New Orleans

Travelgirl founders Stephanie Oswald and Renee Werbin want to be sure you’re enjoying every destination to the fullest. Collect their “savvy six” picks and make the most of your time away.

Laissez les bons temps rouler: No city has the relentless high spirits and determination of New Orleans. That's been proven repeatedly as the city has triumphed over the crises of Katrina and the BP Oil Spill. Whether you're looking for romance, a girlfriend getaway or the perfect family destination, you've found it. Look for more Travelgirl New Orleans tips on the Travelgirl Blog at travelgirlsblog.wordpress.com. No matter when you visit, there's likely to be a festival going on, you will always find extraordinary food, and the arts/music/sports scene will keep your head spinning until you set foot back at Louis Armstrong International to board your flight home. Do your Crescent City pre-trip research at
www.neworleansinfo.com.

Stay at the Roosevelt Hotel. Wearing the esteemed Waldorf Astoria crown, the grand dame in New Orleans is the luscious Roosevelt Hotel. Frequented in days past by a host of celebrities including Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong, this is today's hippest and most luxurious place to see and be seen. The rooms are lavish and the suites are simply divine. The Guerlain Spa is the perfect place to indulge in a treatment or two; it's a tranquil setting for an afternoon retreat amid the bustle of New Orleans. Food and libation complete this treasure trove; don't miss a drink at the famed Sazarac Bar and dinner at John Besh's Dominica, then head for the Blue Room where Sinatra used to appear or the Sazarac Restaurant for an unforgettable evening. Check in at 123 Baronne Street, even if you can only make it for dinner. www.therooseveltneworleans.com or 1.800.WALDORF, 504.648.1200

Respect the city's musical roots and march to your own beat at New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village. This resurrected residential enclave in the Upper Ninth Ward was conceived by New Orleans natives Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis. Look for a chorus of constantly changing events as this cultural center evolves. The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music will bring all the right notes into the district. It's the heart of the project to be completed in 2011. Musically inclined or not, you gotta love a city with such passion for the arts. www.nolamusiciansvillage.org

Dine at Stella! Chef Scott Boswell is a James Beard runner up. You'll see why when you savor the artful and delectable cuisine at his restaurant, located in NOLA's famed French Quarter. This isn't just dining, it's a stellar experience. From the appetizers to dessert, each item is passionately served; you'll fall in love with the best soup we've ever tasted — Asparagus Purée with Jumbo Lump Crab, Asparagus Mousse and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. For dessert, try the sorbets;Chef Boswell's presentation is something to behold. He places the sorbet in ice bowls created by using balloons! Eat here once and you'll be on that Streetcar Named Desire, and just like Marlon Brando you'll find yourself yelling "Stella!" www.restaurantstella.com or 504.587.0091

Cruising is back! Making this the perfect launching pad for a grand adventure. If you need a breather after all the excitement this city has to offer, why not take advantage of one of the many cruises leaving from the Port of New Orleans? Norwegian Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Cruise West and Royal Caribbean International have all committed to itineraries for 2010 or 2011. Check individual cruise line websites for details and be sure to plan a few days on either end of your trip to explore this amazing city on the Mississippi.

Make it a museum day. Proof that this city is the epitome of diversity, New Orleans houses both the incredibly moving National World War II Museum and the delightful Museum of the American Cocktail. Both are steeped in history, and the intensity of one might be well balanced with the lighthearted subject of the other. At the WWII Museum, which is scheduled to quadruple in size by spring 2012, exhibits and artifacts are brought to life with lunchtime lectures and musical performances. Meanwhile, 200 years of cocktail history are honored at the museum dedicated to mixology at the Riverwalk Marketplace. (It's part of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum.) There's even an "Original Cocktail Tour" that offers up history with a twist — the perfect outing
to kick off a gal pal weekend. www.ddaymuseum.org; www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org; www.graylineneworleans.com