NEW ORLEANS

STAY HENRY HOWARD HOTEL

Swap your Bourbon Street daiquiri for a Sazerac on the front porch of this Greek revival mansion in the Garden District. Throughout the 18-room property you’ll notice tasteful (and tasty) local touches: wallpaper with streetcar motifs, brass instruments hanging on the walls and bags of Zapp’s potato chips.

HENRYHOWARDHOTEL.COM

DINE GABRIELLE

Last fall, this legendary family-run restaurant made its post-Katrina comeback, serving Cajun dishes from its new home in Tremé. Be sure to try their claim to fame: roasted duck with orange-sherry gravy on shoestring potatoes (a nod to the original po’ boy – fries and gravy on French bread).

GABRIELLERESTAURANT.COM

SEE TRICENTENNIAL MOMENTS

To mark three centuries of music, muffulettas and more, local TV station WYES has installed 45 interactive placards throughout the city. Aim your smartphone at the QR codes for two-minute videos, like one on voodoo queen Marie Laveau, to get a quick history fix between beignet binges at Café du Monde.

NOLA300.WYES.ORG

DAY TRIP/ THE

Cross the 38-km Lake Pontchartrain Causeway – one of the world’s longest overwater bridges – to Covington, and shop for antiques and handmade soaps on Lee Lane, an adorable street lined with boutiques. On your way back to NOLA, stop in at Middendorf’s for fried catfish (it’s worth the detour).

MIDDENDORFSRESTAURANT.COM