nolagrouptravel.com — ROADMAP

Site Goals

  1. Be the ultimate online resource for planning large group trips to New Orleans.
  2. Drive bookings to two property brands owned by the site operator:
    • Castleday Retreats — castledayretreats.com — Bywater neighborhood, 3 private villas (The Herald, The Cocodrie, The Florentine), up to 30 guests each, art-filled interiors, private pools, completely private
    • The Syd — thesyd.com — Lower Garden District, multiple villas, up to 22 guests each, every room designed by local New Orleans artists, shared heated pool + hot tub + sauna + outdoor kitchen, one block from St. Charles Streetcar

Voice

Direct. Opinionated. Local expert. Short paragraphs. No travel-blog fluff.

“We live here. We’ve done this hundreds of times.”

Content Structure (New Pages)

Every new page must have:

  1. Frontmatter — title, description, category, card_title (guides only), card_description (guides only), date
  2. Intro — 2–3 short paragraphs establishing what’s unique about this trip type or neighborhood
  3. Quick Checklist — Bulleted action list; required for guide pages, optional for neighborhood pages
  4. Main sections — Practical content: itineraries, activities, restaurants, budget, logistics
  5. At least one comparison or reference table
  6. Pro Tips — 5–7 numbered tips
  7. Large Group Section — Explicit section calling out the large-group accommodation challenge, featuring both Castleday and The Syd with working links
  8. Final CTA — Short close with links to both properties

Minimum length: 400 words. Target: 200–300 lines of markdown.

New guides go in _guides/<slug>.md. New neighborhood pages go in _neighborhoods/<slug>.md.

Castleday / Syd Integration Rules

Castleday Retreats

The Syd

Rules:

Hard Rules (Never Break)

Per-Run Procedure

  1. git pull --rebase origin main
  2. Read this ROADMAP.md top to bottom — internalize voice, rules, guardrails
  3. Read 2–3 existing _guides/*.md files to match voice exactly before writing
  4. Execute all items in Up Next that aren’t blocked, working top to bottom. Aim for maximum output per session — target 5+ items, each substantial (300–400+ lines where appropriate).
  5. For each item: write the page, commit individually with the correct prefix, push, then move to Done
  6. After all items are done, generate 5+ new on-strategy backlog items and add them to Up Next
  7. Each commit: prefix content: (new page), expand: (existing page), seo: (metadata/links), fix: (typo/broken link)
  8. Each changelog entry: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM UTC — <prefix>: <what changed>

Up Next

Done

Changelog

2026-05-21 14:00 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/lower-garden-district.md and ROADMAP.md 2026-05-22 00:00 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/french-quarter.md — group travel guide for the French Quarter 2026-05-22 10:00 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/marigny.md — Frenchmen Street and Marigny neighborhood guide for groups 2026-05-22 10:15 UTC — content: add _guides/mardi-gras-group-guide.md — Mardi Gras logistics guide for large groups 2026-05-22 10:30 UTC — content: add _guides/jazz-fest-group-guide.md — Jazz Fest planning guide for large groups 2026-05-22 10:45 UTC — content: add _guides/restaurant-guide.md — large-group restaurant guide by neighborhood and occasion 2026-05-22 11:00 UTC — content: add _guides/transportation-guide.md — getting around NOLA with large groups 2026-05-22 11:15 UTC — content: add _guides/sports-weekend.md — Saints gameday and sports weekend group guide 2026-05-22 11:30 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/garden-district.md — Garden District neighborhood guide for groups 2026-05-23 10:00 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/uptown.md — Uptown neighborhood guide for groups 2026-05-23 10:10 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/warehouse-district.md — Warehouse District guide for groups 2026-05-23 10:20 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/mid-city.md — Mid-City neighborhood guide for groups 2026-05-23 10:30 UTC — content: add _guides/activities-guide.md — master activities guide for large groups 2026-05-23 10:40 UTC — content: add _guides/budget-guide.md — full budget breakdown for NOLA group trips 2026-05-23 10:50 UTC — content: add _guides/itinerary-3-day.md — complete 3-day group itinerary for NOLA 2026-05-23 11:00 UTC — content: add _guides/itinerary-5-day.md — complete 5-day extended group itinerary for NOLA 2026-05-23 11:10 UTC — content: add _guides/packing-guide.md — season-by-season packing guide for NOLA group trips 2026-05-23 11:20 UTC — content: add _guides/essence-festival.md — Essence Festival group guide for large groups 2026-05-23 12:00 UTC — content: add _guides/bar-crawl-guide.md — ultimate NOLA bar crawl guide for large groups 2026-05-24 10:00 UTC — content: add _guides/bachelorette-weekend.md — hour-by-hour bachelorette weekend itinerary for groups of 10-25 2026-05-24 10:10 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/cbd.md — Central Business District guide for groups (Superdome, convention center, hotel strategy) 2026-05-24 10:20 UTC — content: add _guides/group-size-guide.md — logistics, restaurants, and accommodation guide for 10, 15, 20, and 30-person groups 2026-05-24 10:30 UTC — content: add _guides/rainy-day-guide.md — indoor activities, bars, and restaurants for groups when outdoor plans get rained out 2026-05-24 10:40 UTC — content: add _guides/day-trips.md — plantation tours, Cajun Country, Gulf Coast, and Lafayette day trip guide for large groups 2026-05-24 10:50 UTC — content: add _guides/new-years-guide.md — New Year’s Eve group guide for NOLA: Sugar Bowl, Frenchmen Street midnight, large group accommodations 2026-05-24 11:00 UTC — content: add _guides/private-chef-guide.md — how to hire a private chef for group trips in New Orleans: cost, logistics, what to expect 2026-05-24 12:00 UTC — content: add _guides/solo-friendly-group-guide.md — mixed group planning for solo travelers, partners, introverts, and budget mismatches 2026-05-24 12:10 UTC — content: add _guides/second-line-guide.md — deep dive on second line parades and hiring a brass band for private group second lines 2026-05-24 12:20 UTC — content: add _guides/french-quarter-fest.md — French Quarter Festival group guide with FQF vs Jazz Fest comparison and 4-day itinerary 2026-05-24 12:30 UTC — content: add _guides/girls-trip-uptown.md — girls trip guide for Uptown NOLA covering Magazine Street, Garden District, spa, and nightlife 2026-05-24 12:40 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/treme.md — Tremé neighborhood guide covering Congo Square, Backstreet Cultural Museum, and second line culture 2026-05-25 10:00 UTC — content: add _guides/guys-weekend-guide.md — guys weekend playbook with golf, fishing, sports bars, Saints gameday, and large-group bar logistics 2026-05-25 10:10 UTC — content: add _guides/first-timer-guide.md — complete first-timers guide for large groups covering must-dos, neighborhoods, common mistakes, and real city beyond Bourbon Street 2026-05-25 10:20 UTC — content: add _guides/cocktail-culture-guide.md — NOLA cocktail history, the classic drinks and their origins, craft bar tour routes, and group logistics 2026-05-25 10:30 UTC — content: add _guides/halloween-guide.md — Halloween group guide covering Voodoo Fest, Krewe of Boo, bar crawl routes, costume logistics, and October trip planning 2026-05-25 10:40 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/ninth-ward.md — Lower Ninth Ward and Holy Cross guide with post-Katrina history, respectful visit logistics, and community context 2026-05-25 11:00 UTC — content: add _guides/live-music-guide.md — live music deep dive for large groups covering Frenchmen Street, Preservation Hall, Tipitina’s, brass bands, and how to structure a full music trip 2026-05-25 11:10 UTC — content: add _guides/outdoor-activities-guide.md — outdoor and active activities for large groups: kayaking, swamp tours, golf, fishing, City Park, cycling, and active day structure 2026-05-25 11:20 UTC — content: add _guides/lgbtq-group-guide.md — NOLA for LGBTQ+ large groups covering Southern Decadence, Pride, the Bourbon Street gay scene, and welcoming neighborhoods 2026-05-25 11:30 UTC — content: add _guides/convention-group-guide.md — attending conventions in NOLA with large groups: hotel vs. villa strategy, Convention Center logistics, evening planning 2026-05-25 11:40 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/algiers.md — Algiers Point neighborhood guide for groups with free ferry logistics, levee views, and architecture walk 2026-05-26 10:00 UTC — content: add _guides/nightlife-guide.md — complete nightlife guide covering every bar district, walk-around cup rules, no-last-call logistics, and Frenchmen vs Bourbon breakdown 2026-05-26 10:15 UTC — content: add _guides/wedding-weekend-guide.md — full 4-day wedding weekend planning guide for large groups with rehearsal dinner, welcome party, day-of transport, and brunch 2026-05-26 10:30 UTC — content: add _guides/spa-wellness-guide.md — spa, wellness, and recovery day guide for large groups covering float tanks, yoga, pool days, and recovery nutrition 2026-05-26 10:45 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/lakeview.md — Lakeview neighborhood guide covering City Park, NOMA, Sculpture Garden, and lakefront for large groups 2026-05-26 11:00 UTC — content: add _guides/haunted-history-guide.md — ghost tours, cemeteries, voodoo history, and historic bars with honest historical context for large groups 2026-05-26 11:15 UTC — content: add _guides/culinary-tour-guide.md — DIY neighborhood-by-neighborhood culinary tour covering po-boys, gumbo, beignets, oysters, and Louisiana food canon 2026-05-26 11:30 UTC — content: add _guides/budget-villa-guide.md — villa vs. hotel financial comparison, cost-splitting logistics, what’s included, and how to present the math to the group 2026-05-26 12:00 UTC — content: add _guides/group-booking-guide.md — complete group booking playbook: reservations, deposits, cancellations, and logistics for 10-30 people 2026-05-26 12:10 UTC — content: add _guides/music-history-guide.md — NOLA music history deep dive: Congo Square, jazz origins, brass band tradition, funk lineage, and how to experience the living history with a group 2026-05-26 12:20 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/mid-city-deep-dive.md — extended Mid-City guide covering Bayou St. John, Lafitte Greenway, City Park, and off-tourist-radar restaurants and bars 2026-05-26 12:30 UTC — content: add _guides/kids-families-guide.md — family reunion and multigenerational group trip guide: child-friendly activities, mixed-age restaurants, split schedule model, safety logistics 2026-05-26 12:40 UTC — content: add _guides/group-photography-guide.md — best photo spots for large groups, golden hour windows, 7 iconic NOLA locations, coordination logistics 2026-05-27 12:00 UTC — content: add _guides/accessible-group-guide.md — accessibility and mixed-ability planning guide for large NOLA groups 2026-05-27 12:15 UTC — content: add _guides/volunteer-trip-guide.md — service trip planning guide for large groups in New Orleans 2026-05-27 12:30 UTC — content: add _guides/pre-wedding-activities-guide.md — full pre-wedding weekend planning guide for wedding parties of 15-30 2026-05-27 12:45 UTC — content: add _guides/hotel-vs-villa-guide.md — definitive hotel vs. villa comparison for large groups with full cost breakdown 2026-05-27 13:00 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/riverbend-carrollton.md — Riverbend and Carrollton neighborhood guide for large groups 2026-05-27 14:00 UTC — content: add _guides/group-games-activities-guide.md — group games, trivia, escape rooms, scavenger hunts, casino nights for 10–30 people 2026-05-27 14:10 UTC — content: add _guides/new-orleans-music-venues-guide.md — Tipitina’s, Preservation Hall, Maple Leaf, Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Snug Harbor, Howlin’ Wolf deep dive 2026-05-27 14:20 UTC — content: add _guides/corporate-team-building-guide.md — corporate retreat planning with cooking classes, second lines, and service half-days 2026-05-27 14:30 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/gentilly.md — Gentilly neighborhood guide with Dillard University, Bayou Gentilly, and post-Katrina context 2026-05-27 14:40 UTC — content: add _guides/budget-itinerary-guide.md — complete day-by-day budget group itinerary for under $150/person/day 2026-05-27 14:50 UTC — content: add _guides/shoulder-season-guide.md — shoulder season guide for October, late January, February, and August with rate analysis 2026-05-28 12:00 UTC — content: add _guides/itinerary-weekend-warrior.md — 48-hour Friday-to-Sunday group itinerary optimized for tight schedules 2026-05-28 13:00 UTC — content: add _guides/group-size-mega-guide.md — very large group logistics guide for 25-50 people with multi-villa strategy and charter transport 2026-05-28 13:15 UTC — content: add _guides/lgbtq-southern-decadence-guide.md — Southern Decadence and year-round LGBTQ+ group guide 2026-05-28 13:30 UTC — content: add _guides/anniversary-milestone-guide.md — milestone celebration planning guide with second lines, private dinners, and personalized experiences 2026-05-28 13:45 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/bayou-st-john.md — Bayou St. John urban waterway and City Park guide for large groups 2026-05-29 10:00 UTC — content: add _guides/festival-season-calendar.md — full NOLA festival calendar with group planning windows and lead times 2026-05-29 10:15 UTC — content: add _guides/bachelorette-itinerary-bywater.md — Bywater bachelorette itinerary with Bacchanal, bar scene, and Bywater vs. Bourbon comparison 2026-05-29 10:30 UTC — content: add _guides/group-communication-guide.md — WhatsApp setup, pre-trip packets, Splitwise, and day-of coordination for 15-30 person groups 2026-05-29 10:45 UTC — content: add _neighborhoods/irish-channel.md — Magazine Street southern stretch, St. Patrick’s Day parade, and half-day itinerary for groups 2026-05-29 11:00 UTC — content: add _guides/saints-gameday-mega-guide.md — full Saints gameday logistics for groups of 15-30 at Caesars Superdome 2026-05-29 12:00 UTC — content: add _guides/new-orleans-weddings-guide.md — NOLA wedding guide for groups of 15-30 with second lines, venues, rehearsal dinners, and accommodation comparison 2026-05-29 12:15 UTC — content: add _guides/sober-group-guide.md — planning a large NOLA group trip without bar-hopping as the primary activity 2026-05-29 12:30 UTC — content: add _guides/extended-family-reunion-guide.md — multigenerational family reunion guide for ages 5-75 with split-schedule model and mobility planning 2026-05-29 12:45 UTC — content: add _guides/group-grocery-cooking-guide.md — cooking for 15-30 people in a villa kitchen with NOLA ingredient sourcing and private chef decision framework 2026-05-29 13:00 UTC — content: add _guides/itinerary-10-day.md — complete 10-day extended group itinerary with all neighborhoods, day trip, festival timing, and pacing strategy