NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DAY 3

So it's day 3 in NOLA, and I've given up on trying to keep a chronological order....There's no way I can select just a few photos to fit all of day 3 in one post, so here's the first half of our day roaming around the French Quarter again, and finally making it to the French Market.

We leave the hotel and head down to the Quarter along the Riverfront. It's about a 30-minute walk along the Mississippi to the French Market, and we're enjoying taking in the sights - the aquarium, the barges, the steamboats, the cruise ships, the sculptures scattered throughout Woldenberg Riverfront Park - there's so much to see!

Audobon Aquarium of the Americas beside the Mississipi River Audobon Aquarium of the Americas beside the Mississipi River

A gorgeous morning walk along the Mississippi River A gorgeous morning walk along the Mississippi River

Monument to the Immigrants - white carrara marble statue at Woldenbert Park along the New Orleans Riverfront Monument to the Immigrants - white carrara marble statue at Woldenberg Park along the New Orleans Riverfront

Ticket centre for the Natchez, one o New Orleans' steamboats Ticket centre for the Natchez, one of New Orleans' steamboats

Strange but very cool statue - Old Man River, by Robert Schoen - along the riverfront Strange but very cool statue - Old Man River, by Robert Schoen - along the riverfront

Not sure what he's making - somewhere along the New Orleans riverfront Not sure what he's making - somewhere along the New Orleans riverfront

The Creole Queen - another New Orleans steamboat The Creole Queen - another New Orleans steamboat

Trolley along the riverfront Trolley along the riverfront

YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...

THE FRENCH MARKET
If you're like me and like markets, this one will not disappoint! It's not fancy schmancy or anything as the name would suggest to some, but it's definitely worth walking around and checking out. Entrance is at 1235 N Peters Street and the first section is the Farmer's Market, and it's here that you'll find both locals and tourists shopping for fresh local produce, meat (alligator meat!) and seafood, as well as spices, hot sauces, chicory coffee and other Creole and Cajun ingredients. Then you get into the flea-markety section that has all kinds of knick-knacks ranging from tacky to tasteful. If you're gonna buy something here, go for: spices, hot sauces and chicory coffee - prices are pretty reasonable.

Joan of Arc Statue in the French Quarter Joan of Arc Statue by the French Market Café

Folks taking in some shade and the sounds of a live jazz band Folks taking in some shade and the sounds of a live jazz band

My last must see in NOLA - the French Market My last must see in NOLA - the French Market

You've gotta come back with French Market or Café du Monde coffee - that chicory flavour is addictive! You've gotta come back with French Market or Café du Monde coffee - that chicory flavour is addictive!​

The only way to make popcorn cool, is to make it hot! The only way to make popcorn cool, is to make it hot!

The Old French Market is really old, actually the oldest public Market that still exists in USA as it stands there since 1791 The Old French Market is really old, actually the oldest public Market that still exists in US as it stands there since 1791

One of the many spots in NOLA to stock up on some hot sauces One of the many spots in NOLA to stock up on some hot sauces

Hmmmm...where to start? Hmmmm...where to start?

Soft shell crab po'boy, as gross as it looks, it's pretty damn good - just close your eyes and eat it! Soft shell crab po'boy, as gross as it looks, it's pretty damn good - just close your eyes and eat it!

Interesting crafts by local artists Interesting crafts by local artists

DO NOT Slap ya Mama DO NOT Slap ya Mama!

Pick something on the menu...... Pick something on the menu......

.....otherwise you'll end up on the menu! .....otherwise you'll end up on the menu!

YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...

THE FRENCH QUARTER (AGAIN!)
Yes again. I'm sure there's lots more to see outside of the Quarter, but I can't get enough of it. The architecture, the pastel-coloured buildings, the lacy, wrought iron balconies overflowing with flowers, the people......the LIFE. Enjoy the pics below, and just imagine yourself walking....at a slower pace, absorbing not only the sights, but the mouthwatering smells of Cajun-Creole cooking, and the sounds of blues and jazz flowing out of the clubs. This is the heart of New Orleans! 

More of that French Quarter prettiness More of that French Quarter prettiness

It's 10am - and this guy looks like he's finally done partying It's 10am - and this guy looks like he's finally done partying

Totally fascinated by all the wrought iron balcony railings Totally fascinated by all the wrought iron balcony railings

French Quarter - that photogenic appeal never goes away French Quarter - that photogenic appeal never goes away

It seems every building at French Quarter has a story to tell It seems every building at French Quarter has a story to tell

A French Quarter balcony - they frequently resemble a tropical garden teaming with ivy, begonias and ferns A French Quarter balcony - they frequently resemble a tropical garden teaming with ivy, begonias and ferns

Hotel Chateau - a beautifully restored 18th century mansion Hotel Chateau - a beautifully restored 18th century mansion

I have a thing for doors.... I have a thing for doors....

Old horse-head hitching posts that line the streets of the French Quarter Old horse-head hitching posts that line the streets of the French Quarter

A French Quarter balcony often serves as a means of expression for the peeps that live there A French Quarter balcony often serves as a means of expression for the peeps that live there

On Madison Street, looking at the St. Louis Cathedral On Madison Street, looking at the St. Louis Cathedral

NOLA French Quarter balconies - often described as lacy....I tend to agree NOLA French Quarter balconies - often described as lacy....I tend to agree

Most of the buildings in the French Quarter date to the times when the city was under French and Spanish rule Most of the buildings in the French Quarter date to the times when the city was under French and Spanish rule

Now flags from everywhere can be found Now flags from everywhere can be found

A world of narrow streets and historic houses A world of narrow streets and historic houses

Every corner bringsa whole new street to explore Every corner brings a whole new street to explore

I wonder what the qualifications are to work for Rev Zombie? I wonder what the qualifications are to work for Rev Zombie?

The exterior of Preservation Hall - located at 1750 St. Peter Street The exterior of Preservation Hall - located at 1750 St. Peter Street

Preservation Hall - it was established in 1961 to honour and protect New Orleans jazz Preservation Hall - it was established in 1961 to honour and protect New Orleans jazz

If you're like me, you'll appreciate the French Quarter a lot more during the day than at night... If you're like me, you'll appreciate the French Quarter a lot more during the day than at night...

I prefer gazing at the gorgeous buildings rather than staring into a beer cup I prefer gazing at the gorgeous buildings rather than staring into a beer cup

I much prefer Bourbon Street during the day I much prefer Bourbon Street during the day

Busy, but not as busy as it is at night Busy, but not as busy as it is at night

Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo located at 739 Bourbon Street Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo located at 739 Bourbon Street

My neck hurts from looking up all the time! My neck hurts from looking up all the time!

Photos taken | written by JENNIFER MAHON

LIKE THIS? YOU MIGHT WANNA CHECK THESE OUT:

• NEW ORLEANS: Voodoo - Trick or Treat?
• NEW ORLEANS: Blues, Blackened & Battered (Day 1)
• NEW ORLEANS: Blues, Blackened & Battered (Day 2)
• AMSTERDAM: More Than Just "Coffee Shops"