New Orleans

It bears repeating that New Orleans is unlike any other city in the world. One of the biggest draws in The Big Easy is the French Quarter. In comprises just 78 square blocks, but in this small space are untold tales of wonder and amazement. It is filled with historic buildings constructed in the late 1700's and early 1800's. The French Quarter, or Old Square, is the oldest section of New Orleans. Founded in 1718, it has been home to troops, merchants, and even pirates. (You can read about one notable pirate here.) With so much to see and do, you will want [...]

World War II was fought on such an epic scale that it is hard to imagine a museum being capable of reflecting its magnitude. When we discovered that The National World War II Museum was located in New Orleans, we knew a visit was required. Little did we realize just how engrossing the exhibits would be at this world class institution. Join us as we explore the amazing exhibits that show the cost of peace of the Second World War. We would like to thank The National World War II Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own. First [...]

New Orleans is a city that can easily drive a visitor to overindulge. While you may have just conjured up images of partying on Bourbon Street, we are actually referring to all of the amazing dining options. With an almost innumerable list of restaurants, diners, and eateries, this city dishes up an overload of flavors. We found food Envie in the French Quarter to be a common occurrence. (Yes, we purposely played off of the misspelling.) A visit to Cafe Envie was an unexpected pleasure during our NOLA trip. Hidden in Plain Sight There is nothing quite like wandering the streets of the [...]

There are a variety of destinations that celebrate Carnival every year. Each has its own flavor, but New Orleans is the location that comes to mind when you hear the term Mardi Gras. Made up of about 16 days of parades and parties, this annual event has been referred to as the "Greatest Free Show on Earth". While there is no need for tickets, one should be prepared to fight the crowds for the attention of the Krewe members on the floats. We want to thank the Louisiana State Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. Party Central Visiting [...]

There are moments in time that capture the attention of an entire nation, and even the world. When Hurricane Katrina assaulted the gulf coast, many of us were glued to the news as the tragedy unfolded. The devastation it brought was unimaginable, as the Crescent City took a share of the storm's wrath. A visit to The Presbytère Museum tells the story of this event. What It also details is the resilience of New Orleans and its people. We would like to thank the Louisiana State Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.  A Storm is Brewing The hurricane [...]

It's hard to imagine that a market place has existed in New Orleans since 15 years after America claimed its independence. Ever since 1791, some form of market has resided just off the banks of the Mississippi River. It seems that almost every few decades would bring some type of change, but one thing stayed the same. People from all walks of life would visit the market to purchase or trade goods. These days you will find 5 blocks of fun in the New Orleans French Market. Escaping A Storm Our arrival was made by using the streetcar, which runs right next to [...]

No visit to New Orleans would be complete without seeing Jackson Square. This parklike setting is named for Andrew Jackson, who is considered one of the key heroes from the War of 1812. All around the square, you will find some of the oldest buildings in the city. To learn more about the early days of New Orleans, we dropped by the Cabildo for some historic education. We would like to thank the Louisiana State Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.  Seeing It Our Way The Cabildo has a history that is intertwined with the Crescent City. Built [...]

During our last trip to New Orleans, we made sure to set aside time to experience some of the historical sites in the French Quarter. The 1850 House is one of five museums organized by the Louisiana State Museum organization, in the Crescent City. While this attraction isn't a specific family's home, it is a good example of what would have been commonplace. This time period was the peak of life during Westward Expansion, and New Orleans was a bustling port city. We would like to thank the Louisiana State Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own. The [...]

New Orleans exudes history, which can be found around almost every corner. A visit to the French Quarter opens up a new realm of ages old buildings filled with unexpected treasures. The Gumbo Shop is one of those locations that has stories to tell, if you just take the time to listen. With a menu full of Creole dishes, you are sure to have a true Louisiana experience. While their name is an obvious clue, they also offer jambalaya, red beans with rice, etouffee, and po'boys. Why Visit Gumbo Shop The French Quarter is the oldest section of New Orleans. The building housing [...]