Eight-time Grammy Winner Anderson .Paak Talks Jazz and the Soul of the Big Easy in New Partnership With Expedia 

Expedia® today kicked off a collaboration with Grammy-winning artist and Jazz Fest headliner Anderson .Paak, creating an exclusive New Orleans travel guide for festivalgoers. Expedia is the Official Travel Partner for the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and .Paak is playing the opening weekend of the 2024 festival with his band, The Free Nationals. The city guide is perfect for music lovers planning their Jazz Fest journeys and showcases .Paak’s love of the vibrant city of New Orleans. It is accompanied by a new film, “A Big Jam in New Orleans,” which features .Paak and local New Orleans talent.

Expedia data shows hotel searches for New Orleans surged following the Jazz Fest lineup announcement on Jan. 18 compared to the previous week, making now the prime time to plan. .Paak’s travel tips for navigating New Orleans, created in partnership with Expedia, include must-visit venues, local haunts, and more.

“I’ve always felt a deep connection to the soulful rhythms and rich culture of New Orleans. It’s a city that breathes music, and Jazz Fest is the perfect time to experience its soul,” said .Paak. “Whether you’re a Jazz Fest veteran like me, or it’s your first time experiencing the festival or the city, the collaboration with Expedia is about making sure your journey to Jazz Fest is completely unforgettable. These travel tips are just the beginning of what we have planned, and I can’t wait to share more.”

Anderson .Paak’s Big Easy Travel Guide

Where to start: Frenchmen Street. “It’s famous for a reason. There are always live performances and spontaneous moments, and it’s where locals and in-the-know visitors are going to be every night.”

Where to stay: A two-minute walk to Bourbon Street, .Paak loves the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans for the front-row views of the Mississippi.

Where to catch live music: “New Orleans is unlike any other city in the U.S. It’s the birthplace of many musical styles and rich jazz and brass traditions.” .Paak recommends Preservation Hall (a famous, historic spot dedicated to preserving traditional New Orleans jazz), Tipitina’s, or The Spotted Cat Music Club. His other favorite spots include Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, The Rabbit Hole, and Toulouse Theatre.

Where to eat: “You have to do the classic stuff: Go to the French Quarter and eat a beignet at Café Du Monde.” .Paak’s other casual picks for delicious eats include Jacques-Imo’s, Oceana Grill, Mahony’s Po-Boys & Seafood, and Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant in the French Quarter.

Where to wander: NOLA’s charm stretches beyond the French Quarter. .Paak encourages travelers to hunt for hidden gems or try the nightlife in other neighborhoods like the Central Business District, Uptown, and Frenchmen Street.

Where to get inspired: “New Orleans has its own unique energy and magic, and I find myself so inspired every time I visit.” .Paak tells travelers to get lost and discover something special that wasn’t planned. Talk to the people you meet, get to know the locals, and listen to their stories.

Expedia’s new film, “A Big Jam in New Orleans,” was directed by child. and shot in some of New Orleans’ most iconic settings, like Preservation Hall, Bourbon Street, and Fairview-Riverside State Park. It features .Paak and a few local legends, including Secondline Jay5, Gregg Stafford, Iman Keilah, and Spy Boy Honey Bannister, with the Golden Sioux Mardi Gras Indians, inviting travelers to experience the sights, sounds, and true soul of the city like never before.

Start planning by visiting Expedia’s Jazz Fest travel hub and become a One Key™ member and save on thousands of hotels, view city and foodie guides, and even score chances to win exclusive experiences in the lead-up to Jazz Fest.