I recently traveled to New Orleans in February and it has easily become my favorite city I’ve ever traveled to. I truly fell in love with this city while I was there. I remember days after I came home, I was crying saying I want to drive 9 hours to get beignets. I am fully addicted to the beignets. The next day I made them from scratch, but there is nothing like a Cafe’ Du Monde beignet. When we went it was the beginning of Mardi Gras, so we fully experienced it all – not even attending a single parade.
Since we can’t travel right now, I want to take you all on a trip down in New Orleans with me. Put on the soundtrack to Princess and the Frog (specifically Down In New Orleans) with me and let’s take a trip to NOLA!
Jackson Square
I’ve never seen such a pretty place in my whole life – well, Cinderella’s Castle is nice too. I remember walking down Decatur Street wondering where are we going and what is this place. Of course we had to stop and take pictures right in from of the St. Louis Cathedral. The Cathedral is huge. I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. The architecture of this city blew me away. From the French Quarter galleries and balconies to the regal style gates. This city is filled with beautiful buildings and design.
This day I had on my favorite outfit of the entire trip. I took this boater hat straight from my mom’s closet where she purchased in Savannah, Georgia a long time ago. This was my favorite accessory of the whole trip. This hat was truly the star of every outfit I wore. My blue and white striped dress is from Torrid which made the perfect dress to tour New Orleans in!
Cafe Du Monde
The minute I laid eyes on the Cafe Du Monde, I knew I was going to love it. This cafe is famous for their cafe au lait and beignets. When I saw the plate filled with powdered sugar I was in heaven! I loved every minute of the fluffy and soft beignets. These little square doughnuts were the best treat I’ve ever ate in my whole life. I am fully addicted to beignets. Had to grab a coffee of course before our horse and carriage ride!
Preservation Hall
If you want authentic classic jazz music on your NOLA trip, stop by Preservation Hall. This was the first night’s activities and it truly was amazing. It was cool to see a band show so much love to the audience and each other. It was like watching a family perform. The music sounded just like in the movies. I was in awe and new that NOLA was going to be a special place. It was emotional, fun and so beautiful! This night I my Mardi Gras colors to represent!
The Fresh Market Cafe
Where my love for gumbo, fried oyster, po-boys and crawfish began. All I can say is WOW. This restaurant was suggested by a Lyft driver and I am so glad we went there. The smell of seafood was overpowering, but that was truly part of the experience! I learned how to eat crawfish and tasted it for the first time. I only want to eat crawfish now.
Gumbo was a dish I never tried before. I regret not having a bowl at this restaurant. The gumbo was chunky, yet smooth and perfectly filled with all the different seafood offerings at the cafe. I fell in love on the first bite!
Steam Boats Galore
As a fan of Steamboat Willie, I was very excited to board a steamboat. It was extremely cold, but the classic activity when in NOLA is to ride the Steamboat called Natchez. The next day was passed by The City of New Orleans Steam Boat. I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. Of course, I had to have a classic photoshoot in front of an iconic boat!
I had to wear a classic outfit! A white sailor skater dress, denim jacket and my NOLA accessory, my mom’s boater hat!
Beignets For The Plane Ride
When I tell y’all I loved these beignets, I did. I bought them 3 different times. They were addicting. I had them for breakfast, I had them as a snack. It was the best treat to have ever entered my life. I don’t know how I was living my life without them.
Going to this city made me completely fall head over heels in love with it. I have never felt this way about any city I’ve ever been to. There was something about the atmosphere that just made me feel so happy to be there. It is a city where I see dreams really can come true. Painters, dancers, chefs – it was all so beautiful to see people living out their dreams. This city was so inspiring to me and for being there only 4 days – it changed my whole life.
It was a city that I didn’t think I’d ever be able to travel to. I always dreamt of what it would be like to see New Orleans, but I never thought I could get there. My heart is forever with this city! I love it so so much, maybe even more than my own. From the crawfish down to the oysters. From Decatur to Fremont Street. From the cafe’s to the beignets. I loved it all.
I cannot wait to go back so this beignet lovin’ girl boss can have 5 bags of beignets, 3 boats of crawfish, and 2 bowls of gumbo. Catch ya down in New Orleans!
Thank you for traveling along with me!
See you in tomorrow’s blog!
Cheyenne Lenore
