Fun Things to Do in New Orleans with Kids and a Dog

To mark the new year 2020 and the new decade, we knew we had to plan a short family trip somewhere. After considering various destinations, hubby and I picked New Orleans, Louisiana. The Big Easy was a place we hadn’t visited before, so this sounded like the perfect time to get to know it. I was very much looking forward to discovering all the fun things to do in New Orleans with kids and a dog. Oh, yes! We had decided to include our golden retriever, Sammy, in this adventure because after all, he is a very important part of the family.

Journy to the Rescue

As I started reading about the city, I could see right away that I wouldn’t have time to research it properly. It was the holiday season; we had family visiting for Christmas, and the “to-do list” of shopping, cooking, and cleaning was endless. Unexpectedly, in the midst of all this holiday craziness, I discovered Journy! This is a website/App that connects you with travel specialists, who design custom itineraries for destinations all over the world. Exactly what I needed! I filled out their questionnaire, and a few days later, we had our personalized itinerary. It was packed with all kinds of fun things to do in New Orleans, as well as plenty of interesting dining options…And just like that, we had a plan, and we were ready to roll!

Day 1: Arrival

---

Journy Itinerary:

• Chow down on oysters and creole fare at Acme Oyster House
• Rest up at the Residence Inn by Marriott New Orleans Downtown

---

We began our road trip from Houston to New Orleans at around 10:30 in the am. This was quite an early start, considering I had to help the kids get ready and pack a few things for the dog. Of course, the dog is always the easiest and most agreeable of all. Food, water bowl, treats, poo bags, a couple of toys, doggie bed, and he is perfectly happy! Oh, and let’s not forget the hairbrush since, after all, he is a golden retriever.

Room 377

Our drive to NOLA was enjoyable and uneventful, accompanied by occasional light rain. When we finally entered the city limits, we made our way to downtown and drove straight to our hotel, the Residence Inn by Marriott New Orleans Downtown. After checking in, hubby handed the car over to the valet, then we went up to Room 377 with all our stuff. It was a clean and pleasant space, but most importantly, a space where large 75-pound pups were welcome! We settled in, fed Sammy, and provided him with fresh water, then rested for about an hour or so.

First Night Out

After everyone felt refreshed, it was time to get out and dive right into the madness that is NOLA nightlife. Except, at the time, we were clueless and naively assumed we would just drive and park right into the famous French Quarter. Then, we would walk right in and have dinner at the Acme Oyster House, as our Journy itinerary suggested. Let’s just say, it didn’t take us long to realize that our plans were a bust!

As soon as we drove onto Canal Street, we found ourselves in an endless traffic jam. Crowds of happy folks were casually strolling all over the place while sipping on beer. This was when hubby and I learned that carrying an “open container” of booze on the street was perfectly acceptable here.

Lucky Parking Spot

We slowly rolled past the famous Bourbon Street, which was closed off for traffic that night, and eventually turned into another side street. Meanwhile, our eyes never stopped scanning for that one lucky parking spot. At first, the situation seemed bleak, but then…Lo and Behold! There it was! An empty spot on the street! Hubby pulled right in and took the keys out of the ignition with relief. Unbelievably, we had beaten the odds, and managed to park legally in the French Quarter at dinner time!

At the Restaurant

We stepped out of the car and leisurely headed towards Acme Oyster House, following hubby’s lead. A couple of minutes later, he looked down at his phone GPS and announced, “We are here!” The first thing that caught my eye when we entered the restaurant was a large cabinet filled with bottles of bourbon. While I was snapping a few photos, hubby gave the hostess our name.

No more than 15 minutes later, we were sitting at a table and contemplating the choices on the menu. Hubby and I went for the seafood gumbo and the kids chose fried shrimp and chicken nuggets. The food came quickly, and it was delicious! When everyone was ready to go, we paid our bill and decided to take a short walk along Bourbon Street.

The Mixup

As we exited the restaurant, I happened to look over to the side and noticed a long line of people standing on the sidewalk. I became curious to find out what they were waiting for, so we all walked towards them. Just then, I saw a bright neon sign above the crowd, which clearly read ACME Oyster House. The realization suddenly hit me: We had just finished dinner at the wrong restaurant! I looked back and saw the lit up sign above the place we had just left, and it read, Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House. Admittedly, I felt a bit disappointed, but not because the food we’d had was lousy. In fact, everything was great! I was disappointed merely because we hadn’t followed the itinerary. Ummm, yes! When you tend to obsess over plans and checklists, this situation can feel quite distressing.

It’s All Good

In the end, it all worked out for the best! We still managed to eat at Acme Oyster House a couple of days later, and we didn’t end up waiting in a long line on our first evening out in the city. Instead, we walked and soaked up the vibes of the French Quarter before heading back to the hotel where Sammy was eagerly awaiting. I took him for a short stroll in the hotel’s courtyard, then all of us quickly hit the hay.

Day 2: The French Quarter & Mardi Gras World

---

Journy Itinerary:

MORNING

• Get a pastry at New Orleans’ cutest cafe Croissant D’Or Patisserie
• Learn all about the French Quarter on your free walking tour with Free Tours by Foot
• Explore the French Quarter and people-watch in Jackson Square
• Visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis
• Discover authentic NoLa history at the Backstreet Cultural Museum

AFTERNOON

• Dine on contemporary Louisiana fare at Cafe Amelie
• Get the famous NoLa beignets at Cafe du Monde
• Explore the French Market

EVENING

• Tour the massive working warehouse where Mardi Gras floats are made at Mardi Gras World
• Enjoy all the foods and cocktails you could want at the food hall Auction House Market
• Rest up at the Residence Inn by Marriott New Orleans Downtown

---

On the following morning, we began the day with continental breakfast at our hotel. Since it was included with our stay, we  ,decided to take advantage and save some money by not eating elsewhere. Right after breakfast, the four of us plus Sammy got in the car and once again braved the parking situation in the French Quarter. We ended up pulling into a visitors parking lot not far from Jackson Square. At the time we arrived, there were a number of available spots, but it did cost us $10 per hour.

Jackson Square

Even though our itinerary recommended taking a free walking tour with Free Tours by Foot, we decided to explore on our own. We figured Sammy would be too much of a distraction since random people tend to stop by and pet him all the time. So we made our way to Jackson Square and entered the lovely garden. Just as Sammy began sniffing the grass, my eyes fixated on a nearby sign, which said dogs were not allowed in the garden. Like it or not, we had to take the boy out of there. Hubby, the kids, and Sammy ended up circling around, and I walked through the garden to take a few photos. I made a short stop at the statue of General Andrew Jackson sitting on his horse and looked at the unique palm trees nearby.

Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis

All of us met on the other side of Jackson Square, right in front of the entrance to the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis. Since dogs aren’t allowed inside, we decided to take turns visiting the cathedral. Hubby and the kids went in first, and Sammy and I wandered off to the side to look around. We came near a man who was playing the bagpipe, filling the whole square with the sounds of his instrument. The funny thing was, the man was standing right next to a sign, which read “Church Quiet Zone.” Now, if you have ever heard a bagpipe, you know there is nothing quiet about the sounds it makes!

Inside the Cathedral

A few minutes later hubby and the kids came out, which meant it was my turn to go inside the cathedral. As I walked in, I was greeted by the sounds of the church organ. The organist seemed to be practicing for an upcoming mass. The interior was beautiful with colorful stained glass. Ornate paintings decorated the ceiling and the area above the alter. There were also quite a few Christmas trees and a ton of poinsettias, which made the atmosphere that much more transcendent. I later learned that the cathedral has quite a history, and you can read all the details right HERE. It was rebuilt a couple of times throughout the centuries and it’s currently the oldest Catholic cathedral in the United States that has been in continuous use.

On the Way to Lunch

After looking around for a while longer, I met up with hubby, the kids, and Sammy outside. The next point of interest on our itinerary by Journy was the Backstreet Cultural Museum. While we were very interested in seeing it, we decided to skip it since everyone seemed to be getting hungry. It was only around 11:00 o’clock, but sitting down and indulging in some good food sounded like a winning idea. So, hubby set up his phone GPS, and we started walking towards our recommended lunch spot, Cafe Amelie.

Right before turning the corner onto a side street, we ran into a man covered in bronze paint, standing perfectly still like a statue. He was doing such a good job that our daughter, Dani, ran up close to inspect the fine craftsmanship. We dropped a few dollars in his bucket, snapped a few photos, and continued on our quest for food.

At Cafe Amelie

It didn’t take long to make our way to Cafe Amelie, and we got there just as it opened. The four of us plus Sammy were seated right away at an outdoor table in the cafe’s lovely garden. Even though it was a bit wet, it wasn’t raining, and the temperature felt very refreshing. Sammy found a comfortable spot on the ground, then slurped up a bunch of water brought to him by our waitress. We tried to stay fairly healthy and ordered salads for me and hubby and a fresh BLT for the kids. Everything looked very fresh, and it tasted great.

Cafe Du Monde…

After lunch at Cafe Amelie, we headed to our next food stop, Cafe du Monde. This is another local favorite where you can enjoy a fun atmosphere and the famous New Orleans beignets. When I say beignets, I mean delicious deep-fried dough, buried in powdered sugar! While not all that wholesome, beignets are an absolute MUST when in The Big Easy, along with local specialties like seafood gumbo, etouffee, jambalaya, and oysters. Just be careful not to get hooked on those things, because beignets can be quite addictive (speaking from personal experience)!

…Or Not Cafe Du Monde

So, we walked over to Cafe du Monde, and we saw a sight we really didn’t want to see. There was a crazy-long line of people that came out of the cafe and stretched far out on the sidewalk. Suddenly, our dreams of hot, fresh, sugary beignets seemed crushed. We certainly couldn’t wait in such a long line with Sammy, and we had other things to do. But we really wanted those beignets, and by “we”, I mean the kids and I. Hubby is one of those unusual people that doesn’t have to have doughy sweets. The kids and I, however, had to get our doughy, NOLA, sugar fix!

After asking around, we discovered that nearby was Cafe Beignet, which also served great beignets. So, we headed in that direction, but not before making a stop at Washington Artillery Park to take a few photos. This tiny park, located near the bank of the Mississippi River happened to be right on the way.

Cafe Beignet It Is

When we came to Cafe Beignet, we found yet another line of people, but this one seemed a bit more manageable. The kids and I lined up while hubby and Sammy walked back to the car since our time for parking was almost up.

We waited, and waited, and finally placed our order for six beignets (two portions) to go. Then we waited some more. After a while, a waiter came out of the kitchen and handed us a paper bag that contained our order. The smell was so tempting, but I decided it would be best to eat our beignets back at the hotel. Hubby and Sammy were already waiting for us in the car right outside Cafe Beignet, and they weren’t exactly in a designated parking spot. So, we rushed out and joined them. On the drive back, I realized that we had missed seeing the French Market, located next to Cafe du Monde. So, I made a mental note that we would have to check it out sometime later.

Short Hotel Break

When we returned to the hotel, everyone but Sammy enjoyed a beignet. (Sugar and dogs just don’t go well together.) Even hubby who is not all that into sweets finished a whole one by himself. After making a significant mess from all the powdered sugar, we decided to relax for a bit before heading out again. There were plenty more fun things to do in New Orleans and we weren’t going to miss them!

Mardi Gras World at Blaine Kern’s Studios

After resting at the hotel for an hour or so, we headed out towards our next adventure, Mardi Grass World. The four of us got in the car and followed the trusty GPS to a large, dirt-covered, paid, parking area. Right across the street from it was the enormous warehouse that is Mardi Grass World. We walked inside the gift shop and got our tickets for the next guided tour. When I say “tickets,” I mean shiny, golden, plastic-bead necklaces, which granted us admission. Luckily, we had arrived there just in time for the 4-o’clock tour, so we didn’t have to wait for long.

Movie and…

The whole experience began in the movie theater next to the gift shop where we watched a short video about the history of Mardi Gras. In case you don’t know much about it, here are a few snippets of what we learned: Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” from French, and every year, it takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It’s a Louisiana tradition that gives people a chance to basically get together, have fun, party, and go crazy! Mardi Gras celebrations are not limited to this one day, however. In fact, there are parades and all kinds of Mardi Gras events going on for several weeks leading up to the big day.

As you can imagine, this all takes a huge amount of preparation. This is where Mardi Gras World comes in. They create a large number of the colorful props and floats that make up the famous Mardi Gras parades. Once it’s show time, crowds of people line up the streets and ask the folks on the passing floats to throw them something. The most common trinkets that bystanders get are the shiny, plastic-bead necklaces in the colors of Mardi Gras, golden, purple, and green.

…King Cake

The video went into more interesting details about the techniques artists use to create the floats and the history of Blaine Kern studios. Right before we exited the movie theater and headed towards the warehouse, our tour guide served us a piece of King Cake. Apparently, this is the cake of Mardi Gras, and it’s found in abundant supply during this time of year. The frosting featured golden, purple, and greens, the colors of the season. Our guide warned us that each cake contained a small plastic baby, so we had to be careful not to break a tooth when biting into our slices. According to the tradition, whoever gets the baby has to provide the king cakes for the next Mardi Gras party. So, get ready, if you are that “lucky” fella or gal!

Inside the Warehouse

After we exited the movie theater, our guide led us into the warehouse. This was truly an awesome space, filled with giant artworks for the upcoming Mardi Gras parades. There were all kinds of creatures, characters, and celebrities that were in the process of being sculpted and painted for the big celebrations. See the photos below, since they can describe this place much better than words.

We walked around for a while, taking tons of pictures and looking at the artists at work. Then we stopped near several large glass windows, and behind them we observed Pixie the robot carve a large styrofoam block. After taking even more photos and walking around the entire warehouse for a second time, we were finally ready to leave. It was right around 5:30 pm and they were getting ready to close the place down for the day.

Dinner at Auction House Market

We walked back to the car and drove to our hotel to check on Sammy. It was time for his dinner, so we had to make sure his tummy got some food. Then it was time for us to go out and get a bite. We decided to follow Journy’s recommendation and check out the Auction House Market. Conveniently, it was only a short walking distance from our hotel, so we didn’t even need to bother the valet guy with getting us the car.

When we got to Auction House Market, we discovered a food hall with lovely atmosphere and a variety of great food options. Frankly, we had a hard time choosing what to get since it all sounded so delicious. After circling the hall a couple of times, we eventually made up our minds. Hubby and I got healthy dinner bowls from Happy Jaxx and the kids opted for a fresh sandwich from Sola Deli and an Asian chicken dish from Filipinola. I’m happy to report that all of us were thoroughly satisfied with our dinner choices! By all means, stop to get a bite at Auction House Market, and ladies, be sure to visit the restroom there. You just may discover it offers the perfect wallpaper background for your next selfie!

Day 3: Rain and Change of Plans

---

Journy Itinerary:

MORNING

• Grab a breakfast bite at Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe
• Tour the famous Honey Island Swamp or go on a Plantation Tour with Cajun Encounters

AFTERNOON

• Dine at Muffuletta’s at Central Grocery & Deli

EVENING

• Get delicious gumbo at Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter
• See the Legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Preservation Hall
• Rest up at the Residence Inn by Marriott New Orleans Downtown

---

On the following morning we woke up to dark gloomy skies and falling rain. The weather forecast for the day didn’t look promising, so I had to accept the fact that we would not be able to follow our Journy itinerary. Instead, we would have to get creative and think of some fun things to do in New Orleans while it’s raining.

Lunch at Acme Oyster House

After spending some downtime in our room, hubby, the kids, and I got into the car and headed back to the French Quarter. We figured this rainy weekday would give us the best chance to find street parking and possibly get lunch at Acme Oyster House.

We made our way to Canal Street and happened to find a lone parking spot right near the corner of Canal and Bourbon Street. After feeding the parking meter, we huddled under our umbrellas and quickly walked to Acme Oyster House. It was surprising to find that even in this weather, there was a short line of people in front of the restaurant. We lined up and began waiting patiently.

Once Inside

Fortunately, it didn’t take more than 30 minutes to get a table and order some food. I decided to try the chargrilled oysters, and hubby went with a New Orleans medley of gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and grilled smoked sausage. The kids chose more familiar items – a turkey po-boy sandwich and a veggie burger. Our food came quickly, and everything looked and tasted great. The experience was definitely worth the short wait out in the rain.

Walk in the Rain and More Beignets

After lunch, we decided to take a walk and explore the French Quarter some more. My hope was that we would make our way to the Backstreet Cultural Museum, which we had skipped the previous day. Unfortunately, the museum was open only until 3:00 pm, so we couldn’t get there in time to see it. The rain was coming down pretty hard and we had to stop from time to time to wait for it to slow down.

Since we couldn’t visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum, we moved onto the next activity that we had planned: Get some beignets! Oh, yes! We had to indulge once again in the sweet doughy deliciousness. Hot chocolate and coffee also sounded pretty great on this gloomy, rainy day. There was just one thing – we weren’t sure how to get to the closest beignet shop. So, hubby did a quick phone search, and what do you know! There was a small Cafe Beignet right near where we were standing. We walked inside and found only one empty table, which was definitely calling our names. Suddenly, the day appeared a lot brighter, and we felt overjoyed.

Onto the French Market

After relaxing for a while and enjoying all the sweetness we could consume, it was time to face the rain again. I really wanted to check out the French Market, which we had also skipped the previous day. Hubby, however, was a bit concerned about the time expiring on our parking meter, so he wanted to head back to the car. The kids were getting tired, so we decided to split up for a bit: I would walk to the French Market, and hubby and the kids would go get the car, then come pick me up.

From where we were, it took me about 15 to 20 minutes to make my way to the French Market. It was a very pleasant stroll, which led me back through Jackson Square and past Cafe du Monde.

At the Market

The French Market was a covered outdoor space, which featured hundreds of stalls that offered a variety of foods, snacks, local souvenirs, arts and crafts, and all kinds of other merchandise. I rather enjoyed walking around and looking at all the choices, even though I didn’t end up buying anything that time. When I finally finished my French Market explorations, hubby and the kids picked me up, and we headed back to our hotel.

Relaxing Dinner Minus the Concert

Once we returned to our room, we took care of Sammy’s needs and then decided to relax a bit before getting dinner. According to our Journy itinerary, we were to have dinner at Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter, then attend a jazz concert at Preservation Hall. In case you aren’t familiar, Preservation Hall is a famous venue where talented musicians perform NOLA jazz music daily. It’s one of the most popular things to do in New Orleans, so it’s best to purchase tickets in advance. There are also a limited number of tickets at the door, but these go fast and are “first come, first served.”

Since we hadn’t reserved tickets in advance, and it was still drizzling outside, we decided not to venture back into the French Quarter. Instead, hubby and I returned to the Auction House Market for dinner, while the kids stayed at the hotel with Sammy and had fun playing their electronics. Of course, we didn’t leave them hungry. We picked up some food to go earlier at Acme Oyster House, and the kids seemed very pleased with that.

Flamingo A-Go-Go

This way hubby and I not only had some delicious food, but also stopped for three-dollar beers at Flamingo A-Go-Go. This was a fun place that featured an old military truck in the courtyard, plenty of drinks and eats, and even a small menu for dogs. Had I known this in advance, I would have brought Sammy along and treated him to a “puppy plate!” Nevertheless, it was a win-win situation for everyone and a perfectly relaxing end to the day for us!

Day 4: NoLa City Park and the Garden District

---

Journy Itinerary:

MORNING

• Get breakfast at Monkey Monkey Coffee and Tea
• Enjoy art and nature at New Orleans Museum of Art, Besthoff Sculpture Garden
• Take the dog to NOLA City Bark
• Walk under the live oak trees at New Orleans City Park

AFTERNOON

• Eat reinvented nostalgic classics at out of this world Turkey and the Wolf
• Try creative donuts and coffee at District Donuts Sliders Brew
• Walk or bike through the gorgeous Garden District
• Meet your tour guide from Two Chicks Walking Tours for your Garden District/Lafayette Cemetery Tour
• Shop and wander along Magazine Street
• Take a beautiful ride on the St. Charles Streetcar

EVENING

• Enjoy local’s soul food at Jacques-Imo’s
• Rest up at the Residence Inn by Marriott New Orleans Downtown

---

Promising Weather

When we woke up on the following morning, we were greeted by sunshine and bright blue skies. It looked like a beautiful day in The Big Easy, and we couldn’t wait to continue our adventures according to plan. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, all of us, including Sammy, hopped in the car and made our way to New Orleans City Park. We were excited to take our pup to a place with plenty of grass and open space. Even though our itinerary suggested going to the enclosed dog park, City Bark, we decided to just walk around and play it by ear.

---

TIP: If you are planning to take your dog to City Bark, you need to fill out a temporary permit application in advance and mail a check with the required fee. All dogs must be spayed/neutered, current on all vaccines, and wear their rabies shot tags. Keep in mind that children under 8 are not allowed inside City Bark. For more information, click HERE.

---

New Orleans City Park

Once we arrived in the park, we found a convenient parking spot on the side of the street and went for a walk. There were beautiful old live oak trees all around, making our stroll quite shady. We passed by the Louisiana Children’s Museum, which is located inside the park, then followed a nearby path to a nice covered playground. Naturally, the kids wanted to stop and play, so Sammy, hubby, and I sat on the side and watched them run around.

Boat Ride at Big Lake

After a while, we continued strolling around leisurely until we got to Big Lake. There, we discovered a bunch of swan-shaped pedal boats lined up near a wooden dock. Suddenly, I had the brilliant idea to rent one of those and take Sammy on a boat ride…his very first boat ride! The kids were very excited about my suggestion, while hubby looked a bit more hesitant at first.

Out of curiosity, I inquired whether dogs are allowed on the boats, and the person behind the rental counter said a clear, “YES.” At that point, I knew, we had to do this! Luckily, hubby didn’t take much convincing, so a couple of minutes later, we were boarding a 5-seater swan paddle boat with our golden pup. Admittedly, Sammy got a bit shaky when it was his turn to get on the boat. However, he did seem to enjoy the actual ride quite well.

Fun Times!

If you happened to go to City Park on a beautiful day with your kids and dogs, consider renting a boat at Big Lake. This was definitely near the top of our list of fun things to do in New Orleans…And taking Sammy along only added to the excitement!

Besthoff Sculpture Garden Through the Fence

When our leg muscles had enough of a workout from pedaling the swan around, we returned to the dock decided to head back towards the car. The path we followed took us around the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a lovely installation by the New Orleans Museum of Art. Even though this is an outdoor venue, dogs weren’t allowed inside the fenced off area. Since this was the case, we tried to enjoy the art as much as possible from the outside. We could see that there were some truly unique sculptures, and the garden itself looked beautiful. It’s definitely a place worth checking out if you don’t have your furry kids with you!

Quick Lunch

When we got back to the car, all of us hopped in and drove back to our hotel. The plan was to drop off our doggy boy, get a quick lunch, then head towards the Garden District, where we had a scheduled tour. Since we were a little pressed for time, we had to make it all happen fairly quickly and efficiently.

Sammy seemed content to get back to the room and take a nap after all the excitement. After making sure he was all set, we walked to a nearby restaurant called Rye & Pie Pizza Bar. This was one of the closest lunch spots, and according to Google, it was very highly rated by customers. We ordered a couple of wood fired pizzas and some drinks, and really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. If you are in the area and in the mood for delicious pizza, this is definitely your place!

Garden District Tour with Two Chicks

Our next planned activity for the day was a tour of the historic Garden District with Two Chicks Walking Tours. Even though there are a number of different businesses that offer these types of tours, Two Chicks came very highly recommended by Journy, so we booked our tour with them. This ended up being a fantastic experience, most definitely one of the top fun things to do in New Orleans.

History Galore

Our tour with Two Chicks Walking Tours was scheduled for 2:00 pm. We drove to the Garden District and met with our guide, the friendly Ms. Dannal, at the Henry Howard Hotel. Ms. Dannal gave us a short overview of the history and what we were about to see, then we began our tour. As we strolled along the sidewalk, we learned that the oldest house in the neighborhood was built in 1838; we contemplated about life before electricity and air conditioning, and we heard fascinating stories about the people that had once lived in the mansions of the Garden District. From wealthy businessmen involved in questionable business practices, to architects, writers, and celebrities, the Garden District has seen it all! As we learned more of the history, we came to realize just how unique of a place this was.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

After walking further, we arrived at the entrance of the historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. Unfortunately, at the time it was closed for renovations, so we couldn’t go in, but there was still plenty to see from the outside. In case you didn’t know, cemeteries in New Orleans are quite unique, and among the city’s most famed tourist attractions. You see, in The Big Easy, the dead aren’t buried in ordinary graves. Instead, they are placed inside stone tombs above ground.

This practice was originally inspired by old European cemeteries. However, it became an obvious necessity in New Orleans because of the high water table. It didn’t take long for people to realize that digging graves wasn’t such a good idea in this flood-prone area. Let’s just say, those who were buried underground often resurfaced and surprised the living in the most ghoulish of ways!

A Family Affair

It was interesting to learn that the tombs in New Orleans cemeteries hold the remains of not one or two persons, but entire generations of families. The names of the deceased are usually inscribed on the stone up front, and the lists can get lengthy. Naturally, we were curious as to how it’s even possible to fit this many people in the same tomb, so Ms. Dannal gave us the scoop on all the important details.

Whenever a new body is placed in one of those tombs, it has to remain sealed in there for at least one year and one day. This is the amount of time needed for the natural processes to take place. During the summer months, the tomb essentially becomes an oven as the blazing New Orleans sun heats the stone and slowly cremates the body reducing it to a skeleton. Opening the tomb before this time has passed is illegal.

If, in the meantime, another relative passed away, the family would rent a temporary vault. We learned that at Lafayette Cemetery No.1, the temporary vaults are located within the thick walls surrounding the cemetery. When it’s safe to open the family tomb, cemetery workers sweep the remains of the last person to the back of the tomb in order to make space for the incoming family member. This process works really well. It’s not only sanitary, but also saves a tremendous amount of space.

Play Nice

Here is another somewhat entertaining angle to this whole thing: Getting laid to rest in the family tomb is not a given. Family disagreements and feuds can certainly lead to folks being kicked out of this sweet deal. So, if you are moving to The Big Easy, be nice to the one in charge of the will, or you may end up sharing a tiny box with a bunch of strangers…which, for some, may not be such a bad thing!

Celebrity Homes

As we continued our walking tour, we kept hearing about all the famous celebrities that own homes and live in the Garden District. Ms. Dannal pointed out the house where NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning grew up, and told us that it’s still the home of their parents. She also showed us actress Sandra Bullock’s mansion, actor John Goodman’s home, and one of the several houses where author Anne Rice once lived and worked.

We learned that the Garden District is also a favorite filming location, and the setting for a number of movies and series. It was neat to see up close the house from “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with Brad Pitt and the mansion from “American Horror Story: Coven.”

By the end of our tour with Ms. Dannal from Two Chicks Walking Tours, the Garden District had taken on a whole new meaning. Had we walked the streets without a knowledgeable guide, we would have never understood how truly fascinating this place is!

Beignets on Magazine Street

After parting with Ms. Dannal, we drove to nearby Magazine Street as our itinerary suggested. By this time the kids were starting to complain about being tired, so I promised to get them some fresh beignets. The thought of delicious deep-fried dough covered in powder sugar revived their spirit for a bit. Just as I was wondering how to deliver on my promise, we passed a place called The Vintage. Right on the window, clear as can be, were the words “coffee beignets.” I pointed it out to the kids, and they were ready to jump out of the car and go right in.

Unfortunately, we still had to find a place to park, which seemed a bit challenging at that time. By a pure stroke of luck, someone pulled out of a street parking spot right in front of us, and hubby instantaneously snapped it. In a blink of an eye, we had it all – beautiful weather, coffee, beignets, and parking! Once all of us replenished our energy with sugar, hot chocolate, and coffee, we walked around for a bit. Then, we decided to head back to the hotel and check on our pup Sammy. Unfortunately, we had no time to ride the St. Charles Streetcar, but hey, there is always “next time!”

Dinner Date

When we returned to our room, the doggy boy was very happy to see us. He was getting hungry by this time and couldn’t wait to get something to eat! After we took care of Sammy’s tummy, it was time to figure out our dinner situation. Our daughters practically begged us to stay at the hotel and play their electronics. So, we agreed without much hesitation. The idea was to go out and have a relaxing dinner date, then bring back something for the kids to eat. Let me tell you, it worked out great!

Hubby and I walked to Carmo, A Tropical Cafe and Bar, which turned out to be a fantastic place. We had some of their original specialties, desserts, and a rather unique cocktail drink, called Canchanchara. I can tell you, if we lived in The Big Easy, we would hit this place regularly. By all means, check it out, you won’t be disappointed!

Day 5: Leaving NoLa

---

Journy Itinerary

MORNING

• Enjoy a casual uptown breakfast at Toast or try Cafe Luna, a quaint cafe with a terrace
• Visit the Tree of Life and hang out at the Fly in Audubon Park
• Visit the lively Audubon Zoo, often ranked among the county’s best

AFTERNOON

• Enjoy locals’ favorite po boys at Parkway Bakery

---

On our last morning in New Orleans, we got up early and packed all our stuff. Then we took care of Sammy, got breakfast, and checked out of our room. Once all of us plus the doggy were in the car, we headed towards the French Quarter. It was a beautiful day, and we thought it would be fun to take a short walk around there one last time. Hubby and I basically decided to play it by ear and save the activities suggested by Journy for our next visit.

Preservation Hall and Final Beignets

After easily finding a parking spot in one of the paid parking lots in the French Quarter, we walked to Jackson Square. Since the weather was great, there were all kinds of street entertainers, artists, and psychics setting up shop right in front of the St. Louis Cathedral. We looked around for a bit, then continued on our way to Preservation Hall. Even though we didn’t get a chance to see a jazz concert there, we wanted to at least stop by and see it.

We made it to Preservation Hall right around 11:00 pm, just as they opened the box office. It looked like an inconspicuous, but interesting place, so we went in to check it out. Inside, we chatted for a bit with the woman at the box office, and she confirmed what we already knew: It’s best to get your jazz concert tickets in advance if you want to be sure to get in.

When we finished our short visit to Preservation Hall, we stopped at the nearby Cafe Beignet to get one final taste of our favorite New Orleans treat. Then we headed back to the car.

Final Impressions of the French Quarter

One of the restaurants that we passed was the Gumbo Shop, a place that we didn’t get a chance to try on the day it rained. I was hoping we could have lunch there, but unfortunately, they didn’t allow dogs. So, we kept on moving.

By this time, there were several street shows going on near Jackson Square, so we stopped for a minute to see the action. The most popular of all the entertainers was a guy balancing on a tall free-standing ladder. This certainly required some serious skills and bravery, so I could understand why the crowd was gathered there.

After watching the show for a few minutes, we walked back to the car and drove off just as our parking time expired. Satisfied that we had managed to see Preservation Hall and eat one final order of beignets, we headed towards our next stop.

St. Louis Cemetery No. 3

Since we couldn’t go inside the historic Lafayette Cemetery No.1 the previous day, I really wanted to find another cemetery to visit. Our guide in the Garden District recommended St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, which didn’t require us to be a part of a group tour. So we drove to St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, parked on the street right near the entrance, and hubby and I went in to see it. The kids stayed in the car playing their electronics and kept Sammy company.

We walked around for a bit, looking at the rows of tombs and lists of names engraved on them. Thanks to our tour with Ms. Dannal, we had a much better understanding of how these tombs are used. It was an interesting and relaxing short stop, as the cemetery was empty and quiet at the time.

Last Lunch in NoLa

When we returned to the car, we decided to stop by the City Park, which was very close by. It was a good idea to give Sammy one final chance to go potty before getting lunch and heading home. He was a very good boy as always, and didn’t make us wait for too long. As soon as he spotted a nice green lawn, he took care of business.

After this was out of the way, we looked up restaurants in the area, and found a lovely pizza place called Nonna Mia. They had a really nice outdoor seating area and allowed our doggy to accompany us there. The pizzas we ordered were great, and hit all the right spots before the long drive back to Houston. With this, our adventure to The Big Easy came to an end, but as we drove off, we knew we would be back really soon!

Other Fun Things to Do in New Orleans

While we did see a lot, there are still more fun things to do in New Orleans that we didn’t have time for. Here they are in no particular order:

• Take a tour of Honey Island Swamp with Cajun Encounters on a beautiful spring day.
• Go on a free walking tour of the French Quarter with Free Tours by Foot, and learn the fascinating stories behind this famous part of town.
• Check out the Backstreet Cultural Museum to get more insights into New Orleans history and culture.
• Attend a jazz concert at Preservation Hall, but be sure to plan ahead and reserve tickets in advance.
• Ride the St. Charles Streetcar because it’s such a unique and fun New Orleans thing to do
• Visit the National World War II Museum because it’s considered to be one of the best in the world.
• Take a stroll in Audubon Park among the amazing live oak trees.
• Go to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Reserve on a beautiful spring day and enjoy a stroll on the boardwalk. This is the perfect place to learn about the Mississippi River delta region of Louisiana.
• Try other favorite local restaurants and eat even more gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets.

So, there you have it! This just about wraps up our bucket list of fun things to do in New Orleans. In the end, whatever you choose, remember, this is The Big Easy, and you are bound to have a great time!

Special Thanks

We would like to thank Journy for planning and organizing our trip to New Orleans. Also, many thanks to Two Chicks Walking Tours for showing us around the incredible Garden District. We had an absolutely amazing time and want to be sure to mention that while these were sponsored activities, all opinions expressed in this article are our own. Please, refer to our Disclosure Policy for more information.

Disclaimer

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we will receive a small commission if you purchase something through these links. There is absolutely NO additional cost to you! We are affiliates of Booking.com and sincerely believe this is one of the best websites for booking accommodations. Thank you so much for choosing to use our affiliate links! These small commissions help us continue to update and run this website. 🙂

The activities described in this article took place on January 1-5, 2020.

---

PIN THIS POST!