Wellness in New Orleans

New Orleans isn’t just about the music and the food; it also offers plenty of ways to slow down and breathe. If you’re craving some downtime, you’ll find no shortage of spa places around the Garden District and even the French Quarter where you can melt away tension with a deep tissue massage or a signature Cajun sea salt scrub. And yes, those baths in the historic hotels are just as dreamy as they sound.

For some real calm, head over to the Bywater or Mid-City neighborhoods for yoga studios that mix in local vibes and sometimes hold classes in scenic parks. I always recommend checking out the Pilates sessions at Studio 716,great crowd, relaxed energy. If you’re here in spring or fall, you can even find weekend wellness retreats out on the Northshore or just outside the city, where it’s quiet enough to hear yourself think.

A quick tip: bring along some comfy clothes and make time for a slow afternoon at a juice bar or cafe that does herbal teas; I love the cozy setups in Treme for that. Trust me, it’s the best way to balance the big city buzz with some genuine rest.