Music and Food Festivals in New Orleans -- April and May

New Orleans sure knows how to throw a great party. This weekend kicked off the 41^st annual Jazz and Heritage Festival Presented by Shell, and the celebration continues through Sunday, May 2. There are too many wonderful artists to list, but when you think of Lionel Richie and Aretha Franklin for starters coupled with up-and-coming musicians, it’s a music festival that doesn’t quit. And you also get a wonderful culinary and shopping experience, Big Easy style. Although I can’t attend this year, I’ll be playing the music on my iPod while I imagine platters of crawfish, Cajun jambalaya, po-boys, and alligator pie to keep me happy.

Can’t make it to Jazz Fest this year like me? You can wait until later next month and head down to the 19^th annual New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE) instead, a festival of winemakers from around the U.S. and New Orleans’ best restaurants, from May 25 – 29. Look for celebrity chefs such as John Besh and Hosea Rosenberg, Season 5 winner of Top Chef as well. For a list of wine dinners, tastings, and seminars, click here.

Here are some great hotel deals for both of these events:

Wyndham Chateau Bourbon is still offering a Jazz Fest package. The “Jazzed Up” package provides one night’s accommodation, breakfast for two, and self-parking, priced starting at $199. Call 504-565-4550 NOW and mention promotional code “PKGBEP.”

Hotel Monteleone: This historic French Quarter hotel is offering a special rate starting at $149 during NOWFE. The hotel will also host a number of the event’s seminars and the “Royal Street Stroll,” where guests can promenade through lovely Royal Street and stop in a variety of galleries to experience a combination of live jazz, art and wine. Tickets are $75/person in advance and $90 on site. To book tickets for the stroll, click here. To reserve your stay at the hotel, click here.(Photo is of the lobby).

The Roosevelt Hotel : Opened in 1893 as The Grunewald, this Waldorf Astoria property is offering a “Sip and Savor” package. Rates start at $359 and include one night stay in luxurious king suite, welcome cocktails for two in the historic Sazerac Bar, and tickets for two to NOWFE’s Grand Tasting. Valid 5/27-6/1. Call 800-WALDORF.

Windsor Court Hotel : The Windsor Court is the only hotel in New Orleans (and in all of LA) to be awarded both the prestigious Mobil Four Star and AAA Four Diamond awards and offers the “Wine and Food Connoisseur” package—one night stay in deluxe guest room, dinner for two at The Grill Room, two glasses of sparkling wine at the Polo Lounge, and two tickets to NOWFE’s Grand Tasting. Rates start $399. Call 888-596-0955 and mention promotional code “NOWFE.”