Months ago when the weather was below freezing Hubby and I planned a trip for just the two of us that would be warm but not too far away, cheap, and a place we wouldn’t want to take our children with us. New Orleans was perfect. We made sure to be gone during the week so the children would be in school and I planned lots of play dates and rides to make it easier on my parents. Just writing down all my notes took hours. The planning was totally worth it and I was especially glad to be in 80 degree weather when it was snowing back home.
Our hotel, Le Richelieu, is farther out in the French Quarter so nice and quiet but still close enough to walk where ever we wanted to go. (Don’t eat there, though.) On Monday we awed at the architecture of the French Quarter before we were picked up to visit Oak Alley and Laura Plantation with Louisiana Tour Company. The trees were magnificent but we found Laura’s tour much more engaging and would highly recommend it. These River Road plantations are a major part of the history of the area and are the home of the Briar Rabbit stories too. We enjoyed the shops and galleries on Royal Street before eating at Coop’s. The food was delicious and we ended up eating there again the next day. There was a line just to get into the restaurant and it was totally worth the wait. (We later found out that Walt Disney and his wife liked antique shopping on Royal Street and that is why there is a New Orleans Square at Disneyland. That and they thought it would go well next to Frontierland.)
After riding a small airboat through the swamp we are exploring the idea of taking the children to the Everglades next winter. It was so fun! The guide was excellent and we learned all sorts of things like what a bayou actually is and that alligators love to eat marshmallows. The only thing our children seemed to be jealous of when we got back was that we got to hold a little 6 month old alligator before our trip ended. After showering the swamp water off we explored Jackson Square, listened to live music at Cafe Beignet and Hubby swears the beignets at Tiana’s Place on the Disney Cruise were better and ate at Coop’s again. Turns out Creole Seafood Gumbo is gluten free and dairy free and one of my new favorite foods. Hubby got to eat the fried chicken and agreed with everyone else that says it’s the best fried chicken they’ve ever tasted. I know this isn’t very New Orleans of us but after shopping at the outlets by the river we walked to Canal and watched Captain Marvel so I would be ready to watch Endgame on Thursday. When you already have babysitting and you’re not going to take one of the many ghost tours or hang out in Bourbon Street, why not?!? (I enjoyed Captain Marvel and loved Endgame for so many reasons.)
On Wednesday we discovered Cafe Pontalba facing Jackson Square and I got to eat steak and eggs and Creole potatoes for breakfast while Hubby had French toast on French Bread. We liked it so much we ate breakfast there the next day too. The cathedral is beautiful inside and out but we didn’t stay for mass and walked to the National World War II Museum instead and were blown away by what an amazing museum that is! We were there for 6 hours and still didn’t get to see everything they had to see. The 4D movie was exceptional and exhibits like The Arsenal of Democracy, Guadalcanal, and the Battle of the Bulge were incredible. Someday I would like to bring D back here to see it, especially if he continues his interest in joining the military. We drank the best soda ever at the Soda Shop with a great lunch and found a retro jump rope like M and N had been asking for at the gift shop. Then we went to the Auction House Market and were blown away by how good the vegan/gluten free macaroons were. Imagine a food court where every single thing there is superb. This place was so good we went back our last morning in New Orleans for more of everything and I can now say I have eaten craw dads and they were great.
Our last full day, Thursday, was spent mostly in the Garden District after taking the St. Charles streetcar to go look around beautiful mansions (including Sandra Bullock’s house), look at Anne Rice books at The Rink and tour Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. Such a neat place. We did have to laugh when we realized we couldn’t eat at Commander’s Palace for lunch because Hubby was wearing shorts. He said he didn’t trust a place that was painted that color anyway. Lol. So we went swimming in the outdoor pool at our hotel before cleaning up and dressing up all fancy to eat at Muriel’s for dinner by Jackson Square. I’m so glad that we could borrow an umbrella for the downpour and the wonderful weather we enjoyed for most of our stay. By the time we were done eating it was nice enough to stroll around near the Mississippi River before walking back to Le Richelieu for the last time.
By supper time the next day (Friday) we were back in Colorado picking up kids from play dates and making them something to eat. I am so grateful to my parents for babysitting and all the help my friends were willing to provide while I was away, for safety, and a really fun time with the love of my life. If you’re thinking about going to New Orleans and love history and good food — go! Just don’t let anyone try to guess where your shoes are from and avoid the vomit smell all along Bourbon Street at all costs.
Comments