Mother’s Day in the French Quarter and Nearby

New Orleans and the French Quarter in particular are fantastic options for Mother’s Day, from the elegant perfection of jazz brunches and the relaxing stroll on the scenic Mississippi River waterfront to exploring the magnificent architecture of the centuries-old streets and shopping in the chic local boutiques. Show your appreciation for the mothers in your life with these suggestions, below. Just please remember to make your reservations in advance as Mother’s Day is a popular time for brunching and dining.

Brunch

Brunch with Mom is one of New Orleans’ most popular Mother’s Day activities. Not only do the French Quarter and the adjacent Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods have some of the best restaurants in the country but several have excellent Mother’s Day special brunch offers. Broussard’s Mother’s Day jazz brunch is usually held in the courtyard and features the restaurant’s classic French Creole cuisine plus bottomless rose or mimosas.

The classic Sunday jazz brunch at either Antoine’s or Arnaud’s is elegance personified and is a perfect way to give back to the women and mothers in your life. Or treat your mom to a special brunch at The Bombay Club, featuring house favorites and yes, the bottomless mimosas.

The French Quarter has some of the best European-style patisseries in the country, so if you want a classic French croissant or quiche head to Croissant D’Or.

Outside the Quarter, if you’re up for a scenic walk or ride through the historic neighborhood of the Marigny, check out Ayu Bakehouse, a bright, quaint corner shop with a mellow vibe. There are savory pastries, crusty baguettes, sweet croissants, cookies and buns, plus breakfast and lunch items like a frittata and seasonally rotated sandwiches.

Still further down, in the Bywater, you can hit The Country Club’s brunch of shrimp and grits or boudin boulettes in the restaurant, or just head to the pool that has its own, poolside menu.

Exploring the French Quarter on foot

Few cities in the world have as much easily accessible and well-preserved architecture as New Orleans. If your mom is up for walking, explore the centuries-old streets of the French Quarter and the nearby mostly residential Marigny to take in all the magnificent architectural elements they have to offer, with all their lush tropical courtyards with gurgling fountains, French doors, stucco exteriors, lacy Victorian ironwork, and vibrant Caribbean colors.

While you’re at it, you can stroll the mile-long Riverfront with its walkway called the Moonwalk, the scenic views of the Mississippi River, and Woldenberg Park.

Don’t miss the French Market across the street, from its food stands to the daily flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue. It’s a great stop to slurp a dozen raw oysters, or pick up pralines and a beignet mix to take home from any of the surrounding retail shops.

Just down the street is one of the most important national landmarks, the timeless Jackson Square with Andrew Jackson’s bronze statue as the focal point of the square, surrounded by lush greenery. Come inside the St. Louis Cathedral that overlooks the square, to take in its stunning interior, or shop at the block-long rows of the Pontalba Buildings that flank the square in both directions.

Jackson Square also features an open-air artist market and performance space, with local art displayed along the fence. While there, browse the art, dance to a brass band, have your fortune told, or have a sketch done on the spot.

Taking a carriage ride

If your mom is not up for walking, unveiling the city’s colorful past is as easy as taking a mule-drawn carriage ride through the streets of the French Quarter. Just grab a first-come-first-serve French Quarter Mule Tour offered by Royal Carriages on Decatur right outside the Jackson Square gate, from 8 a.m. through midnight daily. Some tour packages stick to the Quarter only; others venture out to the Marigny or St. Louis Cemetery #1.

Shopping

Before you do that, and if you’re looking for locally made goods around Decatur and the French Market, try the Dutch Alley Artist’s Co-Op or Fleurty Girl. Besides what the French Market and the shops surrounding Jackson Square have to offer, you can head down to the chic boutiques lining Chartres Street, branching off the square and leading to Canal Street.

One of the most popular destinations on the Chartres Street retail row is Hemline, which carries a well-curated shoe and women’s fashion collection from local and national brands. Also on Chartres, the well-hidden United Apparel Liquidators (UAL) is unsurpassed for hunting name brands with deep discounts (and even some haute couture). And, if you head to Canal Street, there’s a slew of upscale retailers at The Shops at Canal Place mall, from Saks Fifth Avenue to Tiffany & Co.

Dining

It’s going to be easy to impress your mom with dozens of stunning options in the French Quarter and nearby. You’ll be in good hands at the enchanting Sylvain on Chartres Street, with a candlelit bar and a lovely patio. The charming Bayona also offers a patio, along with a historic setting of a two-century-old Creole cottage on a quiet block of Dauphine Street.

If you want to go with the upscale Creole cuisine in unbeatable locations, then Tujague’s, Napoleon House, or Muriel’s Jackson Square won’t steer you wrong. For something less traditional but still sophisticated head to Cane & Table for a top-notch cocktail and small plates, or hit the hole-in-the-wall Cuban gem, Manolito. Of course, the one and only Galatoire’s needs no introduction (where you’ll be lucky to get a table).

Finally, why not wrap up with a glass of bubbly and the world-famous Bananas Foster in a lush courtyard at Brennan’s, flambeed tableside? Giving back to your mom has never been easier.

If you’re planning a stay in New Orleans, be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels.

Guide to Frenchmen Street: The Venues, Music, and More

Image courtesy of Preservation Hall on Facebook

There’s no better place for live music than the Marigny Triangle. Situated between Esplanade Avenue and Elysian Fields, this wedge-shaped neighborhood is bisected by Frenchmen Street, a pedestrian-friendly strip of music clubs, bars, restaurants, and art markets that don’t get going until after 10 p.m.

At that point, brass bands, pedestrians and food trucks combine to create a giant block party. Dance on the street corner or venture into one of these excellent music venues, listed in the order by their street addresses.

Downtown Tattoos

501 Frenchmen St.

This corner tattoo shop is the premier place to get inked in New Orleans. Its roster of talent includes heavy hitters, and the shop takes walk-ins for the ultimate souvenir — but if you’re not ready to commit to the artwork on your skin, you can hang the tattoo artists’ work on your walls when you visit the adjacent art gallery. There, tattooers who also paint on canvas sell their work.

The Maison

508 Frenchmen St.

A music club that triples as a restaurant and bar. It’s three-level, with multiple stages where you can find drag, burlesque, and live music of many genres. The menu is primarily New Orleans classics, a house burger, and sandwich platters.

Bamboula’s

514 Frenchmen St.

Here, you’ll find casual New Orleans fare like po-boys and jambalaya. The no-cover eclectic live music seven days a week is another draw.

Blue Nile

532 Frenchmen St.

You may have spotted a neon crescent moon sign of this stalwart music club hanging above the sidewalk. Blue Nile hosts a wide range of musical genres ranging from funk to brass bands. Cover price varies depending on the act, and a word to the wise: The club’s second-floor balcony is the best place to overlook the wild street party that is Frenchmen Street.

Three Muses

536 Frenchmen St.

Three Muses is one of the best dinner-and-a-show venues in the city, and there’s live music every night. It can get crowded, so you want to make a table reservation (good for 90 minutes, after which you can go to the bar). Some of the best musicians have played there, and the excellent food menu has a lot of vegetarian options.

Dat Dog

601 Frenchmen St.

Dat Dog is a colorful, affordable option if you end up partying on Frenchmen. It’s open late (till 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and till midnight the rest of the week), and has a kid menu and vegetarian options. But, basically, it’s tots, fries and dogs made with many different kinds of meat and loaded with sauces, condiments, veggies, and other goodness. Create your own or choose from a large menu of creatively named specials. There are more than 30 toppings to choose from. Though Dat Dog has two more locations, both Uptown, this one has an undisputed perk, a big balcony for all your viewing and partying pleasure.

d.b.a.

618 Frenchmen St.

Since this live music venue opened its doors in 2000, d.b.a. has hosted hundreds of live acts. The bar features a broad selection of beer and spirits, and the music plays nightly. Tin Men and John Boutte perform there regularly.

Palace Market Frenchmen

619 Frenchmen St.

This nightly art market is held in a quirky, light-strung lot, lined with vendors selling everything from handmade soap and incense to original art and clothing. It’s a good place to shop, chat and hang out when the hustle and bustle of Frenchmen get too overwhelming.

The Spotted Cat

623 Frenchmen St.

Petite, sweaty, noisy, and fun, this music club features up to three bands nightly. It draws an eclectic crowd — you’ll see everyone from college students to septuagenarian tourists out there dancing. The venue can get crowded, so if you need to get some air, step out and take a breather at the nearby art market.

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

626 Frenchmen St.

Snug Harbor is a sit-down ticketed music venue that is home to local and touring heavyweights of traditional and modern jazz (such as a weekly show by the Jason Marsalis Quartet). For over 30 years, Snug Harbor has provided the best in live jazz and great regional cuisine. Snug Harbor is located in three rooms of a renovated 1800s storefront — a dining room, a bar, and a music room.

Frenchmen All Day

630 Frenchmen St.

Small and quaint, Frenchmen All Day is a cafe with indoor seating, as well as sidewalk cafe seating, a full bar, coffee, and brunch fare. The menu has breakfast quiches, Cuban sandwiches, NOLA staples like crawfish etouffee and red beans and rice, and salads. Open till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Marigny Brasserie

640 Frenchmen St.

This live music venue slash restaurant at the end of Frenchmen offers an elevated Cajun/Creole menu, hand-crafted cocktails, a good wine list, and local draft beer.

Remember, you can walk to all these venues from your hotel! Take advantage of the Hotel St. Marie specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous French Quarter cuisine and to enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!