As my impending departure from New Orleans loomed in the
middle of the summer, and reality sunk in that I would soon have to leave for
Washington DC, I began to realize how much I would miss the BigEasy. My mother
came to visit me in my last days, and as I began to organize all of the things
that I wanted to show her, I realized that there were still so many things that
I myself had not yet seen that I wanted to, and so many things that I wanted to
show her in the city that I had lived in and loved for the last 15 months. I
decided to make a list of sorts – to organize what I wanted to show her and
more importantly, where I wanted to take her to eat before I headed out to
Washington DC. I present before you now,
my version of a list that probably exists many other places on the web –but
this list is unique in that there are the top ten things that meant the most to
me while I was in New Orleans – and I offer it to you as a list of things you
may want to check out whether you are visiting or just staying for a weekend.
10. Touring
the Lower Garden District
As an avid dog walker, I couldn’t have picked a better area
to live than the Garden district. Walking through the streets at night with my
dog I admired the beautiful architecture that lined the streets, and the lights
that flickered from each doorway. The smell of the honeysuckle and the flowered
branches that had to be stepped around on the path made me remember that New
Orleans was much more than just Bourbon streets and parties all the time, it
really showed me how beautiful New Orleans was.
9. Touring
Mardi Gras World
Admittedly touristy, because my mother missed Mardi Gras by
about three months I decided to take her to Mardi Gras World, where all of the
floats are housed and where others are in the making year round. The sparkle
and pizazz contained within that warehouse is amazing, and because you are
allowed free-reign with your camera, touring Mardi Gras world gives you the
unique opportunity to take the pictures of floats that you probably missed
while trying to catch coconuts and shoes.
8 A visit
to the Lower Garden District Bookstore
Just one of many of the little shops located in the LGD, this
bookstore has an incredibly impressive collection of autographed books and the
book store owners seem to have a sixth sense if you ask them to help you pick
out a book. This store also has an entire section just on Louisiana culture and
food – a excellent resource for anyone who wants to get to know the state or
the city a little bit better!
7. A jaunt
through Audubon Park
Located uptown in one of the prettiest neighborhoods in New
Orleans, Audobon Park is one of the best places in town for a run, mostly
because the paved trail does not sport the oak tree roots and crooked sidewalk
panels that are found throughout the New Orleans sidewalks. Audobon is also the
place to go when you want to start a friendly game of Frisbee or kick ball –
I’ll miss my Tuesday/Thursday Ultimate group!
6. A visit
to City Bark – the only New Orleans Dog Park
Watching dogs play at City Bark was one of my favorite
pasttimes – and it was one of Casey’s (my dog) favorite pasttimes as well. Only
in City Bark can you see dogs jumping together like small children and romping
free, in the pool, in the agility area, or into the many mud holes around the
park. A wonderful place play, laugh, and meet other people whose crazy dogs
make you feel better about your own.
5. A ride
through the swamp
You can’t live in Louisiana without going to the Swamp! There
are many tours that take you through the Bayou and introduce you to the REAL
Swamp people (though don’t go there assuming that they all hunt Gators…they may
just leave you in the swamp). I never knew that Alligators had such a love for
marshmallows and hotdogs, and the swamp was definitely a wonderful place to see
them chow down!
4. Who Dat?
I dare anyone to live in New Orleans and NOT become a Saints
fan. I was lucky enough to make it to the Dome on one occasion – best day ever.
Those days I wasn’t able to go, I managed to make it to one of the many New
Orleans bars, where the “who dat” cheers are almost as deafening as they are in
the stadium. Even if you don’t love football, out of respect for the city that
loves them, turning out to a Saints game at the bars is a MUST.
3. FOOD,
FOOD, and more FOOD.
It is impossible to live in New Orleans and not be
overwhelmed by the amazing options for a culinary experience. One of my friends
put it best, when he said that one of the best things about New Orleans is that
anyone can take a falling down shack on a run down street, throw some great
paint on it, and wind up serving the best food in the city! I cannot even begin
to list my favorites, but I know the ones that I miss the most are Dat Dog,
Surreys, The Blue Plate Café, Tru Burger, and the Cooter Browns.
2. Art in
the Quarter
If you love art, then walking down Royal Street in the French
Quarter is an all day expedition. There you will find amazing hole in the wall boutiques
with unique paintings, as well as the Blue Dog made infamous by George
Rodrigue. Walk towards the Lake Pontchtrain and you will see paintings and caricatures
detailed by aspiring artists who paint on the sidewalk as you pass the
decorated gates of Jackson Square.
Wander up to the Garden District and you may
find Simon hiding somewhere on Jackson Street – just remember to Be Nice or
Leave! The Freret Street and Palmer Park fairs are also excellent places to
find trinkets, or to simply eat fish tacos and watch the Tubador. No matter
where you go in New Orleans, you cannot leave until you take a little piece of
New Orleans with you!
1. Walking
through the Big Easy
New Orleans may be the big easy, but it is easily accessible
by foot no matter where you may go! I loved the easy access to everything when
I lived in the Garden District, the bars, the hole in the wall grocery store –
I miss all of those things where I live today! The two mile walk to my school
never seemed that long to me, I was able to go through the Central Business
District and stare up at the huge skyscrapers and receive a 10 minute greeting
from whoever I may pass, not to mention the occasional hey baby.
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