We finally made it to New Orleans!
Last year we planned to stop at the Big Easy on our way from Florida to Texas, but our plans were foiled by freezing weather and closed interstates. By the time the roads opened (and after we’d spent three shivering days in Theodore, Alabama) we had to bypass NOLA and hightail it to Texas for a church meeting.
But this year things worked out great! We pulled into beautiful Bayou Signet State Park and headed out to explore.
Now, if you’ve been following us for long, you know that we are not “party animals,” so hitting all of the bars on Bourbon Street wasn’t even a remote interest. But, as we discovered, New Orleans has SO much more to offer.
Our first day was spent on a “French Quarter Stroll” with Two Chicks Walking Tours. At $24.99 each, it was well worth the investment of time and money as we were introduced to the history, architecture, culture, and cuisine of the city at a leisurely pace with an expert guide. Tours like this, whether on foot or by trolley, are a great way to get acclimated to any new city, and this one was a blast! Our guide was full of great recommendations and fascinating stories.
The next day we decided to visit the National World War II Museum. This is an extraordinary museum that walks you through the events leading up to the war, the various theaters of battle, and the aftermath—using films, dioramas, and personal accounts from the men and women who lived through this awful chapter of history. World War II may not be what comes to mind when you think of New Orleans, but this museum should be high on your list of MUST VISIT destinations when you are in the area.
Come to New Orleans expecting great food, music on every other street corner, beautiful sights, and an all-around good time. There’s so much more than Mardi Gras! “Let the good times roll!”