NO...OMG!

My musings on an incredible journey to a wondrous city...
(in no particular order)

CHICO

There are many ways to get from the the airport to your hotel. I personally recommend "CHICO".  A 75-year-old New Orleans native, married four times, Chico has seen it all. He will deliver you to your destination with pleasant conversation, as well as some historical tidbits about the area as you go. Chico will also return items to you left in his taxi - unless it is candy. A true gem.

PLACE D'ARMES HOTEL

Place D'Armes Hotel

This charming French Quarter hotel, located on St. Ann Street, provides the perfect equivalent of a New Orleans "Hideaway". Located just steps from Bourbon Street in one direction, and Jackson Square in another, the location is ideal. The hotel itself is cozy, charming, quaint and full of New Orleans authenticity and flair. The polite staff don't ask TOO many questions about unused rooms. There is a pool and complimentary breakfast but even if you don't use either one, you will still have an incredible stay. If you go to their website there is a scrolling photo banner. The fourth photo (be patient) offers the perfect picture of the true "NO Hideaway" - a block of rooms toward the back of the hotel. Up the steps are two rooms.

MUSICAL LEGENDS PARK

Located right on Bourbon Street, you can wander in, sit down and enjoy the blue sky, the scenery and some live jazz, even with a drink you didn't buy there but say at...Absinthe. Also a great place to call a friend and let them listen to the live jazz while they are somewhere cold and dreary and make them really hate you.

SPA ISBELL

This tucked away spa down on Magazine Street, located in what looks to be an historic home, is the perfect place to escape the bustle of the city and indulge yourself, or a friend, in some deep relaxation.  It's rustic and welcoming. I highly recommend the massages and there is a small courtyard in back where you can read a magazine or just sit and soak up some sun.

   BOURBON STREET

 

If you've never experienced the insanity of Bourbon Street, it is something you should do at least once in your lifetime. Or twice, if you don't remember the first time :)

CAT'S MEOW

This super fun karaoke bar is located right on Bourbon Street.  The ideal place to watch karaoke, perform some karaoke (and totally rock the mic!), or celebrate a birthday.

 LUSH

This was the first time I was exposed to Lush. This unique store carries a wide array of hand-made soaps in every combination of ingredients and scents possible. The store smells so good you want to eat the soap or just jump into it. You can buy soap by the pound, bubble bath 'cupcakes' or shower jellies. Very cool store indeed. I recommend that if you need a loofah for your Lush soap, head to the local CVS, where you can purchase a super scrunchy loofah for only $2.99.

ROOSEVELT HOTEL

The Roosevelt Hotel has recently undergone a massive renovation and has been restored to it's original splendor.  When you walk into the Roosevelt lobby, you are immediately taken back in time. Interesting tidbit I learned during my stay:  Every Waldorf Astoria property has a signature clock or timepiece in their lobby. The Roosevelt found the one you see here in an antique shop in New Orleans. They placed a bid on it only to learn it had just been sold.  They made a bid to the new owner, who turned out to be actor Nicolas Cage. Cage agreed to the bid and the the timepiece now resides in the Roosevelt Hotel.

If you are planning to stay at the Roosevelt, definitely stay in one of their King Suites. It's the only way to roll.

SPORTS

New Orleans is home to both the Louisiana Superdome and the New Orleans Arena.  The lemonade is especially good and the games are FUN!  And, despite how it may appear on a map, both are, in fact, within walking distance to downtown and the French Quarter :)

CRESCENT CITY BREWHOUSE

You can find it on a map or you can look up and realize you've stumbled upon it :). The Crescent City Brewhouse is located in a legendary French Quarter building on historical property on Decatur Street. The beer menu is limited but all of the beer is brewed on site. The food is decent and the artwork scattered about the place is fun and cool.

JACKSON SQUARE

Beautiful Jackson Square is located in the heart the French Quarter down by the water. Flanked on all sides by street artists, performers, fortune tellers and shops, it's worth a casual stroll around. The feral cats that own the place show their faces in early evening and draw their own crowd.

PAT O'BRIENS

Home to New Orleans infamous 'Hurricane' rum drinks, Pat O'Briens has a wonderful courtyard where you can have your drinks by the 'fire fountains'.  The crowd is diverse in age and ranges from businessmen to spring breakers. Although the atmosphere is generally pretty chill, you wouldn't be the first person to have to be carried out of there.

 ROOFTOP POOL

Back to The Roosevelt...'Take a dip. Have a bite." That about sums up the rooftop patio.  On the rooftop patio/pool of the Roosevelt, you can actually forget for a moment you are in N'awlins. Daytime feels more like a tropical island with the cushy loveseats, balmy weather, planted flowers and open bar. Nighttime feels more like you are in Morocco or Istanbul when looking at the two mosque-like domes on the church across the way. To really re-experience it, just click this link:

Rooftop Pool

The hot tub is a little small but def. does the trick.

SAZERAC BAR

Also at the Roosevelt...the Sazerac is pretty, and makes a very tasty $14 Chocolate Raspberry something-or-other that is easily spillable. And that's about all I can tell you about that.

TROLLEY CARS 

Many locals will encourage you to ride their trolley cars.  For a buck twenty five, it's definitely an inexpensive way to get around but be beware - the trolleys can be very crowded and there seems to be no limit as to how many riders a driver will actually let on. On the upside, the fellow trolley riders are extremely friendly and conversational, and if you like the person you're riding with, it's a great excuse to have to stand very close to them. If you take the St. Charles line, do get off for a bit about 1/4 mile in and walk around. A nice place to take an afternoon stroll, there are some lovely old homes oozing Southern comfort and trees with roots so old they have broken right through the sidewalks.  Not a bad way to spend some time.

THE MARKET CAFE

A cool outdoor eatery, located right on Decatur Street down by the water and across from Jackson Square, this is the perfect place to grab a quick bite for lunch while listening to live jazz and people watching.

JAGER HAUS

A little hole-in-the wall place in the French Quarter where your German food is served by Asians. Good enough!

BOURBON HOUSE

A somewhat upscale restaurant right on Bourbon Street, featuring mostly seafood on the menu, it's a lively place with good food and adequate service. But beware the middle-aged businessmen: liberated from days of business meetings they can be found drunk both at the bar and in the dining room during dinner time.

HIPPIE GYPSY

This store is on Canal Street - the street that divides the French Quarter and the American 'downtown'.  A small store but filled with great clothes, beautiful sundresses, and some good rastaware.  The staff is friendly and helpful. They also sell cool Zodiac necklaces which make great gifts for friends and family.

LA PROVENCE

  

Rated one of the 'Top 10 Romantic Restaurants' in America, I unfortunately did not make it out to La Provence this trip. It is actually outside of New Orleans Proper, but I do hope to make it there some day.

FLEUR-DE-LIS 

Literally translated from the French 'flower of the lily', a symbol of the French monarchy, it is ubiquitous throughout New Orleans. From my French studies, I've always been familiar with the fleur-de-lis but now it holds special meaning. To me it represents strength, royalty, power and beauty.

you are my 'greater than three'

 

to be continued...