Tag Archives: new orleans

Upcoming Music Festivals in Stay Alfred’s Cities

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans, Photo by: Joe Van via Wikipedia

Summer is fast approaching and we’re jumping out of our office chairs with excitement. Who doesn’t love the the sun, the sweat, the sounds, and even the flower crowns? At Stay Alfred, we’re crazy about music festivals and know that camping isn’t always an option for those who want to attend. Some of our cities where we host vacation rentals are having incredible festivals or fairs this summer and we have the downtown vacation rentals to match. Need a place to stay? We’ve got you covered. Give us a call any time of day at 866-232-3864 and one of our knowledgeable reservation agents will help you book the perfect vacation rental for your travel needs! Skip the awkward, crowded hotel experience and stay like a local with all your friends for a comparable rate.

BOSTON- Boston Calling 2016: May 27th-29th. Featuring Sia, Disclosure, Janelle Monae, Elle King, Haim, Sufjan Stevens, Robyn, Odesza.

SAN ANTONIO- River City Rockfest: May 29th. Featuring Disturbed, Scorpions, Megadeth, Bullet For My Valentine, P.O.D., Pop Evil

SAN ANTONIO- San Antonio Summer Art & Jazz Festival: June 3rd-5th. Artists and programs featured to be announced.

SAN DIEGO- San Diego County Fair: You’re guaranteed to find something amazing to see or do at this month-long San Diego celebration. June 3rd- July 4th. Closed on June 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, and 27th. Featuring Switchfoot, Lady Antebellum, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 3 Doors Down, Kenny Rogers

PHILADELPHIA- Roots Picnic: June 4th. Featuring Future, Usher, The Roots, Willow Smith, Blood Orange, Kehlani, Swizz Beatz

NASHVILLE- CMA Music Festival: June 9th-12th. Featuring Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Hank Williams, Jr., Eric Church, and MANY other country music legends.

NASHVILLE- Bonnaroo: June 9th-12th. If country music isn’t your thing, you might consider heading South toward Manchester, TN to catch these more alternative and electronic musical acts instead. Featuring Pearl Jam, Ellie Goulding, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Purity Ring, Adventure Club, Halsey.

WASHINGTON, D.C.- DC Jazz Festival: June 10th-19th. Featuring Kamasi Washington, Regina Carter, Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Septet, Cecile McLorin Salvant.

DENVER- LoHi 2016: June 11th. Featuring Alo, Greener Grounds.

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Smithsonian Folklife Festival: June 29th-July 4th, July 7th-10th. This year, the festival will honor the Basque cultural heritage. More information and line up to be announced soon.

NEW ORLEANS- Essence Festival: June 30th-July 3rd. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Maxwell, Ciara, with other special guests Tyra Banks, Misty Copeland and more.

PORTLAND- Waterfront Blues Festival: July 1st- 4th. Tedeschi Trucks Band, JJ Grey & Mofro, Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band, Maceo Parker

BOSTON- Outside the Box Festival: July 13th-17th at the Boston Common. Featuring Kasey Musgraves, Gin Blossoms, New Politics, Guster

SEATTLE- Capitol Hill Block Party: July 22nd-24th. Featuring Odesza, Chvrches, Crystal Castles, The Cave Singers, MO

DENVER- Underground Music Showcase: July 28th-31st. Experience Denver’s premier indie festival. Featuring Policia, Thee Oh Sees, Allah Las

DENVER- Bass Center 2016: July 29th-30th. Featuring electronic music acts such as Bassnectar, Flux Pavilion, Flying Lotus, Porter Robinson, Wu-Tang Clan.

PHILADELPHIA- Philadelphia Folk Festival: August 18th-21st. Featuring Los Lobos, The Lone Bellow, The Wood Brothers, and many other indie/folk acts.

PORTLAND- Project Pabst 2016: August 26th-28th. Featuring Duran Duran, Tame Impala, Ice Cube, Ween, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

SEATTLE- Bumbershoot: September 2nd-4th. Featuring Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Death Cab for Cutie, G-Eazy, Halsey, Third Eye Blind, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Billy Idol

MEMPHIS- Delta Fair & Music Festival: September 2nd-11th. More information regarding musical acts and events coming soon.

SAN DIEGO- KAABOO: September 16th-September 18th. Featuring Aerosmith, Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band, Jack Johnson, Fall Out Boy, Lenny Kravitz, OneRepublic

BOSTON- Copenhagen Beer Celebration: September 23rd-24th. The main attraction of this event is beer, but there will be a number of bands performing in honor of the featured craft brews. Featuring Lucero, Yo La Tengo, Mariachi El Bronx, The Barr Brothers, Caroline Rose

NEW ORLEANS- Bear Creek Bayou: September 30th-October 1st. Line up is to be announced. Expect an exciting and eclectic variety of musical acts.

NEW ORLEANS- Voodoo Experience: October 28th-30th. Line up will be announced in June. Expect a few big names at this popular event.

Not Sure Where to Stay in NOLA?

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

New Orleans is undoubtedly a city of wonders. Every year, millions of visitors from around the world come to explore the unique attractions and culture of The Big Easy. New Orleans was even rated by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine as one of the top 10 friendliest cities in the USA! At Stay Alfred, we know that our guests want the comfort and convenience that will allow them to easily experience the best of the city. Because of this, we offer numerous apartment vacation rentals within walking distance from the legendary French Quarter. The French Quarter is the main draw of New Orleans with its mardi gras spirit, exciting music scene, and delectable Cajun and Creole food. If you’re looking for the perfect New Orleans vacation rental, we’re here to help. Here’s just two of our incredible locations in the city…

925 Common vacation rental by Stay Alfred

925 Common: Located on Common Street in downtown New Orleans, Stay Alfred hosts two bedroom, two bathroom vacation rentals in this tall and proud tower with city views. At just a 5 minute walk from the excitement of Bourbon Street, you’ll be set to explore the French Quarter’s most beloved attractions either through walking or convenient public transportation (consider a streetcar!). At night, 925 Common is located just far enough away from the madness for you to get a quiet night’s sleep.

Step into your rental and you’ll fall in love with the designer counter tops, mahogany cabinets, and high ceilings. With a few different grocery stores nearby within walking distance, you’ll have the option of preparing your own meals in your rental’s fully-equipped kitchen. En suite laundry is available in each condo, so don’t worry about packing an overload of clothing! If fitness is your focus, a community gym is available for your use as well as a rooftop pool with views of the Mississippi River.

Saratoga vacation rental by Stay Alfred

Saratoga: This historical New Orleans building is located just a few blocks away from the action of the French Quarter. With close proximity to Bourbon Street or the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Stay Alfred’s rental apartments at the Saratoga are guaranteed to bring ease of travel to your NOLA adventure! With both two bedroom and one bedroom options available, the Saratoga is a perfect choice for those who travel alone or with up to five other guests.

Inside your rental, you’ll find a modern and spotlessly clean layout with all of the comforts of home. Save money by preparing your own meals in the fully equipped kitchen or head out into town to one of the nearby restaurants like Domenica. Since each condo is equipped with en suite laundry, even longer stays are made convenient. With a community gym available, you won’t miss a beat on your workout routine even while you’re away from home. When you’re feeling more in the mood to relax, take in the city views on the community outside deck or take a dip in the hot tub.

These properties and more (some with three bedrooms!) are available year-round for rent in New Orleans at Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals. Our philosophy is, “Why book a hotel room for a similar price when you can have all the space and comfort of living like a local?” Book online, or give us a call anytime at 866-232-3864 so we can help you find the perfect New Orleans vacation rental for your travel needs.

5 Spots to Swing by in the French Quarter

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Since opening our vacation rentals near the French Quarter in New Orleans, there’s been no doubt that NOLA has become one of Stay Alfred’s most popular cities. With so many exciting attractions and cultural musings, it’s no wonder why guests from all over the world flock to this legendary Southern oasis. As the oldest neighborhood in the city, the French Quarter has been the epicenter of numerous cultural shifts that make NOLA the special place it is today. From the birth of Jazz music, to the popularity of Mardi Gras culture on Bourbon Street, The French Quarter has spots where you can truly feel the vibe of The Big Easy.

The Beauty of the French Quarter, Photo by: llambrano via Pixabay

Spotted Cat Music Club: As you might have heard before, New Orleans is commonly referred to as the birthplace of Jazz music. Even if you’re not a huge jazz fan, it’s worth it to swing by this beloved music venue for an early evening performance. By the time it gets dark out, this small venue becomes packed with locals and tourists alike.

Afternoon performance at The Spotted Cat Music Club, Photo by: Mike Fay via Flickr

Fleurty Girl: Even if you can’t stand gift shops, you might just like this one. Have a friend or family member that is difficult to buy for? Numerous goods with specifically NOLA sense of humor await you at this favorite French Quarter gift boutique. The “inside joke” items are so popular that even locals shop here. Even though the store is called Fleurty GIRL, there are still many gifts available for men, as well.

Fresh Louisiana Crab Claw at Coop’s Place, Photo by: City Foodsters via Flickr

Coop’s Place: There might be a line at this hot spot- but it’s not only the tourists. Locals and tourists alike frequent this spot for unbeatable Cajun and Creole eats. Whether you’re more into red meat or seafood, there’s plenty of options available for you at this NOLA gem. Recommended: Fresh Lousiana marinated crab claw with coleslaw

Famous beignets and coffee at Cafe du Monde, Photo by: Leigh Klotz via Flickr

Cafe Du Monde: This one is a must for those who visit the French Quarter. Yes, the clientele is unashamedly touristy, but the bites are incredible and worth the inevitably long line. Not sure what to order? The classic beignets and chicory-flavored coffee, of course. Tired of standing in line? See if there’s inside seating available (as most people don’t even know about it). If all else fails, Cafe Beignet nearby is arguably just as good.

Old Absinthe House on Bourbon Street, Photo by: Jason Persse via Flickr

Old Absinthe House: While there are more iconic bars to visit in the French Quarter, the Old Absinthe House on Bourbon Street definitely boasts an interesting menu and rich history. Back in the day, Andrew Jackson planned a battle with British Forces in this very bar. Sometime later, a delectable drink called the Absinthe Frappe was born. Despite the fantastic drinks, this bar is definitely nothing fancy. Make of it what you will!

Not sure where to stay in New Orleans? Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals has numerous locations that will let you stay close to all the action, but far away enough to enjoy a quiet night’s sleep. With one bedroom and two bedroom options, why cram your family into a small hotel room when you can stay together in an apartment for a comparable price?
Check out our properties on this page or call our toll-free number at 866-232-3864 anytime to speak to one of our helpful reservation agents. We would love to help you book the perfect trip to NOLA!

Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Photo by: Jennifer Zambrano via Flickr

Planning to enjoy a getaway to the city on Valentine’s Day? In our last blog post, we wrote about why it’s great idea to book a vacation rental for a romantic trip with your significant other. However, we know that it can be a bit difficult to find the perfect date idea in an unfamiliar city. Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals hosts guests in numerous cities across the U.S., and we believe that all of these cities have excellent restaurants, attractions, and events that are sure to make your 2016 Valentine’s Day memorable! From Boston to the Big Easy, we’ve got you covered.

Boston

Restaurants: Want to have a unique gourmet experience that heightens your senses? Try the “dining in the dark” experience at the beautiful and historic Hampshire House. For other ideas, check out this Valentine’s Day specific restaurant guide for Boston.

To do: Cruise around the iconic Boston Harbor aboard an elegant ship with an option to do a romantic dinner and lunch event. For more information, visit this page.

Denver

Restaurants: For $59 per person, Argyll Whisky Beer is offering three courses of U.K.-inspired gourmet dishes prepared with a refined American flair. Did we mention this gastropub offers more than 240 selections of whiskey? For other Denver suggestions, visit this page.

To do: Want to see the beauty of downtown Denver at a leisurely pace? Wait at one of the various pick-up points at the 16th Street Mall and you’ll be able to ride together under a blanket in a Cinderella-style carriage pulled by gorgeous draft horses.

Memphis

Restaurant: Chez Philippe, named as one of the Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in the USA by Open Table, is offering a classic French gourmet three course meal for $95 per person. Be sure to reserve! Other ideas for romantic Memphis dining can be found on this website.

To do: Have you always wanted to learn how to dance? The Blue Suede Ballroom is hosting four different early evening dance classes at $30 per couple. After that, why not head back to downtown to stroll down Beale Street?

Nashville

Restaurant: There are so many fantastic and delicious restaurants in Nashville that it’s near impossible to decide! We recommend The Standard at The Smith House for a historic Southern dining experience. For other Valentine’s Day dining options, visit this website.

To do: As expected, Music City has plenty of excellent music events to make a date of on Valentine’s Day weekend. On February 13th, Rick Springfield will perform classic 80’s throwbacks at the Wildhorse Saloon. On both the 13th and Valentine’s Day, Sheryl Crow will perform at the Nashville Symphony.

New Orleans

Restaurant: With a long history and rave reviews, Commander’s Palace is practically a NOLA landmark. With outstanding Southern gourmet dishes such as turtle soup, soft-shell crab, and spiced rum cake, it’s no surprise that this award winning restaurant is known as the place to celebrate. For other ideas, pay a visit to this page.

To do: Mardi Gras might be over, but there are plenty of Valentine’s Day adventures to be had in the historic French Quarter, including local jazz fare at The Spotted Cat. Located between the Garden District and French Quarter, another venue called BB’s Stage Door Canteen will be presenting a tribute to Frank Sinatra on the night of Valentine’s Day.

America’s Best Fried Chicken

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Fried chicken is of those ubiquitous American meals that can serve any purpose, from Sunday night family dinner to a leisurely picnic in the park. And there are probably as many different recipes for fried chicken as there is places to eat it. Some lucky folks at Thrillist had the chance to scour the country in search of the best fried chicken in America, and it turns out there’s a few places on their list that are in Stay Alfred cities (and a couple in cities we’re looking at)! We thought we would share these finds with you, in fact you’ll probably get to try them before we do!

The following was published 2/20/15 by Kevin Alexander and Liz Childers at Thrillist:

Portland, OR: The People’s Pig

“People’s Pig answers a question few have asked, yet probably should: what would bacon taste like if bacon was made from fried chicken? The answer is the Smoked Fried Chicken at this food cart turned brick-and-mortar, which gives the boneless bird a light wood-based sauna session before it’s dunked in batter and fried. Not bad for a place that made its name with porchetta and BBQ. There’s a lot of great fried chicken in Stumptown (big love to Dub’s and Reel M Inn), but the People’s Pig gets mad love for taking something as beloved as fried chicken and transforming it into something utterly different and magnificent.”

Nashville, TN: Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

“Yes, we know it’s technically hot chicken. But that hot chicken is fried, right? And Prince’s, on the North side of Nashville, just happens to be the best damn spicy fried chicken in America. If you can spare a couple of hours to deal with the line, hit up Andre Prince’s ode to the spicy side of the bird and get a whole chicken, some extra pickles, and bread. We like it “hot,” which is just enough to make us sweat, but not enough that it feels like you’re being punished for eating. And don’t worry about finishing the whole bird. We just wanted to leave you enough to take some home with you.”

Willie Mae’s Fried Chicken. Flickr/the foodhoe

New Orleans, LA: Willie Mae’s Scotch House

“New Orleanians are wont to throw around words like ‘legendary’ and ‘institution’ and ‘classic’ when it comes to their restaurants that can lay any kind of claim to those adjectives. But, well, Willie Mae’s fried chicken deserves it. That crispy, spicy chicken was enough to drive crowds of volunteers to tend to the nearly half-a-century old restaurant after Katrina flooded through, and its melt-in-your-mouth skin and juicy meat are enough to beckon even the most tourist-averse locals to wait in the lunch line on a weekday for a plate, plus a side of salty, smoky red beans and rice. So, yes, Willie Mae’s Scotch House is a legendary, classic institution — not just of NOLA, but of the South.”

Austin, TX: Top Notch

“Sure, you can’t start any conversation about Top Notch without mentioning its iconic placement in Dazed & Confused, but there’s a damn good reason the old-school drive-up joint’s in the movie to begin with. Since 1971, it’s made Austin’s finest fried bird. And as the city’s food scene has evolved into more haute takes on comfort classics, Top Notch still does what it’s always done: it makes a perfectly crisp, salty, old-school chunk of chicken that’s golden fried and bursting with juice. That’s the good thing about Top Notch. You keep getting older, but that chicken stays the same.”

Are you planning a trip to any of these cities? Click here to view all our our great vacation rentals.

Family Fun at Mardi Gras?

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Photo by Elaine Warner, Slice Magazine

Despite what you may have heard, Mardi Gras is not just a giant street party filled with bare-chested women and crowds of drunken men leering at them. In fact, many New Orleans residents will take exception to the way that the event has often been portrayed in the media. Mardi Gras is actually a great family festival (as long as you avoid certain areas).

The main focus of the celebrations is the parades, which begin two weeks before Fat Tuesday. Each parade is put on by a Krewe which spends all year and thousands of dollars building and decorating their elaborate floats. The most famous Krewes like Zulu, Bacchus, Endymion, and Rex have their parades on the weekend just before Fat Tuesday, but the times and routes vary so be sure to check a parade schedule to find the best ones.

One of the most popular places to watch the parades is around St. Charles St. and Napoleon Ave. Many local families have been coming here for years and they show up early for a full day of picnicking and barbeques. If you want to avoid huge crowds, head to the suburban area of Metairie where to parades tend to be more kid-centric. The Mystic Krewe of Barkus puts on a dog parade that is a must-see for children and adults alike.

No matter where you go, be sure to bring something to keep all the “throws” you’re bound to collect (those cloth grocery bags work great). Each Krewe has their own unique trinkets they throw out, everything from toys and stuffed animals to elaborate medallions and painted coconuts, and of course beads. One thing to remember about the medallions: they are highly prized and experienced parade goers tend to stomp on them to claim ownership, so watch your fingers!

Another tip: most restaurants and hotels along parade routes only allow their bathrooms to be used by patrons. Be sure to scout out public restrooms before you need them, although many restaurants also sell all-day tickets that include food and use of their facilities.

The only place you might want to avoid if you’re with children is the French Quarter, where the spring-break adult party crowd tends to congregate. But no big parades actually go through that area anyway due to vehicle size restrictions. So don your masks, eat some King Cake, and find a good spot to watch all the amazing festivities. Your kids will never forget it!

Looking for somewhere to stay during Mardi Gras? Click here to see all of our New Orleans vacation rentals.

Stay Alfred Doubles New Orleans Vacation Rental Inventory

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

The living room of a Stay Alfred vacation rental at The Maritime Building

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - The nationwide vacation rental and corporate housing firm headquartered in Spokane, Wash., Stay Alfred, has doubled the number of New Orleans vacation rentals it manages.

The vacation rentals in The Big Easy boast all the amenities Stay Alfred guests have come to expect, including modern furnishings, equipped kitchens, wi-fi, cable, DVD players, linens, laundry and ironing facilities, air conditioning, secure parking, balconies, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests also benefit from the industry-leading customer service for which Stay Alfred has been honored with the “Top Rental Manager” award by Travel + Leisure’s Top Vacation Rental Site, FlipKey.

These units are located at the center of the action in the Crescent City-Bourbon Street and Canal Street are 3 blocks away and the Superdome, House of Blues, and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas are all within three-quarters of a mile.

This expansion of Stay Alfred’s already sizable New Orleans presence was a natural step for the nationwide vacation rental company.

“Stay Alfred is one of the top vacation rental brands in the markets we already occupy,” said Jordan Allen, president. “With this move, we manage more vacation rentals in New Orleans than we do in Nashville-which had been our second largest market, behind our Seattle vacation rentals.”

Stay Alfred manages vacation rentals and corporate housing in Bellevue, Wash., Denver, Colo., Nashville, Tenn., New Orleans, La., Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash.

The New Orleans vacation rentals can be viewed online and even booked with Stay Alfred’s convenient, industry-leading one-click booking feature at StayAlfred.com. Reservationists can be reached at 866-232-3864.

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