Local artists display their work for sale at Jackson Square. We found some paintings perfect for the kitchen and Maddie's bath.
Sampling absinthe at a quiet little pub on Pirate's Alley.
The Jackson Hotel is one of the stops on the Haunted History Tour.
Jackson Square is a nice spot for a break.
St. Louis Cathedral is a lovely backdrop to Jackson Square.
Spontaneous jazz bands can be seen all over the quarter. This one draws a crowd near the French Market.
Get ready to have some fun!
The Red Fish Grill's two-course “Red Plate Special” features a choice of dishes. Try the BBQ Shrimp Poboy with the Sweet Potato and Shrimp Bisque and pair it with a pint of Turbo Dog Abita beer.
Take a river cruise on the Mississippi aboard the Natchez steamboat.
A statue of Jesus in St. Anthony’s Garden at night throws a distinctive shadow upon the rear of St. Louis Cathedral.
St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest in the United States, presides over Jackson Square.
Primo’s on Decatur Street offers “New Orleans Italian Cuisine,” such as this Primo’s Pie.
My husband, Keith, said he wanted to go to New Orleans for his birthday this year. We contacted his cousin, Candy, to see if she’d like to come, too. (It was her birthday, too, and we thought she and husband Tommy would like to celebrate with us.) I thought that was a brilliant idea!
I quickly got to work nailing down our travel arrangements.
We wanted to enjoy as much of the true New Orleans flavor as we could, so we decided to avoid chain hotels and find a unique inn or B&B. Candy and Tommy live in Crowley, La., so they were able to recommend lots of the best sites to visit. Candy’s brother, Tab, her sister, Jean, and her husband, Jeff, also came to join in the fun.
I wrote a travel article about our trip for The Perkins Journal. It appeared in the Feb. 25 issue. Below, I pasted the full-length version of the article:
‘Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler’
One of the grand old cities of the South, New Orleans, La., has a fascinating history, but it’s the city’s sultry elegance and spirit that draws visitors. Despite difficulties spawned by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the city continues to be the place to ‘Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler’ (Let the good times roll).
Earlier this month, my husband and I joined family in New Orleans for a long weekend.
We wanted to see as much of the city’s famous French Quarter as possible, so we decided to stay right in the district so we could walk to see the sights.
A quick visit to the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitor Bureau website (www.neworleanscvb.com) revealed a wealth of information on sights and activities, plus lots of choices for lodging. We selected the beautiful and historic Hotel Monteleone.
The historic Hotel Monteleone, a cornerstone of the French Quarter, offers superb service in luxurious surroundings. The hotel has long been known as a literary landmark due to its popularity with many well-known authors.
Hotel Monteleone (www.hotelmonteleone.com), which first opened in 1886, is located at 214 Royal Street, just one block south of Bourbon Street. One step inside the hotel’s lobby reveals the luxury and service for which it is known. The spacious lobby opens into two restaurants and the Carousel Piano Bar and Lounge, which features a slowly-spinning round bar. The hotel lobby is beautifully decorated and features marble, crystal and antiques. Several historical displays also illustrate the hotel’s illustrious past.
Hotel Monteleone guest rooms reflect the elegance of the hotel. Our suite on the 14th floor featured a roomy parlor, two flat-screen televisions, a mini bar, an in-room safe, a Jacuzzi, granite and marble baths, a deliciously comfortable bed and amenities such as robes and chocolate-dipped strawberries. The room also had a fabulous view of the French Quarter and the Mississippi River. Room rates start at $149 for a traditional king or two doubles.
Numerous restaurants and bars are within easy walking distance of the hotel, but thoughts of delicious Cajun cuisine tempted us, so as soon as our plane landed, we went on a quest for a Louisiana staple, the poboy sandwich.
A local at the airport recommended the New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Co. The restaurant is located at 6920 Veterans in Metaire, La., which was on the way to the French Quarter where we would be staying. The restaurant’s Poboy sandwiches, with lightly fried fish that is seasoned just right, are a good choice. Opt for the Shrimp Poboy ($6.95 for a small) or an Oyster Poboy for $11.50. The sandwiches come with Garlic Herb Fries, and they go great with Abita beer, which is produced in Louisiana.
After checking into the Monteleone, we decided to take a stroll down world-famous Bourbon Street. Though known for its nightlife, Bourbon Street also features lots of great restaurants.
Pat O’Brien’s Bar, 718 St. Peter, is one of those must-see spots. Pat O’Brien’s, a speakeasy during prohibition, was converted to a “legitimate drinking establishment” in 1933.
Even if you don’t stay for a Focaccia Muffaletta Italian sandwich or some Alligator Bites, you simply must see Pat O’Brien’s flaming fountain on the patio. Tip: It’s best viewed while sipping a Hurricane.
The heart of New Orleans is the French Quarter, and the heart of the French Quarter is Jackson Square.
The center of the beautiful Jackson Square, a historic park originally named Place D’Armes, features a statue of Andrew Jackson. The park was renamed in his honor following the Battle of New Orleans in 1814. Today, this picturesque park is a favorite of visitors, who stroll the park’s lovely gardens and pose for photos before St. Louis Cathedral, which sits just north of the square.
It’s also a great place to pick up some original art by local artists, whose work lines the outer boundaries of the square.
Lots of unique shops also line the square and extend into the surrounding streets. This is the place to find more original art, t-shirts, local foods, New Orleans souvenirs, and of course, your voodoo supplies.
No visit to New Orleans is complete without a stop at Café Du Monde Coffee Stand, just across the street from Jackson Square. Café Du Monde, established in 1862, is world famous for its delicious coffees and beignets. Try a cup of café au lait or chicory coffee ($2.14 a cup) and a plate of beignets, a type of fried bread that is served with mounds of powdered sugar (three for $2.14). Here’s a tip: don’t wear dark colored clothes or you’ll be bearing little white splotches all day.
Just down Decatur Street is the French Market, which is worth a visit. You can find deals on t-shirts and Louisiana foods or souvenirs and lots of jewelry, scarves, or a feathered Mardi Gras mask. I picked up a box of Mam Papaul’s King Cake Mix for $10, and Keith found a fun coffin-shaped flask for $10.
Make sure to stop off at Southern Candymakers near the French Market for some delicious fresh pralines or specialty fudges such as praline fudge or cranberry pecan fudge.
After a day of walking, we were ready to sit down for a nice dinner, and the Red Fish Grill, 115 Bourbon Street, fit the ticket.
The grill, voted the number one seafood restaurant for four years in a row, offers a variety of delectable dishes, including a two-course “Red Plate Special,” which features a choice of dishes for $11.95. We tried the BBQ Shrimp Poboy with the Sweet Potato and Shrimp Bisque, and the BBQ Oyster Poboy and Alligator, Sausage & Seafood Gumbo. All are delicious. Also worth a try are the raw oysters on the half-shell, $14.95 for 12. Other tempting items: Garlic Crab Pot, Lake Pontchartrain Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Crispy Boudin Cakes. Accompany your choices with Abita beer – Turbo Dog or Amber.
After fortifying yourself, take in one of the many historic tours New Orleans offers.
Since we were in the “most haunted city in America,” we opted for the Haunted History Tour (www.hauntedhistorytours.com). Our tour guide, Eugenia, led us on a walking tour of many of the French Quarter sites reputed to be haunted. We departed from Rev. Zombie’s Voodoo Shop, 723 St. Peter Street, (another spot to get some really unique souvenirs) just north of Jackson Square. The tour includes lots of infamous locations, including the La Laurie Mansion, the Jackson Hotel, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and Pirate’s Alley.
Tours are $20 for adults; $10 children 12 and younger. It’s a good idea to reserve your spot, and I highly recommend the 8 p.m. tour. There’s nothing like strolling the old cobbled streets of the French Quarter after dark!
It wasn’t planned, but our visit coincided with Superbowl weekend. New Orleans has the reputation of throwing parties at the drop of a hat, so this weekend, which was also the week prior to Mardi Gras, was really hopping.
We took in a couple of Carnival parades and caught our share of beads thrown from the floats. Our cousin, Tommy, had a good evening at Harrah’s Casino, so he treated the whole family to a champagne brunch at The Buffet at Harrah’s Casino. Prime rib, snow crab legs, boiled shrimp, and a fabulous dessert spread stars in this huge buffet. Harrah’s is easy to find; it’s in an enormous building on south Canal Street. The brunch is offered from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays; $29.99 per person.
Overall, the crowds, while large, were in very good spirits – especially after the Saints won the game. Still, Bourbon Street that evening was an adventure. In addition to the usual revelry, every other person you passed offered a high five and, along with cheers, you’d hear “Who Dat?” shouted every few seconds.
Even with the large crowds, it is apparent New Orleans is proud of its streets, businesses and heritage. One of the Carnival parades drew a large crowd, but as soon as the parade wrapped up, city sanitation crews appeared as if by magic. Street sweepers cleaned up debris on the streets and tanker crews came right behind them, washing the streets.
Police officers are a constant presence, making visitors in the Quarter feel safe, no matter what time of day or night.
For our final day, we decided to try something different for dinner, so we visited Primo’s, 541 Decatur Street, for “New Orleans Italian Cuisine.” Primo’s offers the standard Italian fare, such as lasagna and pastas. We tried the Primo’s Pie ($14.95), which features alfredo, basil, spinach, fried shrimp and three cheese Italian blend. It was light and delicious; just right to share. Enjoy your meal out on the balcony with a Nawlins Golden Ale, another locally-brewed beer.
New Orleans is often billed as a great place for adults to visit, and Bourbon Street is certainly no place for kids, but I noted several attractions children would enjoy.
The Haunted History Tour is not too scary for kids. The same tour company offers a New Orleans Cemetery Tour, which also comes highly recommended. Gray Line also offers other tours – both walking and by bus – of the French Quarter, the Garden District, cemeteries, plantations, and Katrina tours of the Ninth Ward. (www.graylineneworleans.com)
Lots of horse-drawn carriages are available for an old-fashioned tour of the French Quarter as well. The carriages line up on Decatur Street at the south side of Jackson Square.
River cruises on the fabulous Natchez steamboat would also be a fun activity for children. Fares for a cruise and dinner, or just a cruise are available. (www.steamboatnatchez.com)
The Audubon Insectarium, 423 Canal Street, is a new addition to the city. The museum offers insect encounters, a butterfly garden, and lots of other hands-on activities. The center was named “Best New Attraction” for 2009. Tickets for children 2-12 are $10; adults are $15.
The Audubon Nature Institute also has an attractive aquarium, which is adjacent to the French Quarter. The aquarium includes sharks, rays, penguins, sea otters, and other sea creatures. Children’s tickets are $11.50; adults $18.50.
Finally, the Audubon Zoo, located in Uptown New Orleans, offers a variety of animals from around the world. It features special habitats, the Louisiana Swamp and the Jaguar Jungle. Zoo tickets are $11.50 for children; $18.50 for adults.
For more information on any of these Audubon attractions, visit www.auduboninstitute.org.
We spent four days in New Orleans’ French Quarter and didn’t even touch a fraction of what the city has to offer.
The friendliness of the people, from street vendors to police officers to hotel and restaurant staff left a lasting impression of a city that is eager to welcome visitors. Without exception, they all offered us Lagniappe – a little extra.
We’ll be back.
Life Down Here in Oklahoma 
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