No matter what time of year it is in the Big Easy, there are a couple things that are very serious: food, festivals and football. With pigskin season here, we present a few areas to pregame, games to watch and places to watch them.
Tailgating
Traditional tailgating at the Superdome was previously limited by its location, but over the past six years the Superdome has undergone revamping to improve the overall fan experience. Champion Square presented by Verizon opened in August 2010 as an entertainment area with multiple food vendors, a large LED screen, a music stage and accommodations for more than 8,000 people. For a VIP pregame experience, club XLIV is located in the center of the square with full bar access. Other members of the Who Dat Nation can be found at nearby bars and restaurants rejoicing with each other before the game or set up atop the parking garage to the right of the stadium.
Open flames are prohibited but beer can be brought or bought.
Monteleone’s 125th
HOTEL MONTELEONE, 214 Royal St., 523-3341, hotelmonteleone.com.
Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the Hotel Monteleone is situated in the heart of the French Quarter and offers guests amenities including accommodations for family pets, a full-service business center, a rooftop heated pool, a day spa, two restaurants and its iconic Carousel Bar. Celebrating a wedding, romantic getaway or girls’ weekend can be enhanced with the Monteleone’s numerous hotel packages and specials.
Social Sayings
ASHLEY LONGSHORE , 4848 Magazine St., 458-5500, AshleyLongshore.com
Local artist Sarah Ashley Longshore (and New Orleans Magazine “People to Watch” 2008 honoree) has gained an international following. Inspired by pop culture, she upholsters social sayings such as “OMG” and “WTF” on vinyl-covered furniture, personally ensuring each piece is unique.
National retailer Anthropologie has featured Longshore’s work in their furniture and home décor selections, and recently her paintings have been highlighted in films, such as Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
Longshore paints every day, and you can drop by and see her at work in her local gallery.
