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Gas Lantern Experiences was founded to impart our deep love and vast knowledge of New Orleans to you. We make your visit memorable through unique experiences and events specific to your tastes and preferences. Rather than merely sending you off to explore Bourbon Street or leaving you with a large, impersonal group tour, we expose the uncommon, surprising, and exciting New Orleans hidden beneath. Don’t get us wrong, we love a private balcony overlooking the madness of The Quarter as much as the next person. It is finding the right balcony, with the right amenities, that we appreciate and dedicate ourselves to. We can’t wait to uncover the true New Orleans with you and your guests!
Gas Lantern Experiences founder, Cate Esser, may hail from the frigid Northeast, but she eats (a lot), sleeps (barely) and breathes New Orleans. She migrated south over five years ago to follow her love of music and has been exploring it’s every nook and cranny since. Because of her sarcastic nature, she’s made friends with myriad locals who have pointed her to all the best secret local spots she may never have known about otherwise. She lives in Mid City with her two pets (Poon - a Northeast native and Tang - a New Orleans native) and enjoys reading, seeing any and all live shows, and discovering new things about the city in the bits of spare time she has.
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EXPERIENCES
We have a broad range of expertise in all things New Orleans. Read about some of the experiences we offer below, but know that the sky is the limit! Head over to contact and let us know what you're looking for - we'll make it happen.
BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE PARTIES
For us, there isn’t anything more enjoyable than planning bachelor and bachelorette celebrations. Whether you want to celebrate together or separate, we make sure your entire weekend is a seamless VIP experience. For the more audacious we can set up exotic car racing, helicopter rides over the city, private balconies on Bourbon Street, or an exclusive music or sporting event experience. For the relaxed set we love planning private shopping adventures, brunches at the most well-known restaurants in the city (or the best kept secret locals-only spots), private parties at the top wig shop (complete with cocktails, of course), and calming spa retreats. For our transcendent travelers we are happy to arrange bridal blessings and tarot card or palm readings with the best in town. We are also happy to assist with decorating your room prior to arrival and creating specialized welcome bags for you and your guests.
MUSIC
At GLE, music is our first love; our passion. If you want an unparalleled music experience, you’ve come to the right crew. The Crescent City is known for its exceptionally talented musicians and we have your ticket to the best seat in the house. Whether you would like to see a private performance, create a song in one of our many recording studios, or get the only VIP ticket to the hottest show in town, we have you covered.
FOOD
Gumbo, beignets, jambalaya, crawfish, po-boys, muffuletta. We could go on...and on. No trip to New Orleans is complete without sampling some of our famous local fare. The Big Easy is also a hotbed for some of the countries best and brightest James Beard Award-winning chefs, serving up everything from modern Israeli to Caribbean Creole fare. We would love to set up a personalized food excursion, score the most coveted restaurant seats in the city, or plan your own personal crawfish or seafood boil. (Please note private rooms are typically necessary for parties over 15-20).
“Gas Lantern Experiences knows their city, in and out. No matter who we bring along on our next trip, we know who to go to for the best all-around experience of the Big Easy.”
BOOZE
The folks at Gas Lantern Experiences are booze enthusiasts to say the least. We personally know all the best bartenders, mixologists, dive bars, cocktail bars, lounges, wine bars, breweries, and gin joints in this town. Like rum? How about a private tour of the Old New Orleans Rum distillery? Beer? We can take you on a brew tour featuring some of best beers in The South. Up for a challenge? We love organizing boozey scavenger hunts featuring some of the city’s most famous cocktails and storied buildings. No matter your drink preference or your tolerance level, we can handle your alcohol.
SPORTING EVENTS
While we may bleed black & gold for our Saints, we also have a pretty stellar basketball team – the New Orleans Pelicans. If you’re lucky enough to be in town when either of these teams are playing, why not treat your group to a luxury suite? Suites offer first-class amenities, exclusivity, your own personal wait staff, and perfect sightlines so you won’t miss a moment of the action. Pelicans super fan? Let us set you up with exclusive access to watch the team warm-up.
“If there’s anything I hate more in this world, it’s going to just tourist staples on vacations and missing out on what gives a place its flavor and culture. I can easily say my trips to New Orleans were three of the best vacations I’ve had, a HUGE thanks to Gas Lantern Experiences!”
ESSENTIAL NEW ORLEANS
Bob Dylan once said, “There are a lot of places I like but I like New Orleans better”. We agree with Bob. New Orleans is undoubtedly unique and the things that make it unique are the things that we most want to share with you. We have an extensive list of knowledgeable hosts who provide everything from walking tours of the Garden District or our beautiful cemeteries to Voodoo tours of the French Quarter. If you prefer things at a faster pace, we can even arrange jogging tours. In addition to tours within the city, there are many amazing attractions just outside the city limits. We are happy to coordinate private plantation or swamp tours. We’re sure you’ll love feeding wild hogs marshmallows and holding alligators as much as we do.
SECOND LINES
No celebration is too big or too small to be commemorated with a second line. Let us orchestrate the perfect second line for you. Led by a police escort and a brass band, you’ll dance through the streets of New Orleans. Not familiar with second lines? Learn more about them here.
MILESTONE EVENTS
No matter the event, GLE can execute your event from top to bottom. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, an important birthday, a wedding, or even a divorce, we have you covered. We’ll find the perfect venue, entertainment, and florals and will help to create the perfect menu. We will also provide staff to assist throughout your whole event to ensure a seamless production. We will bring your vision to life; let us worry about the details. All you have to do is show up.
FUN BAGS
We’ve got it in the bag. Water, Advil, Emergen-C, maps, unique New Orleans tidbits…the essentials. We’ll create and deliver the perfect gift bags for you and your guests’ New Orleans adventure...and their mornings after.
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CONTACT
Are you planning a trip to New Orleans and don't know where to start? Do you have questions about what to do and where to go? Are you not at all interested in visiting but think we're cool and just want to chat? You've come to the right place! Leave us a note and we'll get back to you shortly.
p: 504.232.7936 e: hello.gaslanternexperiences@gmail.com