New Orleans - Entry 3

Friday was our last day of our Hop-on Hop-off bus pass. So we headed downtown to ride the bus to the Garden district for the walking tour that was included in our bus pass. First, we had to check The French Market to see if we could fulfill the order from Zach’s mom. Sabeen was there. We have it Kelly!

So off we go to Jackson Square to catch the bus. We were debating the odds of having Steve as the Tour Guide. This time we had Gretchen. She said her family was some of the early German settlers in the area. Her narration was very entertaining. Her version of the early settlers is that German and Irish immigrants arrived in New Orleans in large numbers in the 1840s. No mention of KY.

We arrived at the Garden District stop at 11:50, the walking tour started at the top of the hour from 10 to 3. They told us the guide would be along shortly, his name is Steve. Yep, the same Steve. He described the architecture design of the houses and the history of the Garden District. There are two theories for why it is called the Garden District. In the French Quarter the houses are built on the entirety of the lot, no room for a yard (which the Europeans called a Garden). The other version is that the Americans planted flower gardens to help mask the odor of the swampy area. The French settlers thought the American silly with their little gardens.

Childhood home of Eli and Peyton Manning
(and Cooper)

Whatever the reason for the name, it is one of the prime locations for living in the city. We saw the boyhood home of Eli, Peyton, and Cooper Manning.  We also saw Sandra Bullock’s home.

We also explored the Lafayette Cemetery #1. The planning of this cemetery began in 1832 in preparation for the creation of Lafayette City, which would later be known as the Garden District. Lafayette #1 is also the most filmed cemetery in New Orleans (the Catholic cemeteries no longer allow filming).  Scenes from NCIS: New Orleans have been filmed inside (I am still looking for the bar and headquarters used in NCIS: New Orleans). Parts of the movie Double Jeopardy was filmed inside Lafayette Cemetery #1, the part where Ashley Judd was locked in a tomb.

We capped off the day with Beignets from Cafe Du Monde and Crawfish Etouffee from Pat O’Brien’s, in that order.

We had a Riverboat Dinner Cruise booked for Saturday evening, so we worked around the boat until early afternoon and then cleaned up and headed into the downtown area. We learned that the steamboat first came to New Orleans on January 10, 1812. Until this time, ships could not reach New Orleans on the Mississippi River. They had to come into Lake Pontchartrain and supplies were ship to New Orleans via railway. The river was to narrow and swift for the sailing vessels to navigate. And let me tell you, it is still swift, and I am glad I am not relying on sails alone for the trip.

Zach on the Paddle-wheeler, Creole Queeen

We arrived back at the dock and watched a firework show at the riverfront. From there it was on to Bourbon and Frenchman Street. The crow is a lot different at 10 than at 6.  I think the 10:00 crowd was as wild as we cared to be in the midst of. Both streets were crowded, but very different. You’ll have to go see for yourself. There are a lot more people conducting scientific experiments on both streets. That is they are testing the limits of their body's ability to metabolize alcohol. But I didn't see anyone recording the results, so maybe it is not for science.

Monday we visit the swamp and learn to ride alligators.

Lessons Learned:
There is a lot of history in New Orleans, more than I can put in a blog. Well at least more than what you will read in a blog.

Cafe Du Monde did not disappoint. Sometimes the quintessential touristy things to do really are tasty.

Sun Setting on New Orleans

Approaching the city after sunset