World Traveling Feet New Orleans

Bourbon Street Wedding Second Line Parade

Living in Texas, I have been to Louisiana and New Orleans many times over the years. But my friends from California had never been - and for Felix's (Trish's brother) 40th bday we all went down to the Big Easy to celebrate the Big 40! In typical New Orleans fashion - there was good food, good drinks, good music, good times and good memories made!

Trip Highlights

I finally got the Bourbon Street balcony room at the Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter hotel! Yes - it is crazy loud at all times...yes you hear the "bucket drummers" ALL DAY LONG...but yes - it was fun for people watching in the evening as Bourbon street fills to capacity.

Bourbon St from our balcony

On our balcony

Street drummers

Trish and I made a quick pitstop at Pat O'Brien's for a drink and appetizer while waiting for our group to arrive.

Mint Julep

We had a great dinner on the patio at The Court of Two Sisters. Including a taste of the flaming banana foster!

Cheers!

Delicious dinner

Bananas foster!

Elizabeth's Cafe

The next morning we all met for brunch at Elizabeth's. A nice, reasonably priced, casual spot outside the French Quarter. And of course it shares my name, so it had to be good!

After brunch we decided to walk back via the scenic route in Crescent Park towards the AirBnb where everyone else was staying. Cool bridge, cool views and cool walking path to follow.

Pedestrian bridge over the train tracks

Enjoying the view from the top

New Orleans River

Doing a little stretching on our walk

Very excited about this - we stood in line (about an hour early) to get into the Preservation Jazz Hall show. So worth it!! Seriously - an experience you have to do at least once. The room they cram you all into was neat and the jazz members were authentic and funny. Not to mention the music was phenomenal! It's a short show - so even if you get standing room only, like we did, it is still worth it.

Waiting for Preservation Jazz Hall entry

So excited!

We're in!

EJ and Trish ready for some jazz

Preservation Jazz Hall

For Felix's birthday we wanted to have a nice dinner. I had been to Palace Cafe a couple times before and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice dinner in New Orleans. It did not disappoint! My recommendations - you have to get the Crabmeat Cheesecake as an appetizer, and get the Shrimp Tchefuncte for dinner. Crazy name - crazy delicious!!

Felix and Katie. Happy Birthday!!

The group at Palace Cafe

Shenanigans

And Bourbon Street - here we come! We definitely weren't wild and crazy like times spent in New Orleans in my 20s, but never the less we had a great time! Popped in a few bars, the guys took some shots and we all danced to burn off our dinner.

Bourbon St under construction

Bourbon Street is always crowded at night, but it was even worse this trip - as they had whole sections of the road torn up for construction. Made for extremely packed and slow walking in those areas.

EJ and David!

What are the chances! I was texting with my best friend David and he said he was heading to New Orleans with the guys that night. To which I replied - are you kidding...I'm in New Orleans! Needless to say we met up on Bourbon Street and had a fun mini-reunion over some drinks at the bar.

Did someone say Gumbo Festival?! Yep - had to try that one over in Louis Armstrong Park. Yum...