New Orleans, Round 2
One of my goals when I was younger was to start making enough money to travel, and most importantly, travel with my siblings. New Orleans is the first city Susan and I traveled to together (my second time, her first time!) I had already been to New Orleans in April 2016, but the experience this time around was different. It was just me and my sister, and it was cold and rained on and off about 3 out of the 4 days we were there, versus the sunny days I had enjoyed my first time traveling there. I was emotional flying there and flying home. It is so important to me to be able to build solid and happy memories with my family, a family I'm privileged to have but is states away, and because I don't get to go home often, I have been trying to plan more trips with my siblings. I'm sappy, I know, haha. We stayed in the most beautiful Airbnb where on occasional nights we'd hear piano notes drift through the walls from the neighbors. We were literally right next to the French Quarter, and a 10 minute walk from all you can buy and eat Café du Monde beignets. It was nothing short of perfect.
Places we visited and loved in New Orleans:
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All you can eat beignets: None other than the world famous, Café du Monde. If you go at night, and they're not cleaning, the inside room with the green decor and lights looks magical.
Best place for mannnny food options: St. Roch Market. I already hyped up the market in recap number 1, so click the link to read about it there! You won't be disappointed.
Best cold brew I have ever had: District Donuts Sliders Brew. I also went there on my first trip to New Orleans. That time, I purchased coffee and a donut, but this time around Susan and I got the Monte Crisco sandwich, with donut buns, cheese fries with candied jalapeños, cold brew, and a couple of donuts to share. We went all out.
Where to search for that new fit: Funky Monkey. I purchased my very first pair of velvet boots here! We also hit up the local Buffalo Exchange.
Where to enjoy many artistic takes on Mona Lisa's face while you eat: You guessed it: Mona Lisa. The many versions, "Mona Lisa Simpson" for example, used as decor on the walls and menus were pretty cool. We got the spinach dip to share and I got the seafood pasta, which came with shrimp, tilapia and baby clams. So good.
Where to get a delicious po' boy: Parkway Bakery & Tavern. We got the gumbo and shrimp po' boy to share. It hit the SPOT.
The most beautiful park where you can enjoy beignets, coffee, and Spanish moss: City Park.
Even more all you can eat beignets: Morning Call, located in City Park! The beignets here were crispier than the doughy ones at Café du Monde. I've been asked which spot I prefer, but I can't decide! I love them both. Susan prefers the crispy ones :)
Where to go if you want to sit in a pumpkin, on a mushroom, and climb the king of heart's castle: Storyland. Located inside City Park, there's a small fee to enter. It's more of a children's park, but all the statues were in desperate need of a repaint so it was a little creepy. If you're alone, it might not be fun, but with a friend or sibling, it's hilarious when one of you is short and has a hard time getting on top of a mushroom. It made for a lot of laughs.
Best spot to satisfy that sweet tooth: Sucre. Macarons, cake, small treats, chocolate, they literally have everything.
