New Orleans Round 2

Flashback to my previous blog, I discussed celebrating my birthday in New Orleans just prior to COVID-19 ravaging through the United States. I hadn’t any idea that once I arrived in the city that I would encounter foreshadowing of the pandemic through nightly curfews, the closing of businesses/jobs, and other sad, inexplicable losses. New Orleans, and later the entire world, was shifting into a total lockdown. As the next year approached, I settled on going back to New Orleans because it was unbelievably easy to access. I could do it safely while restrictions were lifted, rent a car, use my previous road trip map and itinerary, and stay in a secluded rental property. My plan was perfect.

The streets were crawling with eager tourists and locals. It was as if the city was saying “the show must go on”, which was a stark difference from the air of uncertainty and paranoia that consumed it the previous year. I was captivated by it and followed through with my first mission in repairing my fractured relationship with the city by visiting the Artmazing Selfie Gallery. The Artmazing Selfie Gallery is a thirteen room, colorful display of themes for taking selfies. Pretty self explanatory, right? I’m that friend that stands patiently to the side watching and waiting while others get hype during a faux photo shoot. So, this was my way of being present while challenging myself to make memories through photos and videos. It was a success.

Next on the agenda was the highly anticipated Heard Dat Kitchen. In my opinion, the “order at the window” vibe of Heard Dat Kitchen owned by Chef Jeffery Heard is one of the best places I’ve eaten in New Orleans because of the buttery, warm bread pudding. This time around instead of ordering the Bourbon Street Love, fried chicken over macaroni and cheese with a side of potato salad, I ordered the Mardi Gras Mambo. The well-seasoned fried fish over macaroni and cheese in a crawfish sauce was like tasting a piece of heaven.

I ended the night on Bourbon Street with a Hurricane slushy in hand observing the madness and people watching. For a few moments, while walking around double-masked, it seemed like the perfect combination after missing out last year. But, it didn’t take long for me to realize that less than an hour surrounded by the “heavier than usual” Bourbon Street crowd was enough. If you’ve ever been in the French Quarter at certain times of year, you know what I’m talking about. It was time to retreat to the rental property and stay away from crowds for the rest of the trip. I was more than satisfied and my mission was complete.

That first day in New Orleans set the stage for what would truly be making peace with what I thought I missed out on in the previous year. That nagging feeling to give the city a second chance dissipated and I became secure in the fact that seeing the Mardi Gras Indians would happen in time. I could always come back. So, with that in mind, I won’t bore you with any more lengthy descriptions of my time in New Orleans. If you’re interested, I’ve listed more attractions below that are worth seeing if you’re ever in the city.

New Orleans Suggested Activities and Restaurants

Recommended Activities

1. New Orleans Jazz Museum

Description: The New Orleans Jazz Museum is a multi-floor exhibit containing photographs, art, and artifacts detailing the intertwined history of jazz and New Orleans. Some of the exhibits are interactive and pay homage to notable musicians/jazz figures. I recommend this museum because it is a quick way to get educated on the intricate relationship between jazz, music as a whole, and New Orleans.

2. Mardi Gras World

Description: A warehouse filled with a gift shop, large-scale floats, figures, and pieces that are used during the Mardi Gras parades. There are small workshop areas where float pieces are built that can be viewed during private or self-tours. I recommend Mardi Gras World for those who want to immerse themselves in one piece of Mardi Gras if the parade is not accessible.

3. Whitney Plantation

Description: A plantation located outside of New Orleans that is commemorative and speaks from the perspective of the enslaved. Due to Covid restrictions, the guided tour was changed to an interactive walk through audio tour via the Whitney Plantation app. The audio tour was easy, flowed well, and was incredibly educational. This tour is recommended because, while New Orleans provides a good party, it is important to acknowledge its history in being one of the largest slave markets in the United States.

4. Gallery Cayenne (Shakor Art Gallery)

Description: Nestled across from Jackson Square in the French Quarter is the Gallery Cayenne that houses large and small scale works by The Artist Shakor (B. Cameron White). Gallery Cayenne is my personal favorite because it is reminiscent of Ernie Barnes and his style, subjects, and color palettes captivate me.

5. Activity: New Orleans Botanical Garden and City Park

Description: New Orleans Botanical Gardens sits inside City Park amongst other attractions (an amusement park, children’s park, etc.). There wasn’t much to see as the gardens weren’t in full bloom, but City Park didn’t disappoint. City Park is one of the oldest parks in the country with beautiful open skies, greenery, giant oak trees, and palm trees. City Park is recommended because it is a calming escape from the usual tourist activities in New Orleans.

6. Activity: Natchez Steamboat River Cruise

Description: A two-hour cruise down the Mississippi River on the Steamboat Natchez. The cruise offered sightseeing only, lunch/dinner, or Sunday brunch packages with a live jazz band. If you’re looking to experience a riverboat cruise, I recommend booking during the day for sightseeing purposes only.

Recommended Restaurants/Eateries

1. Activity: Dookey Chase’s Restaurant

Description: Dookey Chase’s Restaurant is a historic staple in the Treme neighborhood serving up the creole dishes of Chef Leah Chase. The restaurant has seen the likes of political, entertainment, and civil rights members. I recommend the restaurant because it provided a piece of history in the form of dressy casual family-owned dining with great food and excellent service. Chef Leah Chase and her family’s contribution to the community can be seen, heard, and felt throughout the restaurant.

2. Activity: Cafe Beignet (Royal Street)

Description: Although Café Du Monde is the most famous place to get beignets in New Orleans, I recommend Cafe Beignet. The fluffy, light beignets are topped with powdered sugar and the ambience of the cafe has old-world European mixed with New Orleans charm. While the Decatur Street location offers French windows and doors, the Royal Street location is my favorite because of its quaint, old-world feel.

3. Activity: Sobou’s Burlesque Brunch Legs & Eggs

Description: Sobou’s Legs & Eggs brunch serves up a two or three-course meal while Bella Blue, an experienced and local burlesque dancer, performs. Bella Blue is personal, friendly, and interacts with you while you dine. This brunch is for the traveler who wants to see a burlesque show in a relaxed environment while other shows are closed due to Covid.

Drea'February 20, 2023