| The French Quarter has always stood out as one of | | | | Head down to the Alpine Bistro on Rue Chartres, just |
| New Orleans's star attractions, possessing the mixture | | | | one block from Jackson Square coming from Canal |
| of cultural influences, architecture, history, music, and | | | | St. At an affordable price, you can enjoy one of the |
| celebration that defines the city. I recently traveled to | | | | most romantic restaurants New Orleans has to offer. |
| New Orleans and had the incredible experience of | | | | "The courtyard will bring you back to the olden days |
| getting to know the Quarter. | | | | when writers wrote the literature we marvel at today" |
| I went into the trip without knowing a thing about New | | | | Be sure to try all of the cajun and creole favorites (I |
| Orleans's history and culture, and came out as a self | | | | highly recommend the crabcakes with a crawfish |
| proclaimed 'French Quarter Tour Guide'. I decided to | | | | sauce!) |
| start this blog as a way to get my thoughts about the | | | | 4. A Peaceful Stroll: While you are on Rue Chartres, I |
| city down as well as do my best to guide any new | | | | suggest taking a stroll to enjoy the historic architecture |
| visitors. I always try to keep in mind financial | | | | on the street. Here you will find the city's greatest |
| affordability, especially during economic times like these. | | | | concentration of preserved colonial era buildings and |
| So, viola, my guide for a day in the life of a French | | | | early 19th century town-houses. Your peaceful walk |
| Quarter Tourist: | | | | will also take you by some local shops and cafes |
| 1. Find Your Lodging: With affordability in mind, I booked | | | | scattered along the street. Take some time to stop |
| my lodging through a nifty site called Vacation-Offer | | | | and chat with the locals who are often relaxing in front |
| lets you find discount vacation deals through partner | | | | of these establishments. |
| resorts, based on the stipulation that you go on a | | | | 5. Dinner and Beyond: You may first have to return to |
| 90-minute timeshare tour while you are there. The | | | | the Frenchmen Orleans and take a nap before getting |
| short tour was harmless and informative, and definitely | | | | back out onto the town. I suggest spending your |
| worth the great price I got while staying at the beautiful | | | | evening on the famous Bourbon Street, partaking in the |
| Frenchmen Orleans luxury condos. The Frenchmen | | | | fantastic food and wonderful nightlife. Word of caution: |
| was located at 519 Frenchmen St, right near the best | | | | Bourbon St. is notoriously known for catering to |
| in food, music, and nightlife. | | | | tourists, as is any famed city landmark. Beware of |
| 2. Take in some History at Jackson Square: After you | | | | certain establishments that look especially gaudy and |
| get settled at your comfortable lodging, I suggest you | | | | have the tendency of price-gauging unsuspecting |
| get out on your feet and explore some of the history | | | | visitors. For dinner I recommend Embers Bourbon |
| that the French Quarter has to offer. Jackson Square, | | | | House & Restaurant, an eatery that specializes in |
| a beautifully manicured open air park located at the | | | | such delicacies as crawfish tails, fried alligator, |
| heart of the French Quarter, is a great place to start. | | | | jambalaya, catfish, stuffed crab, red beans and rice, |
| Here you can explore 18th century history and | | | | and crawfish etouffee. Be sure to try and get balcony |
| architecture by visiting the St. Louis Cathedral, | | | | seating overlooking the Bourboun Street nightlife. |
| designated a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI. Next to | | | | For the latter part of your evening I suggest stopping in |
| the Cathedral you should also check out The Cabildo | | | | for a drink at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. This candle lit |
| Museum, which served as the city's town hall in the | | | | bar will bring you through a time warp to a simpler time. |
| 18th century. | | | | The establishment was built around 1761, and |
| When you tire of ancient, hallowed landmarks, take a | | | | supposedly once owned by the pirate Jean Lafitte. |
| break and re-energize with an authentic cafe au lait at | | | | 6. Sleep: You will probably be quite tired by the end of |
| the Cafe du Monde across the square. Here you can | | | | this whirlwind tour, so be sure to get some 'Zs'. Lay |
| sit, relax, and listen to the live music of street | | | | back in your plush Frenchmen bed and fall asleep to |
| performers. | | | | the sounds of New Orleans...and don't forget to get |
| 3. Lunch anyone? : Getting hungry after all that history? | | | | ready for another great day in the Big Easy! |