How to make your own Spa Retreat Vacation: New Orleans Edition
Ditch the debauchery and create a wellness getaway!
The vibrant city of New Orleans, rich with culture and history, provided just the ticket for a much-needed break this spring. Staying in the heart of the French Quarter, soaking in the city’s storied history, was in many ways a writer’s dream.
After selecting a hotel smack on Bourbon Street, which admittedly has a well-earned reputation for debauchery, I set out to make this trip into a full-throttle… wellness retreat.
Pretty much anyone I’ve mentioned this to has raised an eyebrow at the idea of a wellness-focused vacation based on Bourbon Street. But hey, it’s possible! Here’s how I did it.
My first wellness-oriented move was to make time for mindful movement. I booked a session of “Yoga at the Cabildo” which actually took place at The Presbytère the week I was there. I arrived early and had a nice chat with the instructor. It’s always fun to meet other yogis, too.
The second best thing I did was to stay hydrated and clear-minded throughout the trip. I generally tended to order club soda with a lime, herbal teas, or low-sugar mocktails rather than hard drinks or cocktails (GASP!). Bartenders often said, “You know there’s no alcohol in that, right?” I typically didn’t mind them verifying my order. It was a little embarrassing at times if said loudly at a bar, but that’s a price I was willing pay to keep my “spa vibe” going.
The third thing I did was to look at all choices through a wellness lens, opting for whatever was most natural, beautiful, and luxurious. What do I mean by that? Well, here’s a little guide that further explains my “spa filter” for decision-making.
Heather’s Guide to Create a “Spa Retreat” Feeling… on the Go.
- Seek out nature. Visit parks, sculpture gardens, and neighborhoods with lots of greenery and flowers. Don’t just walk through nature — take time to sit under a tree or on a bench, and listen. Observe colors, shapes, light, and shadows. You may hear birds chirping, water trickling, or the sound of breeze rustling trees. This kind of pause can truly refresh your mental state and general outlook on life. It’s the perfect time to set an intention for your self-made wellness trip.
- Get a spa treatment. Pampering is essential to the spa experience. Even one treatment would help a person enter “spa mode.” This could be a massage, manicure, pedicure, or other salon appointment. Whatever feels good to you and helps you become more embodied in the moment.
- Stay active. Walk, swim, jog, dance, stretch… move in ways you enjoy or try something new. This may sound counter to the idea of relaxation, but I find it easiest to truly “let go” after having done something physical. Movement affects my mental state, too. So it’s nice to integrate some activities, even on retreat.
- Eat (and drink) well. Yes, of course, enjoy local faves like world-famous gumbo or beignets… but also try to find foods with fresh, local ingredients. Make your own fruit basket if your hotel doesn’t offer it. Shop at local markets if you can. One of my favorite experiences on this trip was eating at an Israeli restaurant. And, whether or not you usually drink alcohol to unwind, try taking a break from that with some low-sugar, alcohol-free drinks on occasion. Yes, even in New Orleans, it is possible.
- Find beauty. Wherever you are, look for what you can appreciate visually. I know a world traveler who advises “If it’s high, go up in it, and if there’s water, go out on it.” It’s a matter of getting a new perpsective. So, I took a boat ride on the river. I also appreciated beauty while visiting art museums and galleries. Exploring the city’s architecture by foot and streetcar, it’s easy to see that New Orleans has so much visual beauty — natural and created. And of course, the jazz concerts and impromptu performances represent an aural beauty this is unique to this place.
- Learn and grow. The more I travel, the more I value learning about a place’s culture from full-time residents. Connecting with a place and the people who live there is essential to walking away with personal growth. On this particular trip, I especially enjoyed talking to a yoga instructor about the community’s challenges rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. I was also introduced to a lovely woman who told me about her family’s involvement in The Plessy and Ferguson Foundation, which honors a legacy of Civil Rights Education and fosters conversations around race, class, gender and other lines that have historically divided Americans. These two encounters were genuine highlights of the trip.
The best part about creating a wellness retreat like this is that it’s actually much more accessible than one might think. Spending time in natural settings — like parks or gardens— is generally free.
Sure, some of what I’ve listed has a cost, requires some leisure time, or may NOT be the standard choice for you. But appreciation is available to everyone. Cultivating appreciation of the present moment is the first step in developing your own #spalife and DIY wellness retreats. Find what delights your senses without numbing them. Give yourself permission to feel good.
Ultimately, a spa experience can be had simply by slowing down and noticing the good things around us, now. Take an extra moment to make choices toward what is more deeply fulfilling for you.
That’s how I took a wellness retreat on Bourbon Street!
Was every moment serene? No, but that was part of the fun. I kept my expectations open so that I could enjoy whatever the city or the moment threw my way.
It’s reassuring to know that I can give my next vacation a spa focus, no matter where I go. I hope you’ll try it, too.
Namaste, my friends.
