Other than a city with a cooler climate, there are few places we’d rather be during summer than a pool. If you don’t have one at home, plenty of local hotels sell day passes, so you can swim, sip and — perhaps most important — snack the day away. Kick it old school in the Central Business District, a mere block away from the French Quarter, at The Roosevelt New Orleans (therooseveltneworleans.com) on its newly renovated rooftop pool deck. Nab a day pass with or without a cabana. The new pool bar menu features fare such as the ceviche of the day, aguachile Gulf shrimp, chipotle chicken salad croissants, burgers and ice cream.
About five blocks south in the Warehouse District, Virgin Hotels New Orleans (virginhotels.com/new-orleans) touts hearty options such as a Wagyu beef hot dog, smoked chicken wings and fried mushroom and parm arancini. Reserve a VIP sofa or lounge for you and your friends, catch DJ sets on Sundays through August and take advantage of discounted passes for Louisiana locals on Mondays.
At the Blackbird (theblackbirdnola.com), which opened in Lower Garden District during fall of 2024, nosh on cauliflower bites after a dip in the pool, which is chilled during the hot months. Day passes are available first come first served.
In Uptown at The Chloe (thechloenola.com), day passes include pool, bar and backyard access from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., plus one Turkish linen towel. The pool bar has all the libations and bites you’ll need. Level up with an annual pass, which includes year-round access to the pool and additional VIP perks and amenities. Stay cool and full all summer long.
Croissant d’More
Lovers of buttery, flakey viennoiseries like croissants and pain au chocolat, and other French pastries can never get enough. So the addition of a second Croissant d’Or in the French Quarter is reason to celebrate. Preferably over said sweet treats and cafe au lait. The opening date is unclear, so keep an eye out at 317 Chartres St. for signs of life. croissantdorpatisserie.com
Let it Sno
To make ends meet during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, New Orleans drag and burlesque performers Kitten N’ Lou started a sno-ball pop-up on their porch. It quickly gained a cult following and in March, the duo took another chance by opening Chance in Hell SnoBalls in its new, permanent location at 805 Louisa St. in the Bywater neighborhood. We’re obsessed with the “Biscoff Strawberry Shortcake” featuring a crumble made with Biscoff cookies, locally-grown berries and whipped cream, so brb. instagram.com/chanceinhell_snoballs
Guest Chefs
From June to September, gung-ho gourmands can experience the creative stylings of eight chefs at one restaurant. During the “Collaborative Guest Chef Series” at Palm & Pine, co-owners and chefs Jordan Herndon and Amarys Koenig Herndon are teaming up with guest chefs, including Zak Walters of Sedalia’s, Oklahoma City, Martha Wiggins from Café Reconcile (with part of the proceeds going to the café), Sophina Uong of Mister Mao, San Antonio and Enrika Williams of Fauna Foodworks in Jackson, Mississippi, Thomas Billie of Belly of The Beast in Houston and other local and out of town chefs. The innovative dinners feature a five-course prix fixe menu and a specially-curated drinks menu. palmandpinenola.com
Coffee Talk
Fourteen years ago in April, French Truck — with its charming yellow vintage truck logo — opened its doors in the Lower Garden District, bringing with it an obsessive passion for quality, single-origin coffee beans and beverages. Since then, the company has expanded to bring more than a dozen shops across New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Memphis, Tennessee, most recently on Maple Street. The new location follows the launch of an app, which has perks, rewards and special event invitations for users. frenchtruckcoffee.com
