Sustainable Travel in New Orleans: Simple Ways to Tread Lighter During Your Stay

Some evenings in New Orleans you can step outside and immediately notice how its a unique place unto itself. Our Metairie neighborhood carries scents of boiling seafood from the lakefront markets and the sound of wind blowing through the bamboo. Little things like that remind you you’re in a place with its own pace and personality.

That idea sits at the core of sustainable travel in New Orleans. It’s not about perfection or buying a bunch of eco-gadgets. It’s usually just paying attention to where you are, making a few thoughtful choices, and staying somewhere that makes those choices feel natural.

And if you’re a professional visiting for a project or a relocating worker settling in for a longer stay, those choices start with where you sleep.

What to Look For in Sustainable Accommodation in New Orleans

When people think “eco-friendly,” they often picture remote lodges or fancy LEED-certified hotels. But in New Orleans, sustainable living looks a little more… local. More lived-in. More tied to the land itself.

A few things actually matter more than marketing gloss:

Native landscaping and real habitat support.Certain properties in town are starting to take this seriously by planting native species, supporting local wildlife, and reducing lawn monocultures. If you’ve ever seen butterflies drift past your coffee mug in early fall or caught the flash of a cardinal in the morning, you know it changes the way a place feels.

Opportunities to reconnect.Sustainable accommodation doesn’t just reduce your footprint—it gives you space to “unplug” from the constant hum of business travel. A small garden, a cozy outdoor nook, a quiet yard where you can hear yourself think… these become part of the experience.

Everyday lifestyle choices.Access to walkable neighborhoods, local produce, low-waste amenities, and conscious landscaping all play a part. They’re small touches, but together they make your time here gentler on the city.

That’s where places like The Geneva House fit naturally into the conversation.

A Mini Oasis for Sustainable Travel in New Orleans

Geneva House recently became a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, which sounds official (and it is) but really what it means is the yard is alive. Not in a wild, untended way—in a curated, intentional way that supports birds, pollinators, and the seasonal rhythm of the deep south.

You feel that aliveness the moment you step outside.

120 linear feet of bamboo stands like a living wall along the edge of the property. It does more than look nice, it acts as a natural carbon sink and creates a buffer of shade and privacy. People often notice the sound before anything else—a light rustle that’s easy to appreciate when you’ve spent the day in meetings or traffic.

Seasonal plants come and go throughout the year too. Some weeks you’ll see citrus starting to flower, other times it’s hibiscus or a few wildflowers popping up along the fence. It’s an easy way to feel the seasons without having to think about it, whether it’s the first warm stretch of spring or those cooler mornings that show up in early fall.

For guests who love a small ritual, the garden offers something sweeter:seasonal herbs and produce you’re welcome to pick when they’re ready. Snip a little mint for your iced tea, grab rosemary for a roast chicken, or pick a few cherry tomatoes to toss into a dinner salad on the patio. It’s a simple kind of luxury that anchors you to the place in a way traditional travel rarely does.

And then there’s the wildlife. Nothing dramatic—no swamp tours or alligators here. Just the pleasant kind: sparrows popping in and out of the jasmine trellis, the occasional neighborhood possum passing through, bees working the flowers, lizards sunning themselves by the steps. It’s everyday nature, but when you’re traveling for work it becomes a quiet liveliness.

Many guests end up calling the yard their “mini oasis,” a space where they can unplug without needing to go anywhere. Sit with your morning coffee, stretch after a long day, or wander out barefoot to breathe for a minute. It’s ordinary in the best way.

Simple Sustainable Travel Tips for Your New Orleans Stay

Whether you choose a place like Geneva House or not, there are easy ways to make your time here a bit gentler on the city.

Support local.From corner cafés to neighborhood groceries, picking local spots keeps your dollars nearby and often reduces the environmental footprint of your meals and goods.

Get your steps in. New Orleans rewards slow travel. Stroll the blocks and you’ll catch details you’d miss in a rideshare—porch swings, blooming jasmine, street musicians warming up for the night.

Ditch the Car - metaphorically speaking. Borrow a bike or walk to nearby restaurants, which is not only easy in this part of New Orleans but also a simple way to keep your stay a little more sustainable.

Choose accommodations that give back to the land.Places with native landscaping, habitat certification, or small gardens do more than look pretty—they support biodiversity and cut down on resource use.

Unplug intentionally.Even ten minutes outdoors each morning—phone face-down—can reset the tone of a busy work day.

Closing Thoughts

Sustainable travel in New Orleans doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It’s often just choosing a place that feels human, a place that’s paying attention to the land under its feet. If you’re coming to the city for work or a longer stay and want lodging that respects both comfort and care for the environment, The Geneva House offers a thoughtful blend of both.

If you’d like to explore furnished options for your stay, visit thegenevahouse.com.