Summer!

​The Big Easy is BACK!  So where are you?  It’s time to celebrate.   Now that you’re vaccinated, take off your mask and let’s see that smile!
New Orleans and COVID
“The City of New Orleans continues to meet all public health milestones and has fully vaccinated over 58% of all adults..” according to nola.gov.    That progress has led the city to relax its restrictions, easing the way for businesses, residents and visitors:  There are no time restrictions for alcohol sales, masks are no longer mandated (except in government, hospital, school and federal public transportation settings.)  Bars and restaurants are no longer required to follow a six-foot spacing rule. 
What’s the weather like? 
It’s summer, baby!  … NOLA-style.   Don’t fight the humidity—embrace it!  Time for sandals, shorts, swimsuits, sno-balls.    Here are the average temps and rainfalls for the coming months. 
June:   90 deg. – 74 deg., with 10 days of rain
July:    92 deg. – 76 deg., with 11 days of rain
August:  92 deg. – 76 deg., with 12 days of rain
Sept:  88 deg. – 72 deg., with 8 days of rain
 
What’s happening?
With restrictions eased, live music and entertainment is more plentiful.    Walk outside your neighborhood inn and listen up for a passing Second Line parade.   Join in!  Go to your favorite music club.  Dance in the street!  Make a date to catch our first major festival since the pandemic:  Satchmo Summerfest is happening July 31-August 1 at the Jazz Museum.   Don’t forget to tip the musicians!
 
What to eat NOW
Sno-balls.   So many varieties, and so many places to try around the city.  We love them all.  From the venerated uptown shacks Plum Street Sno-balls and Hansen’s Sno-Bliz  (whose motto “air-condition your tummy”  is pretty great advice for any visitor!) to the popular porch operation of Chance In Hell SnoBalls in the Bywater, you will be dazzled by flavors and combinations.  Why not make a sno-ball crawl part of your next visit?
Spotlight on Lakeview
When the heat is on, it’s always refreshing to be near the water.  Take a ride on up to Lakeview.  Enjoy some seafood and a crisp cold beer at many of the restaurants like Blue Crab, Felix’s, and Landry’s overlooking the marinas of Lake Pontchartrain.   Stop by Lakefront Airport and admire its Art Deco history.   Get some culture and tranquility at City Park’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden.