New Orleans

My favorite city in the United States

New Orleans. Nawlins. NOLA. Crescent City.

Whatever you may call it, I call it my favorite city.

This boot-shaped state seeps with French influences. From the music, to the top-tier party scene, from the food down, to the art and history; this city is exquisite in every way.

Culture Rich

The center of the French Quarter, in the Plaza d Armas, is filled with artists of all mediums. Caricaturists, painters, musicians, street dancers, magicians, jugglers, and of course, fortune tellers.

Since the 19th century, this center has been a popular destination for those near and far. It is not uncommon to find artists here that have traveled from other countries just for the chance to come to showcase their talents.

Places To Eat:

Mr. B’s Bistro & Bar: Cajun & Creole Cuisine. The menu is authentic through and through, nothing gets better than this. The restaurant is more of a fine-dining spot though casual wear is allowed. $$$
Cornet: Cajun & Creole Cuisine. Cornet is right on the corner of Bourbon Street, in the heart of the French Quarter, so you have a chance to dine while being surrounded by the life that vibrates through the street. I love this place for the oysters and fried alligators. We ate here for a late lunch before taking our swamp tour. $$
Cafe de Monde: this place needs no introduction. The BEST beignets ever!! And cafe au lair. This cafe always has a long line. Make sure you plan that ahead. Being in the French Quarter, it is easy to find something to do while waiting. $
Po’boys: Okay, yes, this isn’t a specific place, but anywhere you can purchase one, do so. They are amazing. It is an absolute must-try when visiting. There is such a variety of what you can get; shrimp, catfish, oyster, and alligator are all on the menu. We went back to Mr. B’s to grab ours, at one point, I went for the catfish. $

Saint Louis Cemetery no. 1

The Queen of Voodoo

Marie Laveau is buried here in the 1st cemetery. The Queen of Voodoo attracts travelers from every corner of the world. Many come to bring her offering and some still believe that she is able to perform even in death.
Oven Vaults or Wall Vaults

As shown by the bottom row, in this photo and the next photo, the tombs sink over time into the ground. The bricks & concrete are used in efforts to prevent the lifting of coffins during flooding.
"a year and a day"

Something that is unique to New Orleans is that there is such limited space for plots to be made that instead, bodies are only kept in each space for one year and one day. After that, the remains get pushed to the back to make room for another body to enter.
Would you believe that this is Nicholas Cage’s stark white pyramid?

This unmarked tomb was built in the already cramped Cemetary No. 1. Naturally, this made locals upset that this structure forced the removal of other burial sites. Rumor is Nicholas purchased this to combat his perceived curse for owning LaLaurie's mansion, and he feels like being next to Marie Laveau will un-curse him.
Lily Flower

The Fleur de Lis is a French contribution to the states of Louisiana after the French colonization of America. Literally meaning the “lily flower,” it is easy to see its influence across the state. Here in the cemetery, it lines the fences, out on the streets of the city, it’s engraved into the trashcans.
Family Ties

Entire families can be laid to rest together in a in familial tombs like this one here. As you can see, not all of the white plates have names on them, these are standing placeholders for the family members who are still living.
sally is looking for her seashells

Seashells cover the grounds of the cemetery as a result of Katrina. With the ocean water flooding in, came the seashells that stayed as the water retreated got trapped within the four walls.
Tilting Tombs

Things in New Orleans are not sitting level to the ground. The reason for this is that the floor is constantly sinking, therefore, making whatever is on top of it can not ever stay level.
Many of the tombs are crumbling away.
Voodoo influences

Triple “XXX’s” are marked all over the tombs as a tripute towards asking for wishs to be granted. They are apart of a longstanding ritual. Due to the vandalism only guided tours are allowed in the cemetarys now.

Historically Rich Land With a history of making history.

Jackson square & the French Quarter

The city

These cable car trains still operate as a means of taking people around the city. Further behind the cable car are streets filled with all your shopping destinations. Another great and fun way to see the city is by taking horse carriage rides. These tours begin in the French Quarter.

Mississippi River

New Orleans sits directly on the Mississippi River, which is primarily used; as an access point to many states and cities that span its’ stretch. Due to the high level of travel, the water is a murky grey-ash color.

St. Louis Cathedral

Jackson Square is a historical landmark in the French Quarter of the city. Behind the park is St. Louis Cathedral, which happens to be the oldest Cathedral in the United States. It was first having built-in 1789.

Historical Landmarks

This statue of General Andrew Jackson is in the center of the park. Congress commissioned this statue as commemoration of his great leadership of US Troops, in the Battle of New Orleans (1812) that took place about 5 miles outside the city.

The Cigar Factory

As you are walking down the streets of downtown New Orleans, the smells that fill the streets are forever changing depending upon what the street is best known for. While Bourbon street is known for the wild party scene, causing the streets to be washed down twice a day with lemon water, Decatur street is filled with the aroma of cigars and beignets. Take a walk inside the factory to see just how the cigars are made! This is a great souvenir to take home to your friends and family.