Happy Birthday, Dawlin
You know that you may be getting some dollar bills pinned to you on your birthday, but you may be at a loss of how else to celebrate. Here are some out-of-the-box ways to celebrate in style in New Orleans.
They say it's your birthday. While you'll never be bored celebrating a birthday in New Orleans, you may be searching for new ways to celebrate. Reaching the milestone of another year calls for fun and living it up on your big day. Here's to a celebration that creates happy memories and sets the tone for an abundant and great year ahead.
New Orleans Birthday Ideas
Nature can usher in mindfulness and space for unwinding. Take a short drive out of the city to Bayou Segnette State Park for a great escape to the outdoors with offerings for everyone. Head out to the water for boating and both fresh and saltwater fishing, or hit the hiking trails. For a more relaxed pace, pack a picnic, book a picnic shelter, or camp out using their campsites or cabins. However you choose, your own adventure is waiting to be discovered.
After charting the waters of reaching another year, celebrate with a tranquil boat ride and scenic views with Nola Gondola. After a long held dream, owner Robert Dula turned his vision into reality when, in August 2003, he commissioned his boat from a builder in Venice. This same gondola is being used today and offers a message of resiliency after surviving two intentional sinkings to save it—first during Hurricane Ivan and again after the boat spent a month submerged underwater during Hurricane Katrina. Following repairs, the boat has continued to glide on the water. The boat tours are around 50 minutes through City Park's lagoons with music playing in the background, and sunset rides are a great time to schedule your trip. The gondola can fit up to parties of six, and they also offer a photo package to capture memories.
Starting as a speakeasy plant shop in 2018, We Bite Rare and Unusual Plants has seen growth through their passion in cultivating mysterious plants and the key myths that belong with them. Founder and owner Carlos Detres and his team are inspired by the Age of Discovery, utilizing their expert knowledge to help grow happy and healthy plants. Dig into their specialty soil bar or sow your knowledge with their specialty workshops, which include all materials. They also have their shop available for rent for any larger groups. In speaking on the workshops, Detres shared, "The intimidation people feel about these plants is reduced to almost nothing by the end."
Energize yourself through dance and pay honor to local culture by taking a class with Louisiana Dance Roots. Growing up in Lafayette, owner Brandon Broussard was immersed in a culture of dance and has now been teaching for 20 years. His encouraging environment with class styles, including the Louisiana waltz and zydeco dance, showcase the therapeutic benefits of dance. For your celebration, Broussard can accommodate couples, larger groups, and private parties, as well. For private parties, clients can request an add on of a local band, as well as catering options.
Ring in your next year of life with an air of royalty at high tea. Afternoon Tea at Windsor Court offers the chance to partake in elegance through their seatings on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Choose your selection of an aromatic loose leaf tea to suit your mood and find perfect food pairings with traditional elements from a British tea time. Be sure to check their themed teas for the rest of the year for additional fun twists on a sophisticated outing.
Planning birthday festivities should bring excitement. At The Exchange Pickleball + Bar, you'll find it along with joy in movement. Founder Renée Melchiode shared, "Celebrating your birthday at The Exchange Pickleball + Bar brings the perfect mix of fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Whether you're a seasoned player or a first timer, it's an inclusive and energetic way to bring people together." Their space offers specialty menus for food and drink, private court rentals, and even pickleball pros to help beginners. It is accommodating for all ages to set your party up for success.
Sprawl out in the sun while delighting in your favorite treats through a birthday picnic—an elegant way for dining al fresco. Nola Picnics, which is the sister company to Lovegood Wedding and Event Rentals, shared, "We specialize in an eye for design by providing the perfect decor, furniture, and special touches for your fun day."
It may be in your ordinarily to-do list, but as a relaxing form of escapism, going out to the movies has a significant charm. With over a hundred years in business, Prytania Theatre is perfect for treating yourself to a solo date or utilizing their rental options at both their Uptown and Canal Place locations for larger parties. Let's all go to the lobby.
Engaging in activities on your birthday that bring joyful peace can bring all sorts of inspiration. Longue Vue House and Gardens provides a tranquil escape with a historical twist. Created in the 1920s by Edgar and Edith Stern as their home, the couple commissioned famed landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman to enhance the estate's grounds from the '30s to 1950. Today, book either a house tour, garden tour across their eight acres, or both. Visit the onsite Edith and Edgar's Garden Cafe or pack a picnic for extra enjoyment of a leisurely pace.
Reach new heights this year by exploring bouldering, a division of rock climbing, at New Orleans Boulder Lounge. Opened in 2015, their facilities are a great accommodation during summer heat while still offering a thrill. They have two party options for ages 6 to 9 and then ages 10 and up. Whether looking for a family friendly or adults only party, their coaches create a comfortable space for exploring new terrains.
