Louisiana

I Heart NOLA

When we hear of New Orleans it’s often regarding Mardi Gras but what if you only have a weekend outside of Mardi Gras season? 

We landed on Friday at Noon from a direct flight at EWR airport. Right in front of the airport various taxis were waiting for passengers. They charged a fix rate which made things a lot easier. We were at The Eliza Jane hotel within almost an hour after exiting the aircraft.  Our choice was between Tiffany’s or our chosen hotel. While Tiffany’s beds looked beautiful nothing could compare the bathroom in our suite. The selection was made without hesitation. Eliza Jane Hotel is by far one of my favorite hotels. Situated in a great location, close to the French Quarter and the Warehouse District but away from the crowds and noise. The designer did an impeccable job illustrating the historic past of the building by referencing each of its previous occupants. We stayed in the Editor’s Suite because of the Bathroom. 

Nola is the most eccentric, vibrant, city that I have ever seeing. It’s filled with history, awesome live music, and memorable attractions. Anyone can find something of their interest. Below is an itinerary that I compiled for a short gateway during my last visit. 

To avoid squandering time; right after check-in we caught the St Charles Streetcar to the Garden District for a solo tour of the neighborhood. For 2 hours we simply wandered the street admiring the beautiful homes. Before heading back, we grab a drink at a bar near Josephine Street.  

We continued our journey in the French Quarter as we strolled through the historic streets and alleys of the Old District, peeking into St. Louis Cathedral, wandering through what seems to be the epicenter of NOLA; Jackson Square all the while mesmerized by the laissez- faire attitude of the people, the countless musicians, magicians, art, musicians, etc.… I must mention the temperature in July was unbearable. Thankfully there were various bars, shops and restaurants offering frozen drinks.  At the end No matter your interest there is some for you in the French Quarter. We stopped for a full body massage for an hour at one of the many polar in the district before heading to dinner at Oceania, a recommended restaurant for creole food.  

The next day after a buffet breakfast by our hotel which was totally worth it, we grab a taxi for Bayou Swamp Tour for a our 10 am reservation. I must advise to call ahead or book online before visiting. The tours are approximately 2 hours. We learn so much about Louisiana waterways, swamps, gators, geography and a bit of history.  

We kept our taxi driver’s phone number and contacted him to pick us up at the same location. He later drove us to Whitney Plantation Museum. One of the 3 main plantations in Luisiana that focus on the lives of the slaves who once leaved at the plantation. The tour took just about 1.5 hours. Our driver waited for us until the end of our tour and took us back to town this time at Creole House for a late lunch early dinner. Those 2 restaurants mentioned in this itinerary is not to be missed. They are the best for a taste of local food here. 

If you are not comfortable exploring alone, I would suggest booking tours with Free Tours by Foot. You pay a small fee under $3 for the reservation and after the tour the guide is paid based on what you think the service was worth. I selected the Ghost Tour at 7:30pm. My guide I unfortunately forgot his name was animated an excellent storyteller. He did admit that some of his stories were untrue nonetheless I recommend.   

You can’t say you visited New Orleans without partaking in the activities on Frenchmen Street and Bourbon Street. After our tour we bar hopped Frenchmen Street sipping on local cocktails (Hurricane, Sazerac, Vieux Carre, GrassHopper) while listening to jazz, blues, reggae bands jamming to their favorite tunes. This is where locals and tourists mingle in the evenings. On the way to the hotel, we stopped on Bourbon Street. Walking through this street was a unique experience, from the constant blurring of different beats of music in the street to a culture blend of people from all over the world. I hate to be honest since I Love New Orleans so much, but Bourbon Street is a cesspool of dive bars, unruly drunks, homeless, panhandlers, dogs, bodies laying in the street corners, fights and stumblers prompting police interference, and exhausted children being carried or pulled along by partying adults. After the experience we cross to the next block for another hour of full body massage at the first parlor we saw that was still open.  

The next day we didn’t have time for breakfast because of our tour to Laura Plantation and Oak Alley Plantation. Early in the morning we met the tour excursion at a hotel just a few blocks away on the main road. Laura Plantation focused on the lives of the people living in the main house while Oak Alley Plantation focused on both the lives of the people in the main house and the slaves working the plantation. The tour with Cajun Encounters felt rushed but nonetheless another amazing experience. We returned by 5pm and before heading to the airport for our evening flight we stopped for another massage. So yes, while we were there, our favorite thing was a massage session after each day; I must say it was worth it and needed.   

Thanks to the French who once occupied Luisiana, the oldest neighborhoods have amazing architecture right out of a fairytale. There were plenty to do in NOLA. It is thus far my favorite state out of 22 visited.