A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a much-anticipated merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, but experts say that’s good news for travelers.
29.12.2023 - 11:03 / cntraveler.com
When you walk into Baldwin & Co., a bookstore and coffee shop in New Orleans's lively Marigny neighborhood, you feel not only at ease but also inspired. Owner DJ Johnson was intentional in his curation of the hybrid space, which has hosted community gatherings since it opened in early 2021. “I wanted to provide nourishment for the soul of New Orleans,” says Johnson, who spent several years in Atlanta pursuing a career in information technology before returning to the city where he grew up. He's done just that by turning the lovingly renovated storefront, once a po'boy shop, into a hub for the city's Black and Brown writers, artists, and creatives. Johnson finds his own sustenance in the city's eclectic and ever-expanding art and music scenes, from dancing along to big, brassy jazz bands to visiting galleries that celebrate the city's enduring African American heritage. Here's how he spends 48 hours in the Big Easy.
Artist Jessica Strahan sells her pieces at
the New Orleans African American Museum.
At Studio Be, owner Brandan “Bmike” Odums’s Black Body, a work of acrylic and spray paint on canvas.
Johnson often spends his days off exploring the city's galleries and studios—or returning to ones he's fond of. Among these are Studio Be, helmed by the visual artist and filmmaker Brandan “Bmike” Odums, and the New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History and Culture, where curator Gia M. Hamilton is executive director. Exhibitions feature paintings of Black families and activists, and images symbolizing resistance to racism and inequality—all works that “capture the contributions of so many Black Americans to New Orleans,” says Johnson.
New Orleans's thriving art scene isn't restricted to the indoors. Running alongside the Mississippi River, artist Jamar Pierre's mile-long Tchoupitoulas Floodwall Mural depicts more than 300 years of New Orleans history, from the earliest Native Americans through to the present day. Johnson likes to stroll the length of it.
The quiet elegance of Parlor 1, in Elysian Bar’s Rectory space.
“There's no better place for live music” than Preservation Hall, says Johnson. The venue in the heart of the French Quarter has hosted some of the New Orleans jazz scene's all-time greats: The Humphrey Brothers, Sweet Emma Barrett, and George Lewis. But he might catch a performance by local musicians at Kermit's Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge, or hit the club at Royal Sonesta to catch the hometown band Kings of Brass. When you hear them, “you won't be able to stand still.”
Hotel Peter & Paul’s Elysian Bar slings dishes like ricotta gnocchi and chicken under a brick.
The bar at Neyow’s Creole Café.
Sundays start with brunch—either an omelet or sizzling shrimp—at the Elysian Bar at Hotel
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a much-anticipated merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, but experts say that’s good news for travelers.
AIANTA Board President Travis Owens (left) and AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert (right) at the 25th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference. (Photo Credit: AIANTA)
Located steps from storied St. Charles Avenue in the Warehouse District, Virgin Hotels New Orleans is like no other place to stay in the city. Guests who visit during Mardi Gras are likely to discover some special surprises.
For Alaska Airlines and its passengers, a return to normal may take a while.
It’s that time of year again — New York City Restaurant Week is back! The winter edition runs from Tuesday, January 16 through Sunday, February 4, offering diners $30 to $45 multi-course lunches and brunches, plus $60 dinners at some of the city’s most renowned, trendiest and sought after spots. Technically, you have three weeks to book a table an enjoy a dining deal, so get ahead of your plans and take advantage of the discounted pre-fixes at these top New York City restaurants:
American Airlines announced a slew of changes to its American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program Tuesday. There's a lot to digest, but so far, I'm pleasantly surprised that there's not a major devaluation. In fact, there are surprisingly some things to like about the news.
Low-cost airline Breeze Airways is adding several new non-stop routes for the spring, including flying out of San Diego for the first time.
A tour operator has been accused of scamming customers out of more than $25,000.
United Airlines has found loose bolts in its own Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft just days after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the planes following a mid-air blowout on Alaska Airlines.
Hundreds of flights have been canceled and aircraft around the world have been grounded as officials investigate what led to this weekend's in-flight blowout of an Alaska Airlines plane over Oregon.
Good morning, and happy new year, folks. Hope 2024 is off to a good start. Today we’re considering the opportunities and challenges of themed rentals, and an important court decision in Hawaii. We’ll also take a peak into 2024 with a forecast.
Millions of acres of dazzling wilderness. Indigenous cultures on Dena’ina land (Anchorage). Northern lightsover Fairbanks. The joy of the blanket toss and fishing for a king (king salmon, that is).