North America - Louisiana - New Orleans - The French Quarter Series - The Last Day

The French Quarter Festival

The French Quarter Festival is the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world. There were 23 stages and street performers, too. The music went on for 4 days, on the streets, in the clubs, just about everywhere.

One of the festivals posters.



Photo by New Orleans Advocate Staff

Birthday Cake

Abita Stage

Street performers were just as good, musicians were set-up on street corners everywhere in the Quarter.

 Couple dances to music by Bad Penny Pleasure Makers on Royal Street

Photo by New Orleans Staff Keith Spera

When 760,000 people are in town, you just have to get away for a while.  Taking a tour on the Creole Queen down the Mississippi.

Our tour guide was beyond our expectations. He gave us one of the best narratives on the History of New Orleans, Karina and personal family memories I've heard in years.  The amount of historical information he remembered and the way he told the story was amazing.



 Along the Mississippi River

Cape Kennedy and Cape Knox



Naval Air State Joint Reserve Base New Orleans is located in Belle Chasse. 

Domino Sugar Plant is still a working plant, despite the broken windows and worn down look.

 Chalmette National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located within Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Chalmette, Louisiana

  Our National Park Ranger tells us of the Battle of New Orleans.

The Battle of New Orleans in 1814–1815, the last battle of the War of 1812, forever ended any attempt by England to regain control of the American Colonies, lost during the American Revolution, the War of Independence. It was here that General Andrew Jackson, and local volunteers, including Jean Lafitte (the pirate) and his men, defended the city from the invading British. The British troops were under the command of General Pakenham, who died in the final battle, January 8, 1815. (description from Experience New Orleans)

The visitor center has displays, interactive exhibits, maps, and short films address the War of 1812, the New Orleans campaign.

 Heading back to the party.

 Wedding Party

Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage



French Quarter Festival is the largest, free music festival in the South.

New Orleans great restaurants create the food and beverage offerings know as “The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” in Jackson Square, the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, and Woldenberg Riverfront Park during the festival weekend.

Nobody does it better. Put it on your bucket list - you will not be disappointed.

North America - Louisiana New Orleans - The French Quarter Series - The Garden District/Lafayette Cemetery 1

New Orleans - The Garden District

Today we went to lunch. Took a tour of the Lafayette Cemetery 1 and a walking tour of the Garden District historical homes.

The Commander's Palace Restaurant is a bright blue and white exterior and takes up a city block.

Monday-Friday lunch menu is very reasonable and offers 25cent Martinis! What a deal!

Across the street from the Commander’s is Lafayette Cemetery No 1.  We took a tour with Sarah citybyfoot and our guide was Denver Mullican he was the best.



The vaults were built above ground because it rains in New Orleans, then it floods, it was more functional than the in-ground method.

Jefferson Fire Company No. 22

People leave gifts.

Three cemeteries you should see = Lafayette 1, St. Louis No. 1, St. Louis No. 2.

The New Orleans Garden District is a beautiful and ornate neighborhood, decorated with gorgeous, historic houses and mansions, walking through the Garden District takes you back in time.

Anne Rice House

Anne Rice was born in New Orleans and grew up in the Irish Channel. Noted for her Vampire Chronicles series which began with the Interview with the Vampire, published in 1976.



John Goodman House

This is where the actor John Goodman lives.

 Carroll Crawford House 1860



 Colonial Short's Villa

Colonel Short’s Villa built in 1859 for Colonel Robert Short of Kentucky. The Cornstalk Fence featuring cornstalks entwined with morning glories and ears of corn.



 Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America died here in 1889.

 

Musson-Bell House

This big pink house was originally completed in 1850 for the wealthy tobacco grower, and President of the Cotton Exchange, Michael Musson.  He was also the uncle of Edgar Degas.

This is the actor Sandra Bullock's house, covered with beautiful trees and landscaping you can barely see it.

 Benjamin Button House

2009's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was extensively filmed in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Much of the filming took place in the Nolan house at 2707 Coliseum St. in New Orleans. Right around the corner from Commander's Palace restaurant, the 7,800 square-foot mansion has 6 bedrooms, a music room, a library, and a reception hall. Filming took place in virtually every room in the house. (quote from Experience New Orleans!)

 Women's Opera Guild Home

Greek Revival mansion – 1858 . The mansion was originally filled with European & American furniture, artwork, and antiques from the 1700-1800’s and most of it is still on display there today.  

 Parade Bead Fence

A garden pond.

Small Cottage

 Just a bird's eye view - of Archie Manning's house. This is the front yard where Peyton & Eli Manning learned to throw the football on the lawn.

There are so many more of these beautiful homes in the Garden District. It was a very nice way to spend the afternoon.