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!
In Thrillist’s latest article, The Best American Cities for Creatives (That You Can Actually Afford to Live In), guess who ranked top 15?
That’s right! Nola is booming with opportunities for creatives to work and live without busting the bank.
With such an influx of incredible people making the move here, we’ve been adding even more apartments and even better amenities! From resort-style pools with poolside food delivery to free bike rentals, it’s even more enticing to make your home here. Not to mention, all of the incredible attractions throughout the Greater New Orleans area like biking paths and Farmers Markets!
Clearwater Creek Premier Apartments
But if you’re like us, you prefer having the option to head into the city when you want to, while dwelling in the suburbs for your day in and day out routine. For that reason, we have bark parks and outdoor fitness centers, movie rentals and more, so you never really have to leave if you don’t want. Plus, all of our communities are just a short drive from some of the best shopping, dining, and entertaining you can find!
Bella Ridge Bark Park
Need help looking for a new apartment? We’d love to help. Just head to our homepage and start your apartment search today! Or, you can take our apartment quiz to find out which apartment size is just right for you!
You might have heard a bit about Mardi Gras history – mainly that it is a pretty big deal in New Orleans. It’s been called the biggest free party on the planet.
Mardi Gras takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday, but don’t be fooled, Mardi Gras festivities take place on more than just one day. Carnival season begins weeks before Fat Tuesday.
Mardi Gras has a rich and storied past that has resulted in lots of fun, elaborate traditions. It has played a huge role in shaping Louisiana culture. So, in the spirit of the season, we’re sharing a few fun facts about Mardi Gras history.
Read on to learn more about the biggest free party on the planet.
photo by Eric Wagner via Flickr
The first American Mardi Gras was celebrated on March 3, 1699, by French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville near what eventually became present-day New Orleans. They named the location Point du Mardi Gras.
Since the 1870s, Twelfth Night has been recognized as the official start of Carnival Season. Twelfth Night is always on January 6, and is known as the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
In New Orleans, it’s common to wait until Twelfth Night to have the first slice of king cake of the year. In fact, local superstition states that if king cake is eaten before Twelfth Night, it will rain on Mardi Gras day.
The bright and festive medley of colors – purple, green, and gold – is inescapable during Carnival season. It is believed that the Krewe of Rex chose these colors as their color scheme in 1872 for the first daytime parade.
Purple, known as being a royal color, represents Justice. Green represents Faith. And gold represents Power.
Originally, beads of these colors were intended to be tossed to individuals that best reflected these characteristics.
Mask wearing is one of the most iconic Mardi Gras traditions. Originally, masks were worn so that people of all classes could mingle freely with one another, which wasn’t common in everyday life.
Did You Know: New Orleans float riders are required to wear masks by law.
The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club is one of the most popular Mardi Gras Krewes in existence, as well as one of the oldest traditionally black krewes.
The Krewe of Zulu has become known for handing out coconuts during their parades. They are beautifully decorated and heavily sought after by Mardi Gras parade goers.
The first mention of a Zulu coconut dates back to 1910!
Contact us today for information on our private residential communities.
Candy canes and silver lanes are aglow in South Louisiana. The spirit of the season is here, and New Orleans, the Northshore, and Baton Rouge have a host of spectacular events you can check out to celebrate the holidays in true Louisiana fashion.
Read on for a regional breakdown of some great family-friendly holiday events this year.
Metairie and Kenner certainly get merry and bright for the holidays, which is why we love having apartment communities in those areas. You’re just a quick drive away from extravagant lighting displays, Santa visits, and remarkable holiday performances.
Lafreniere Park’s annual light display keeps getting better and better. Entry is $10 per vehicle. Holiday favorites from this years display include: artificial snow, an interactive walking tour set to random scenes from favorite holiday classics, and an over 10 million LED light display.
Ponchartrain Conservancy is hosting their annual Lights on the Lake event! The boat parade is scheduled for 5:30pm to 7:15pm. Local food trucks, refreshments, live entertainemnt, holiday decor and more. Admission is $5 for all and free for children under 5.
Lakeside Shopping Center has Santa photos now through December 24. While you’re there, stop by the North Pole Express, Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday noon-6pm, $2 per ride and open now until January 3rd!
Kenner Christmas Village is a great idea for a family outing this holiday season. The Christmas Village located at Heritage Park is filled with things to do and see the whole family will love. There’s nightly performances, lights, snow, music, food, arts and crafts and more!.
Live music by Harpist Patrice Fisher and Arpa, cookie decorating, hot cocoa bar, and children’s activities all at the West Bank Regional Library.
Luna Fete, New Orleans’ free festival of light art located in Lafayette Square Park. From 6pm-10pm.
Join Harahan Police Department and Chief Tim Walker for the Harahan Christmas Parade!
The Riverwalk Outlets will be showing the Grinch movie at their “Movie Under the Stars” event, outside on the Spanish Plaza! Free treats will be available as well as Santa pictures! The event is free.
The Northshore is just a short drive from New Orleans, across Lake Pontchartrain. The Northshore’s holiday calendar is always jam-packed with wonderful events for the whole family.
The 10th annual Merry Madisonville is a holiday festival that begins with a holiday parade, where Santa arrives by boat at Town Hall. Soon after is “Santa’s Workshop,” which features caroling, kids’ activities, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and arts and crafts.
Finally, Madisonville Mayor Jean Pelloat will begin the “Lighting of the Oaks,” during which Madisonville’s majestic oaks will be illuminated with beautiful twinkling lights.
The 5th annual Bayou Christmas is a free festival presented by the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana. It will take place December 19-22, 2018 in Slidell’s Heritage Park.
Over 80,000 lights decorate wonderful lighted displays and holiday music, setting the scene for free photo shoots in Santa’s Village.
Louisiana’s capital city will soon feature plenty of events and shows that will put you in the holiday spirit.
Baton Rouge General Medical Center presents its first fantastic holiday lights display this year, transforming its lawn into a synchronized musical light show. It’s already running, and you’ll have the opportunity to see it through December 31!
Go Downtown to Baton Rouge’s Town Square for an immersive holiday celebration. According to Visit Baton Rouge, the whole family can “frolic in the imported snow, ride a magical train at the Old Governor’s Mansion, see Santa and Movies at the Old State Capitol, and listen to Holiday Music Magic at the Art and Science Museum.” Sounds like a blast!
This year’s event will also feature a “Cajun Night Before Christmas” performance.
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
