King Cake in New Orleans is a beloved and special tradition – and one you can only enjoy during the Carnival season. So it’s important to make the most of your King Cake window and try as many delicious renditions as you can!
Ask any local and they’ll tell you that King Cake in New Orleans is only eaten from Twelfth Night (January 6) through Mardi Gras Day. And there are so many bakeries, restaurants and special spots that serve up their own spin on the confection.
Need a good starting point to find the best King Cake in New Orleans? Here’s some must-try options for you to enjoy!
Almost everyone has heard of the Randazzo family and their secret family king cake recipe is the stuff of legend in New Orleans. As the most well-known keeper of the family’s sweet treat, Manny Randazzo’s King Cakes offers everything from traditional King Cakes to special flavors like apple, lemon, and strawberry.
A bite of Manny Randazzo’s king cake is an essential part of the Mardi Gras experience – if you’re lucky enough to snag one!
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| Photo by Caluda’s King Cake via Facebook |
Caluda’s, another classic king cake spot, is a go-to bakery offering a variety of traditional and non-traditional flavors both during the carnival season and year-round. Their 30-step baking process makes for a delicious and decadent king cake.
Either pick one up locally or order one for shipping!
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| Photo by @laboulangerienola via Instagram |
This French bakery on New Orleans’ charming Magazine Street is the perfect spot to pick up a delicious King Cake. Well-known and popular year-round for their croissants and pastries, they offer traditional cakes alongside cinnamon, strawberry, almond, and pretzel flavors during Carnival.
You can even grab a personal mini King Cake to enjoy on the go!
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| Photo by @haydelsbakery via Instagram |
Haydel’s classic king cake is famous around town. Made of Danish dough, hand braided with cinnamon and sugar, and baked to perfection, these treats are sure to be one of your top favorites with just one bite.
Plus, they have many special flavors to choose from like praline pecan, cream cheese, strawberry cream cheese, German chocolate, and brownie chocolate chip!
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| Photo by @gambinosbakery via Instagram |
Gambino’s has been a well-known New Orleans King Cake spot for decades. Many call them the King of King Cakes and with good reason. Their classic King Cake is just that – fluffy dough, topped with icing, and drizzled with sugar, exactly how a King Cake should taste.
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| Photo by @graciousbakerynola via Instagram |
If you’re looking for an adventurous flavor to try for your King Cake indulge, Gracious Bakery is the perfect place to start. Their delicious confections showcase some mouthwatering flavors like chocolate, almond frangipane, and nectar cream – they even have a bananas foster-flavored King Cake that’s definitely worth a bite!
Our friends at NewOrleans.com wrote a very extensive blog on all the king cake finds this city offers. Check it out here!
Jefferson Parish must be on the nice list, because there are so many fun activities for us to enjoy this holiday season! Whether you live in Metairie, River Ridge, Kenner, or elsewhere in the Greater New Orleans region, we’ve got you covered with a veritable winter wonderland of holiday happenings.
Jefferson Performing Arts Society Presents: “The Nutcracker”
Experience classic characters like the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy this holiday season as part of the fantastical journey with The Nutcracker. Get your tickets online for Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. or Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.
Rivertown Theaters Presents: “A Christmas Story” The Musical
This nostalgic and heartwarming musical features memorable characters, catchy songs, and spectacular choreography, bringing you the charm of the classic film. Tickets to the show, running from Dec. 1-17 at the Rivertown Theater in Kenner, can be found here.
Rock out with Trans-Siberian Orchestra as they embark on their 2023 Winter Tour: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. On Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m., they will be making their way to the Smoothie King Center, just in time to get you in the holiday spirit! Tickets start at just under $50 and can be purchased here.
The National World War II Museum’s “Louisiana Christmas Day”
From the raucous Cajun bayous to the splendors of caroling in historic Jackson Square, the vintage-chic Victory Belles take you on a holiday musical tour with classic tunes like “Have A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Christmastime in New Orleans.” Celebrate the holidays Louisiana-style by purchasing tickets here to one of the shows happening throughout the holiday season.
Holiday Champagne Stroll presented by Gulf Coast Bank & Trust
Start the holiday season on Magazine Street, Dec. 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m., with an evening of festive after-hours shopping. Enjoy champagne, explore the shops, and discover ideal gifts with special offerings from participating businesses.
Kenner Parks & Recreation invites guests to Christmas Tea with Santa, which will include food and activities. The event will take place at the Kenner City Park Pavilion on Dec. 9, with the first seating at 10:00 a.m. and the second seating at 12:30 p.m. Click here to register.
The Grinch is back in Kenner! Join Kenner Parks & Recreation at Heritage Hall on Dec. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for yummy food and fun activities before spending time in the Christmas Village. To pre-register for the event, please click here.
Celebrate the holidays with your furry friend! On Dec. 2 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Port Orleans Brewing Company will be hosting a fundraiser to benefit ARNO. There will be photo opportunities with Santa, local vendors to shop from, a raffle with various prizes, and pints for purchase. All proceeds go toward vet bills for ARNO’s special needs cases.
Holiday Market with the Grinch
Join Port Orleans Brewing Company on Dec. 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a holiday market featuring the Grinch. Local vendors will be selling crafts and gifts, the Grinch will be taking photos, and there will be a bounce house for children.
On Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 1-23, you can enjoy snow, crafts, food vendors, entertainment, and a special appearance from Santa at Heritage Park in Rivertown. Admire beautiful Christmas lights and animated scenery, and don’t even worry about bringing your wallet – admission is free! (Of course, food and drink are additional costs.)
Lafreniere Park hosts this dazzling event throughout its lush grounds. Explore LED light displays plus amusements like the Children’s Carousel ride. Admission is $10 per vehicle in advance and $15 at the gate, so plan to carpool and save some money! Christmas in the Park runs every Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10:00 p.m. throughout the holiday season.
Pontchartrain Conservancy is hosting its 10th annual holiday celebration at the New Canal Lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain on Dec. 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy the West End Boat Parade, activities for the children, local food trucks, hot chocolate, and more. Admission is $10 for ages 6+ and tickets can be purchased online or at the event.
Polar Express Cake Class and Pajama Party
Join Sweetooth Bakery and Cafe Caribe for a holiday decorating class that is perfect for both children and adults! The cost is $35 per person and includes a cake to decorate, decorating tools, hot chocolate, cookies, and more. Tickets can be purchased here for the event on Dec. 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Don’t forget to wear your favorite PJs!
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this indoor, family-friendly holiday fest brings an enchanting winter wonderland right here to New Orleans. It features attractions like ice skating lessons, a holiday display, dining, and carnival rides to name a few. Hosted at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, this fest runs from Dec. 21-30 with tickets for purchase online.
Ring in the holiday season with the 15th annual Merry Madisonville Parade and Celebration. The event takes place at Madisonville’s ballpark and playground on Dec. 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the parade at 2 p.m. and pictures with Santa at 4:00 p.m. There will also be food trucks, hot chocolate, activities, and more!
Twinkle on the Tchefuncte, taking place Dec. 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madisonville Riverfront, is a lighted boat parade and holiday decorating contest, as well as a toy and food drive. Bring your chairs to set up for the parade and stroll along the riverfront for eats and treats, face painting, carolers, and more. If you’re interested in entering the boat parade, click here for more information.
From wintery wonderlands to nostalgic theater productions, there is an event for everybody to enjoy this holiday season! What’s more, you can find a new home to ring in the holiday season even further by checking out our list of communities here!
The flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up, and the crawfish are boiling! Whether you’re in River Ridge, Metairie, or Kenner, we have curated a list of some of the best places to get hot and ready-to-eat crawfish this spring.
(504) 738-2104
9013 Jefferson Hwy, River Ridge, LA 70123
(504) 738-1116
279 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123
(504) 405-5263
8311 Jefferson Hwy, Harahan, LA 70123
(504) 818-2200
901 South Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA 70121
(504) 468-1647
2000 W Esplanade Ave, Kenner, LA 70065
(504) 443-6454
3201 Williams Blvd, Kenner, LA 70065
(504) 466-4701
3140 Loyola Dr Kenner, LA
(504) 469-7216
8006 W Metairie Ave, Metairie, LA 70003
(504) 887-1150
5010 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006
(504) 831-2840
1700 Lake Ave, Metairie, LA 70005
Want more options? Try downloading The Crawfish App and view all the local restaurants offering hot-boiled crawfish this season.
There’s no season like snowball season in New Orleans! Snowballs are a delicious combination of finely shaved ice and decadent cane syrup, available in more flavors than you can imagine, that come together as the perfect treat.
Get one to go and enjoy it at the lake, or have one at home on your balcony. No matter how you enjoy them, each icy spoonful of a snowball is delightful when the weather heats up. Getting one is definitely a must-do summer activity in New Orleans!
Keep reading for our list of some of the best snowballs in the Lakeview, Metairie, Elmwood, and Harahan areas. What’s even better is they’re close to several 1st Lake Properties like Bella Ridge, Millstream, and more!
Photo by @caseysmetairie via Instagram
Says one Yelp reviewer, “The ice doesn’t clump, they don’t skimp on the syrup, and the flavor choices are vast and unique.” Could you ask for anything more in a snowball stand?
Casey’s Snoballs in Metairie is located on West Esplanade Avenue, so it’s a great option for a to-go snowball you can enjoy at the lake. We’re partial to nutty flavors like almond cream, and exotic choices like orchid vanilla, but you’ll find plenty of classics like nectar, lemon, and wild cherry.
Photo by @salssnoball via Instagram
Tree stump seating sets this Old Metairie snowball stand apart. Sal’s stays open late, so if you get a snowball craving at 10 p.m.– and really, who could blame you? – you can still get your fix.
Fun flavor names like Robin (ice cream and nectar), Pink Squirrel (nectar, almond, and cream), and Joker (grape, blackberry, and raspberry) will delight youngsters and adults alike. Sugar-free options are available for those looking to stay trim, but it’s hard to resist toppings like condensed milk – again, who could blame you?
It’s one of our favorite spots in Metairie and definitely worth checking out!
Photo by @emmaeatsnola via Instagram
Ike’s is located in Mid-City, and it’s just a quick drive – or a fun bike ride – from Metairie Road on City Park Avenue.
We love Ike’s because of their doggie snowballs. A chicken snowball doesn’t sound particularly appetizing to us, but we know your four-legged friends will love them.
Don’t have a pet? Trust us, you’ll still want to go to Ike’s. It’s open year-round, and it offers juicy flavors like watermelon, strawberry, and pineapple that are sure to satisfy. You’ll find plenty of outdoor seating here, although another option is to order your snowball to-go and enjoy it at City Park!
Photo by @nolasnowsnoballs via Instagram
With a convenient location on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview, NOLA Snow is a great place to grab a snowball before heading to the lakefront.
Kids love their cotton candy and bubblegum flavors, and mellower flavors like nectar and wedding cake please more grown-up palates. The ice is particularly soft and fluffy, but if you prefer something denser, any snowball flavor can be served as a milkshake or malt instead.
Soft serve ice cream, floats, and stuffed snowballs are also available – definitely bring your sweet tooth.
Whether with your friend or with your love, these are some of the best fall date ideas!
The Music Under the Oaks Fall Concert Series is not only free, but it’s a majestic evening of melodies provided by The New Orleans Concert Band. Head to Audubon Park from 5-6:30 p.m. this Sunday to enjoy! Any donations you choose to make will fund the continual preservation and improvement of the park.
Photo Courtesy of Audubon Nature Institute
The Paradigm Gardens will host their annual fall concert series from October 2 – November 13. Each of the four concerts will feature an evening of music, along with a menu from local chefs and restaurants, as well as beer and cocktails from local breweries and bars.
These concert series are a wonderful way to spend a low-key but romantic evening with your special someone or your best friend.
Nola Mac N’ Cheese Fest is everything you’re hoping for and more. From the Big Cheezy to Frey Smoked Meats, your taste buds will thank you for gobbling up crawfish mac, vegan mac, and pulled pork mac (cue the salivating). Head to Armstrong park Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to enjoy this fest, plus admission is free!
Mac N Cheese Grilled Cheese by Big Cheezy Nola
The Second Saturday Community Market at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center is this Saturday! Head over to enjoy this family-friendly event full of local produce, handmade items, community services, nature hikes, live music, Planetarium shows and more!
Audubon Nature Institute Photo
St. Tammany Parish, also known as the Northshore, is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans for a leisurely autumn date.
The Covington Farmers Market is full of in-season veggies, fruit, dairy, pastries, dog treats, potted plants and more! Rise and shine early on Saturday so you can get the cream of the crop! This event happens every Saturday, so you can always mark this one for next weekend.
Covington Farmers Market
The Three Rivers Arts Festival takes place November 9 – 10 in the historic downtown district of Covington, LA. This weekend-long event is a showcase of over 200 artists from around the US. The festival takes over several city blocks, featuring ceramics, paintings, photography, fiber art, woodworking, metalwork, sculptures, jewelry and more.
There’s no admission charge, and parking is free. Take a leisurely stroll, enjoy live music in the crisp November air, and maybe purchase a handmade keepsake for your significant other.
Sometimes, a morning date can be a great way to shake up your dating routine. The Mandeville Trailhead Farmer’s Market takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. It features over 50 vendors offering “food of all types, wood-crafted items, artwork, pottery, children’s toys and clothing, soaps & lotions, and more.” Fall is the perfect time of year to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the local flavor.
Once you’ve seen the marketplace, take a 5-minute walk to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain and soak in the incredible view.
It’s no secret that Baton Rouge is exploding with incredible coffee shops and cafes! With so many options, you can get just about any ambience you’re searching for. If it’s the warm, cottage feel you want, head to Magpie or Highland Coffees. For the bustling downtown feel, pop in at French Truck or Magpie Downtown. Right now it seems like everyone is talking about Light House Coffee, the number 1 rated coffee shop on Yelp.
We hope you take advantage of the fantastic weather and jam-packed events schedule this autumn in Louisiana.
1st Lake has properties located near all of our suggested date spots. Contact us today to learn more about our private gated apartment communities!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
