Having visited New Orleans for the second time last month, I’m really excited to dedicate my next few blog posts to The Big Easy.
New Orleans is an interesting city because it has such a strong reputation for being a party city. And, while there’s no denying that Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street are a major part of the city’s appeal, I hope you’ll come away from these posts thinking of New Orleans as a culinary, musical, and historical gem.
Jackson Square - Definitely my favorite spot in NOLA, Jackson Square sits in the heart of the French Quarter. A beautifully landscaped park, the Square is surrounded by artists, psychics, horse-drawn carriages, and travelers, making it a bustling tourist attraction.
St. Louis Cathedral - Providing a gorgeous backdrop for Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral is both picturesque and historic. As a Catholic basilica, the cathedral has a stunningly ornate ceiling, flag-lined main aisle, and, unlike many traditional Catholic houses of worship, this structure has an incredibly bright interior.
Royal Street - Dedicated to fine antiques and heirlooms, Royal Street is well suited for window-shopping or visitors looking to break the bank. Jokes aside, antique shopping/viewing is always a great way to learn the history of a city. Royal is also home to various souvenir shops and even a voodoo shop or two.
Bourbon Street - Where do I begin? This infamous street is home to restaurants, shops, bars, and a whole lot of x-rated dives. And, don’t be fooled, Bourbon Street doesn’t just come alive for Mardi Gras - you can party just about any night on Bourbon. Personally, I enjoyed grabbing some of New Orleans’ signature drinks - Hurricanes and Hand Grenades - and dancing to live music at Razzoo for a pretty chill time. However, if you’re looking for a wild night, you’re in the right place.
St. Charles &Tulane University - Heading to uptown New Orleans, you’ll pass old-fashioned streetcars and traditional plantation-style homes as you drive up St. Charles. And, while I may be biased, the best part of uptown New Orleans is my sister’s alma mater, Tulane University. Directly across from Audubon Park, Tulane has a beautiful campus with both southern charm and a distinctly collegiate feel. If you have time, it is definitely worthwhile to take a stroll around both the campus and Audubon.
Riverwalk - As a city built along the Mississippi River, it’s no surprise that New Orleans has some great attractions built on its shore. The Riverwalk Marketplace is a large mall and includes lots of restaurants, commercial shopping, and souvenir shops. Outside, you may walk along the river all the way to Jackson Square!
Mardi Gras World - If you’re not lucky enough to experience the real Mardi Gras, a day or night at Mardi Gras World is a great alternative as you can walk through a warehouse that holds all of the infamous and over-the-top parade floats. Definitely a great place for a photo op!
IMAX - As a lover of IMAX movies, I was thrilled to see one in the heart of downtown New Orleans! The Entergy IMAX Theatre, is located next to the Mississippi River and shows a few IMAX movies each day. We had the pleasure of seeing Deep Sea 3D, narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, which takes a look at the creatures along the bottom of the ocean. However, my parents recommend Hurricane on the Bayou as well.
The National World War II Museum- I have to say one of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t personally visit the WWII museum. However, my father and brother did and raved about it so I felt I needed to include this in my post. My brother (a WWII history buff) thought the 4D movie, Beyond All Boundaries, was phenomenal as he truly felt like he was walking through WWII. Aside from the overall war history displayed, the museum offers a look at how the people of New Orleans contributed to the war. In fact, the Higgins boats used during the D-Day landings at Normandy and in various other invasions were manufactured in New Orleans. As soon as I get back to NOLA, I will DEFINITELY be visiting this museum.
Well, that’s all for now! Be on the lookout for posts on New Orleans hotels and cuisine coming up!
