http://www.gloria305travels.com/google68e958dd14763a9e.html .

 

 

In April 30.1803, USA purchased New Orleans from France.  This purchase was signed by Robert Livingston, James Monroe and Barbe Marbois in Paris, for a total of $ 15 million dollars, less than 3 cents an acre. This Treaty included: Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, part of Minnesota, much of North and South Dakota, part of New Mexico, Texas, Montana and of course New Orleans.  This purchase was vital for President Thomas Jefferson.  See map below indicating the purchase in green.

There is so much to do in New Orleans ( NOLA as their residents call it), that I would like to spend a few months there, and share the joy that their residents have there.

FRENCH QUARTER

 

This famous area, was founded in 1718 by the official French Canadian Jean-Babtiste Bienville.  The French were its first inhabitants, and their buildings still reflect the era of that time, but Louis XV ceded it to his cousin Charles III Bourbon of Spain, which explain their buildings with bars and bricks, and of course its Spanish oil.  Four decades later came the purchase of Louisiana by the United States. Then started a flourishing era, with their crops of cotton and sugar and the steam ships that brought goods, as well as, Irish, German, African and French immigrants, creating a wealth of culture.  different religions, all of them contributed something to this beautiful city.  In 1900 the jazz music was born, legends as Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bolden, Oliver Kin, this attracted many artists and painters, as well writers, which were inspired while enjoying this mix of cultures.

If you walk at night by Bourbon St., you will enjoy will famous the bars, burlesques, and also bands playing jazz on the streets.

SAINT LOUIS CATHEDRAL

The cathedral-basilica built by the King of France, is the oldest cathedral in North America founded in 1718, in front of the Mississippi River, was established as a parish in 1720 and designated a Basilica in 1964. The inside is very nice.

Next to the Cathedral is were artists sell their paintings and crafts.

New Orleans gets about 10 million visitors annually.  One way to see New Orleans on a budget is to take the local street cars or trolleys.  That will save a lot of money that you would spend in tours, since you can buy a $3 pass per person for an entire day.  You can use it also on the city buses.  We did not have any problem moving around in the “streetcar”, and you get to see a lot for just a few dollars, although be prepared to walk a lot in New Orleans if you want to see everything.

New Orleans is a “party city”, there’s always something to celebrate, and the wiliness to have fun.  In many stores downtown, there are an large assortment of costumes for every occasion.

Starting with  Halloween (late October), there are several days of enjoyment giving candy to children, which they use a large number of different costumes.

Christmas is celebrated at many restaurants with their typical creole food.  Homes and business are decorated with Christmas lights and decorations.

CITY PARK

It shines with two million lights, and is located at Palm Drive, New Orleans LA 70120.  There is free parking, inside the park and you can visit: New Orleans Botanical Gardens, New Orleans Museum of Art, and the largest collection of Oaks in the world with more than 600 years old.

MARDI GRAS

The season concludes with the Mardi Gras, which lasts a week with parades and floats that go from St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street, ending at the French Quarter.   It is almost impossible to get a room at a hotel at a reasonable price during this carnival, but you may be able to  rent an apartment or a timeshare at a more reasonable time, just plan ahead.

FRENCH MARKET

Founded in 1791, is the oldest market in the United States and you can find almost everything there, such as souvenirs, crocodile hot dogs (not bad at all), fruits, etc., but don’t look for quality goods, since almost all is ”made in China”

RIVER WALK MARKET PLACE

It was built for the World Fair of 1984, here you can find quality shops with typical  New Orleans gifts. It begins across the street from the Harrah’s Hotel and Casino.  Even if you are not staying at the casino, you can visit it to try your luck, or just to eat at their restaurants or fast food court.

 

You can take a tour of  the Mississippi river, on the famous New Orleans “Steamboat Natchez” which cost $ 35.50 with lunch and without lunch is a little cheaper. www.steamboatnatchez.com   for more information .

AQUARIUS AUDUBON

Located in Central Business District / Downtown at 1 Canal St.

$ 18.00 adults and $14 age 65 and over

It has 600 marine species, including a white crocodile.  There is a small cafeteria and a souvenir shop.

SAINT LOUIS CEMETERY

 

You can take the trolley in front of the Harrah’s and visit the cemetery.  You may want to go through the exclusive Garden District, which have  beautiful homes and also see Tulane and Loyola Universities.

This cemetery is one of the three Catholic cemeteries of the same name, but this was the first.  It is from the eighteenth century, and you will  notice that the graves above ground (something not common in the U.S.).  Originally they were buried underground, but flooding in the area caused graves to float, having to switch to above ground graves.  There are many famous people buried here, and if you wish,  you may take a paid tour of the cemetery, but for us it was boring, so we did it “our Way”. 

I want to thank Cathy, Mike and Kaleena for making this trip so enjoyable to us.

CATHY AND MIKE

I hope you enjoy your trip to New Orleans.

Photos by: Cathy, Gloria ,Vily and Mike