Ashley and I spent an amazing week in New Orleans in May. We fell in love with the culture, vibe, and rhythm of the city. By renting bicycles, we were able to travel beyond our hotel in the touristy French Quarter, and explore into the outer neighborhoods of the Garden District, Treme, Marigny, Bywater, and Upper and Lower 9th wards.
One of my favorite aspects of New Orleans was the lack of franchised restaurants and shops. Ashley and I ate at somewhere different for every meal (except for a second visit to The Joint, and for countless visits to Cafe Du Monde). From Po’ Boys at Cajun Joe’s in the Lower 9th Ward (which we ate on the porch at the House of Dance and Feathers), to roasted pork at Bacchanal Fine Wine and Spirits, to 2 orders of beignets and 2 cafe au laits at Cafe Du Monde, we mostly ate our way through New Orleans.
Besides great food, what really stood out was the great music. We chatted to locals at a dive bar while waiting to see Kermit Ruffins perform 2 feet away. We enjoyed the intimate feel of Preservation Hall so much that we went back twice. Most meals we ate were accompanied by live music.
I found the people of New Orleans to be friendly and open, laid back and accepting, but proud of their city and devoted to their culture.
Hippies Use Back Door, Vaughan's Lounge, New Orleans
Kermit Ruffins Vaughan's Lounge, New Orleans
