Destination New Orleans for Voodoo Music + Arts Experience Festival

Stephanie Hernandez

A Halloween-weekend tradition since 1999, the New Orleans Voodoo Music + Arts Experience festival is best known for mixing popular acts with homegrown NOLA talent. Starting as a small, one-day event in the nineties, and developing into a two-day party in 2000, Voodoo gained the momentum it needed to become a full-fledged, three-day festival in 2007 when Eminem famously headlined with his triple platinum “Slim Shady”. Now in its 16th year, the festival is back and ready for its biggest year yet.

This year’s lineup is stacked. Foo Fighters, Outkast, Skrillex, Arctic Monkeys, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Pretty Lights, and many more take the stage over the course of the weekend. Fans are guaranteed to leave with some brag-worthy performances. This eclectic blend reflects how the bash has set itself apart from other mainstream festivals. Voodoo truly pays tribute to the city’s diverse and deep musical culture while also keeping fresh and relevant talent on the bill, and it is this winning formula that keeps fans coming back for more each year.

The blend of music, local food and art conjures up a magical block party feel in the New Orleans City Park festival grounds. Complete with Ferris wheels, interactive installations, shopping and an endless list of onsite activities, Voodoo’s unique brand of Halloween partying sure beats anything happening in the local neighborhood.

DO:
Halloween weekend in one of the spookiest places on earth is obviously the perfect time to take a cemetery tour! You are in for a treat, and we suggest checking out St. Louis Cemetery #1. It is walking distance from the French Quarter on historic Basin Street, and is the final resting place of Marie Laveau, the legendary “Voodoo Queen.” It may be time to make a pilgrimage and see just what the Queen will grant you from the afterlife! You can also take a group night tour and experience the fear together.

If dead people aren’t your thing (even on Halloween), you can always try your luck on Frenchmen Street. A historic neighborhood within walking distance of the Quarter, this area lined with renowned Jazz Clubs, like The Blue Nile and Snug Harbor, is the perfect place to meet some locals and catch some world class music. Magazine Street is another area to try if friends from home have been hinting at some authentic NOLA souvenirs. You can find just about anything your little heart desires on this street, from unique Louisiana-inspired jewelry to locally designed and screen printed shirts. When you’re all done, don’t miss your chance to ride on one of the city’s two vintage streetcars.  For just $1.25 you can get a great tour of the city without lifting a finger. Take this time to get familiar with the streets and landmarks; you’ll be needing this information later in the night!

EAT:
Commanders Palace
Situated in the heart of the New Orleans Garden District, Commanders Palace serves up some of the best Cajun and Creole classics around. They are especially famous for their take on Gumbo and Turtle Soup, perfect for those who want to try some real local dishes in an authentic atmosphere. If you time your dinner plans just right, you may be lucky enough to snag a table in the Garden Room. The classic dining area is made up of floor-to-ceiling glass windows surrounded by beautiful trees that make your meal a little more romantic.

MiLA
The perfect location for those who love Southern cooking with a bit of a twist. The seasonal menu means dishes are always new, fresh, exciting and ready to please adventure seekers. MiLa delivers Southern favorites with a lighter feel, due to the chef’s affinity for French techniques, which makes dishes flavorful without being too heavy. The tasting menu is to-die-for and includes a wine pairing with each course. Try the Oyster Rockefeller with squash blossoms, crème fraiche and crab if you’re craving fresh seafood or the ever-popular lobster beignet amuse bouche for a dash of decadence. The downtown setting is elegant yet relaxed, the perfect spot for a group dinner before a night out on the town.

August
This central business district French restaurant will have you coming back night after night. Their custard in eggshell with black truffle oil bubbles shows just how much of a master Chef John Besh is. This “Top Chef” alum is creating beautiful contemporary French dishes with exceptional use of fresh and local ingredients. His classical training in both Europe and southern Louisiana truly shine through, so we recommend taking advantage of this world class dining experience while in town.

Peche
Serving up the freshest seafood in New Orleans, Peche knows just how to pick the best and passes that flavor onto you. This seafood grill was recently honored with two James Beard Foundation Awards for Best New Restaurant and Best Chef in the South, Ryan Prewitt. If that doesn’t get you excited, maybe their drink menu will. Their artisan cocktails are crisp and clean, the perfect pairing for any item on the menu. Try the Hemingway: a gin, cucumber, grapefruit and lime concoction, just as smooth as the man himself. If you’re feeling up to eating after drinks, the grilled tuna with fried eggplant and cucumber will definitely satisfy your hunger.

Square Root
Square Root opened its doors this past April and has already made its mark in the NOLA culinary scene. Located in the Lower Garden District, new American fair, cocktails and wine are the name of the game here. Executive Chef Phillip Lopez was just named Eater New Orleans “Chef of the Year,” as well as a Star Chef’s “Rising Star Chef.”  Are you convinced, yet? Their modern techniques make this a great spot for those willing to step outside the box and try something new. The Blueberry Ice with fennel, lemon balm and Egyptian chamomile makes for the perfect end to any night. Trust us. 

DRINK:
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
Established in 1772, this is the United State’s oldest bar. Said to be haunted, this French Quarter staple is a must-see on your Bourbon Street bar crawl. Take a few minutes to gulp down one of their famous Voodoo Hurricanes while listening to the stylings of their in house piano player and maybe try your luck at singing to a group of strangers. Or drink so much you actually convince yourself you see dead people.

Bar Tonique
Take this in: bacon Bloody Mary. Yes, you heard right. This bar loves itself some mixology, decadent fruit-infused cocktails as well as their Mint Julep Snowball gives Bar Tonique a trendy New York City feel but with a much more laid back atmosphere. Cozy and just off the beaten path, this bar is a great place to catch some interesting drink combinations without feeling claustrophobic.

Carousel Bar
Yes, we know, everyone goes here. But for good reason!  Located inside the Hotel Monteleone, this is the only revolving bar in New Orleans. Named one of the 40 best bars in America by Esquire magazine, this classic New Orleans hotel bar overlooks famed Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter.  Enjoy the view through large ornate windows. On top of all that jazz, The Goody and The Vieux Carre Cocktail were both concocted here, so go ahead and sip on some history while you take a couple spins around the bar.

Fritzel’s
Grab some Entertainment with that drink! Fritzel’s jazz pub located right on Bourbon Street is known for its exceptional live music and tasty beverages. The oldest jazz club in NOLA, Fritzel’s is a little on the smaller side, making for a more intimate musical experience. 

STAY:
W Hotel
The W is bright, trendy and just the right place to stay if you’re in need of unique and tailored experience. Recent accolades include awards for their in-house restaurant as well as overall design. The courtyard of the hotel is one of the most beautiful in town and makes for a great spot to meet fellow festival goers or to just unwind and read under the trees. While here, make sure to use the whatever/whenever service, where the concierge literally makes it his/her personal goal to make anything you desire come true, as long as its legal. The hotel’s well-known SoBou restaurant is also open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and features self-serve wine and beer machines. Let the over-pouring begin.

The Saint Hotel
The Saint is the new kid on the block at only two years old and makes a point to be as cheeky as possible. The phrase “play naughty” is sprinkled throughout the hotel and serves as a constant reminder of exactly what it is you are here for. You can find live entertainment every night from live jazz to full on burlesque shows; The Saint does it all. Just two blocks from Bourbon Street, all the fun is within walking distance so no worries about finding your way back at the end of the night. If you’re looking to maximize your Halloween weekend, try booking the Lucifer suite. This sleek and sexy room is done in shades of black and red and comes with a beautiful old-fashioned claw-foot tub – the perfect remedy for bodies sore from the festival.

Roosevelt
The Roosevelt is nothing if not luxurious. Recipient of the 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, you can be sure you will be taken care of here. The Roosevelt has been home to such celebrities as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and, now, you. You can guarantee you will relax here, as the Waldorf Astoria Spa at The Roosevelt offers a full range of spa services. From massages and facials to complete spa day experiences, you are sure to find a treatment to help you unwind after all the fun you will be having. If a spa is not on your list of “Musts,” check out the hotel’s rooftop pool. Yes, doing laps in the morning to sweat out last night’s Hurricanes is healthy and all, but it would be more fun to drink while taking in the beautiful rooftop view.

Experience the magic of New Orleans and the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Tickets are here.