Exploring New Orleans

We arrived on Friday the 25^th after a relatively short drive from Livingston, La. Once again it’s not the best campground but it was available for the holiday weekend.  Since we are spending most of our time sightseeing it really doesn’t matter. The most important thing is electric/water/sewer connections!  Both the temperature and humidity have been record breaking!!

After making camp we drove down to Esplanade Ave. to look at the beautiful old homes lining the street and also to stop for dinner at Nonna Mia’s Italian Restaurant. It was recommended for it pizza and lobster pasta.  We chose the pizza and it was the best pizza I’ve ever had!

Nonna Mia's Italian Restaurant

Our table by the window

After dinner we headed to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street.  What a sight!  There were crowds everywhere. I don’t know if this is normal or due to the holiday weekend. The streets are narrow and one-way so maneuvering our truck through the area was a real challenge. We couldn’t find any place to park so we decided to come back another day.

Narrow streets of the French Quarter

On Saturday we drove out to take a tour of the Oak Alley Plantation and the grounds. It got it’s name from the 300 year old Virginia Oaks that form a quarter mile path from the Mississippi river to the front door of the house. It’s a beautiful place and they still harvest many acres of sugar cane. I had my first Mint Julep while sitting on the veranda.

Oak Alley Plantation

Our tour guide

Plantation entry way

Late Saturday afternoon we ventured back to the French Quarter and found a place to park.  We walked all the famous streets and stopped in the shops… including some of the Voodoo shops. We were told about a little hole in the wall restaurant on Decatur St. called Coops and went to check it out.  Unfortunately, a lot of other folks decided to do the same and the line was out the door.  I was absolutely melting from the heat & humidity by this time so we went looking for another place to eat.  It wasn’t as quaint but seats were available.

Bourbon Street

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Voodoo Shop

Later today we will be checking out some of New Orleans’s unique “above ground” cemeteries.  Tonight it’s back to just outside the French Quarter to check out some of the best clubs for Jazz.