On our last morning before checking out and hopping on a plane back to Oakland, we went to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

It was most fun to watch the trainer handling the giant crocodile who wasn’t in the mood to do his tests this morning.

For lunch, we went to Mother’s Restaurant and tried the Famous Ferdi Special.

I also had a side of gumbo that was oh so satisfying.

I also had my first bloody mary and it was SPICY! We had a good last meal before heading home. We had such a fun time in New Orleans and probably gained 10 pounds over the past 4 days. Good times…

Today we had brunch at Commander’s Palace. It was all decked out for brunch and they also had a live band that went around to play music for you at your table.

I had the gumbo and Jesse opted of the pulled pork benedict that was huge.

For dessert, we had the peach cobbler and pecan pie, of course!!

After such a tasty brunch, we went back to the hotel to change and then headed over to the river to walk it all off.

We also walked to dinner at Gus’s Fried Chicken.

A trip to New Orleans wouldn’t be complete without some beignets from Cafe Du Monde.

Look at that powdered sugar!!

It was so messy but oh so good!! They come to you warm and crispy with a chewy center and covered in the white stuff. Their cafe au lait with chicory is pretty good too.

We walked back to the hotel through Bourbon Street again and now that it was Saturday night, it was down right gross. You couldn’t walk down the street without kicking or stepping on trash and people were falling all over the place. It was still entertaining but we didn’t stay long. A third night in a row there was enough.

On our second day, we were ready to do some more exploring. For $3.00, you can get a day pass for all buses and street cars! We hopped on the bus and went to Guy’s Po Boys.

The shrimp po’ boy was huge and enough to share.

We then took a walk through the area and I loved all the cute houses.

After an ice cream break at Creole Creamery, we hopped on a street car toward the Southern Food and Beverage Museum & Museum of the American Cocktail.

We also grabbed a drink at Toups South, which is a restaurant next to the museum.

It wasn’t quite Happy Hour yet but the bartender let us order the Bubbles N Crack anyway.

We also had dinner there later in the evening and sat at the counter so we could watch them prepare the food while we ate.

The waiter heard that I was sorely disappointed in my mint julep experience the night before and convinced me that their was way better. He was so right and it came in a metal cup with a cozy over it with shaved ice on top that melted slowly into my drink. It was delicious and redeemed my opinion of the iconic drink.

We ordered a bunch of stuff off the menu. There was a cold leek vichyssoise with creme fraiche – refreshing.

I had a salad with seasonal peaches, green tomato, pepitas, and burrata cheese. Loved it.

Here is the BBQ octopus on top of grits. This was so tasty – what a great combination of flavors and textures.

Here is the seafood jambalaya complete with head-on shrimp, scallops, and andouille sausage.

Here is a the shrimp and foie gras toast with egg and housemade kimchi. It was so rich and delicious with just the right amount of fattiness and acid together.

After stuffing our faces at dinner, we took a ride to Frenchmen Street for some live music.

We then wandered down Decatur Street and found Cafe du Monde! It was too hot and humid for hot beignets so we held off for this evening.

Instead, we found ourselves in Kilwins candy and ice cream shop. Haha.

On our way back to the hotel, we walked through Bourbon Street again. It’s now Friday night where the street and the people are a little more liquored up and sloppy but still entertaining to watch.

Here’s a funny shirt I found in one of the stores.

We had a pretty good day in New Orleans.

It’s our annual no-kids trip and we are headed to New Orleans this year! It’s the worst time to go as far as weather is concerned but the airfare was cheap and so are the hotel rates! The kids were dropped off over the weekend and I have a 4-day weekend!

The morning started off with a drink at the bar before our plane boarded.

The flight was smooth and I actually watched a full-length movie. When we arrived, we hopped in a taxi that took us right by the Super Dome on our way to the hotel.

We checked into the Sheraton, which is right on Canal Street. We were on the 38th floor with quite a view of the city. The hotel was in a good location – close to buses and street cars, a short walk to Bourbon Street, and another short walk down to the river in the other direction.

It was early afternoon and we were hungry (and thirsty). Our first stop was at Acme Oyster House. There was a short line outside the door and with their lax liquor laws here, we were able to get a drink at the bar and enjoy it outside on the street. It’s like the Vegas of the South!

We had some local oysters on a half shell – much meatier than the cold-weather ones we are used to.

Then we had them baked – pretty tasty!!

We also got a bowl of ettoufe with fried crawfish on top.

Next stop was Bourbon House.

I tried a mint julep for the first time and it was gross. Tasted like cough syrup.

My next drink was much better – an old fashioned.

We also ordered the bloody mary shrimp cocktail with all the fixins. Pretty good!!

Now that we were fed and liquoured up, we turned the corner over to Bourbon Street.

It’s loud and rowdy and stinky and fun all at the same time. What’s weird is that it is eerily reminding me of New Orleans Square at Disneyland – except stinkier and dirtier.

Every store you see is selling booze, beads, and entertainment. It was so hot and humid that we went into some places just to cool off in their air-conditioned spaces. I also got a refreshing blended daiquiri for the stroll.

When it’s dark out, the cops come riding in on horses and just hang out. It’s nice that they have a quiet presence there and their rather friendly. I just felt bad for the horses surrounded by noise, lights, and drunk people who want to pet them all night.

That was the first day/night and we were so tired and tipsy by the end. What a great way to start our vacation!