Bucketlist Trip: NOLA Day 1 Highlights

Stepping out of the air conditioned airport to be hit full on by the heavy wet heat of a New Orleans summer day sets the stage for the rest of your stay here in NOLA.  Checking the Uber app, the driver is two minutes away and we make our way into the Uber/Lyft cluster – literally an area in the parking garage where everyone clusters together waiting for their ride. Somehow the matches are made and we are on our way to our French Quarter hotel – home for the next two days and the start of our great bucketlist venture to travel along the FL panhandle with stops through Mississippi and Alabama, eventually making our way to Charleston SC to attend a destination wedding.

It is still morning and we quickly get unpacked and settled in before heading out to explore some of the highlights we have on our googlemap – walking shoes on – we head for Jackson Square.  Here it is easy to get super large drinks that come in a souvenir container and sip while trying to stay in the shady parts of the street.  The Square is a happening place for local artists – paintings, crafts and a jazz ensemble.  All senses are going here – everything you’d expect to see, hear and smell in this traditionally eclectic part of the city. 

The park in the center features a statue of Andrew Jackson and is surrounded by other historic buildings such as Cabildo and Presbytere (LA State Museums) and the St Louis Cathedral. Directly across from the square on the riverfront side is the famous Café du Monde. Take time to enjoy the artwork and get to know an artist. After hearing what inspired some of the paintings by Grant Nelson  we were “sold” and had to get three for a bundled deal!