Vue Orleans, $30M cultural exhibit & observatory, opens atop Four Seasons

May 12 2022 | Latest News

Vue Orleans, $30M cultural exhibit & observatory, opens atop Four Seasons

 
 

Four Seasons New Orleans is ready to show off its new rooftop Vue.

The $30 million Vue Orleans, an indoor interactive cultural exhibit and 34-foot high outdoor observatory featuring a 360-degree panoramic riverfront view of New Orleans, has opened to the public atop the hotel. It’s located in the space that was once a popular rooftop bar in the former World Trade Center.

The entrance is to the left of the hotel on the ground floor of 2 Canal Street. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with tickets costing $30.

Vue Orleans offers a behind-the-scenes celebration of New Orleans’ unique culture, bringing the stories of hundreds of local historians, artists, musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, chefs, actors and filmmakers. High-tech, touchless exhibits feature legendary New Orleans figures such as Irma Thomas, “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Big Freedia and other famed culture bearers.

“For years, we’ve been gathering stories from local historians, artists, musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, chefs, business leaders, and directors of second lines, intending to curate a state-of-the-art cultural experience and share the real story of New Orleans — what it was, what it is, and what it all means,” said Paul Flower, co-developer of Vue Orleans and CEO of Woodward Design+Build, part of the joint venture that redeveloped the structure into a hotel and condos. “Vue Orleans is a fresh look at one of the world’s most historic and beloved cities, and we are proud to unveil this unique experience.”

Guests begin by entering through a towering display at the foot of Canal Street, which highlights Henriette De Lisle, an activist, nun and free woman of color; Giacomo Cusimano, an Italian immigrant and pasta maker; and Tillie Karnofsky, a Jewish immigrant and early supporter of Louis Armstrong — all brought to life by actors on life-sized touchscreens.

Guests then take a 34-floor elevator ride that tells the past, present and future of New Orleans.

Additional experiences within Vue Orleans include a Story Café, led by PBS chef Kevin Belton and cookbook author and “Louisiana Eats!” host Poppy Tooker; a trumpet-shaped listening station featuring jazz, blues and classical selections; a virtual riverboat experience; a short film featuring Dr. Henry Louis Gates and New Orleans’ role in the struggle for civil rights; and a virtual “vue finder” to see the landscape of the city from the rooftop.