Outside the French Quarter

Anne Rice fans would enjoy the Garden District, where she would get her inspiration and the setting of her books. Whether a fan or not, it is still worth visiting, and just looking around. With the elegant mansions and plantations, it gives what the antebellum South was like. If you have to make one trip out of the French Quarter, the Garden District is one option.

Your other option could be riding the St. Charles streetcar, where it starts at Canal St. Then it takes you to the Central Business District, then through the uptown area. A worthy option in its own right.

I also got to visit the Louisiana Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. This was the first sports dome that I’ve been to, and air-conditioned, which is a huge relief from the muggy weather outside.

A walk around Algiers Point is also nice. A quiet neighborhood, away from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, only across the river, but seems like worlds away. Have to take a ferry across the Mississippi to get there and back. Look at any guidebook for a walking tour. It was a nice walk, and I got to relax in a cafe, although I would be a witness to a shouting match between 2 people. Not fun!

I also visited the Confederate Museum, which was okay. It had displays of weapons from the Civil War. Buffs of the Civil War may love the place.

Overall, it was a fun trip, and someday, I hope to return.