cuisine?
A. Brennan’s for bananas foster, local Creole spots in the French Quarter and the New Orleans School of Cooking are top picks.
Q. How can I experience New Orleans beyond the tourist spots?
A. Join a voodoo tour, shop Magazine Street and catch a second-line parade to tap into the city’s soul.