Things to do near Virgin Hotels New Orleans: top sights and short activities
Virgin Hotels New Orleans sits at 550 Baronne St in the Warehouse District and is an easy base for short visits to the French Quarter, the National WWII Museum, Caesars Superdome and Bourbon Street. From the hotel you can walk to many central sights, hop the St. Charles streetcar, or spend an afternoon on the 13th-floor Pool Club terrace.
In this guide
Walkable historic and cultural highlights
The hotel is within comfortable walking distance of several signature New Orleans sites, making short sightseeing loops practical from the front door. Lafayette Square and Immaculate Conception Church are about a 5-minute walk, while Bourbon Street and Canal Street are roughly 10 minutes on foot.
The National WWII Museum, Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Union Passenger Terminal are all nearby and reachable by foot; these spots make for quick museum visits or a half-day itinerary before returning to the hotel.
- Lafayette Square — ~5-minute walk
- Immaculate Conception Church — ~5-minute walk
- Bourbon Street — ~10-minute walk
- Canal Street — ~10-minute walk
- National WWII Museum — ~10-minute walk
- Union Passenger Terminal — ~9–10-minute walk
| Attraction | Typical walk time |
|---|---|
| Lafayette Square | 5 min |
| Bourbon Street / Canal Street | 10 min |
| National WWII Museum | ~10 min |
Rooftop pool, terrace and short relaxation breaks
The Pool Club is on the 13th floor and offers a heated outdoor pool kept at 84°F with terrace seating and skyline views. Swimming is open daily for hotel guests; public access to the rooftop bar begins in the afternoon and non-hotel guests must be 21 or older.
Pool Club hours and access vary: swimming for guests is typically available 10am–8pm, while the rooftop bar opens to the public later in the day. If you want a pool lounger or VIP seating, the hotel accepts reservation requests for Pool Club seating through its event/coordinator team.
- Heated rooftop pool (13th floor) — kept at 84°F
- Swimming window for guests commonly 10am–8pm
- Public rooftop bar access begins at 3pm daily; non-hotel guests must be 21+
- Pool seating and VIP reservations handled by the hotel’s Pool Club coordinator
| Service | Typical times |
|---|---|
| Pool swimming (hotel guests) | 10am–8pm |
| Rooftop bar public access | From 3pm daily |
| Pool Club bar hours | Sun–Thu 10am–10pm; Fri–Sat 10am–12am |
Commons Club and quick dining options on-site
Commons Club is the hotel’s main restaurant and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with Southern and Mediterranean-influenced contemporary American dishes. Reservations are accepted via OpenTable and are encouraged for dinner or weekend brunch.
For fast coffee and pastries, Funny Library on the ground floor serves La Colombe coffee and light bites during morning hours. If you prefer light drinks on the rooftop, The Pool Club serves cocktails and small plates through much of the day and evening.
- Commons Club — breakfast, lunch, dinner; weekend brunch hours listed on the hotel site
- Funny Library — coffee, pastries, light bites (morning hours vary seasonally)
- The Pool Club — cocktails and light bites on the rooftop
| Venue | Typical offering |
|---|---|
| Commons Club | Breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch |
| Funny Library | Coffee and pastries |
| The Pool Club | Rooftop cocktails and light bites |
Short music and nightlife options nearby
Bourbon Street and the French Quarter are within walking distance for an evening of live music and nightlife. Frenchmen Street’s live-music clubs are a longer walk but reachable by short rideshare or a streetcar ride.
If you prefer to stay at the hotel, Commons Club features live music on some evenings and the Pool Club serves cocktails on the terrace after public access begins each afternoon.
- Bourbon Street — ~10-minute walk for evening music and bars
- Frenchmen Street — about 20–25 minutes on foot (or short ride) for dedicated music venues
- Commons Club and Pool Club both host evening music/drinks on various nights
| Option | When to go |
|---|---|
| Bourbon Street | Evenings and late night |
| Frenchmen Street | Evenings; best for jazz and local clubs |
| Hotel live music | Commons Club and rooftop events (check schedule) |
Easy day trips and outdoor excursions
The hotel can arrange tours and tickets through the 24/7 concierge, including Jean Lafitte swamp tours (about 25 minutes from New Orleans) and plantation visits such as Oak Alley or Whitney Plantation for full-day excursions. These trips are commonly offered with hotel pickup options.
If you want a nearby green space, City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) are a short drive away rather than a walk; the front desk can help with transport options.
- Jean Lafitte swamp tours — roughly 25 minutes from downtown; tours typically last about 1.5 hours
- Oak Alley Plantation — a common day-trip option (travel time varies by tour)
- City Park and NOMA — quick drive from the hotel; not typically walkable from downtown
| Day trip | Approx. travel time by car |
|---|---|
| Jean Lafitte swamp tour | ~25 minutes |
| Oak Alley Plantation | Varies by operator |
| City Park / NOMA | ~10 minutes drive |
Getting around and practical short-activity tips
Virgin Hotels New Orleans sits steps from the St. Charles streetcar line and within easy walking distance of many downtown destinations, so you can plan short, multiple-stop outings without a car. The hotel’s 24/7 front desk and concierge can help with streetcar directions, rideshares, and booking tours.
If you’re using hotel services: valet parking is available 24/7 (no self-parking), and the fitness center is complimentary with room-key access 24 hours. The property is non-smoking and provides free Wi‑Fi throughout.
- St. Charles streetcar — steps from the hotel; useful for short uptown trips
- Valet parking only (available 24/7) — the hotel does not offer self-parking
- Complimentary 24/7 fitness room (Technogym equipment)
- Free Wi‑Fi throughout the property
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valet parking | Available 24/7 (no self-parking) |
| Fitness center | Complimentary; room-key access 24/7 |
| Wi‑Fi | Free throughout the hotel |
