Wandering Through Time: Our Stay in New Orleans’ French Quarter (2023 Trip)
New Orleans had long been on our travel wish list, and in 2023, we finally made it happen. Stepping into the French Quarter felt like entering a living museum — one where jazz pours from every corner, the scent of Cajun spices fills the air, and each street tells a story. Staying right in the heart of the French Quarter gave us the perfect base to soak in the city’s history, culture, and irresistible charm.
Where We Stayed: Heart of the Quarter
We chose to stay right in the historic French Quarter, and honestly, we couldn’t have picked a better location. The charm of wrought-iron balconies, narrow cobbled streets, and the constant soundtrack of jazz pouring from street corners made every step feel cinematic. Waking up to the scent of chicory coffee and the sounds of a brass band warming up was nothing short of magical.
Sights & Soul
From the grandeur of Jackson Square to the mystique of voodoo shops tucked into alleys, we dove headfirst into the Quarter’s unique mix of history and mystery. We wandered through the art stalls, watched tarot readings unfold beneath centuries-old oaks, and paused often just to soak in the atmosphere.
A visit to St. Louis Cathedral reminded us why this city holds such a deep spiritual and cultural identity. Just across the street, the bustling energy of Café du Monde lured us in for hot beignets dusted with powdered sugar—and yes, we wore it proudly on our shirts afterward.
Sounds of the Street
What sets New Orleans apart is how music isn’t something you attend — it’s something you live. Street performers with saxophones, full brass ensembles, and solo singers added a live soundtrack to every walk. We spent one evening dancing in the middle of Royal Street as a band played jazz-funk under the soft glow of gas lamps. Pure magic.
French Quarter Food Cravings
We ate very well. From rich gumbo and jambalaya to buttery shrimp po’ boys and melt-in-your-mouth pralines, each bite told a story. At one restaurant, we had a crawfish étouffée so flavorful we seriously considered ordering a second round as dessert. And don’t even get us started on the red beans and rice.
Bourbon Street After Dark
Of course, no French Quarter stay is complete without a Bourbon Street experience. Neon lights, zydeco music, and dancing crowds made for a night to remember (or partly forget). We sipped on Hurricanes and people-watched for hours — the energy here is contagious and completely New Orleans.
Reflections
New Orleans is more than just a city — it’s a feeling. Staying in the French Quarter meant we didn’t just visit; we lived the city for a few days. We danced, we listened, we tasted, and we connected. From its haunted past to its exuberant present, NOLA wrapped us up in its story — and we can’t wait to return.
A Neighborhood That Never Sleeps
Our accommodations were just steps away from the iconic Bourbon Street, which buzzed with life from sunrise to well past midnight. Music—live, unfiltered, and soulful—was everywhere. From brass bands on street corners to smoky blues echoing from tucked-away clubs, the French Quarter gave us a front-row seat to the city’s rich musical legacy.
Evenings often meant strolling along Royal Street, admiring the wrought-iron balconies above and popping into antique shops and galleries below. We were constantly in awe of how effortlessly the city blends the past and the present.
Food, Glorious Food
New Orleans is a culinary destination in its own right, and the French Quarter is its beating heart. We dove headfirst into plates of jambalaya, red beans and rice, gumbo, and beignets that were worth every grain of powdered sugar. Dining al fresco while people-watching became a favorite pastime.
Whether it was grabbing a quick po’boy sandwich from a local deli or settling in for a candlelit dinner at one of the Quarter’s historic restaurants, every meal felt like a celebration of flavor and culture.
A Scenic Day Trip: Across the Causeway to Madisonville
While we could’ve spent every moment exploring the Quarter, we decided to venture out and see more of Louisiana. One evening, we took a scenic day trip across Lake Pontchartrain to the charming town of Madisonville for dinner. The drive alone was worth it—the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, stretching nearly 24 miles, is one of the longest bridges over water in the world.
There’s something almost surreal about being surrounded by water in every direction as you drive straight into the horizon. It’s one of those only-in-Louisiana experiences we knew we couldn’t miss.
Madisonville welcomed us with a slower pace and Southern hospitality. The quiet streets, the marina views, and a relaxing dinner near the water gave us a different flavor of Louisiana—calm, cozy, and just as delicious.
TTouring History and Memory: Metairie Cemetery, Whitney Plantation & The National WWII Museumouring History and Memory: Metairie Cemetery & Whitney Plantation
As travelers who seek to understand a place through its history, we carved out time to explore several of New Orleans’ most meaningful historic sites.
First, we visited Metairie Cemetery, a strikingly ornate resting place filled with elaborate tombs, statues, and mausoleums. It was both beautiful and haunting. The cemetery felt more like an open-air sculpture garden than a graveyard. Walking among these monuments told us as much about New Orleans’ past as any museum—stories of Civil War generals, jazz musicians, and local legends all resting in eternal stillness.
We also took a deeply impactful day trip to Whitney Plantation, a visit that brought raw emotion and truth to the surface. Unlike other plantation tours, Whitney focuses entirely on the lives of the enslaved, offering a powerful and necessary perspective on American history. The preserved slave quarters, oral histories, and memorials were sobering reminders of the human cost behind the grandeur often associated with plantation life. It’s not an easy visit, but it’s an essential one.
Back in the city, we spent time at the National WWII Museum, one of the most impressive and comprehensive museums we’ve ever visited. From the immersive exhibits and original wartime artifacts to the moving personal stories told through video and interactive displays, it was a deeply emotional and informative experience. Walking through the museum was like walking through history—at times heavy, but always profoundly meaningful. It gave us a broader understanding of the war’s global scale and its enduring impact on the world.
History Around Every Corner
Back in the French Quarter, history continued to surround us. From the stunning architecture of St. Louis Cathedral to the stories housed within the walls of the Cabildo and the Presbytère, every creole townhouse and gas-lit street seemed to whisper its past.
One of our favorite moments was walking along the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Park, watching the steamboats drift by as we imagined the city in its early days.
Culture and Community
New Orleans’ cultural richness goes beyond what you see and hear—it’s something you feel. The spirit of resilience, joy, and community is everywhere. Whether it was chatting with locals at Jackson Square or listening to a guide recount the stories of voodoo queens and jazz legends, we left with a deep appreciation for the city’s unique heritage.
Final Thoughts
Staying in the French Quarter gave us the best of New Orleans: its music, food, history, and soul—all within walking distance. Venturing across Lake Pontchartrain to Madisonville added a serene escape, while touring Metairie Cemetery and Whitney Plantation grounded our trip in deeper reflection and reverence.
It was more than a vacation. It was a journey through time, memory, and culture—one we’ll never forget.
We’ll be back, New Orleans. Laissez les bon temps rouler!