Our first time visiting the French Quarter in New Orleans. It’s difficult to describe. On the one hand, it looks exactly like we expected it to with the centuries old architecture built in the 1700’s. And we were aware that people say it is dirty, especially along Bourbon Street. But hearing about it and actually experiencing it are two different things. It was dirty, but also fantastic at the same time. It’s an incredibly old city and the rough edges can be forgiven because the character is unforgettable.

To get the lay of the land, we started with the hop-on, hop-off bus. This was a great option because it took a 1 1/2 hour loop with a tour guide around all of the districts so that we could orient ourselves on where to spend our time.

One of our first stops was to the infamous Cafe DuMonde for some coffee and beignets (French donuts). Piled high with powered sugar, they live up to the hype. If you do come here, it’s cash-only. We learned that is the case frequently here in New Orleans.

We wandered through the French Quarter most of the day. It’s 78 square blocks and while Bourbon Street is a bit sleazy and haggard by day, with many “gentleman’s clubs” and walk-up bars with Hurricanes or Hand Grenades to-go in big plastic cups, there are some really beautiful streets just blocks over. There was an area with several galleries in a row, chandelier stores and gorgeous hotels. There are also a surprising number of residence who live in the French Quarter. There were not as many street performers as we expected but are told that increases by night.

Our next must seek out item was a Muffaletta for lunch. It’s a kind of sandwich, very popular here and, and again, lives up to the hype. It was fantastic. They are big and it is recommended that you split one with a friend (or your spouse!) We chose Cafe Beignet because they had a live jazz trio and gumbo too.

New Orleans is home to the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S. \240The Cathederal Basilica of St Louis King of France was visited by Pope John Paul II, who delivered mass there in 1987. The Cathederal is the grand overseer of Jackson Square.

Jackson Square is the site of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The focal point of the square is a statue of Andrew Jackson, “Hero of the Battle of New Orleans” (1815).

Maybe the inspiration for the Disney Castle??😉

Our final “must do” for the day was to try an infamous Hurricane. They were strong and very “fruity.” \240After a couple of these, it’s no wonder Bourbon Street gets a little wild!

Greg is fascinated by the 300 year old Oak trees. New Orleans City Park has one of the last forest stands of old growth oak. Called “watcher trees” have been keeping on eye on humans since the revolutionary war.

Our forray back to the Quarter was later in the afternoon today as an appetizer to our very special excursion this evening. \240The French Quarter comes alive at night and that is when the performers come out as well. It felt exactly as New Orleans should.

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We were so excited for our evening excursion~ a jazz, dinner cruise down the Mississippi River on the Creole Queen.

Dinner was on the lower level, below deck.

The food was excellent: Jambalaya, Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice, Brisket, Baked Chicken, Shrimp Alfredo, Ceasar Salad & Bread Pudding.

The skyline of New Orleans.

Jazz Quartet

The Creole Queen is an authentic paddlewheeler and is propelled by the giant paddle wheel. (Video)

The Crescent City Connection Bridge.

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and put this on the list as one of our favorite events so far.

Halloween in New Orleans!! We have been looking forward to this since we planned our trip a year ago. \240It did not disappoint! Locals told us that Halloween is a big deal here and the second largest party to only Mardi Gras.

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We started our evening with dinner at Mr. B’s Bistro. Infamous for their Gumbo Ya Ya and Honey Glazed Porkchops, they lived up to the recommendation. Greg said it was the best pork chop he’s ever had.

Our sweet and funny waiter, Rasa, in the mirror!

We spent our time on Bourbon Street (which looks much less seedy in the dark with neon), but the entire quarter was celebrating, so if we needed a break from the packed parade on Bourbon we had only to wander a block in any direction. \240It was fantastic and we will be back!

Would you like your fortune told?

Those below shimmy and shake in the hopes that beads will be thrown down to them from above \240(Video)

This entire experience has made it clear we will be coming back for Mardi Gras!

At Bourbon and Canal Street hop off the red street car and onto the green to the Garden District. The trip would have taken us 10 min to drive but over an hour on the street cars. But that’s the fun of it!

It’s here in the Garden District that we were able to view \240some of the cemetaries New Orleans is famous for. St Louis Cemetary #1 is now closed to the public unless you pay for a walking tour. We were only able to glimpse this one from above, but it houses a future famous inhabitant so we wanted to get a picture.

In 2010, Nicolas Cage purchased two plots in this cemetary, using one to construct this pyramid mausoleum for himself.

Cage has a history with the city of New Orleans, having purchased both the infamously haunted LaLaurie Mansion and the historic Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel. (He lost them both during his tax issue problems) \240Cage purchased his tomb next to New Orleans’ supernatural heavy, Marie Laveau in the hopes she will bring him good luck in death, because he believes he has been cursed ever since buying the LaLaurie Mansion. Strangely, if you look at his box office record, his fails do coincide with mansion ownership. Cage also filmed the movie Ghost Rider in this cemetary.

Madame LaLaurie.

The LaLaurie Mansion is said to be haunted by all of the slaves that Madame LaLaurie tortured. She was run out of town for her brutality.

Our next cemetary stop was at the Lafayette Cemetary #1. This one is typically open to the public, but today was closed to family only for All Saints Day so we were only able to capture a few pictures through the fence.

Batting 0 for 2 with the cemetaries we decided to explore the Garden District. Narrow overgrown, oak shaded streets with lush vegetation and giant mansions. Pictures don’t do these mansions justice. Sandra Bullock, John Goodman and Beyoncé/ Jay-Z own mansions here and Eli, Peyton and Cooper Manning grew up here. Their parents still live in the same house. \240Our shuttle driver, Adam, who took great care of us all week, regaled us with stories about playing the Mannings in rival High School sports.

We hopped onto the street car for one more stop to Uptown to visit the Audubon Park across from Tulane University. We learned something, as we didn’t know that Loyola is right next door to Tulane and students comingle classes across campuses.

The Audoban Park used to be two adjacent plantations that were seized during the civil war and the plantation houses burned down. Now it includes walking paths, a zoo, a riding stable, tennis courts and a golf course.

By the time we were ready to make our way back, we felt like street car pros.