New Orleans

One day in New Orleans is just not enough. I can’t wait to go back and explore more!We started our day in the French Quarter with breakfast at Cafe Beignet, complete with a glass of breakfast wine (because we’re on vacation!) and some live jazz. Everything at Cafe Beignet is covered in powdered sugar. Warning: the beignets served at Cafe Beignet are HUGE!We then wandered down and around Bourbon Street, taking in the wonderful architecture, sights, and sounds,  and stopping into a bar whenever we got too hot and needed to cool off with a drink and some AC.Lunch was at Johnny’s Po-Boys which was recommended to us by our hotel bellhop and he was spot-on!After lunch, we did some more wandering and found some real gems!We finally ended up at Pat O’brien’s after I peeked inside and saw their cute courtyard along with a sign for Mint Juleps. Now, let me tell you, Pat O’brien’s was the beginning of the end, and their Mint Juleps are nothing like the ones served at Disneyland. TIP: Use caution when drinking their Hurricanes and don’t have so many that you forget to sell your souvenir glasses back to them at the end of the night.Since Pat O’brien’s is crowded, we shared our table with another couple who was in town for the Jazz Festival. The husband was an ex-local, so we asked where we should go for live music and we ended up going with them to Tipitina’s. Tipitina’s was AWESOME, such a great show with fantastic bands. And the keytarist was SO BUFF! Check out those arms!The next morning, we woke up hungover. Luckily, Cafe du Monde had the perfect cure with beignets and coffee. (Ok, so I’m cheating a bit, this is more like a One and a Half Day Guide to New Orleans.)

And on the way out of town, we stopped at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 for a little grave exploring. I wish we had time for a cemetery tour, but definitely something to do next time! Also, notice the difference between the graves with “Perpetual Care” versus the ones without. 

TIPS: I would recommend staying in/near the French Quarter so you can just walk out of your hotel and explore. We stayed at the Hampton Inn New Orleans and I would definitely recommend it – affordable, clean, quiet, and walking distance to all the fun. I also recommend sunscreen, staying hydrated, and keeping water/aspirin in your hotel room to prevent a hangover. If we had not already seen the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, we would have stopped to hear them as they are FANTASTIC! Try the beignets at both Cafe Beignet and Cafe du Monde if you have the time. I liked the live music and alcohol at Cafe Beignet, whereas the beignets at Cafe du Monde are better (they don’t skimp on powdered sugar) and the beignet eating is more of an experience there, rather than second to other food, music, etc. Also, I highly recommend more than just one day in New Orleans! We cannot wait to go back experience more.

Also, I regret not purchasing this $1 gem!

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