For my last New Orleans blog post, I wanted to take a moment to talk to you about the different attractions we visited while we were in town.
This was, by far, my favourite activity while we were on our little road trip to Nawlins. In fact, we all loved it! We didn’t have time to do the daytime swamp tour, so we opted for the nighttime one. It definitely had its benefits, it wasn’t too busy, it wasn’t ‘sunburn’ hot (though it was sticky and muggy) we got to see all kinds of red-eyed gators in the dark and it was an excellent experience all round.
Bring bug-spray – it’s skeeter city out there in the bayou.
Bring water – it’s freakin’ sticky and hot out there. Hydration is the new re-hydration.
Wear long trousers – did I not mention the skeeters?
Cost: $39pp
Duration of visit: 2 hours (+ travelling to get there)
The only reason we went here, was because Trip Advisor had it as the number 1attraction in New Orleans. It’s one of the more expensive museums I’ve been to, so I was a bit wary. But I kept the faith in the power of social media and off we went.
I loved it here. It was, hands down, the best museum I’ve ever been to.
We opted for the combination ticket, to see the Tom Hanks, hour long film about the war before we toured the museum. It was worth it. Even for my younger brother, who I thought would spend the day complaining that he was bored – there was something for all of us. I can’t recommend it enough!
Cost: $27 for a combination ticket (movie and museum)
Duration of Visit: At least 3-4 hours for the museum plus the additional hour for the movie.
I’d say don’t bother, it’s not really a museum. It’s a house with a lot of voodoo ‘stuff’ in there, much of which doesn’t have any description or literature. We were in and out within 20 minutes.
I think if there was more literature, and less tampax (tributes to a voodoo icon I think) it would have been a better experience all round. Not to mention it was HOT and sticky!
Cost: $7
Duration of visit: 15-20 mins
A two-hour cruise up the Mississippi river, through one of the worlds largest, and busiest ports. We were very excited to get on board this steamboat. We had a short wait, but thankfully they have a shaded area where you can wait and listen to a lady playing (albeit terribly) a pipe organ.
When you get on board, you want to sit on the left side of the boat. That’s the shaded side. So, get on the boat, face the front of the boat (the bit that points and moves forward) and sit to your left. I made the mistake of facing the back of the boat and sitting on the left and ended up getting a little sun.
Thankfully they had a yummy strawberry daiquiri on board that wasn’t horrifically expensive, that I enjoyed as we sailed up the river. It’s definitely a fun few hours on the water, but it’s not something I’d repeat – if that makes sense.
Cost: $25
Duration of visit: 2 hours
Tropical Isle bar (Bourbon St)
After our trip to the voodoo museum, the skies opened and we were walking in the rain. We came across a place that my friends Lindsay and Duane had told us to try if we had the chance. It looks trashy, cheap and tacky – but I loved it!
Maybe, perhaps, because of the rain, but I was curious to try these hand grenades that the Reilly’s had told us all about.
I wasn’t disappointed, the bar tender was friendly, the atmosphere, even for the middle of a miserable day, was good and the drink? Was definitely worth the hype!
Cost: $8 for a large drink (including the plastic glass)
Duration of visit: As long as you’d like to spend having a drink.
I love nothing more than a good mooch around market stalls, so the French Market piqued my attention. It was, however, raining again, so many of the vendors had packed up and left for the day but there were lots of things to look at.
We even picked up a few gifts for my family at home, there was an Asian bloke there who did some excellent painted ‘name art’ while you waited. It was very impressive.
Cost: Free to walk through.
Duration of visit: At least an hour
Candyland Cottage (Rayne, Louisiana)
On our way home we decided to indulge ourselves and go visit the worlds largest gummy bear. We’d seen the road signs on the way through to New Orleans and we figured there were worse places to stop than a sweet shop.
The place had a wonderful selection of sweeties, including Bob the 25lb gummy bear, gummy frogs and any number of random gummy animals and treats. Beyond that, it has a fudge bar and an ice cream selection that makes it very difficult to leave without indulging in something. I picked up some red velvet fudge for a friend and enjoyed a yummy ice cream while I was at it.
Furthermore, the staff were absolutely lovely. They asked us to sign the guest book, talked to us about where we were in town from and chatted to us a bit about the shop. It’s definitely a worthy place to stop en route to/from New Orleans.
Things I want to do next time we’re in town:
Old New Orleans Rum distillery
Streetcar
Superdome (Geaux Saints!)
Algiers Ferry
Louisiana State museum
Confederate memorial hall museum
Old US Mint
Louisiana state prison museum
Do we have some feedback on the red velvet fudge? I’m intrigued. Was it just chocolate fudge with red colouring do we think or did they somehow make fudge using buttermilk?
I honestly have no idea, it didn’t taste overwhelmingly chocolate-y, but I only had a little to taste it before I bought a hunk for Lindsay as a gift. Maybe ask her? She’ll probably have paid more attention than I did! LOL