Jimmy & Beth
Things To Do
Cafe Du Monde
The Original Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand was established in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market. The Cafe is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It closes only on Christmas Day and on the day an occasional Hurricane passes too close to New Orleans. The Original Cafe Du Monde is a traditional coffee shop. Its menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The coffee is served Black or Au Lait. Au Lait means that it is mixed half and half with hot milk. Beignets are square French -style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar. In 1988 Iced Coffee was introduced to the cafe. Soft drinks also made their debut that year.
French Quarter
If you want to experience New Orleans properly, it's best to begin your tour here. Recent visitors said the neighborhood is lively, with lots to do and see and offers a one-of-a-kind experience. The neighborhood, also known as Vieux Carré, is the heart and soul of this city, and it's also a National Historic Landmark. As the site of the original New Orleans colony (established by the French in 1718), the French Quarter has held on to its heritage, complete with street names that are still listed in French. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets to find such attractions as Jackson Square, Faulkner House Books and the Cabildo. While you're strolling, pay attention to the neighborhood's architecture: balconies are designed with baroque ironwork and hanging plants, while leafy courtyards are filled with bubbling fountains. The scene is definitely charming, but it can also be expensive if you choose to stay at any of the French Quarter's hotels.
New Orleans Airboat Tours, LLC
New Orleans Airboat Tours: Visitors say shuttle service with New Orleans Airboat Tours is hit or miss, but many rave about its informative, entertaining tours. Each airboat excursion lasts nearly two hours and gives you an up-close look at wild alligators. You may even get the chance to hold a baby gator at the end of your ride. Tickets range from $65 to $105 per person (depending on the boat and whether or not transfers are included) and are sold through the Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours website.
Cemetery Tours
The best (and safest) way to see New Orleans' famous cemeteries is to tag along on a guided tour provided by Save Our Cemeteries, a group dedicated to the preservation of New Orleans' sacred burial grounds. Recent tour-goers say the guide are passionate and you'll learn a lot. Tour times, prices and departure points vary depending on the type of cemetery you choose to tour, but generally tours last a little more than an hour and cost $15 to $45 per person. For more information, check out the Save Our Cemeteries website.
St Louis Cathedral
As the centerpiece of the French Quarter, St. Louis Cathedral is one of New Orleans' most recognizable landmarks. The oldest cathedral in North America, St. Louis Cathedral was originally built in the early 1700s. The structure standing today is actually the third cathedral built on this spot, since the first two were destroyed. Religious services are still held here, as well as numerous cultural events, including free concerts. Reachable via the Riverfront Streetcar to the Dumaine Station, The St. Louis Cathedral is free and open to the public every day from at 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can purchase a brochure for a self-guided tour for $1 at the entrance, or you can join a guided tour. Tours are led by volunteer docents and are available upon request. For more information about upcoming events and the cathedral's far-reaching history, visit the St. Louis Cathedral website.
The National WWII Museum
Located on Magazine Street in the Warehouse District, the National World War II museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission costs $27 for adults and $17.50 for students and children ages 5 to 12. World War II veterans receive free admission. Keep in mind, entry to the Victory Theater and certain exhibits costs extra. The museum recommends setting aside at least three hours to see all of the exhibits, though recent visitors said you'll need much more than that to fully appreciate all of the texts, artifacts and testimonials on display here. If you don't have the chance to see everything in one day, you can return the next day with your ticket and only pay an additional $6
Bourbon Street
Noisy. Raucous. Nocturnal. For many New Orleans visitors, Bourbon Street embodies the life of a party town. The street is lit by neon lights, throbbing with music and decorated by beads and balconies. Named for a royal family in France and not the amber-colored alcohol, Bourbon Street has become a place for revelry of all sorts. With its windows and doors flung open to the wandering crowds, it should be no surprise that the famed sidewalk strolling libation known as the “go cup” was invented on Bourbon Street, according to Tulane University historian Richard Campanella. Many things change in New Orleans, but the color and excitement of Bourbon Street never falters.