Enjoying New Orleans from Fancy to Frugal

Even with last month's tragic shooting, New Orleans remains on an upswing, with its Warehouse District, Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods hotter than jambalaya fresh off the stove. The Garden District remains gorgeous as ever, while the French Quarter is squeaky clean (at least in the mornings, when it's scrubbed free of detritus).

To keep the good times rolling, two city institutions are rolling out new incentives to visit the Big Easy. The New Orleans Ritz-Carlton, located on Canal Street between the Quarter and the Central Business District, will undergo a $4 million renovation in July that includes the Club Level, known as The Maison Orleans and penthouse, called The Ritz-Carlton Suite. All club level guestrooms in The Maison Orleans will be renovated (74 Club Deluxe and 1 suite) along with the Club Lounge and the 2,800 sq ft Ritz-Carlton Suite, according to a release from the hotel. There's also a delicious Father's Day dinner available, while a Snowball Sommelier is available on Saturdays in July and August to perfectly prepare one of the city's favorite cocktails.

For a more humble time, take advantage of the 1,300 acre New Orleans City Park with the new Family Fun Pass. The pass is available for $30 for adults and $25 for kids, allowing for seven days of family-friendly fun at attractions like Storyland, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, City Putt, and discounts at Morning Call, with its frozen cafe au laits. Take the Canal Street streetcar marked for the City Park/Museum (green line).