COOL OFF THIS STAYCATION SEASON BY INDULGING IN NEW ORLEANS’ BEST FROZEN SWEET TREAT: THE SNOWBALL
New Orleans is known for its brutal humid summers, but the locals are no strangers to innovation in challenging weather. In the 1930s, George Ortolano and Ernest Hansen decided to serve snowballs, cones of soft shaved ice coated in flavored syrup, to their neighbors. Over the years, the affordable treat became a tradition for everyone enduring summer in the city.
Snowball stands bespeckle every neighborhood in the Big Easy, but a select few religiously impress the critics every summer. The best stands offer several peculiar seasonal flavors, like vanilla and ginger cayenne, and almost always generate a long queue.
Most snowball stands are only open during the Louisiana summer season, starting in early April and ending in mid-October. There are a select few that serve snowballs year-round. Check the hours of operation online before visiting while on a staycation to ensure satisfaction.
Plum Street Sno-Balls
Nestled between the multicolored houses of the Garden District resides Plum Street Sno-Balls. This small yet infamous shop began serving snowballs in 1945 and has been cooling off the neighborhood ever since. What sets this stand apart is its menu of over 50 flavors featuring exclusive fan favorites like orchid cream vanilla and pralines and cream. The mess-free packaging, a Chinese take-out box inside a plastic bag, makes the experience much more enjoyable.
Hansen’s Sno-Bliz
The oldest continually-operating snowball stand lies in New Orleans’ illustrious Uptown neighborhood. In 1939, Hansen’s Sno-Bliz started serving unique flavors of snowballs, often paired with rich ice cream or even topped with Bananas Foster. The shop still makes its treats with the original ice machine that founder Ernest Hansen created. To this day, the family owns and operates the Tchoupitoulas location, using joy and flavor to cool off the city.
Pandora’s
A Mid-City favorite, Pandora’s, offers more than soft-sweet snowballs. Visitors can relish concessions like nachos, hot tamales, snowballs, sundaes, and malts. With endless snowball flavor combinations and an eclectic menu of delights, Pandora’s has something to satisfy everyone.
Chance in Hell SnoBalls
Deep in the eclectic Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, one will find a more contemporary twist on the traditional snowball. Chance in Hell SnoBalls formulates artisan flavors in small batches. Seasonal flavors include lemon basil, mango chili, and the crowd’s favorite banana pudding. Almost all flavors are vegan, and the packaging is compostable, making this pop-up shop a guilt-free indulgence. All family members will enjoy a Chance in Hell snowball — try a Unicorn Pop for the children and a Doggo Sno for the pups.
Have a Staycation at the Jung Hotel & Residences
The best way to enjoy a staycation in New Orleans is by staying at a hotel in the middle of it all. The Jung Hotel & Residences is ideally situated near the Canal Streetcar line, allowing easy accessibility. Make a reservation at the Jung Hotel today and experience adventure, fun, and leisure.