It’s been years since my last visit and with just 48-hours to spend in the city, we had to make the most of our time. The compact New Orleans airport is easy to navigate, just 16 miles from the city and with the pick-up stop for Uber clearly marked, allowed us to conserve transportation time. The InterContinental Hotel located in the central business district, just three blocks from the French Quarter, was our posh respite for the next two nights.
We had drinks and a bite to eat with friends on our first evening at the Cellar Door which serves Southern cuisine and classic cocktails in one of the oldest buildings – the Swoop-Duggins House – located in the National Historic District of downtown New Orleans. In its former life, the house operated as one of the longest standing brothels in the city.
Rising early Saturday morning, we headed out for a walk to the French Quarter looking for an interesting breakfast location. The Criollo Restaurant in the charming French inspired Hotel Monteleone provided an elegant atmosphere as we savored New Orleans beignets with praline sauce and strawberries along with chicory coffee.
After our sumptuous breakfast, we continued our self-guided sightseeing walk, as we headed to Jackson Square. The St. Louis Cathedral, built in 1720, with its prominent position overlooking the square, remains one of the most iconic symbols of the city. It’s a Catholic Basilica and the oldest Cathedral in the United States. From there it was an easy walk to the waterfront. The lush 16-acre Woldenberg Riverfront Park, adjacent to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, set along the banks of the Mississippi provides riverside jogging paths, green spaces and shaded areas for picnics or relaxation. We found a bench shaded by a large Oak tree and listened to the street musicians and performers before venturing into The Outlet Collection shopping mall.
We headed back to our hotel, along bustling Canal Street, to drop off our purchases before heading to
one of the city’s must-see attractions the National World War II Museum. The museum features moving personal accounts of the brave men and women who served in the war, interactive displays, and historic artifacts including letters, posters, weapons, models and planes; each capturing a part of the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world. As we discovered, one afternoon was not enough time to devote and appreciate the vast collections and exhibits of the museum designated the official WWII Museum in the United States.
After a full- day of sightseeing, we were looking for Louisiana specialty foods and decided to try the Original Cajun Restaurant, Mulates. With an extensive menu with favorite menu items like – Gumbo, Crawfish Etouffee, Jambalaya and Catfish – it was hard to make just one selection.
After attending Mass the following morning at the Catholic Basilica, we had brunch reservations (needed to secure a table most weekends during the busy seasons) at Brennan’s – a New Orleans tradition. With its old world charm, ornate décor and impeccable service, this is a “dining must” when visiting New Orleans. The menu is a masterpiece of Creole cuisine and should be read cover-to-cover. After much debate we settled on Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs and Eggs Cardinal with crispy lobster and shrimp boudin, spinach and Creole mustard hollandaise. Following our delightful two-hour brunch, we continued our exploration along Royal Street in the French Quarter admiring the charming architecture and intricate grill work of the buildings.
A late afternoon Mississippi River steamboat cruise aboard The Natchez was a pleasant and relaxing way to experience the lovely New Orleans skyline while listening to a live jazz band before we said goodbye to the Crescent City with its unique pulse, vibe and character.