New Orleans Beyond Mardi Gras
\nBy: Suzanne Ferrara<\/p>\n
No matter who you are, New Orleans will capture your soul in an instant. It is truly a place like no other.<\/p>\n
It has its own language, oozes culture, charm, and is deep in 300 years of fascinating history. The Crescent City, which borders the mighty Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain, brims with some of the most genuinely friendly people you will ever encounter. It\u2019s no wonder that once you visit her, she\u2019ll hypnotize you and you\u2019ll never want to leave her warmth and grandeur. Know this: just one visit won\u2019t be enough to uncover the many awe-inspiring treasures Crescent City has to offer.<\/p>\n
Mardi Gras parades, hot jazz, King Cake, gumbo, and the iconic French Quarter\u2026the list of New Orleans\u2019 hallmarks is endless.<\/p>\n
One of the best ways to experience the French Quarter and other iconic areas of New Orleans is by carriage. Some of these mule-lead carriages have been in operation for nearly a century, and the \u2018buggy ride,\u2019 as many locals call it, is not just popular with tourists.<\/p>\n
Be sure to board one of New Orleans\u2019 Royal Carriages which offers six distinctive unforgettable journeys. In addition to the French Quarter\u2019s Vieux Carre\u2019 tour, these rides will bring you uptown to the Garden District (where you\u2019ll see the homes of movie stars) or perhaps the legendary oak-lined St. Charles Avenue with its breath-taking mansions.<\/p>\n
Plus, your city-licensed guide will hop off and give you a tour of the legendary St. Louis #1 Cemetery, the oldest above-ground cemetery in North America. You\u2019ll certainly get an earful of fascinating New Orleans history, and you\u2019ll see the storied streets of this great city at a leisurely pace, as if you were traveling in the 18th and 19th centuries. (Tip: Take a morning private ride and request John Cosentino for any tour).<\/p>\n
Another way to truly experience this rich city is by taking a cruise along the mighty Mississippi River aboard the historic Steamboat Natchez. The Natchez is one of the last, authentic, steam-powered paddle wheelers on the river, and you will get spectacular views you cannot see anywhere else. You can also tempt your taste buds with a sumptuous New Orleans-style lunch or dinner, all as you listen to live Dixieland jazz. Be sure to head to Natchez\u2019s third level bar where you can wet your whistle with the steamer\u2019s famous savory Bloody Mary.<\/p>\n
No visit to New Orleans is complete without dining at one of the many French-creole restaurants where the cuisine is derived from centuries of cultural culinary recipes.
\nHead to the legendary Antoine\u2019s Restaurant which is celebrating 175 years of service! Antoine\u2019s has been serving since 1840, and in that time celebrities, royalty, U.S. Presidents and even Pope John Paul II have enjoyed the superb cuisine. And how\u2019s this for history? Many of the waiters are ancestors of those who served here over a hundred years ago. (Be sure to request Charles, a fourth-generation waiter deeply rooted in the tradition of Antoine\u2019s). Ask for a private tour of the restaurant which includes a \u2018secret\u2019 room, and a peek at the legendary 165-foot long wine cellar that holds 25,000 bottles of wine.<\/p>\n
For appetizers be sure to try the delicious Pommes de Terre Souffl\u00e9s (Antoine\u2019s classic fried puff potatoes) or the Huitres en Coquille a la Rockefeller (Louisiana Gulf Oysters baked on a half shell with the original Rockefeller sauce created by Antoine\u2019s in 1889); then follow it with Pompano Pontchartrain (Grilled filet of pompano with lump crabmeat saut\u00e9ed in butter) and finish things with Antoine\u2019s famous Baked Alaska.<\/p>\n
Breakfast, lunch or dinner at Brennan\u2019s Restaurant on Royal Street is a must! This eatery has been a tradition since 1946. Sumptuous dishes such as Eggs Hussarde (a Brennan\u2019s original), Seafood File Gumbo, Brennan\u2019s Oyster Soup and New Orleans\u2019 classic Grouper Almondine are just a few items that will tempt your taste buds. Do not leave without finishing your meal with the famous Banana\u2019s Foster!<\/p>\n
Another dessert option is Caf\u00e9 Du Monde which at its French Market location, has been a New Orleans tradition since 1862. Enjoy mouthwatering beignets (a French style square donut covered in powdered sugar) and either a cup of dark roast coffee and chicory or a cup of Caf\u00e9 Au\u2019Lait (coffee mixed with half and half and hot milk).<\/p>\n
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, and you will be whisked away by the mesmerizing sounds of Dixieland. Some of the top choices to hear this authentic styled repartee are Fretzels European Jazz Club, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and the Maison Bourbon.<\/p>\n
New Orleans is full of a variety of museums extending from the French Quarter to downtown and midtown. The Presbytere, located next to the historic St. Louis Cathedral, has an elaborate collection of Mardi Gras artifacts and memorabilia, and offers an interactive exhibit will give you a realistic Mardi Gras experience.<\/p>\n
As everyone knows, the celebration never ends in this city! So head to the legendary Pat O\u2019Brien\u2019s where you can drink the legendary \u201cHurricane\u201d or visit the new 21st Amendment Bar at La Louisiane, which celebrates just that, the repeal of Prohibition.<\/p>\n
After all the sightseeing, you\u2019ll be ready to rest up for the next day. If you are looking for an historic French Quarter oasis, the Audubon Cottages will transport you to another place and time. This secluded hideaway surrounded by an 18th century brick enclosure and lush tropical gardens is a stone\u2019s throw away from all the action. It\u2019s hard to believe these \u201cFive Star Alliance\u201d accommodations are just one block away from Bourbon Street.<\/p>\n
There are seven cottages from which to choose, most with private courtyards, and all surround by what is believed to be the French Quarter\u2019s oldest in-ground swimming pool (heated), set in original brick. Audubon Cottages are named after famed painter and naturalist John James Audubon; he lived in cottage number one back in 1821, and finished part of his legendary \u201cBirds of America Series\u201d in cottage number seven. Modern-day celebrities have discovered this unique getaway, too: Elizabeth Taylor stayed in cottage number three 27 times!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to choose which cottage to reserve. All buildings have exposed historic brick, original wooden beams, and beautiful wooden floors; and most cottages include a living and dining room, an original fireplace, one or two bedrooms and a private courtyard. Number four is a two-story cottage with a balcony and spacious lush courtyard.<\/p>\n
Butlers assigned to each cottage (Ada is a gem and will make sure you have absolutely anything you desire), and complimentary cheeses, fruit, sweets and champagne are among the treats waiting for you. If that\u2019s not enough, Alfred Edwards, a true New Orleanian, aims to please and will whip up anything you desire for your complimentary breakfast.<\/p>\n
Another French Quarter lodging suggestion would be to stay at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. It’s been nearly two centuries, but amazingly, in this hotel stands the iconic Orleans Ballroom. It is there the aristocratic elite took part in decadent galas, balls and celebrations that were said to be the envy of Europe.<\/p>\n
This was also the site of the grandiose and controversial quadroon balls, during which married European noblemen and Creole aristocrats were paired with a mistress, a young creole with fair skin, adding to the mystique: the Bourbon Orleans is known as the most haunted hotel in New Orleans.<\/p>\n
Bourbon Orleans\u2019 guests can take part in a seasonal five-course candlelight period dinner with costumed reenactors portraying the most notable military leaders involved in the Battle of New Orleans. Enjoy similar historic meals which the Marquis de Lafayette and other European nobility ate in these very walls.<\/p>\n
To say that the Bourbon Orleans has a distinctive location is an understatement. Stand on the Bourbon Orleans\u2019 promenade balcony and turn to your left? You get a dramatic back view of the St. Louis Cathedral and the breath-taking basilica garden. Turn to your right? There\u2019s iconic, historic and exciting Bourbon Street.<\/p>\n
For luxury accommodations right outside the French Quarter, try the Windsor Court Hotel. And you don\u2019t have to be British Royalty or travel to Buckingham Palace to have this truly regal experience in New Orleans. Visitors might feel as if they\u2019re walking into England\u2019s Windsor Castle when they enter the Windsor Court Hotel. While the luxury hotel is dripping in British decor, it also has a warm and inviting feel.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no wonder visiting U.S. presidents, British royalty, movie actors and rock stars have called this hotel \u2018home\u2019. The AAA Four-Diamond, Forbes Four-Star designation has earned the hotel a plethora of prestigious awards and recognitions, including \u201cBest Hotel in the World\u201d from Travel and Leisure Magazine. The accommodations are impressive and meticulously decorated, and boast breath-taking panoramic views of the mighty Mississippi River or the Crescent City.<\/p>\n
Life\u2019s most celebrated events take place at the hotel\u2019s Grill Room, New Orleans\u2019 only four- star\/four diamond restaurant. Regional dishes with fresh local ingredients (done with a bit of a twist) reign, as Chef de Cuisine Daniel Causgrove tempt your taste buds with his exquisite culinary creations.<\/p>\n
Le Salon\u2019s afternoon tea, just off the lobby, is a must experience while in New Orleans. The finest brews are steeped, poured and accompanied by mouth-watering sandwiches, scones and an assortment of fine chocolates, and soothing melodies from a harpist or string-trio complete the experience.<\/p>\n
The Windsor Court\u2019s Polo Club Lounge has a feel reminiscent of a private club in England. Roger, a legend here, uses his mixology skills to create hand-crafted cocktails sure to wet your whistle. (Tip: Be sure to try his creation, \u2018Nicole\u2019).<\/p>\n
And don\u2019t forget the kids! New Orleans has a plethora of enjoyable experiences for the little ones and the kids at heart; a trip to the award-winning Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas, and the Insectarium will surely entertain the whole family. Whether you\u2019re on a romantic getaway, a guys\u2019 or girls\u2019 trip, or a family vacation, the alluring and fascinating Crescent City will capture your heart and soul.<\/p>\n
For more information go to: neworleanscvb.com<\/a>, neworleanscarriages.com<\/a>, neworleanshotelcollection.com<\/a> and the windsorcourthotel.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Orleans Beyond Mardi Gras By: Suzanne Ferrara No matter who you are, New Orleans will capture your soul in an instant. It is truly a place like no other. It has its own language, oozes culture, charm, and is deep in 300 years of fascinating history. The Crescent City, which borders the mighty Mississippi […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1617","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P8aPSh-q5","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nightwire.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nightwire.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nightwire.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nightwire.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nightwire.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1617"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nightwire.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1617\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1619,"href":"https:\/\/www.nightwire.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1617\/revisions\/1619"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nightwire.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}