Yep, we're going to Bourbon Street! In the heart of the French Quarter of N'Awlins. It's time for our tour of this wonderful historic district in the city. Now here's the part where (if you've been reading the blog) you know that a drink can be had for purposes of drinking outside of the establishment from which it was purchased. In other words a "to go" container.
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| Me and my friend |
My drink of choice was the Hurricane. I sampled Hurricanes, the signature drink in NOLA it appeared, from several establishments. Some places even had them in frozen margarita type machines so all they had to do was dispense. Would you like frozen or on the rocks for your Hurricane? I've had both and I prefer the frozen variety. You don't feel the alcohol as much, even though you know it's there. It's also like an Icee so much easier to take with you as you walk, no spills.
But that being said we're going to wander around the French Quarter together drink in hand and tour it's streets, gardens, alleyways, museums and shops. Be prepared now because the sidewalks are old and uneven, the cobblestones have been heaved up and down due to weather, trees and other plantings and age. So watch your step and let's get started.
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| Exhibit from the Voodoo Museum |
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Vooddoo
Musuem
Exhibit |
First stop is the Voodoo Museum, the official one located in the Quarter, on Dumaine St. If you're into this type of thing or are superstitious then you'll love this place. I didn't think it was worth all the hype, but that's just me. It's small, only about 3 rooms and a hall you can view and one of the rooms at the entrance to the building is multi-purpose. It's being used for purchase of tickets and a small gift shop. This is a self-guided tour, but everything is clearly marked with either descriptions or a history of the item. Some of the items even had explanations as to how or why they were made and how to use them. Cost of the museum is $3 - $7 depending on discounts that apply and hours are from 10 a.m. till at least 6 p.m. 7 days a week and most holidays. From what I could tell folks come to the Voodoo Museum because it offers cemetery tours, haunted New Orleans tours, and psychic readings. And since the tour of the museum is included in the price, then they take in the museum.
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| Ready for Easter! |
Next up on our tour are some of the homes in the quarter. Especially interesting as we walked along was reading the notices from the Preservation Committee regarding some of the properties in the quarter. Since this is an historic area listed on the National Register, all the historic buildings have been protected by law since the 1920s and cannot be demolished, and any renovations or new construction in the neighborhood must be done (according to regulations) to match the period's historic architectural style. The notices outlined specific items that needed to be addressed by the owner; including painting, repairs, renovations or even foundation repairs.
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| French Quarter Garden |
But never fear, most of the homes are well maintained and striking. They are painted in the colors of the rainbow. We saw yellow, green, blue and lavender houses many of which were made even more beautiful as they were decorated for Easter. Some still had their Mardi Gras finery up. The architecture dates from the time of Spanish rule due to two major fires which occured in the 1700s that destroyed most of the quarter. Many of the homes have either balconies or galleries of elegant, detailed, elaborate wrought iron. And most of the homes still contain private gardens not in view of the streets behind the houses.
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| General Andrew Jackson |
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| St. Louis Cathedral |
Now let's move to Jackson Square. Jackson Square, originally named Place D'Armes, was renamed after the Battle of New Orleans in honor of the victorious General Andrew Jackson who later became president. It is one of the original parts of the French Quarter with it's ornate, detailed wrought iron fence dating from the beginnings of the city and some cannon from the battle located there. The Square is itself surrounded by Historic buildings. St. Louis Cathedral is on one end flanked by the Cabildo and the Presbytere. Both the Cabildo and the Presbytere are now museums and the cathedral is open to the public most days. On another side of the square are the Pontalba buildings which house on the first floor commercial businesses and on the upper floors apartments noted as being the oldest continuously rented apartments in the U.S. On the west side of Jackson Square is the Mississippi River. Prior to the raising of the levees the river could be seen from the Square, but now as we walk that direction our first sight is the entrance to Washington Artillery Park, the Jax Brewery building and the beginning of the French Market which at this end houses Cafe de Monde.
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| Open air artwork in the French Market |
The French Market was one of our favorite places. It housed a large variety of businesses from fresh produce in the farmer's market to a flea market, art galleries & specialty shops to cafes and restaurants. My suggestion for the Market is that you start in the morning, take your time and have lunch there. The flea market opens at 7 a.m., the farmer's market opens at 9 a.m. and the shops open at 10 a.m. Give either The Gazebo Restaurant or the Market Cafe a try for lunch. The Gazebo offers seafood, Cajun & Creole and salads. The Market Cafe offers New Orleans cuisine and po-boys.
Then go by Loretta's Authentic Pralines (located in the farmer's market section) and buy some delectable, sweet treats you can't get anywhere else except N'Awlins. Like her Praline Shoe Soles named that way because they look like the soles of your shoes (assuming you're not wearing heels) or their sweet potato cookies (the recipe for these I couldn't talk them out of) or maybe a coconut praline. You can't go wrong in this place, because it's all good! Then as you munch keep moving on down towards Dutch Alley. Where you can stop and covered tables and relax for a few minutes before heading out again.
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