Frugal And Fly

Cajun/Creole Bloody Mary The Essence Festival is one of the most popular events in New Orleans, where music, culture, and food come together to create a unique and unforgettable experience. And if you’re a cocktail lover, then you're in for a treat, as the festival offers a range of delicious and unique cocktails that you won’t want to miss out on. In this blog post, we’ll explore five must-try cocktails at the Essence Festival that will tantalize your taste buds.  Your visit to New Orleans and Essence fest, isn’t complete without trying some of the signature drinks! Hurricane Nothing screams “New Orleans” quite like a hurricane! No sandbags or shelters here, just a fruity drink that’s sure to get the party started. The Hurricane has been a staple of the Essence Festival for years.  This dangerously delicious cocktail is full of fruity goodness, and a mix of light and dark rum typically served in a hurricane glass. If you are going to go for it, get the original at Pat O’Brien...

Are you planning on attending the Essence Festival this year? If so, make sure to indulge in the local cuisine that New Orleans is famous for gumbo, barbequed shrimp, crawfish etouffee, and pralines. With hundreds of food vendors and restaurants to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go to try. That's why we've compiled a list of the best dishes (and some of our favorites) to try during your first time at the festival. Food Vendors at the Essence Festival There are many popular food vendors at the Essence Festival, but some stand out above the rest. One of them is Ms. Linda's Catering. Their signature dish is the shrimp and okra gumbo, which is a must-try. Another popular vendor is the Praline Connection, which offers delicious dishes such as fried catfish and red beans and rice.   During the day, food is available at the Convention Center, where a good portion of the daytime activities take place, and at Essence Eats (which was across the street fr...

JW Marriott New Orleans Lobby The Essence Festival is one of the most popular annual events in New Orleans, Louisiana. This festival is an incredible celebration of African-American music, culture, and art, and draws thousands of visitors from all over the world. The festival takes place every July, and one of the most important things visitors need to consider is finding a place to stay. The festival's various events and activities take place all over the city, but the hotels listed below offer the best proximity and convenience. Here are some of the best hotels to stay close to the action during the Essence Festival: The Roosevelt New Orleans The Roosevelt is a luxurious and iconic hotel located in the heart of New Orleans. The epitome of a classic city hotel, with well over a century of history in the imposing building.  It is a great home base for your Essence Fest experience.  Just steps to Canal Street and a 10-minute walk to the heart of the French Quarter.  On you...

If you’re like me, you work a job that doesn’t pay enough to cover all you want.  We all have desires for our life…travel, shopping, fine dining, etc.  And your job doesn’t cover it?  Most don’t.  You can still enjoy these things.  It just takes effort, planning, and saving.  I know we live in an instant gratification society/world, but by exercising gratification delayed (not gratification denied) we can enjoy these experiences.  You may have pictures/posts from Paris, Dubai, Essence Festival, wherever, and dreamed of going to those places. I did.  I’ve been going back to New York City forever to see family and go to the US Open.  I would stay with family and stand in line 8 in the morning to get the ground pass for the day. Now I start thinking about how fancy I want my trip to be and start planning.  I do use a credit card, but I also start my savings plan for it. Which hotel, for how long, and how I want to fly determine the budget....