Amy's Trip to New Orleans: How I Spent 3 Days in New Orleans, Louisiana

..

My plans for celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year were

thwarted by Miss Rona who once again caused the cancellation of

the big city parade and celebration. *sigh* One day I swear I will cross

that off my bucket list! Now, I might not have celebrated Mardi Gras

in the big city yet, but I have had the opportunity to visit once already

right before Christmas back in 2018. I’m not going to lie, the city can be

a little sketchy at night, but I still had a good time and was able to see

and do quite a bit! So even if you aren’t able to celebrate Mardi Gras, I

still think visiting New Orleans is something everyone should do at

least once! (Before it becomes a part of the gulf!).

.

Day 1: French Quarter

.

I made it to my hotel (Federal City Inn & Suites) in New Orleans

about 5pm and since it was still fairly early, decided to Uber into the

French Quarter. (I had heard that trying to find parking in the quarter was

an absolute nightmare and I wanted to avoid it as much as possible.) Once I

made it to the French Quarter I went to Reverend Zombie’s House of Voodoo to

collect everything I needed to make my very own voodoo doll in

the likeness of my number one enemy.

Just kidding! Lol The House of Voodoo is where I was supposed to meet

up for a 5 in 1 Haunted History tour through the French Quarter.

(Although I will admit that walking around the Voodoo shop was really really cool.)

..

Once everyone arrived for the tour we took to the streets with

our tour guide Drew, who not only had an uncanny resemblance

to a guy I used to work with, but also told us he appeared in

an episode of American Horror Story Coven.

(Pretty sure this is him if I remember correctly!)

.

He told us all about the quarter’s rough history filled with grisly

murders and brought us to the sites of these murders and now

supposedly haunted places. A lot of the stories were hard to

imagine, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little uneasy

standing in front of some of the buildings. Unfortunately, the tour quickly

went from a walking history tour to a pub crawl (which was actually a

tour option, but one I did NOT choose), so as someone who doesn’t drink

I have to admit that I was very disappointed with this turn of events.

Honestly, if I had known it would have turned into a pub crawl

I wouldn’t have gone on the tour at all.

.

After the tour, I had dinner at one of the few restaurants in the

quarter that was actually still open at that time of night, Doris Metropolitan.

..

Everything on the menu was very expensive and very healthy

and I definitely felt waaaaay underdressed for the atmosphere. I

ordered the classified cut of steak with a root puree. It wasn’t terrible, but

I don’t plan on returning to this restaurant again.

.

After dinner I Ubered back to the hotel for the night. One tip when

visiting New Orleans: get yourself a hotel in the French Quarter. It

might be a little bit more pricey, but it will make everything

so much easier and it will be worth it. Trust me.

.

Day 2: Oak Alley Plantation

.

I am a sucker for huge trees and tree-lined driveways and this

plantation in Vacherie was top of the list of places in Louisiana

that had both of these things. (It is located an hour from New Orleans.)

When I arrived at the plantation, which is massive by the way, I went

on a guided tour of the “Big House” aka main mansion, where I learned

the history of the plantation and about the people that lived there.

..

After the tour I made my way down the famous oak lined drive to

admire the beauty of the huge live oak trees. (I told you, I love trees!

Someday I want a tree lined drive as beautiful as this one.)

..

Once I finished walking down the drive I explored the rest of the

plantation where I saw a Civil War site recreation, learned about

growing and harvesting sugarcane (which was the plantation’s main

focus when it was in operation), and then listened to

a talk on the oak trees themselves.

.

Once the talk was over I was definitely ready for some food and

lucky for me the onsite cafe was open. I ordered a southern feast

that included spinach and artichoke dip, bread, a chicken, smoked

sausage, andouille gumbo, and the Vacherie burger. This was actually

the first time that I had ever tried spinach and artichoke dip or gumbo

and y’all it changed me. It was all sooo delicious (and also pretty reasonably

priced!). Highly recommend eating here if you go.

..

Before heading back to my car I went and traipsed through the

back of the plantation that housed the slaves quarters and

then began my hour drive back to the French Quarter.

..

Once I made it back to the French Quarter I had my first experience

of driving through this part of the city and y’all it was one of the most

stressful drives I have ever done. There were people everywhere, tons

of other cars also trying to find parking (which was severely lacking, especially

if you are not comfortable with parallel parking like myself!), narrow

streets, and confusing street signs. It was straight madness! However, I

eventually found a lot to park in (and paid for unreasonably high parking)

and then made my way to one of the oldest active cathedrals in North

America, the St. Louis Cathedral.

..

I stayed at the cathedral for mass which was a very unique

experience and the church was absolutely beautiful with all of it’s

impressive architectural features.

.

.

After mass I went to the famous Cafe Du Monde to experience

their beignets! It was definitely an interesting experience at this little

cafe. There were soooooooo many people here. If you wanted a table

you simply waited for someone to leave and then pounced on the empty

seating and a server would come to you. It was definitely a little

overwhelming for my little introverted and shy self, but those beignets

were worth every uncomfortable second. With powdered sugar piled to

the heavens these little fried treats were as delicious as they were messy.

OMG. Just thinking about them now makes me wish I was there

again…..*sigh.* I guess I’m making beignets tonight. Lol

..

Full on beignets I explored more of the French Quarter including

infamous Bourbon street (definitely not my scene lol) and finally

found what is said to be one of the most haunted places in New

Orleans (as well as an important place in American Horror Story Coven) the

LaLaurie Mansion. Seeing the building in person was definitely a little

surreal after having seen it on the show, but I will also have to admit that

I found it slightly underwhelming. It would have been so much better to

have been on a tour where I could have learned more about the history

of the house. Also, unfortunately you are not allowed to go inside the house

(absolutely ridiculous I know!) so that made me a little sad.

.

.

If you do plan on going to New Orleans know that the streets in

the French Quarter are, well, dirty and filled with homeless people and

drunks. (Especially the closer you are to Bourbon Street.)

Just remember to be very aware of your surroundings, especially at

night. New Orleans might be known for its culture and architecture, but

it also is known to be a rather unsafe place especially

if you are alone and a female.

.

Day 3: Honey Island Swamp

.

When I think of Louisiana I automatically think of the bayou and

swamp boats. (Well actually I technically think of the TV show

Swamp People. Thanks dad.) So I decided while I was here it was

the perfect time to go on a tour of the swamp! After looking at reviews

and what tours were close by and open (mind you this trip took place in

December so it was actually pretty darn cold to be out on the water!), I

chose to go with the Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour.

.

Climbing aboard my first ever swamp boat, the tour took us

through various areas of the swamp where I saw Cypress trees, gum

trees, and even the tree that is said to have served as the

inspiration for the wishing tree in the Princess and the Frog.

.

(Princess and the Frog tree)

.

There also was quite a bit of wildlife out, including a family of

raccoons and some wild hogs that were completely unfazed by

the boat or the presence of people and continued to hound us and our

tour guide for snacks (hot dogs to be exact). Even though they weren’t

the alligators I was hoping to see, watching them was

still very entertaining and I was glad we didn’t watch any of them get

eaten by a gator as our tour guide said did happen on one of their

tours! (Talk about a scarring experience.)

.

.

After spending some time with the animals we continued around

the swamp where we saw more plants and trees and then finally, finally, we

saw an alligator. Albeit it was a tiny 3ft baby, but hey! 1

alligator is better than no alligators.

.

..

Pro tip: If you want to see gators on your swamp

tour, go when it is warmer and sunnier weather.

..

And that was my trip to New Orleans! It was a short stop on a longer

road trip, but I definitely enjoyed my time there! If I go back I definitely

would like to check out one of the many cemeteries in the area and I

would also love to see the city during Mardi Gras. Have you ever been

to New Orleans? If so, what was your favorite part? If not, do

you want to go?

...