How to do French Quarter Fest!

March 19, 2024

What's French Quarter Fest?
French Quarter Festival (French Quarter Fest) is a free, four-day music festival that takes place in the heart of New Orleans' historic French Quarter. The festival features over 20 stages showcasing local and regional musicians, playing everything from jazz and blues to rock and funk. In addition to the music, the festival also offers a wide variety of food and drink options from some of the city's best restaurants and vendors. 

We Love it!
We always tell our out of town friends and family to come for French Quarter Fest - it's a great way to see local music, eat great food, and explore the French Quarter.  It's also often fantastic weather - April in New Orleans is usually dry with temperatures in the 70-80s.   

A Few Tips
  • We recommend bringing a folding chair to the festival - a cheap $5 one from Walmart or Academy Sports will be perfect.  Having a chair will allow you to walk around and have a guaranteed seat at all the stages!
  • Make dinner reservations.  A lot of locals come into the French Quarter for the weekend and restaurants fill up.  The Festival ends daily at 8pm  - we recommend going out for a later dinner! 
 
Here are some of our favorite restaurant vendors: 
Addis NOLA 
Afrodisiac Nola 
Ajun Cajun
Bao Mi 
Cafe Beignet  
Cochon King BBQ 
Crabby Jacks 
Fritai 
Loretta’s Pralines 
Miss Linda the Yakamein Lady 
NOLA Crawfish King 
Nori Guys 
Phobang NOLA 


Take a look at some of our properties that are within walking distance to the fest! 

The Bird House

Reserve Now

The Syd C: Rhythm of New Orleans

New Button

By The River

Reserve Now

A man is standing in front of a fireplace surrounded by paintings of birds
November 8, 2025
Zac Maras is an Abita Springs-based artist best known for his vibrant and colorful mural works. Zac’s work largely focuses on animals found around Louisiana. Favorites include blue herons, egrets, spoonbills, gators, frogs, and crawfish. Zac has painted many murals that can be found all throughout the city. He is not afraid to bring our big ideas to life and his art style elevates any space he paints. Scroll below to see how the amazing works he's done in our houses and beyond!
May 21, 2025
Outdoor space of The Herald Introducing CastleDay: Where Private Villas Meet Unforgettable Gatherings There's a certain magic that happens when you bring people together in the right space. Not in a hotel ballroom with thin walls and neighboring guests. Not in a vacation rental that feels like someone else's home. But in a place designed from the ground up for your group, your celebration, your moment. That's the vision behind CastleDay. A New Kind of Retreat in New Orleans We created CastleDay because we saw a gap in how people gather for the moments that matter most. Weddings. Milestone birthdays. Family reunions. Corporate retreats. These occasions deserve more than compromise—they deserve privacy, space, and the kind of setting that turns a gathering into a memory. Our three contemporary private villas— The Herald , The Cocodrie , and The Florentine —are located in New Orleans, a city that already knows how to celebrate. But unlike traditional venues or vacation rentals, each CastleDay property offers something rare: an entire villa exclusively for your group, with no shared spaces, no neighboring guests, and no interruptions. More Than Accommodation. A True Private Retreat. What makes CastleDay different? It starts with privacy. When you book one of our villas, it's entirely yours. Every bedroom. Every gathering space. The pool. The grounds. Everything. Our villas sleep large groups comfortably—20+ guests in spaces designed to feel both luxurious and livable. Everyone gets room to breathe, while thoughtfully designed common areas draw the group together when it matters. Our villas feature: Spacious, modern design that balances elegance with comfort Multiple gathering areas both indoors and out Chef-ready kitchens for those who want to cook (or hire a private chef) Resort-style amenities including pools and outdoor entertainment spaces Thoughtful details that make hosting effortless Perfect For Every Kind of Gathering We've welcomed wedding parties who want everyone under one roof the night before the big day. Corporate teams looking for an inspiring off-site location. Extended families celebrating milestone birthdays. Friend groups marking special occasions or simply wanting a memorable vacation together. The beauty of a private villa retreat is flexibility. Want to have a chef prepare dinner while your group mingles by the pool? Done. Need space for a small ceremony or corporate presentation? You have it. Prefer to keep things casual with a long weekend of catching up? The space adapts to you. New Orleans. Elevated. Location matters, and New Orleans brings its own energy to any gathering. Our properties give you a private sanctuary while keeping you connected to one of America's most vibrant cities. Explore the neighborhoods, experience the food scene, soak in the culture—then retreat to your own private villa where the celebration continues on your terms. Your Gathering, Your Way At CastleDay, we believe the best gatherings happen when people can truly be present with each other. No checking out by 11 AM. No worrying about noise complaints. No navigating hotel lobbies in formal wear. Just your people, your celebration, and a beautiful space designed to make it all effortless. Whether you're planning a wedding celebration, organizing a corporate retreat, or gathering the people who matter most, we'd love to help you create something extraordinary. Ready to explore our villas? Visit castledayretreats.com to discover The Herald, The Cocodrie, and The Florentine, and find the perfect setting for your next gathering.
More Posts