Bands, Beignets, and Bourbon St.: New Orleans!

To sum up my trip last week to New Orleans with Steph in one blog post would be difficult. I'll share a few highlights:

Enjoying Cafe au Lait and an almond croissant at Envie

1. Live Music.
Everywhere. Frenchmen Street is four blocks loaded with bars and restaurants and there was not one door open that didn't have live music pouring out. From all female jazz groups (Maison) to funky blues players (dba) this was definitely a scene to be seen. The hardest part was learning how to dance like a local and not feel like a grandma.

2. French/Spanish history.
It's apparent in the French Quarter anywhere you walk, especially in Jackson Square with the wrought iron gates, old Spanish placard dating the lush square back to the 1700's and the historic statue of Andrew Jackson himself. You feel it on the streets of the Garden District, where Magazine Street antique shops dot the sidewalks and the looming mansions hide in the shade of overgrown willow trees.

View of the Cabildo from Jackson Square

3. Food.
A culinary lover's paradise. Fried everything. Fried chicken, fried grits, fried shrimp, fried crawfish balls. French donuts (beignets are my new favorite treat) and hot chocolate. The traditionally 'Nawlins cuisine: Rabbit and sausage jambalaya, chicken and rice gumbo, fried alligator (yes, I swear we ate these!). Poboys: Pulled pork, bacon, and cheddar. Mmmm...Anything you want, you got it.

Fried grits topped with cheese. Dangerous.

4. French Quarter Nightlife.
Bourbon Street. Like Vegas, but Southern. Dancing til the wee hours and not feeling tired? Check. Random bartenders giving us Mardi Gras beads? Check. Hurricanes (no, not Katrina)? Check and check. It helps that the two hour time difference was in our favor so when it was four, it really felt like two.

Enjoying the band at Maison on Frenchmen St.

5. People.
Groups of young people playing music in the street with dirty bodies, no shoes, dreads, puppies, and banjos. Men riding around on a unicycle 10 feet tall. Fairly odd couples. Hobos, aristocrats (you may even spot Brad, Angie, and the gang), your average Joe and Jane...you will see it all in NOLA.

One of the best and most haunting experiences we had was visiting the Katrina museum. Very moving, emotional, and gets you right in the heart. It was the strong and brave people of NOLA that helped (and are still helping) rebuild the city and you can tell just how proud they are of their city for overcoming such a horrendous disaster.

via life.com

Overall, I think New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. There's honestly no place like it that I've ever been, and I can't wait to return. What are your must sees of NOLA?

xo,
L