Located at 726 St. Peter Street in New Orleans' famed French Quarter, just steps from lively Bourbon Street, Preservation Hall is the place to find classic jazz every day of the week in a setting as vintage as the music played there.
Parking and public transportation near Preservation Hall
Parking in the French Quarter is very limited, and Preservation Hall is in the heart of the Quarter. In most cases, park around the perimeter of the French Quarter and go on foot. There are parking decks near Canal and Rampart streets, at One Canal Place and adjacent to many of the larger hotels. Parking is also available along the Mississippi River near Woldenberg Park. Street parking is also available in much of the French Quarter, just take care to thoroughly read street signs. Public transportation is limited to the Riverfront, Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue streetcar lines, which all terminate near the French Quarter.
Getting tickets to Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall's 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets are primarily general admission, with tickets purchased on site prior to each set. Sunday through Thursday sets are around $15 per person. For Friday and Saturday sets, expect to pay about $5 more. Cash only at the door. Preservation Hall offers a few "Big Shot" seats available for pre-purchase at the Hall's website for $30 to $45. "Big Shot" seats sell out weeks ahead of time, so book early.
Types of concerts at Preservation Hall
True to its name, Preservation Hall features traditional jazz music, performed by local greats in an intimate, acoustic setting, with the band and audience separated by just a couple feet and a maybe a tip hat.
Other places to visit near Preservation Hall
Maison Bourbon, a swankier jazz club just around the corner from Preservation Hall on Bourbon Street, and Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse at 300 Bourbon Street are two other good stops on a classic French Quarter club crawl. Pat O'Brien's, a famous French Quarter watering hole, is on the same block as Preservation Hall.
Where to stay near Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is surrounded by charming bed and breakfasts and smaller hotels, and larger hotels like the Omni Royal Orleans, Royal Sonesta New Orleans and W New Orleans-French Quarter are within easy walking distance.
Insider tip for visitors to Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall does not serve food or drinks, but guests may bring in drinks provided they're in plastic cups. With Pat O'Brien's and countless other Bourbon Street restaurants and bars nearby, grab a drink on the way to Preservation Hall and you're set. Remember: New Orleans has no open container law, so feel free to ask for a to-go cup.
Author's bio: Frank McCormack is a freelance writer and photographer, family chef, aspiring Italian and fair weather sailor living in New Orleans, La.