On our second day in New Orleans, Scott and I started our day with a River Cruise on a Steamboat down the Mississippi River. It was an easy walk from our hotel to the Riverwalk, where we explored the walk as we arrived early.
As we walked along the Riverwalk, we came upon the holocaust memorial, which was very beautiful. Depending on the angle you were viewing it, you would see different images.
There were a number of sculptures along the way, including a padlock fence.
We purchased our tickets in advance using the Viator app and chose the Natchez Jazz Cruise, one of two steamboat options available. The cruise offers a lunch or dinner package depending on the departure time, but we opted to skip the meal and simply purchased drinks, with snacks also available for purchase. An old-school jazz band played inside during the cruise, adding to the classic New Orleans atmosphere.
It was nice being out on the water, even though there isn’t a whole lot to see along the Mississippi River. That said, the captain did point out and call attention to the various landmarks and sites along the way, which helped provide some context and history during the ride.
Exploring More of New Orleans
After our cruise, we grabbed some lunch at Daisy Duke’s (a very casual diner style breakfast and lunch spot) and then headed to the Waldorf Astoria to see the holiday lobby lights. One thing I did not mention in the episode (see link below), was that I actually did not feel safe in New Orleans. As Scott and I were walking to the Waldorf Astoria we passed a number of people doing drugs, selling drugs and on drugs. It was very unnerving. There were also a number of thug kids wreaking havoc on the crowds and tourists (and this was in broad daylight!)
One thing I did like about the city, is they kept a lot of the old gas lamps and they are still using gas! The photo below was an old clock from over 100 years ago!
Our 2nd Night in NOLA
As you know, I like to make dinner reservations in advance just to make sure we can get in to a popular restaurant. For our second dinner, we selected Red Fish Grill. Before we headed to dinner, we grabbed a quick cocktail at the Drinkery and listened to some live music.
From there, we walked down Bourbon Street looking for more live music and we stumbled upon the Honky Tonk. We didn’t stay too long, but the music was great.
Last Day in New Orleans
Unfortunately during our three day trip, I was battling some kind of flu and tried my best to enjoy the trip. There are not too many cities I don’t like, but I really struggled with New Orleans. Scott has been many times and loves it. It could have been my health, but I really disliked seeing young four year-olds performing on Bourbon Street at 11pm.
The weather had been chilly the first few days, which I love when it comes to celebrating the holiday season, but it was back to the 80 degree weather on our last day. After having breakfast at a local diner (nothing to write home about), we decided to check out the Sazerac Distillery. The Sazerac Distillery in New Orleans highlights the city’s deep-rooted cocktail heritage and the legacy of the iconic Sazerac cocktail, often called America’s first. Located near Canal Street, it offers an engaging look at New Orleans’ lasting influence on American spirits and cocktail culture.
The French Market
Then Scott and I headed towards the infamous French Market. We took the long route through the French Quarter and found lots of galleries.
The French market in New Orleans is one of the city’s most iconic and historic landmarks, reflecting its deep French and Creole roots. Established in the late 18th century, it is the oldest public market in the United States and remains a vibrant hub of local culture. Stretching through the heart of the French Quarter, the market is known for its mix of artisan goods, local art, spices, fresh produce, and classic New Orleans flavors. Today, the French Market continues to capture the city’s lively spirit, blending history, music, food, and craftsmanship into an experience that feels unmistakably New Orleans.
Just outside The French Market, you will find the Joan of Arc statue. The replica Joan of Arc statue in New Orleans stands as a symbol of the city’s French heritage and enduring ties to France. Located along Decatur Street in the French Quarter, it honors the French heroine and reflects New Orleans’ historic French influence and cultural pride.
Voodoo Museum
Scott and I stopped at the Voodoo Museum and it was fascinating. It was probably the most interesting museum we visited during our stay. In fact, I was disappointed there were not more museums to learn about the culture. The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s spiritual and cultural history, rooted in African, Caribbean, and Creole traditions. The small but powerful space highlights the influence of Voodoo on New Orleans through artifacts, altars, and storytelling that explain its role in everyday life and folklore. During my visit, I purchased a Gris Gris bag for success and health, along with a bayberry candle to burn on New Year’s Eve—traditionally used to invite good luck and prosperity in the year ahead.
Wrapping up our New Orleans Trip
For our last night in New Orleans, we made dinner reservations at an Italian restaurant and two hours before dinner, they messaged us that the restaurant had an emergency and had to close. Scott and I didn’t want another Cajun or Creole dinner, so we looked for a steakhouse (that wouldn’t break the bank). We found a highly rated restaurant on Open Table called. Rizzuto’s. We took an Uber to the restaurant only to find out it was a restaurant inside the Hyatt hotel. When we arrived, the restaurant was super bright and set up like a breakfast buffet restaurant. This was not an upscale steak joint, but they did charge the prices you would expect at a Morton’s. Since I wasn’t feeling good, I didn’t order much. They insisted on bringing Scott a glass of bubbly as a thank you for coming by. LOL!!
Thoughts about New Orleans
At the end of the day, it was a quick holiday getaway and I’m glad I experienced New Orleans at least once. While I appreciated the live music and the city’s deep, fascinating history, the overall atmosphere wasn’t quite for me, and much of it took away from the holiday charm I was hoping for. I would have loved to see more museums and more structured ways to truly learn about the city beyond the streets. It’s not a destination I feel the need to return to, but I’m grateful for the experience and for the perspective it gave me.
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Cheers,
