Photos taken | written by JENNIFER MAHON | This post was read 920 times

Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon Photography

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DAY 2

So there's no real plan for today. We let the girls sleep in as me and the hubs start the day with a trip to the hotel gym (gotta work off those beignets!). Then we all go and grab breakfast at the executive lounge and off we go into the scorching heat to explore N'Awlins some more.

We walk the 30 minutes up Canal Street, make a right on Basin Street to get to the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where the tomb of legendary voodoo queen Marie Laveau is. Seeing as my hubs has been here before, and friend of mine was here just last year, we were under the assumption that it's free to walk through and wander around. Not the case anymore! Seems you're only allowed in the cemetery with a licensed local guide, and the lowest priced tour is $25 US per person. Times that by 4 peeps = $100 US. Though this cemetery is on my "must see" list, the price is a bit too steep for my liking.

Streetcar stop right beside the Hilton, however, we never used!

Streetcar stop right beside the Hilton

Adler's on Canal Street

Adler's on Canal Street

Streetcar on Canal Street

Streetcar on Canal Street

No longer free to get into the cemetery here, you can only go with a local guide on a tour

No longer free to get into the cemetery here, you can only go with a local guide on a tour

YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...

BASIN ST. STATION
The guide at the cemetery gate was super friendly and didn't push us at all to go in, but instead gave us suggestions on what else to see in the area. So we take his advice and head to the Basin St. Station beside the cemetery - free to get into, plus the air-conditioning was welcome on this hot and humid day. This is a terrific place to learn some history on New Orleans, pick up some guide books, or even book a tour. There is an awesome miniature model of the city and well as a short film presentation and information about the rail line that once was there. There's also a reasonably priced gift shop and some decent snacks and coffee and water to fill up on before heading back out into the heat.

(sorry peeps, I seem to be having captioning issues on this particular post for some reason, so the rest don't have captions!)

Basin Street Station beside the cemetery and the Louis Armstrong Park

I'm looking....and I don'T see it! Ah, there it is

Super cute museum inside (and FREE!)

I wish 50 cents would get me that far nowadays

Souvenir shop inside Basin Street Station Cute, but a little bit pricey here

YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...

THE FRENCH QUARTER....AGAIN
When in NOLA everyone strolls through the French Quarter, most with a drink in their hand because you can buy them at almost any bar "to-go". I can't get tired of walking around here. Even in the unbearable heat, and even if you end up walking down the same streets over and over again, you're almost always gonna notice something new. I LOVE the whole area. The architecture of the buildings, the bars, the restaurants, the music and the people - did I mention how friendly folks in New Orleans are? Well, they are - southern hospitality at its best!

Back on Bourbon Street - not much happening here....yet.... Kind of looks like Sebastian from the Little Mermaid! Olde N'awlins Cookery on Bourbon Street Can't get enough of the beautiful buildings here - Rue Conti Royal Street Pedestrian Mall Rumored to be haunted, the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter Looks like we've crossed over to the aptly named Warehouse District

YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...

GARDEN DISTRICT
From the Quarter we take the St. Charles Street Trolley to get to the Garden District, cost is about $1.25 US per person, each way. The trolley passes by the CBD (Central Business District), the Audubon Zoological Gardens, Loyola and Tulane universities as well as dozens of beautiful antebellum mansions. A definite must in New Orleans - the quiet tree-lined streets with beautiful homes and gardens are a stark contrast to the condensed mess of Bourbon Street. This area is roughly 5 x 10 blocks and is worth the walk around to check out the beautiful-ness. We didn't see them, but we were told that this area is where the houses of Ann Rice, John Goodman and Susan Sarandon are.

MAGAZINE STREET
Totally by accident, we end up strolling down Magazine Street. Stretching from the Garden District to Uptown, this is the latest, somewhat trendy street for shopping and dining. Along this street, you'll find an eclectic mix of antique stores, art galleries, craft shops, restaurants, pubs....and on and on. Not a busy or exciting area, but it's here you'll find more of the locals hanging out.

On the Charles Street Trolley to check out the Garden District The gorgeous Garden District area with the beautiful Antebellum houses Houses on Chestnut Street > Garden District What I would give for a porch like this!

Time to digest by taking a walk in the rain down Magazine Street Magazine Street (iPhone photo!) Super cool fountain at The Bulldog on Magazine Street (photo taken with iPhone) This trendy street is full of shops, restaurants and interesting art galleries (photo taken with an iPhone) I wish I could've bought this!!!!! Have to try to find one....or make one maybe..? Some dude shucking oysters outside of a restaurant He put on a show for us.....wish I had thought to take a video! Again with the gorgeous style of houses here Porch with rocking chairs facing the action on Magazine Street (photo taken with an iPhone) Small, but beautifully landscaped front yard on Magazine Street Guess I gotta duck down to walk down here Beads are at the most random places here And here.... You can find almost any kind of store here Absolutely love Magazine Street, too bad it was raining so we didn't fully explore everything

YOU'VE GOTTA EAT AT...

MAHONY'S PO'BOY SHOP
The hubs has been raving about Po'Boys in New Orleans forever, so since we just happen to be right by it, right around lunch time, PLUS this place is on the Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives list, PLUS it's kinda got my last name, PLUS it's starting to rain like a byatch -  we just have to pop in to try it out. It's right on Magazine Street, in an unassuming spot - kind of looks like a house blending in with the others on the street.

So, some of you might be asking, "What the heck is a Po'Boy?" It's kind of like a sub, and you can pretty much put any kind of meat, poultry or seafood in it, usually breaded and/or fried, in a the most amazing French baguette-like bread - nice and crusty on the outside and super soft and fluffy on the inside.

The kids are boring and take a chicken Po'Boy each, the hubs takes an oyster one, and I almost wish I had gotten one, but I'm busy stuffing my face with a shrimp Po'Boy of my own - DELICIOUS. As for atmosphere and service, it ain't the Ritz, but it's a down to earth, cosy, family-friendly place, plus if it's good enough for Triple D, then it's good enough for me!

A Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives spot, plus it's got kind of my last name, so no choice but to check it out! A Mahon drinking their signature MAHONY cocktail It's root beer time for the kiddies Cheese fries.....omg so delish! My hubby's Softshell Crab Po'Boy My Shrimp Po'Boy Back to the hotel for a quick break from the heat and humidity before heading back out

YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...

RIVERWALK
I don't think it's actually called Riverwalk, but that's what I'm calling because we enter through "The Oulet Collection at Riverwalk", and because it makes sense.....you're walking.....by the river... From Canal Street, we walk all the way down to St. Peters Street, along the way, there's the outlet mall, some restaurants, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and of course, the Mississippi River accompanying you the entire way. A great place for a stroll along the river or sit on one of the many benches and watch the boats go by.

We end up back in the French Quarter.....the girls wanna see Bourbon Street again at night, and we find a resto we can all agree on, which turned out to be Bubba Gump. I have to admit to being a little pissed that I am in a city that is known for its unique cuisine and that I am eating at a chain restaurant (though this ended up being amazing). Me and hubs agree that tomorrow night, we will ditch the children and eat where we wanna eat.

After dinner, it's dessert time, and guess where? Café du Monde! 

Third day in New Orleans coming soon......

Walking back to the French Quarter, this time taking the Riverwalk The Mississippi River, not the prettiest looking water, but still cute Crescent City Connection bridge is looking a lot like the Pont Champlain Bronze man and boy statue, Woldenberg Riverfront Park Another Diners, Drive-ins & Dives spot, but too bad they're closed for dinner! Wanna learn to cook N'awlins style - head to this place for classes! Back to roaming around the French Quarter Every single street musician here is amazingly talented Back on Bourbon Street because the girls are fascinated by it Checking out the souvenirs, one of them is in search of a gris gris bag Since everyone's walking around with drinks, I may as well grab one too With night time approaching, everyone converges to Bourbon Street The Swamp on Bourbon Street - classic dive bar Dudes setting up for some kind live performance Turned out to be a pretty kick-ass performance That looks painful.... The back of the St. Louis Cathedral - tiny statue at the bottom with the right lights, makes for this haunting shadow The night is done, guess where we've ended up? Café du Monde! No sharing tonight, everyone gets their own! The night is done, guess where we've ended up? Café du Monde! No sharing tonight, everyone gets their own!

LIKE THIS? YOU MIGHT WANNA CHECK THESE OUT:

• NEW ORLEANS: Blues, Blackened & Battered (Day 1)
• NEW ORLEANS: Voodoo - Trick or Treat?
• NEW ORLEANS: The French Market & The Quarter
• NEW ORLEANS: Marigny, Louis Armstrong Park & Dreamie Weenies
• AMSTERDAM: More Than Just "Coffee Shops"