New Orleans, Laissez les bon temps rouler!

I'm not there yet!

But I will be. We're leaving on Saturday morning for a four day break, business for hubby, pleasure for me.

New Orleans is one of our favorite places. 

Our son went to school there for,

 ahem ...cough..cough.. five years, so we know it well. 

We have lots of traditions, places we eat at at or go to- each and every time. We also try new restaurants and adventures each time we go.

So here's the plan!
This time we are staying in "the quarter" as the french quarter is referred to locally.
Don't worry though, we will make it uptown too.
We are not renting a car this time and will make due with street cars as our mode of transportation.
First day? definitely head down to Cafe du Monde,
For this!
And I'm sure we will cross the street to Jackson Square to finish our coffee and for a  walk around.
Then, how about uptown for early cocktails at The Columns. You might remember that this is where we had a graduation party for our son.
Or- we could go to the Monkey Hill Bar and say hi for our sonny boy. He used to work there.
Big plan? Dinner at Jacques-Imo's is something we have tried to do for years, the wait is horrific. I say we give it a try.

We might return to a famous courtyard restaurant, Court of Two Sisters. Brunch is a favorite there- although expensive.
A good meal and great margaritas, ( not expensive) can be had at The Superior Grill
In five years we have never gone to The Camellia Grill... I think it's time we gave it a try.
Cafe Degas is recommended by many.  The brunch menu is unique, it's on the "try" list.
Of course shopping on Magazine St. is a MUST. I always come back with an antique or a dress. New Orleans is crazy like that. It will be sad not to have my shopping companions ( Beck and Kev) with me. My husband would rather skip this tradition.
I definitely will take a carriage ride. We do every time and it never gets old. It is well worth the money. I learn something new every time as each driver has his or her own take on the "quarter." They all like to show you Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's mansion. Except, it's a different one every time. New Orleans is crazy like that!
We have done many things in New Orleans, but never one of the cemetery tours.

 It's time!

I know it seems weird, but everyone is buried above ground in New Orleans due to hurricanes and flooding. You can imagine a washed away cemetery can't you?

So the cemeteries are beautiful mini cities of the dead. The statuary and architecture of the mausoleums are amazing and as morbid as it sounds- I want to see them!

I'm crazy like that!
One thing I don't want to tell my family is that our favorite breakfast place closed last spring. Bummer.

The Bluebird Cafe survived Katrina and was one of the few restaurants opened the months following the storm. 

So I will let you know what we do and what we eat and drink as that is the best part of New Orleans... oh and the music and the people too!