Axios New Orleans

May 22, 2025
Good morning! It's Thursday, aka Friday Jr.
Today's weather: Partly sunny with a small chance of storms. High of 88.
π§ Sounds like: "Sarah's Mandolin" by Tiago Guy.
Today's newsletter is 899 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: π Our hotel pool guide
Summer is here, so if you go looking for us anytime soon, we suggest you start at one of these hotel pools with day-pass access.
Between the lines: Not every hotel welcomes extra guests, so don't go traipsing in just anywhere with your floaties and towels.
- To help you navigate options, these are our favorite hotel pools where you can cool off without overnight reservations.
- As for public spots, NORDC CEO Larry Barabino previously told us that all New Orleans' pools should be open this weekend. Go deeper.
π³ The Hotel Chloe is a bustling boutique hotel in Uptown with drop-in swim between 11am and 8pm.
- Cost: $45+. There are also options for annual passes and cabanas.
π³ The Virgin Hotel's rooftop Pool Club offers one of the city's best views and a $10 pass for locals on Mondays.
- Cost: $25+ on ResortPass.
π³ The Iris Motel offers a family-friendly pool in Mid-City and BYO food and drinks. Carlie's review.
- Cost: $18/adults and $10/children through ResortPass.
π³ The Dew Drop Inn has a cool swimming pool out back, dubbed the Haven Pool Club.
- Cost: $20+.
π³ The Lost Coyote is a new Treme restaurant with a backyard pool perfect for a brunch that rolls into a lazy afternoon hangout.
- Cost: $20+, with memberships available.
π³ The Roosevelt might be where you snap Christmas card photos, but it's also got a newly renovated pool and pool deck. If you like your poolside drinks boozy, we love the Frozevelt.
- Cost: $65+ for adults, $35+ for kids on ResortPass.
- The fine print: Think you'll be a regular? Stop by the hotel's spa for a membership, which starts at $120 and includes monthly treatments, too.
2. π³ Splishing and splashing
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Splash pads are another family-friendly option for cooling down this summer.
Some of our favorites ...
Algiers: The city opened its first public splash pad this year at Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Park. Admission is free. Go deeper.
Metairie: Lafreniere Spray Park opens for the season on Saturday.
Audubon: You can splash at Hyams Fountain in Audubon Park for free.
- Your zoo ticket includes the free water area on Monkey Hill. Or you can pay extra to access to the Cool Zoo and its lazy river.
Marrero: Parc des Familles Spray Park is free and open daily.
- Claudette B. Fennidy Splash Pad opens Monday at Johnny Jacobs Playground in Marrero.
Harahan: Ochsner Fitness Center has a splash pad and kiddie pools. You need a day pass or annual membership. Go deeper.
St. Charles Parish: Ormond Spray Park is in Destrehan and the new West Bank Spray Park is in Luling. Both are free. Hours.
3. Fully Dressed: π Jailbreak latest
π¨ After touring the jail yesterday, District Attorney Jason Williams said "certainly more than one person" was responsible for the jailbreak. (WWL)
- Cortnie Harris, 32, of New Orleans and Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, of Slidell, were arrested yesterday and accused of assisting some of the inmates after they escaped, Louisiana State Police say. (LSP)
π§― A fire burned the home built atop Marie Laveau's old cottage, charring the ceiling, damaging the walls and leaving soot everywhere. (The Times-Picayune π)
π The Archdiocese of New Orleans has agreed to pay nearly $180 million into a trust to benefit clergy sex abuse survivors, settling a 2020 lawsuit involving more than 500 people. (AP)
π―οΈ Jay Batt, the former New Orleans councilman and and owner of Jos. A. Bank franchises and other businesses, died Monday. His funeral is planned for Saturday. Details.
π State Rep. Kyle M. Green of Marrero was arrested yesterday and faces charges of DWI and endangering children. Police say Green was arrested when they responded to a car crash around 2:30 am, and Green's three children were in the car. No injuries were reported. (WWL)
4. π¬π· Things to do this weekend
π¬π· New Orleans Greek Fest celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend on the grounds of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
- Look for Greek food, dancing, music and shopping, along with cathedral tours. More info.
πͺ Learn to fly a kite at NORD's annual Kite & Drone Day at Milne Playground on Saturday. Details.
π Party at the pool. The Rib Room is having a free rooftop shindig on Saturday. Details.
π€ Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons are at the Saenger on Saturday. Tickets.
π Rave with Shrek at The Fillmore on Saturday night. Tickets.
πΆ "Billy vs. Elton," a tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John, is at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center on Sunday. Tickets.
πΊπΈ The National WWII Museum hosts a Memorial Day commemoration at 11am Monday. Details.
- Current service members and their families get free admission to this museum and others through Labor Day. Details.
5. π€ Place your bets
First, there were jailbreak T-shirts. Now, you could make money betting on who among the escaped inmates will be caught by police next.
Zoom in: Polymarket, a Blockchain-based prediction market for newsy moments, is letting people bet on who they think will be nabbed by tomorrow.
By the numbers: Research shows that 82% of escaped inmates are back in custody within a week, according to numbers reported by The Times-Picayune, so the Friday deadline does make some sense.
Yes, but: The size of the market was extremely modest, with just around $6,000 in volume as of yesterday afternoon.
π©± Carlie's son and husband love big waterslides. She prefers bobbing in the lazy river.
π³ Chelsea is putting Algiers Point's new splash pad on her family agenda ASAP.
Tell a gambler to subscribe.
Thanks to our editor Jen Ashley, who wonders what it would be like to rave with Shrek.
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