Scenes From the Weekend: New Orleans Edition

I had an amazing birthday weekend! I've been all over the States and the world, but have never been to New Orleans. Seven hours later, my wish was granted. I didn't have high hopes, since I had heard plenty of negative things (e.g. it's dirty, full of drunken frat boys) and was pleasantly surprised. I loved my trip and New Orleans may now be my favorite US city! Come with me to New Orleans!

The first stop was the free ferry to see NOLA from a distance. That's the Mississippi River--the third largest in the world. The weather was perfect!

The food was great everywhere we went. Here's some fried alligator. Tastes like chicken!

Next were Cajun Donuts--one of the best things I've ever eaten!

One of the most famous streets! The cafe behind it is featured in the movie Benjamin Buttons. Yes, I sat there about 2am and had an amazing burger. The Location Finder was a phone app I used. 165 movies have been filmed here. It was great to track down locations from movies.

A little taste of Europe still left in the US.

I took a ghost tour and a bus tour. Both recommended! Here's St. Louis Cathedral....creepy at night.

This just makes me think of what I've seen on tv. Loved the Spanish architecture everywhere.

More beautiful scroll work

The live music I heard in the bars and on the streets was some of the most amazing music ever. 

You gotta ride one of these, right?

Pat O'Brien's, home of the Hurricane drink & where the older crowd can be found.

The famous Cornstalk fence.

Where we stayed--Hotel Le Cirque. The street cars weren't running so that sucked and having your window be a part of this light display sucked. But the trip was one of my fave ever. I'm going back.

One of the famous above-ground cemeteries. I'm using "famous" a lot in the post, sorry!

Cafe du Monde and a cafe au lait--you gotta try these big funnel cakes once. I liked the Cajun Donuts better.

 Remnants of Mardi Gras were everywhere. I didn't get any beads, thankyouverymuch! 

Car broke down 2 hr & 45 min from Atl in Montgomery, AL. NO rental cars were to be found, so luckily we have amazing friends that drove 1.5 hrs from another town to get us! It took two shifts to get back I had to pee on the side of the road (gross. i was desperate, ppl) & survived seeing a fight that turned to gunplay in front of a Piggly Wiggly. I was so glad to be home, even if it took 12 hours instead of 7. The car is great, btw.

I did my research by looking at every single New Orleans book I could find & taking notes. I also downloaded a New Orleans travel app on my phone. In a weekend I saw The French Market, rode the free ferry, took a ghost tour, took a bus tour, was convinced that every single NOLA resident is a Saints fan, walked up and down Bourbon street (and all over), saw where the Real Worlds were filmed, saw celeb houses, and ate amazing food (including seafood safely). I can give specific names of restaurants if desired.

Yes, I saw some Hurricane Katrina damage outside of the city but chose not to photograph it. I talked to survivors who wanted to honor that memory, thanked me for my patronage in their city, and wanted to move on. New Orleans is a place of hope and rebirth. These are some strong people and I loved being among them.

And that was my birthday trip to New Orleans! Have you ever been? Where would you recommend going there?
PS ENTER MY GIVEAWAY: http://ellesees.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaway.html