We all know that finals season means moving into a cubicle at Howie T for a week, leaving little time to let yourself enjoy the last bit of NOLA for the semester. For me, the best way to get through it all is to give myself a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are some of Tulane’s students’ favorite ways to treat themselves after or during the final stretch!
Get Festive at the Roosevelt Hotel
This is a must on anyone’s bucket list before leaving for winter break! The hotel is decorated to the nines, making it look like a winter wonderland. There are Christmas trees everywhere (they actually have almost 50) in the main lobby and lights covering almost every available surface. It’s the perfect place to get yourself out of the sweatpants you’ve been living in during finals and in the holiday spirit!
Be sure to check out Domenica, the restaurant in the Roosevelt. They serve some of the most incredible Italian food in New Orleans and even have a happy hour everyday from 2-5 with ½ price pizza, wine, cocktails and beer! Don’t leave without trying the Campanelle and Butternut Squash pizza- you won’t regret it.
Splurge on a Manicure
We all understand the life of living on a budget, so treating yourself to a fancy dinner is easier said than done. I’ve found that taking just an hour to get away from your cubicle can make the world of a difference in staying as stress free as you can. What’s more relaxing than a manicure or pedicure? Whether you’re still stuck in the rut of finals or just made it through, this can be a rejuvenating way to get back on your feet. Here are a few favorite places to check out
- Cindy’s Nails & Spa on South Carrollton
- Blanc Beauty Bar on Magazine Street
- The Nail Lounge on South Carrollton
- Lilly’s Nail & Spa on Magazine Street
Get Your Gifts
A great place to get some unique gifts for the holidays is Merriment on Magazine Street, a small festival sponsored by all of the vendors on Magazine Street on December 16th. It covers over 6 miles of shops, artists, restaurants and food trucks, with most of them selling their stuff at a discounted price, ranging all the way from 20% off to 80% off. It’s the perfect way to spend some time far away from Howie-T and off campus with some friends, while getting your holiday shopping done too (and maybe sneak in a gift for yourself too).
They also are putting on a raffle for a set of gift cards from 16 shops and restaurants from Magazine Street, so even if you can’t make to the actual event, you can still enter Here!
New Orleans is filled with endless ways to treat yourself after a stressful time. Let us know some of your favorites in the comments!