New Orleans: 2018

Quintessential French Quarter

When Mom was scheduled to travel to New Orleans for work, you better believe I decided I should go too! I mean the room is paid for, so why not? It reminded me of all the times I traveled with Dad to D.C. because Mom was there for meetings. Those were fun trips. Thanks, Mom, for being such a boss lady that you had travel perks!

We had so much fun on this four day trip. From food tours to bike tours to just wondering around, New Orleans has plenty to see and do!

Doing the food tour in New Orleans is what started me on doing food tours when we travel. It's a great way to see the local places, learn the lay of the land, and taste some incredible food! We booked the Small Group Cocktail and Foodie Tour of the French Quarter. We started at the market above. Of course, we had a complimentary praline. Then we went to Napoleon House, a 200-year old icon in the French Quarter known for it's Pimm's Cup.

From the balcony of Napoleon's House. Why is Mom wearing a dollar bill? I have no idea.

Other bites along the tour included a charcuterie board, sardines, and potatoes topped with caviar.

During the tour, we learned all about the blending of French, Cajun, and Creole cuisine. It was so interesting.

Another thing I did was take a bike tour of the lower ninth ward that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. It was one of the best tours I have ever taken. The group was small, and the guide was fabulous. We learned about how the levees broke and how the area was devastated. We stopped at a local joint for a beer and really communed with people in the area along the way. Loved it.

When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. We had all visited New Orleans for the NEA RA in 2003, so the devastation seemed close to home. Once you visit a place, it becomes part of you. It's similar to how I felt after Sanibel Island was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. You can read my reflection about Sanibel here.

New Orleans is home to some great writing history. I really enjoyed my stroll through Faulkner House Books in the French Quarter. The size of this bookstore was very narrow. Two people might be able to stand side by side with their arms out. Faulkner actually lived here. I have been buying books from Indy bookstores for a few years now. I am trying to build my library for my future reading nook space. Here I bought Soldier's Pay, which was the first book he ever published.

Can we talk about food? This town has it all.

Exhibit A: oysters. Mr. Ed's Oyster and Seafood Bar in St. Charles.

Croque Monsieur from Red Dog Diner. It's closed now.

Celebrated Mom's birthday at Commander's Palace. One of Mom's favorite things is the creole bread pudding soufflé. The whole experience was perfection. One of the questions I ask on my travel survey is about a splurge meal. This is an example.

J0hnny's Po Boys was the best po boy I have ever had.

Brunch is a must, so we tried the Ruby Slipper Cafe and Mother's Restaurant. Both excellent. Mother's has been around since 1938 and survived Katrina with only minimal damage.

We spent a morning in the Garden District window shopping and loving the houses.

As I was wondering one day, I came across the Hotel Monteleone. This is where we stayed in 2005. It was the last vacation I took with my dad. The hotel is on the most haunted registry and they serve homemade PB and Js at night for a snack. I loved it then, and it brought back so many memories.

And last, but never least, we ate doughnuts, of course.

District Doughnuts did not disappoint.

Cafe DuMonde is a must.

I love New Orleans. It is perfect for a quick trip, a small getaway. Flights are quick and fairly reasonable. Mainly I love all of the food and charm of the city.

This just reminds me that I need to plan that next trip with Mom.