Back in the Big Easy

BY Trevor Strunk

Vietnam Veterans of America will hold one of its most important biennial National Conventions this August in one of America’s most vibrant cities: New Orleans. While delegates will be focused on national elections and voting on resolutions shaping VVA’s future, there’ll be ample downtime to relax and explore.

The Convention hotel, the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street, sits on the edge of the city’s famed French Quarter. The bustling, historic district can feel overwhelming, but with a little guidance, it’s easy to enjoy your time in the Big Easy.

The Marriott is a modern, sleek hotel with a spacious lobby and a friendly staff. That said, it’s a busy place—during a recent stay, one conference center hosted a large medical convention while another was the site of a massive wedding. Expect foot traffic and a lively atmosphere.

One standout feature is the Marriott’s keycard-access elevator system. It allows quick entry to the lower five floors—home to the gym, spa, pool, and Convention floor—as well as direct access to guest room levels. It’s a secure and convenient touch.

In the lobby, you’ll find a bar and restaurant that serves a continental breakfast each morning, along with lunch and dinner. While the fare at 55 Fahrenheit may not be the pinnacle of New Orleans cuisine, the location is unbeatable. The beer selection is solid, cocktails are available, and the menu includes a satisfying fried chicken sandwich and excellent buffalo wings.

Transportation from Louis Armstrong International Airport to the hotel is straightforward. Taxis offer a flat rate of about $32. Ride-share options like Uber or Lyft may be slightly cheaper.

Taxis are plentiful around the hotel—a good thing, as the city’s sidewalks and infrastructure can be uneven. It’s wise to reserve walks for the nearby French Quarter or once you’ve already reached your primary destination.

The city’s famous streetcars run right past the hotel on Canal Street. They’re slow but scenic. Using the Le Pass app, you can purchase tickets digitally. Or, pay $1.25 in cash for a one-way ride.

Streetcars are an excellent way to reach places like the National WWII Museum or the New Orleans Museum of Art. They offer a relaxing, low-cost way to take in the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

Feeling adventurous? Consider a steamboat ride on the Mississippi. The Steamboat Natchez offers daily cruises—a classic New Orleans experience. Scheduling can be tricky, and it’s a time investment, but sailing the river with a beverage in hand is unforgettable.

New Orleans, at its core, is a city of food and drink. The way New Orleans residents treat a slow day as a social, gregarious stroll with stops at restaurants and bars is a unique and intensely friendly sort of affair. Tourists are welcomed to do the same.

Here’s a rundown on restaurants and drinking establishments near and far from the hotel:

Ruby Slipper (204 Decatur St.): Just a short walk or Uber ride away, Ruby Slipper offers one of the best brunches in town. Their beignets may not have Café Du Monde’s fame, but they hold their own. Known for omelets and Southern-style biscuits, this is a must-try—especially for those from up North. Try to arrive early or check in via Yelp through their website (rubybrunch.com) to manage the sometimes-long wait.

Luke (333 St. Charles Ave.): A more upscale option for a sit-down dinner, Luke is known for oysters, red beans and rice, and an impressive beer selection. Military memorabilia behind the bar adds a welcoming touch. Visit during happy hour for $1 oysters or try the red beans and rice ($26), served with two pieces of fried chicken with a sweet-and-spicy flavor.

Royal House (441 Royal St.): For oyster lovers, Royal House is a strong choice—especially if you’d prefer to avoid Bourbon Street’s sensory overload. Half-shell raw oysters are $16.50 for six, and the chargrilled version, with butter, garlic, and parmesan, is $19.50. If you’ve only had raw oysters, the chargrilled Gulf oysters are worth a try.

After dinner, walk off a bit of the butter and seafood on Royal Street, where window-shopping antiques can be an engrossing experience.

Killer Poboys (219 Dauphine St.): If you’re craving a twist on the traditional po’boy, this is the spot. Known for inventive sandwiches, Killer Poboys also offers a solid vegetarian option: the sweet potato po’boy. For a bonus, try their second location inside Erin Rose (811 Conti St.), a classic Irish bar famous for its iced Irish coffee.

French Truck Coffee (multiple locations, including 1200 Magazine St.): A satisfying cup of Joe if you want to venture outside the hotel. Served at the Ruby Slipper and many local eateries, their café au lait is a treat for a gentle morning wakeup.

Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 (21 N. Peters St.): For a whimsical bar experience, Latitude 29 offers top-tier tiki drinks in a Hawaiian-inspired setting. The drinks are on the pricier side, but it’s a great spot for a single cocktail and a small bite. Try the Missionary’s Downfall to drink and the musubi (with Spam) for a surprisingly tasty snack. All drinks are available in non-alcoholic versions.

Trevor Strunk/VVA Veteran

If you’ve spent enough time people watching while walking down Bourbon Street or window shopping on Royal Street, there is plenty to see and do in other areas in the city.

Bayou Tour: There are many options, so I recommend going to viator.com, a Trip Advisor subsite, and searching for New Orleans Swamp Tours, then picking one of the top-rated ones. One suggestion: Avoid fan-boats, as they scare off the wildlife that are the real stars of these tours.

Being able to see crocodiles, hogs, and more in the Bayou is a singular experience. It can be a lot to plan, so do your homework before booking a tour.

Jackson Square: If you decide that you’d prefer to stay on dry land and the Steamboat Natchez boat tour does not appeal, I recommend heading to Jackson Square. There is a beautiful raised view of the Mississippi River there with elevator access, a bustling flea market, and a park filled with art dealers and music. While there, you could try your luck getting a table at the world-famous Café du Monde, the “oldest café in America” and home of legendary beignets.

If you want to stay off the beaten path around Jackson Square, try an iced Irish coffee at Molly’s Irish Pub (732 Toulouse St.), some Cuban food or a Negroni at Manolito (508 Dumaine St.), or some tasty if pricy oysters at Fives (529 St. Ann St.). The New Orleans Jazz Museum (400 Esplanade Ave.), with a statue of the patron saint of the city, Louis Armstrong, out front, is a great stop as well. Tickets are $9 for seniors.

World War II Museum: While the grisly Museum of Death (227 Dauphine St.) is a walk away from the hotel, it’s not for everyone. Instead, consider the National World War II Museum, at 945 Magazine St. I recommend buying tickets ahead of time at the museum’s website at www.nationalww2museum.org as ticketing is a bit complex.

The cost of admission is worth it, though, as this massive museum earned its national designation with the sheer breadth and depth of information and exhibitions. Planes, submarines, boats, and more are on display, and the historical interpretation of the war from an American perspective is excellent. You will need hours to fully experience the entire museum, so go in with an eye toward enjoying yourself and save a few things to see for a subsequent visit.

If you’re feeling like a bite and a beverage after the museum, check out the Rusty Nail (1100 Constance St.), which has a rambunctious sounding name but is a cozy little bar next to some delicious Cajun food you can have delivered from Cochon Restaurant.

You’ll be encountering music all across the city, as horn sections greet you at the airport and periodically serenade you walking around the French Quarter. But if you are looking for classic New Orleans jazz and blues, try Preservation Hall (726 St. Peter St.) a famous New Orleans jazz venue near the Marriott.

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