Friday in New Orleans

AUDUBON PARK/ ST. CHARLES STREET

Beginning my day I traveled back to Audubon Park- I wanted to see the beautiful homes on St. Charles Street up close. So I parked at the golf course and walked along the trail towards St. Charles Street. This street has been described as "The Jewel of America's Grand Avenues." The homes are just stunning!! Most completely white, many pillars, wrap around porches, and perfect landscaping. I also walked past Loyola University and Tulane- they are right next to one another and even share a parking garage. I am sure there is some huge rivalalry there too. Using my GPS to find these stunning houses I walked to the Wedding Cake House, a Victorian colonial-revival home dating back to 1896. Right next to the beautiful wedding cake home is a small side street- Rosa Park Street. Here there are about 12-14 homes all huge, white, with pillars and there is a small grass island in the middle that's perfect for playing fetch with your dog like one of the residents was doing when I walked the street. Also, blooming along the street are beautiful Japanese Magnolia trees. 

 

St. Charles Street

 

  

 Loyola University

  

 Wedding Cake House

  

Rosa Park Street

 

Japanese Magnolia Blossoms

 

 Audubon Park

FRENCH QUARTER

Next I made my back to the French Quarter hoping to tour some of the homes there. First stop at Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral. Originally built in 1727 and dedicated to King Louis IX of France ,the cathedral is oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the USA. The current building was completed in 1850s due to a fire that burnt the cathedral to the ground. 

Also, I toured the 1850 house. This home recreates the Creole middle-class life during a great period of prosperity for the city of New Orleans.

Then over to the Beauregard-Keyes Home- just stunning!  Built in 1826 and named after two famous New Orleans residents. Confederate General Beauregard and author Frances Parkinson Keyes. There are over 200 dolls that are from the collection of Mrs. Keyes as well as over 80 tea pots. 

 

  

 

Walked along the Mississippi River to the IMAX to watch Hurricane on the Bayou (it was free with the purchase of my zoo, aquarium, insectarium tickets). It was a great showing of the wetlands, impact of Hurricane Katrina on the coast, and people who are trying to save the wetlands.   

 

 

Then I made my way to a food court at JAX brewing for a snack
- shrimp and fries :)

TOURS BOOKED!

After the IMAX showing I walked back towards the French Quarter stopping off at a tour booth. I booked a tour for the morning and afternoon. A full day of touring the city of New Orleans. Swamp boat tour departs at 8am and returns at 12:45pm. Then a short break for lunch until the city/ cemetery bus tour that begins at 2:30 and finishes at 6pm. I was super excited about both my tours!!!!

AQUARIUM OF THE AMERICAS

Realizing that most of my day would be taken due to the tours on Saturday, I walked back towards the IMAX to tour the Aquarium of the Americas. I must say that it is a great display and has lots of educational features but when compared to the Monterey Bay Aquarium it just doesn't. I really enjoyed the Gulf Coast of Mexico fish tank with the sea turtle, sharks and tons of fish. Also, like the zoo, there is a Louisiana swamp section with a white alligator. There is a sting ray touch pool which was neat!! Sea Otter exhibit but they were off exhibit when I was there. And the last exhibit was the jellies- which I think are my favorite. I was kinda expecting it to be the same as Monterey but it was totally not! They did have a small sea nettle and a few small moon jellies but nothing in magnitude to California. 

 

 

 

FRENCH MARKET

After completing my tour of the Aquarium of the Americas I walked back to the French Quarter and found the French Market! Listened to a live jazz band play and wandered through a few shops. Went to Margarita-ville for the perfect margarita and a snack. 

 

 

BOURBON STREET

Wandered the streets of the French Quarter taking many pictures along the way. Bourbon street at night is mostly just bars and strip clubs and being that I was traveling alone I tried to avoid that street once the sun went down. However, starting at 2-3pm the bars are all open with their neon ights beaming so the drinking begins rather early or actually I think it never ends. 

CAFE DU MONDE

The lines had faded and I headed to Cafe Du Monde for some beignets. The menu here is very simple- coffee, hot chocolate, beignets. I found a table and placed my order. Soon a plate full of hot beignets covered in powdered sugar arrived!! They are kinda a mix between donuts and funnel cake but way better (I know that is a horrible comparison but it will have to do). 

 

 

As I sat in the cafe rain began to sprinkle along to streets and umbrellas emerged. After finishing my beignets I decided with my early start tomorrow and the weather I would call it a day!