Big Easy Magic: Our New Orleans Adventure
New Orleans has a unique blend of European flair and Southern hospitality that sets it apart with its distinct vibe. It's the birthplace of jazz, home to amazing Creole cuisine, and famous for its legendary Mardi Gras celebrations. We visited back in 2011 with some friends.
Carriage Ride Through the French Quarter
Our driver had great stories about the architecture, the history, and some pretty colorful tales about past residents. We passed Jackson Square, down Bourbon Street, through historic neighborhoods with those iconic streetcars rolling by—all set along the Mississippi River. The driver filled us in on the haunted lore, the round-the-clock nightlife culture, and the food markets scattered throughout. We covered a lot of ground and noticed details in the buildings we'd probably walk right past otherwise. It's classic New Orleans, and it actually lives up to the hype. The carriage ride was actually enjoyable and informative.
The Food: Café du Monde and Mother's Restaurant
Café du Monde is touristy for a reason—you just have to go. We ordered beignets and café au lait.
Mother's Restaurant became an instant favorite. We loved it so much, we went back a second time. They're famous for the bread pudding—rich, warm, drenched in whiskey sauce. We actually made that return trip just for the bread pudding. If you're a bread pudding person, this is a must.
Steamboat Natchez: Old-School Mississippi Cruise
We booked the Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise one afternoon, and it turned out to be a real highlight.
The narrated tour provided us with a good background on New Orleans' history and how the Mississippi River has shaped everything. Nice change of pace from walking everywhere, and you see New Orleans from a totally different angle.
Into the Bayou with Cajun Pride
Getting out of the city and into the swamp was a must, so we booked with Cajun Pride Swamp Tours.
We saw gators up close. We learned about the weird and wonderful plant life and heard stories about Cajun culture and how people have lived in these wetlands for generations. The swamp is gorgeous in this mysterious, otherworldly way. Spanish moss, cypress trees, still dark water—totally different world from the city. Worth the drive out.
Houmas House: Beautiful and Complex
We also went to the Houmas House, a stunning plantation about an hour outside the city. The mansion is gorgeous—period furnishings, immaculate gardens. They talk about the enslaved people who worked there, which is crucial for understanding what Southern plantation life actually meant.
The grounds are incredible. Oak trees with Spanish moss, perfectly kept gardens, river views. It's peaceful, and the guided tour gives you solid historical context.
Final Thoughts
The food, the music, the history, the people—all of it came together into something pretty special. Whether you're into culture, cuisine, or just soaking up a city that doesn't feel like anywhere else in America, you'll find it here.
