As New Orleans prepares to host its 11th Super Bowl, the city is promising a celebration like no other, combining two mega-events into one. Coinciding with Carnival, this year’s celebrations will combine the thrill of football with the spirit of the Carnival season.

Of course, next month’s celebrations will take place in the shadow of a deadly shooting spree that occurred in the early hours of last New Year’s Day. The attack on Bourbon Street in the heart of the city’s French Quarter left 14 people dead, and the city has taken extra precautions and security measures to protect next month’s revelers. Local officials have hired former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton to review their security plans, and the city was given more federal funding for the event.

“New Orleans & Company is building on our strong partnerships with the NOPD, Louisiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies to increase coverage for upcoming events and meetings and ensure additional patrols in heavily trafficked areas,” said Kelly Schulz, senior vice president of communications and public relations at New Orleans & Company, the city’s official destination marketing and sales organization.

It’s a familiar hub for a city that has long turned grief into renewal, from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to today. The city’s spirit is known for acknowledging the fragility of life and living it to the fullest – its party ethos is rooted in a history of perseverance.

Go to Super Bowl LIX

Caesars Superdome is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with improvements to the fan experience. Opened in 1975, the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, recently completed a four-year, $560 million renovation that included Wi-Fi upgrades, three new atriums, two new 40-yard bars and a 4,000-square-foot End zone included field-level club and improved accessibility for disabled fans.

If you want to see the action yourself, you can purchase day tickets on the secondary market for around $6,000. But for that price, you’d be better off securing one of the VIP packages, which start at nearly $7,000 – this particular option includes a pre-game party, open bar, food, and a live show from Ludacris . Some of the more expensive packages also include hotel stays, which is helpful since most rooms in the city are fully booked.

For those requiring accommodations, Caesars New Orleans was available at press time. A seven-minute drive from the Superdome, the nearly 800-room hotel was recently converted from a Harrah’s after a $435 million renovation. It features the area’s only land-based casino and restaurants from well-known chefs such as Nobu Matsuhisa (he was the inventor of the state’s first Nobu). , Bobby Flay and local heroes Emeril Lagasse and Nina Compton.

Entertainment and parties

The festivities begin at the Superdome on February 3rd with Super Bowl Opening Night, where players and coaches from both teams will make their only public appearance before kickoff. Watch them be interviewed by the media and enjoy live entertainment from New Orleans.

The Super Bowl Experience follows February 5-8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Join the family in interactive games, player meetings and photo ops with Super Bowl rings and the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Shaq’s Fun House will be taking over Mardi Gras World on February 7th. The seventh annual festival-circus-carnival hybrid with games and rides will feature performances from John Summit, Ludacris, DJ Irie, Myles O’Neal and DJ Diesel (the alter ego of host Shaquille O’Neal, a graduate of Louisiana State University). ). This will be one of the places to spot celebrities – Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Russell Wilson and Michael Phelps have attended past festivals.

The next evening, the venue will host the fifth annual Sports Illustrated The Party. Dom Dolla and Diplo will perform high-energy sets. Previous parties have attracted Patrick Mahomes, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian and Justin and Hailey Bieber, among others. Diplo will also headline the Super Bowl Pre-Game Party on February 7 at Generations Hall.

Loud Luxury, Timbaland, Plastik Funk and Unkommon will take the stage at Generations Hall for the Maxim’s Saints and Sinners party on February 8th.

One event you won’t want to miss is the Super Bowl Host Committee Parade on February 8th. The first Mardi Gras-like parade will parade through the French Quarter with Super Bowl-style floats, marching bands, stomping groups and appearances by celebrities and athletes. Spectators can witness themed “tosses” – free items thrown from the giant floats into the crowd – such as NFL beads and stuffed footballs.

Football-loving foodies will want to check out “Taste of the NFL” at the National WWII Museum on February 8th. Chefs Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Tim Love, Lasheeda Perry and Mark Bucher will host the NFL-sanctioned charity event, which will also feature NOLA institutions such as Brennan’s, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant and Restaurant R’evolution. They cook Southern dishes like brisket beignets, red velvet lobster mac and cheese, and grilled oysters.

Eat your way through the Guy Fieri Flavortown Tailgate at Mardi Gras World on February 9th. Before the game, play with the spiky-haired chef at the World’s Largest Tailgate and watch performances from Diplo, Flavor Flav and local rockers Cowboy Mouth.

Food, drinks and other activities

Go beyond the big events to get a taste of local culture while celebrating the Super Bowl. Escape the crowds by enjoying a super weekend brunch uptown at legendary restaurant Commander’s Palace. Listen to live jazz and enjoy upscale, tailgate-inspired Creole dishes like foie gras sliders with torch taleggio and crab-cooked peanut mostarda and dirty bird poppers with slow-smoked pork-stuffed quail, candied jalapeño and Creole cream cheese .

Elsewhere in Uptown, modern Israeli-Mediterranean restaurant Saba will add two cocktails just for Super Bowl week: riffs on the Spanish drink Kalimotxo (this Cherry Cola-like version uses Manischewitz with red cream) and Stone Fence (bourbon and apple cider). with Baharat syrup). ). And natural wine bar Really Really Nice Wines is hosting Super Bowl Bingo during the game. Play bingo and win a glass of bubbly. For something a little stronger, colorful Asian fusion gem Mister Mao will host “The Mister Mao Pop Out,” a shot menu served during the halftime show and the Hoodoo Espresso Martini Shooter, the Almond Joy Shot, a Homemade Fireball, and Make It Rain includes 1.5 ounce pours of all three.

Recommended by Forbes Travel Guide, Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel’s famed Sazerac Bar is closer to the action downtown and offers a Super Bowl menu with cocktails like Royal Blues (Crown Royal Deluxe, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Mixed Blueberries and agave syrup). , calamansi and tobacco and leather bitters). French Quarter Cuban-Caribbean haunt Cane & Table offers several game-day-inspired libations featuring rum and sugar cane distillates.

Treat yourself to treats at the excellent Ayu Bakehouse, which packs to-go boxes with mini pastries and game-day bites, breads with team logos, and Muffuletta King cakes that the bakery is bringing back especially for the Super Bowl.

If you were lucky enough to reserve a room at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans before it sold out, enjoy the guests-only Super Bowl weekend program, including daily live music, tastings at the Chandelier Bar and access to Super Bowl restaurants and bars on-site (stores are closed to non-guests).

Even if the four-star The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is full, you can stop by The Late Checkout x The Ritz-Carlton pop-up shop Thursday through Monday. From the coveted designer collection, the white logo t-shirt, white flag t-shirts, sweatshirts, navy joggers, blue zip up jacket and more are available for sale.

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