New Orleans Activities and Neighborhoods to Visit
The boldly colored Victorian homes and cobblestone roads provide the feeling of being transported out of the U.S. into a European country. One of my favorite things to do was to walk around the side streets of Esplanade and Bywater and appreciate the beautiful homes. If you are music lover, New Orleans has something for every taste. There is a plentiful diversity of brass bands and soul singers that create amazing masterpieces that you will remember long after your visit to Nola (New Orleans).
Activities
Swamp Tour
If you are a nature lover like myself, you will enjoy getting out of the city for the day and taking a tour of the marshy lands outside of the city for a change of scene. The average price for swamp tours is between $35-$115. Many hotels will offer tours that include transportation to and from the swamp with upgrades that including the boat type and the number of people on your tour. The tour guides are great for pointing out wildlife that you may have otherwise missed and for providing more information about the evolution of the swampy lands.
The homes that were nestled along the water banks were beautiful and during my tour made me wonder about the lives of the occupants immersed in the peaceful surrounding scenery. Growing up in cities my entire life, I can imagine that being in nature daily was healthy for overall mental well being. The swamp tour that I did included alligator feeding for an additional cost. It was worth every penny! The alligators would jump so high directly out of the water to eat the marshmallows and meat bits that the guides provided. It was incredible to see and honestly kinda scary how powerful the alligators were. I highly recommend a swamp tour when visiting New Orleans.
Whitney Plantation
Seeing the plantation was a powerful and sorrowful experience. During the tour, the tour guides focused primarily on stories of the slave owner's family and provided limited stories of the enslaved people after being requested to do so. Seeing the tight slave quarters that were barely larger than a restroom where multiple people were confined was eerie experience and was emotionally heavy. The tour was eye opening and I recommend seeing one of the plantations when you visit in remembrance of an unfortunate part of American history. Plantation tour prices range from $60-$125 with some including both a swamp and plantation tour.
Jazz Cruise
I did an afternoon Jazz cruise while I was in New Orleans. When selecting your cruise, you can decide whether to include or skip a buffet lunch for an additional fee while you sail along the Mississippi river. Cruises range in price between $42-$55 depending on whether you would prefer a day or night cruise. I opted to include the buffet lunch because I'm greedy haha. Unfortunately, the cruise that I selected did not offer the best cuisine. The options provided included traditional creole dishes but they were bland and not infused with the wonderful and rich seasonings associated with New Orleans. The music was amazing and included talented musicians that evoked emotion from all of us in the audience. Being surrounded by water and serenaded created a beautiful atmosphere that felt like a very unique New Orleans experience. I suggest that you experience an afternoon or dinner cruise while visiting.
Neighborhoods to Visit
French Quarter
My photo
The French Quarter contains Bourbon Street that is the famous party scene where Mardi Gras occurs annually in February. The cobblestone streets on Bourbon Street are lined with restaurants and bars that attract tourists internationally day or night you will find live music bands and cheap drinks. Most first time visitors will find accommodations close to Bourbon Street to be in the heart of all of the action.
Frenchmen Street
This neighborhood feels like a more authentic New Orleans experience. In the evening, bars are filled with live music and the musicians that are so talented that you will be thinking about their voices long after you have returned home. Blue Nile is one of my favorite spots with a full calendar of great music artists and good drinks. Another bar called Maison also has some incredible brass bands and musicians. You really can't go wrong with any spot that you check out on Frenchmen Street. Let the music be your guide and you will have a wonderful time wherever you decide to go. If you get a chance, check out Portal. They are 24 hours and have one of the best burgers I have ever had and their drinks are strong and cheap.
Bywater/Marigny
Bywater has a laid back and artistic vibe and is filled with unique looking shotgun style homes. Yoga studios and cool restaurants are spread throughout the neighborhood. If you are looking for a relaxing oasis, check out Country Club. Bring a swimsuit to enjoy their amazing pool, jacuzzi or sauna facilities. They have amazing food and drinks to enjoy while you relax. This place attracts a hip crowd and will definitely provide a memorable experience to your trip. Admission was $20 when I visited.
Garden District
I love to appreciate beautiful homes and the Garden District is full of massive aesthetically pleasing homes. The beautiful greenery surrounding the homes create a serene experience while enjoying the beautiful architecture of this community. I highly suggest checking out this neighborhood if you are looking for a calm afternoon stroll.
Uptown
The chic neighborhood appearance and bar scene where you can hear traditional brass bands and other amazing artists make Uptown another neighborhood worth visiting. The amazing food scene here is another factor that make this neighborhood appealing during your vacation.
Please share some of your favorite places to visit or sites that you are looking forward to visiting while New Orleans.
Book your trip to New Orleans here!
Make amazing memories visiting the sites listed above and other gems here!
Comments
Post a Comment