Last Updated on February 16, 2022
Ah…the Big Easy, NOLA, N’awlins, call it what you will, we’ve arrived in New Orleans – the final stop on our NYC2NOLA American Road Trip! After eight stops (New York, Philly, Washington DC, Asheville, Charlotte, Charleston, Savannah and Atlanta) and just 24 hours in town, we couldn’t be happier or more impressed with this city.
Following in the footsteps of millions before us, we walked the well-beaten path directly to the French Quarter upon arriving in NOLA and ended up on the infamous Bourbon Street just as the sun went down. Tired from the 8 hour drive we didn’t make it very long, but we will most certainly be back to have at least one hurricane! Last night, we fell into bed at the InterContinental New Orleans, where we’ll be sleeping incredibly soundly for our five nights in the Big Easy.
We broke the fast this morning with brunch at the NOLA institution The Court of Two Sisters. A low-key jazz band made the atmosphere atmosphere unmistakeably New Orleans, as did the countless creative cajun seafood options. We found plenty of vegetarian food to stuff our bellies before heading to the Mississippi river through Jackson Square before hoofing it over to the Garden District.
Several square blocks of impressive historical mansions sit along wide tree-lined roads, and the peaceful 4 mile stroll was incredibly relaxing.
What was supposed to be a snack ended up as a full meal when we stopped at Mahoneys Po-Boy Shop on Magazine Street for Fried Green Tomatoes and an Eggplant Parmigiana Po-Boy (a traditional Louisiana sandwich) before continuing our exploration of Magazine street’s unique independent little shops.
We continued our tour of New Orleans by hopping on the St Charles tram line (so cute!) and stopped at Lafayette Square for the kick-off of the New Orleans seafood festival. While nothing on the menu tickled our (vegetarian) fancy, we really enjoyed the Zydeco band Rockin’ Dopsie Jr, and if you like seafood and Zydeco music, you need to make any excuse possible to get down here for next years even!
Road Trip Nick
Tuesday 27th of September 2011
Realllly need to get to NOLA already. Maybe before winter...
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
Sunday 11th of September 2011
I've gotta get Lucas and I there!!! I had the BEST time when I was there years ago. ENJOY!
Dani
Sunday 11th of September 2011
You two have to come down for a long weekend - I am sure he would love it!! We can't get enough of the city and are already sad that we have to leave on Tuesday... Definitely a highlight of our road trip!
Jaime
Sunday 11th of September 2011
Ahhh I hate that I have lived 5 hours outside of this amazing city & have never been in my life. I have heard so much about it... I know one day I will make it. Love all the pics! So I guess that means SEA very soon now.
Dani
Sunday 11th of September 2011
Jaime, SEA is not far away at all!! We are so excited. We will be back in New Orleans one day for sure - we are thinking about an extended stay here (3 months) so you'll have no excuse then ;-) And we are 100 % sure that you will LOVE New Orleans, and Southern Decadence is just a MUST for you!!!!!!
Don Faust
Saturday 10th of September 2011
Very cool that you are there during the seafood fest - despite the food offerings, the festivals always bring out lots of good bands.
Magazine St is pretty cool huh? I love all the hip shops there. I've never had the fried green tomato po-boy, but it sounds really good.
Have fun!