New Orleans Travel Blog

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It was the last restaurant we ate at in Louisiana and he ordered the frog legs. FROG LEGS. Someone help me understand frog legs... on a plate... for dinner. I mean, no offense to anyone who loves this,
I just can't. (ps. I'm also not a seafood eater... but more on that some other time.)

If you're wanting a description and review of the must have frog legs from Fezzos Seafood & Steakhouse in Lafayette, see Calvin about that. 

I, on the other hand, am more than happy to share my recommended list of must-dos while in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Note: Prior to this trip, my assumptions of NOLA all came from Princess and the Frog. Thank you, Disney.  

Here are three things you must do while in New Orleans:

1. Eat all the Beignets and enjoy all the Cafes Au Leiut!

  • Café du Monde* is the original french market coffee stand, since 1862! It's opened 24/7! Except on Christmas Day. 
  • Morning Call is a New Orleans favorite that also serves the classic café au lait and beignets 24/7. This one is cash only!
  • Cafe Beignet "Beignet... Done That." I mean, with a tag line like that, I had to go in! Beignets all day & cute spot for a pic! 

    *While in NOLA we decided to try different beignet places and decide our favorite. For me it was Cafe du Monde. For my husband and the other couple we traveled with: Morning Call. Now it's your turn. 

2. Take a stroll!
While in NOLA, expect to walk a lot. Sure, nowadays you have Ubers and New Orleans has streetcars that are fun to jump on, but most of the site seeing does include you walking some. Let me put it this way, if you wear a Fitbit or like to complete your apple watch circles, New Orleans has got you covered. You can easy averaged 12,000 steps a day here.

  • City Park is absolutely beautiful and spanned over 1300 acres! Huge, aged trees all around with great walking trails.
  • Louie Armstrong Park is a fun place to walk around, honoring the jazz great, Louie Armstrong. Totally free. 
  • Lakeshore Drive has a great view with a wide sidewalk and benches. I bet a run during sunset is gorgeous here. 
  • French Quarter is famous for its architecture, cafes, shops, restaurants and hotels. NOLA isn't NOLA without it. 
  • Jackson Square faces the Mississippi river and was renamed after Battle of New Orleans hero, Andrew Jackson.
  • Garden District is where you go to see all the fancy, beautiful homes. Aka - Sandra Bullock's home! #hearteyes 
  • Lafayette Cemetery was erected in 1833! It is one of the city's earliest above-ground burial sites. Take a tour if you can. 

3. Go local!
Whether shopping or grabbing a bite to eat... go local! (And, the best part of traveling is the food, right?) Below are some of the local places we enjoyed thanks to your recommendations and @visitneworleans on IG. 

  • Three Muses has jazz combos playing live music every night as enjoy their delicious menu! I recommend the Three Muses fries and the Italian Baked Mac & Cheese. Don't forget to tip the musicians on your way out.
  • District Donuts serves lots more than donuts (sliders, homemade waffle fries & brews). However, their chocolate glazed donut has got to be one of the best I've ever had. They serve up some pretty tasty lattes, too. 
  • Revelator Coffee has one of the best honey lattes I've ever had (honey, cinnamon latte to be exact)! A fun coffee shop if you're wanting to plug into the hipster scene of NOLA. ;)
  • Parkway Bakery and Tavern is tagged the "poor boy's po'boy". Parkway was named "best Po'boy in Louisiana" in 2016 and the Obamas paid a visit - their picture is on the wall. My hubs recommends the shrimp po'boy.
  • Hansen's Sno-Bliz Shop is the best way to cool down from all that walking! Started in 1939 by Mary and Ernest Hansen. Fun fact: Ernest invented the first ice shaving machine! Opens at 1pm and you can expect a line.
  • Surrey's Cafe & Juice Bar is the place to go for brunch. Get there early, they stay busy! I recommend the Migas w/a side of fresh avocado and house fries. Oh, and the hubs says order their shrimp and grits.

What we didn't do but will do next time:
1. WWII National Museum is a place my husband is itching to see. He's determined to return just to experience it!
2. Swamp Tour because I heard you get to feed the alligators marshmallows. I'm down. *raises both hands*


Traveling is something we hope to do for as long as we physically can. (You can find our travels under the IG hashtag: #thewilliamstravel) Huge shoutout to Roger and Micaela Morgan, a couple from our church, that asked us to join them on this trip. We enjoyed it and needed the break. Now, someone figure out a way to get fresh beignets and cafe au lait delivered to me daily and we'll instantly become best friends. 

Thanks for reading! 

            Crystal Lee 

            Crystal Lee 

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