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Planning Our Trip

Visiting New Orleans – The Big Easy, has been on my bucket list since I wrote one as a teen.  When Miss Bee and I were invited to tag along with friends Tracey and Amanda on their spring break vacation I was thrilled.  Three women and a teen, the odds of enjoying this trip were sure to be in my favor. Not only has Tracey known Miss Bee since birth both women experience with FASD.  

Our Unique Air BNB

We opted to stay in a multiple bedroom Air BNB instead of a hotel. This turned out to be a great choice. We had the use of a full kitchen. This enabled Miss Bee to graze anytime she liked and I had could deal with her “moments” in our own private bedroom. New Orleans is hot and humid even in March. We packed ice water and snacks in an insulated lunch box that I brought from home. Having food at the ready helped to head off “hangry”. We had more time and freedom to enjoy our daily adventures with some flexibility to meal breaks.

Our apartment was above a bar. We did not know the only way to the apartment was through the bar. Drinking on the streets is legal in New Orleans however, a teen walking through a bar was a big no-no. We let the proprietor know a minor was in our party but somehow this was overlooked when our reservation was accepted. The manager came up with a solution. One of us adults ran inside the bar out to the patio and opened a side gate. Miss Bee scurried through the patio and up to our place. She loved our clandestine entry procedure.

Stocking Up on Supplies

Our first stop in this grand city was to Costco to stock up on snacks, fruit, and basic breakfast items. Miss Bee is an early riser. She enjoyed early morning snacks to tide her over. We enjoyed leisurely breakfasts in a restaurant. New Orleans is a foodie paradise and we sure ate our way through the city. We enjoyed late-night billion calorie leftover binges.

The Marigny 

Our Air BNB was located in the Marigny neighborhood next to the French Quarter. This was in an ideal location due to the close proximity to public transportation. One of the streetcar lines ended a block away from our Air BNB. We began our day on an empty streetcar. The streetcars are so efficient and cost-effective we only used our rental car when we left the city. The crowds grew with each stop but the gradual intensity prevented sensory overload. As our days progressed, Miss Bee adapted to the crowds. Riding the streetcars was a step back in history and enabled us to take in the sights.

Guided City Tour – A Great Introduction

Based on years of traveling, I have learned to begin the first day taking a guided city tour. This ideal for my family. Tours give the adults an opportunity to figure out the lay of the land. The children enjoy the sights in an air-conditioned coach skipping tons of walking. Mac has always considered riding various modes of transportation the highlight of every trip.

When it became a challenge for Miss Bee to keep up with our tour guide’s interesting commentary, she listened to music. I thoroughly enjoyed every word without a single “I’m bored”! We selected a Gray Lines Super City Tour. Our tour was packed with interesting city history and we enjoyed the incredible architecture.

Famous Above-Ground Crypts

We visited one of the world-famous above-ground cemeteries. Now I know how so many family members are interred in one family crypt that was often erected in the 18th century. Take a tour if you want to hear the details! It is kinda gross.

City Park

A significant tract of land was set aside as green space when the city was designed. Today, this land is City Park. We had our first taste of beignets in this lovely park. They are as delicious as I heard and then some! We also enjoyed the sculptures and a bike ride in this park.

Lakeside

We drove along Lake Pontchartrain and learned about earthen and engineered levies. The earthen levees beside the Mighty Mississippi River did their job during Hurricane Katrina. The engineered levees along the lake breached into the 9th Ward and throughout most of the city. The water line from the flood is still visible on buildings and signs today.

We learned that Irish Immigrants played a significant role in the construction of the city especially the canals. The architecture in the French Quarter is beautiful and the homes are painted in bright colors. So many cultures and religions thrive in this melting pot. Now I know the difference between Creole and Cajun.

Food, Glorious, Delicious, New Orleans Style Food

Everything you have read about the food in New Orleans is tastily true and then some. Between the four of us, I believe we tried almost every delicacy New Orleans is famous for (except gator). Miss Bee especially enjoyed partaking in photographing our food (aka food porn). We tried pralines at Tee-Eva’s Old Fashioned Pies and Pralines and this was one of my favorite visits. The original proprietor Miss Tee-Eva happened to be working that day. Her granddaughter runs the business now because Miss Tee-Eva is well into her 80’s. She regaled us with stories of her youth and the humble beginnings of her business. Of course, we enjoyed beignets from the world-famous Cafe Du Monde.

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Breakfast was the most delicious meal of the day. Beignets are made differently at each restaurant and bakery and one of the most delicious breakfast sandwiches I have ever eaten was a bacon, egg, and cheese on a flaky beignet from Loretta’s Authentic Pralines. We also enjoyed our breakfast at The Ruby Slipper Cafe. We tried everything from po’ boys and shrimp and grits to jambalaya, and it was all delicious.

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Plantation Tours

We spent a day outside the city touring three plantations located along the Mississippi River. We visited San Francisco, Laura, and Whitney. Each is unique with beautiful, stately mansions but amongst the beauty lies their devastating history. Most of the original slave quarters have not stood the test of time however, replicas stand in their place.

The plantations surrounding New Orleans grew sugar cane. The Laura Plantation was owned by a Creole woman. The Whitney Plantation is a different experience because the tour focused on the lives of the slaves. They are memorialized by name on the property. The other plantations focused on the lives of the owners. I was hesitant to visit Whitney at first with Miss Bee. Although she was 15 she functions at the level of an 8-year-old. The level of detail about this tragic history did overwhelm her at times. When this occurred she slipped in earbuds and listened to music.

 Swamp Tour

One of the most fun and interesting things we did in New Orleans was a boat tour of the swamp. Who knew that alligators could be so fascinating! This cost-friendly adventure was “the” highlight of our trip. We drove twenty minutes outside of the City to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Our hosts were the Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour. Tracey and Miss Bee got up close and personal with a baby alligator, I took pictures, and this was close enough. We learned about the history of the Bayous and our guide was funny and informative.

National World War II Museum

We accomplished lots of great activities during our vacation to New Orleans including the National World War II Museum. I knew the museum would not be Miss Bee’s cup of tea. She got to pick anything she wanted to do if she gave me the chance to enjoy the museum. Bargaining chips are a good thing. I planned her activity the day after the museum and this was right in the middle of the trip. She did not have to wait until the end. I knew I would only have a couple of hours at the museum before boredom set in. Tracey and Amanda took her with them and I got to wander around the exhibits alone – a treat.

City Park Bike Ride

I had to put my money where my mouth was and ride bikes around City Park WITH Miss Bee. We had fun, quality time pedaling around the beautiful park and laughing about our sore backsides.  There are many types of bikes available for rent in the park.

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The City of Parades

We enjoyed one of the three Easter Parades in the French Quarter and collected lots of traditional bead necklaces. There are parades for just about every holiday.  The jazz musicians and festive participants are wonderful.

Architectural Delights of New Orleans

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The Big Easy 

There is something for everyone in New Orleans. With some advance planning and traveling with understanding friends, this city was a wonderful vacation destination. Check out the countless Groupon offers available for discounts on coach tours, restaurants, and museums as you plan your trip to this delightful southern city.