A day in New Orleans

A Day in New Orleans

We were leaving on a cruise from New Orleans and we only had one full day to see the sites.  We have been a few other times and didn't want to spend the entire day in the French Quarter.  Thankfully, my sister has a friend that lives in the area and sent us a list of things to consider!

1.  Our first stop was the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery Visitor Center.  There was no charge.  This site is about 6 miles from the French Quarter.

This is the site of the January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans.

The 100 foot high obelisk that honors the troops of the Battle of New Orleans. There are 122 stairs to the top which has a viewing platform.

 

The boys climbed all 122 stairs to the top.

The property borders on the Mississippi River.

Malus-Beauregard House

It is also home to the Chalmette National Cemetery.  The Cemetery was established in 1864 as a final resting place for Union Soldiers who died in Louisiana during the Civil War. There are more than 14,000 headstones of Veterans of the Spanish-American War, WWI and II, and the Vietnam War.  There are four Veterans who fought in the War of 1812 buried at this site, as well.

They had a Junior Ranger program for the kids.  Even big kids are participate.

2.  Our second stop was a bit unplanned.  Someone in the car mentioned that a TV show was filmed in New Orleans and you could visit it.  I looked it up and it was less than a mile from our location.  We went to the Villalobos Rescue Center.  There was no charge to enter but it could be a long wait.  We waited in line for over an hour.  We were there just after 11am when they opened. 

If you are not familiar with the show it is about parolees getting a second chance. They come to work at the Center and help take care of the pit bulls that have been abandoned.  We were able to tour the facility and meet several dogs.  They house more dogs then just Pit bulls now.

Posing outside the facility. They were pretty excited to go on the tour.

3.  The next stop was actually listed on the internet as a place to see.  This is the Lower 9th Ward Living Museum.  Sadly it isn't much a museum but there was some interesting pictures and videos.  Looking around at all of the green space it puts into persoective what happened here.

The guide in the museum stated there were houses all around them and when the levy broke there was 22 feet of water.  Its very sad to look around and see how little is left.

4.  Our drive took us through the Lower 9th Ward.  We were able to see many of the new houses that are being built.

We also were able to see the site of the levy break.  It is very hard to imagine the destruction and death that occurred here.

5.  Central Market in the French Quarter for a Muffaletta.   They were good.  I am not a fan of olives but I got mine with the olive spread and it was good.   Very tasty.

6.  No stop to New Orleans is complete without a trip around the French Quarter.  We walked along Bourbon Street and all around the area.

We even ran into a funeral parade.

7.  The St. Charles Ave Streetcar. We weren't really sure what to expect. We got on a Canal Street and rode all the way to the end.  It was $1.25 each way.  It was about 45 minutes each way.  It was a nice ride and we were able to see a lot.  It would have been great if there would have been information about what we were seeing.

This was one of many older homes that were stunning.

Hanging out of the Streetcar checking out the view.

The Robert E. Lee Monument at Lee Circle on St. Charles Ave.

8.  After we ended the Street car ride it was dusk and we had never been on Bourbon Street in the Evening.

The kids had a ball.  People we throwing beads, there were drunk people everywhere.  It was loud and lots of fun.

9.  No trip is complete to New Orleans without a stop by St. Louis Cathedral.  It was Holy Saturday while we were there.  We were able to walk inside as they were preparing for Mass. It was stunning.

St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest Cathedral in the United States.

10.  You must have a beignet while in New Orleans.  We have been to Café Du Monde before so we decided to try the New Orleans  Famous Beignets and Coffee this time.

We loved the square beignets. They were so good.  We tried a Pig-Nay and WOW...That is all I can say. It was amazing.

New Orleans is a great place to have a Cruise port.  It is a neat city with a lot of history.  If you ever get the chance to go make sure you get out and see some of the amazing things in and around the city.