Adventures in the USA: New Orleans

I’ve been here a couple to times and although I didn’t love it the first time but the charm and history has grown on me.  I love the little alley ways and the old buildings. The food is pretty awesome too! It was a patriotic city to celebrate the Fourth in! Here are some of our favorites:

1. Stanley restaurant. I remember eating here years ago and it being a highlight and it was again this time. I had this awesome eggs Benedict with fried oysters that was just perfect. And I love that it’s on Jackson Square which is fun and always full of life!2. Audubon aquarium of the Americas. This is right along the river and is a great place to escape the hot, humid heat for a few hours!

3. Acme oysters. I’m sure there are a bunch of other great oyster places but someone recommend this and it did not disappoint.  Try the chargrilled (it took me forever to figure out what they were saying with their awesome accents) oysters the garlic sauce was amazing! Be prepared for a wait, when we left there was already a line down the street.

4. Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. We actually bought this with our aquarium ticket which made it less expensive and the kids loved it. It’s in the old historic customs house and has a huge display of all sorts of insects, the kids thought it was so cool! They have a room where butterflies freely room and even sometimes land on you.  They even have real bug treats that you can try.. eww!

5. Garden District. This is a collection of well preserved old mansions and beautiful gardens.  You can ride a cute little streetcar to this area.  My SIL got married in one of the mansions so this place has a special place in my heart.

6. Bayou Tour. You can’t go to New Orleans and not do a bayou tour. The kids saw over 30 alligators and were thrilled to go on a boat.  I linked the one we used but there are so many others.

7. Cafe Beignet.  There are a million places in New Orleans to get a beignet and I can’t pretend to be an expert (I like them but I don’t love them, don’t hate me). This is were we ate a few and got the full experience of New Orleans sitting outside listening to someone place the saxophone. This is what I love about New Orleans, it screams history and charm!

8. WWII museum. We didn’t actually make here on this trip but I had to add it because it was one of my favorite places I went last time.  I’m not sure my kids are ready to appreciate it but somewhere we will be stopping next time for sure!

9. Brennan’s restaurant. This is a little fancy for kids although we survived.  A beautiful old building with a courtyard with turtles in the water and delicious food.  Thank goodness it was my pretend birthday because I got the beautiful cotton candy ice cream dessert. 

10.  A couple other favorites and recommendations that we didn’t make it to this time: Pascal’s Manale restaurant, Mardi gras costume museum, Plantation tours, steamboat cruise, Canal Street and Bourbon street.

We stayed at the Hyatt Centric French Quarters which was close to Canal street and a lot of restaurants.  We had a huge beautiful room that opened to a courtyard and everything seemed new (which was nice but I almost liked our other hotel just because I love all the old buildings). This is close to some of the really nice hotels at a better price and was a little more quiet. We also stayed at the Royal Sonesta which is right on Bourbon street (it’s kinds loud and I wouldn’t come during Mardi Gras, just not my kinda thing) but easy walking distance to everything and so much charm. It has a beautiful courtyard, a jazz bar and a great restaurant called Desire.