Heading to New Orleans 2017 for Friday the 13th wasn’t something we had on the radar for our travels plans this year but we couldn’t pass up opportunity! At least twice a year Bb and I will try to travel kid free and have a little adult R and R. New Orleans was the perfect spot for a little bit of rest and a whole lot of excitement.

Let’s Go!

We flew in on a Thursday which was an awesome travel day. The day started off a little rough because we both worked until 11 pm and had to get swaps for the last 8 hours of our shifts. We had a flight for 6am and and decided to head to the airport at 3 to arrive by 4. Well…… I woke up to Bb saying ” NOOOOOO” around 410!! We were so dead tired we slept through 4 alarms which put us super behind ! I don’t think I’ve EVER gotten myself together and out of the house within 12 mins In my life ! We arrived at the airport at 5 and literally walked up to the gate as they were boarding. We flew Delta which is always a treat. The seats are comfortable and the flight attendants are pleasant. For a girl like me who HATES to fly, it’s the little things! We had a small flight delay which was fine by me because I was exhausted.

Getting there-New Orleans 2017

We had a layover in Atlanta for an hour but by the time we walked to the next gate that flight was boarding. Our short 1 hour flight over to NOLA was smooth and check out was a breeze. We decided to get a rental car from National and our attendant was hilarious! With our reservation, whatever car pulled up for the lot was the car you got. We ended up with a Chevy Impala which was very nice ! We didn’t need a car as much as we thought but it was nice having a car just in case.

Accommodations-New Orleans 2017

Our reservation at the Wyndham La Belle Maison time share wasn’t until Friday night so we spent our first night at the New Orleans Marriott located in the French Quater.

After we checked in we decided we would jam pack the first day with as much stuff as we could ! This proved to be a terrible idea LOL.

For some reason, we decided to grab a “light lunch” of sushi. The reviews of the closest place were pretty good so we headed over there as our first stop. On the way over, BB tapped me on the should and showed me the pictures we dug up of the Jazz sushi but I insisted that we go anyways.

Locate on the top floor of a mini strip mall was a hole in the wall ” sushi bar”. As we approached the joint, a lady with a bucket of dirty mop water was mopping the floor in the area where the only seating was located. Grooooooss.

So many things were wrong with this picture yet we continued to order 3 rolls and “noodle salad”. All I will say is are lucky we made it out alive. As you can see, it received 4 stars on Yelp but I’d give it less than 1. Soooooo, if you’re headed to NOLA, stick to local food!

After our lunch from hell, we decided to walk and take in some local sights. We came across Jackson Square which is a national historic landmark where Louisiana was made a United States territory. There are shaded benches that we later came back to the next day to enjoy candied Health bar apples from Mister Apple candy store.

Located 2 blocks from the park is the famous Cafe Du Monde. If you aren’t familiar with this New Orleans cafe this is a MUST if you are planning a trip to the city. A quaint little open-air cafe that is open 24 hours a day provides Beignets and coffee. No muss, no fuss!

If I had to describe what they taste like hot doughy goodness with LOTS of powered suagr on top. They are served in threes and are a little bigger then the palm of my hand.

With stomach full of Beignets we headed over the Bourbon Street for some action. We picked up a famous “Hurricane Fishbowl” and stumbled across Musical Legends Park. This nice little break from the craziness of Bourbon Street full of live music every day from 10 am to close, fountains and bronze statues. We had no idea there is another Beignet spot called Cafe Beignet and bar are located in the park which was super convenient.

New Orleans 2017

This little Hurricane beauty had Everrclear mixed in as a little extra and called for a “quick” 3-hour nap after spending the afternoon finishing it. We quickly learned on the first day that we are officially not spring chickens anymore.

After our death nap, we passed a couple of stores allspiffedd up for the Halloween season.

There were a lot of art displays in the windows as we walked to dinner.

These bicycles that provide rides for up to 3 people literally lined every street.

We decided to go the Oceana Grill for dinner which received great reviews from friends and Yelp. Ordering local favorites in a trio was the best food decision we made all day! The jambalaya, red beans and rice and gumbo trio was our choice and was everything I thought it would be plus more.

We did a little more walking down Bourbon Street and decided to turn in early for the night.

The next morning we woke ( somehow in one piece) and checked out in order to make our way over to the next stop. If we ever come back I will surely stay a few nights at the Marriott. The room was spacious and the bed was one of the MOST comfortable beds I’ve EVER slept in!! We were so sad to leave this place but super excited to see what the time share had to offer us.

NOTE: EVERYTHING is within reasonable walking distance in the French Quater ! We got a rental car and now know that next time we won’t get one and will just walk.

We missed the turn for the hotel 3 freaking times ! Yes … 3 times! The hotel is narrow, so if you’re not looking for it you WILL pass it very easily. We FINALLY made the turn and the valet was very helpful although we were 5 hours early. They took our baggage, parked the car and told us they would call us when the room was ready. We decided to go out on the town for a few drinks. This is where the real fun began ( again).

Outside the time share Wynhamd Belle Maison.

Local sights
Little shops like this in every other corner

Our breakfast spot-Daisy Dukes

Had to try the bloody art even though it was 10 am. Was kinda disspointed because I didnt have a crawl daddy hanging off of the side like in the picture LOL

We decided to do gumbo as many places as we could . This one included shredded chicken which was a hearty touch.

Seafood omelette left much to be desired. Grits were box made and lack luster but did the trick for the morning.

County fried steak was so so

So many sweet options! From multi-decorated marshmellows to praline bark. We decided on a Heath bar candied apple and it was just what I expected !!! A-MA-ZING!!!

As if eating a huge breakfast and candy all afternoon wasn’t enough we decided to go into the Royal House for yet another meal.

We started off with crab legs with a cream sauce with the perfect amount of spice! Literally to die for !

We both decided to do salads since we had gorged ourselves on food all day ! We weren’t let down.

Our next stop was to find some live music and somewhere to rest for a bit before the evening. We stumbled upon Fat Cat sand the infamous Bourbon Street Band was performing. They played a concoction of old and new mixed with a bit of humor and had the whole bar on their feet.

Sights around Bourbon Street

Shrimp and grit cake !! OMG

Prior to coming to NOLA we read up on some local events happening during our stay. The Crescent City Jazz Festival was taking place and we decided to check it out. Read about it here

After a long, fun-filled day of live music, we headed over to Pat O’Brien’s piano bar for some dinner and more drinks.

This Louisiana humidity has not been good to my hair!

We ventured out a got another hurricane. This time…it was amazing! Even better is I didn’t feel like death within an hour after drinking it.

Gumbo bowl #3. Simply delish

The outdoor seating was so relaxing

More shrimp and grits!

After we left dinner we walked Bourbon Street, got our palms read by Mari the psychic and listened to every corner music performer on our way back to the hotel.

We ended up waking several miles that night and low and behold although the weather called for a nice dry evening, the skies opened up when we were over a mile from the hotel ! Running in the rain, all dress up through the streets of New Orleans with my best friend was definetly one of the highlights of the trip. We were soaked to the bone and freezing cold once we got back to the hotel and decided to turn in for the evening.

After a great night of beauty rest, we went back to Jimmy J’s for breakfast. This time to pass our time in the line, BB went and got us coffee from The Coffee Truck.
Followed by more Bloody Marys and Sangria. These Bloody Mary’s were to die for! Topped off with the sweetest, crispiest bacon and pickled beans.

Sangria is fruit and fruit is a breakfast food 🙂

If you haven’t tried fried green tomatos you are missing out!

The Redskins game was on and we were determined to find a nice spot to watch it. We found Ryan’s Irish Pub located right around the corner from where we were. We indulged in Abita Purple Haze lager and carry out wings from a local dive.