New Orleans Things to Do Tips by maestrousmc

The Shotgun

Two of the homes I owned in New Orleans were built in this style. Not too much of a surprise considering that this architectural style is found throughout residential New Orleans: the Quarter, Uptown, the Westbank. It's basically a rectangular house. No halls and rooms separated by a wall. It's sounds structurally uninteresting but this historic form packs a punch with its charm. You generally enter through the front door which leads into the living room the perhaps the dining room, then the kitchen then the bed in the back. A historic studio of sorts.

Homes are usually showcased in events called "Parade of Homes". If you're fortunate enough to be in town during one of these events check the homes out. It'll be a treat.

Wrought Iron in the Quarter

Wrought iron balconies lining the narrow streets of New Orleans historic Vieux Carré are one of the French Quarter's most prominent and memorable features.

A French Quarter balcony often serves as a means of expression for the buildings inhabitants. Balconies frequently resemble a tropical garden teaming with ivy, bromelaids, begonias and ferns. Others use their elevated display cases to exhibit personal treasures — everything from art to suits of armor.

The adjective most often used to describe New Orleans French Quarter balconies is lacy. Lacy wrought iron strikes me as an oxymoron, but the unique characteristics of wrought iron, especially its strength, resistance to rust and malleability do make wrought iron the ideal material for balconies and other ornamental ironwork.

Address: French Quarter

Directions: Anywhere in the French Quarter, particularly North of St. Ann Street. Just look up

Old U.S. Mint

Every building tells a story in New Orleans even more so with the historic New Orleans landmark: the US Mint building on Esplanade at the edge of the Vieux Carre. This elegant Greek Revival style (see below) building, dating to 1835, was built at the direction of President Andrew Jackson. President Jackson saw a need to encourage economic development in the Western frontier, and by 1838 minting of US currency had begun within these walls. After a rich and varied history, the building was acquired by the State of Louisiana as one of its five Louisiana State Museums. The Old U.S. Mint is part of the five museums that comprise the Louisiana State Museum complex: The Cabildo, The Presbytere, the 1850’s House and Madame John’s Legacy.

A widely popular style used throughout America from about 1820 to the 1860s, which based its design on ancient Greek architectural forms (and the distinctive Doric, Ionian and Corinthian orders). The use of porches and porticos supported by stately columns was reminiscent of Greek temples. Often seen in banks, courthouses and other public buildings as well as houses, the style became known as the National Style during its period of greatest popularity.

Address: 400 Esplanade Ave

Directions: At the Northeastern edge of the French Quarter.

Phone: 504-568-6968

Website: http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/Mintex.htm

Its Architecture St. Louis Cathedral Review

Like most of the samples from the period - residential, religious and everything in between - the Saint Louis Cathedral stands today as a representation of the Greek Revival Style. A widely popular style used throughout America from about 1820 to the 1860s, which based its design on ancient Greek architectural forms. The use of porches and porticos supported by stately columns was reminiscent of Greek temples -- much like you would see in photos of Greek monuments still in existence. Often seen in banks, courthouses and other public buildings as well as houses, the style became known as the National Style during its period of greatest popularity.

Address: 615 Pere Antoine Alley

Directions: Facing Jackson Square

Phone: 504-525-9585

The History St. Louis Cathedral Review

Located in the French Quarter's Jackson Square area in New Orleans, St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Louisiana. Built in 1794, the cathedral has had a long and eventful history, including a dynamite bombing in 1909, hurrican damage in 1915, a visit from the late Pope John Paul II in 1987, and relatively minor damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The church holds the bones of eight New Orleans bishops. It's really rather beautiful--like something out of a fairy tale. The building is also very well air-conditioned, a boon for the sultry summer-month churchgoers.

Address: 615 Pere Antoine Alley

Directions: Facing Jackson Square

Phone: 504-525-9585

So much history under one roof French Market Review

What began as a Native American trading post, historians have made the claim that the French Market is the oldest public market in existence in the U.S. Struggles between cultures, changes in government, and natural phenomenon have tested the resilience of it's vendors. The official site says:

"As for the confusion of tongues in the market, it was simply delicious. French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and "Gumbo" contended with each other for supremacy" ..." There are Gascon butchers, and the Italian and Spanish fruit vendors, and the German vegetable women; there are Moors, with their strings of beads and crosses, fresh from the Holy Land . . . Chinese and Hindu, Jew and Teuton, French and Creole, Malay, Irish, and English, all uniting in an ceaseless babble of tongues that is simply bewildering."

Others who frequented the early market included African-Americans selling coffee, pralines and calas, the rice fritter popular in 19th century New Orleans, and the Choctaw from north of Lake Pontchartrain who brought varieties of herbs, spices and handmade crafts.

Address: 1001 Decatur St.

Directions: between St. Ann and Barricks Sts.

Phone: 504-522-2621

Website: http://www.frenchmarket.org/

What you'll find French Market Review

1. Designer-inspired purses, wallets, sunglasses.
2. Framed and/or matted New Orleans prints
3. "I've been to New Orleans" t-shirts and the like
4. Candles
5. Jazz CDs and cassettes
6. Feather Boas
7. Mardi Gras beads
8. Hot sauce
9. Postcards
10. African and African-inspired home decor
11. Oil and acrylic paintings
12. Bourbon Street street signs
13. Artists to draw a caricature of you and your friends
14. Other things "New Orleans" to hang on your wall.
15. Cookbooks

As of April 29, 2008 the Farmer's Market is under renovation but once it opens you'll find locally grown produce, prepared meats, sauces, etc.

Address: 1001 Decatur St.

Directions: between St. Ann and Barricks Sts.

Phone: 504-522-2621

Website: http://www.frenchmarket.org/

Krewe of Rex -- King of Carnival Mardi Gras Review

The official Rex site says: "The Rex Procession has been the highlight of Mardi Gras day since the Rex Organization was formed and first paraded in 1872. While there had been celebrations in many forms on Mardi Gras before that time, the Rex Parade gave a brilliant daytime focus to the festivities, and provided a perfect opportunity for Rex, King of Carnival, to greet his city and his subjects."

This is THE Mardi Gras Parade. The Parade of All Parades. And though the locals have their opinion none will dispute that Rex will always rule.

This Parade tends to be quite crowded, packed and tremendously lively -- and rightfully so. Stay away from Canal Street and and along Saint Charles (for the most part). The parade is less crowded at the end of the route -- the best place to see this one.

Visit the site I've provided for parade details.

Website: http://www.rexorganization.com/Parade/

Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras Review

Perhaps the parade with the longest route, Endymion could possibly be one of the largest Parades in New Orleans. Though New Orleaneans have strong opinions on which parade is above all, none can argue that this Super-Krewe provides the quintessential Mardi Gras Parade experience. "Endymion gets its name from the like-named figure of Greek mythology, the most handsome of men and the god of youth and fertility. First parading in 1967, Endymion quickly emerged as one of Carnival's 'Super-Krewes' in 1974 with the inclusion of more floats and celebrity guests."

If you're going to see one, see this one.

Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras Review

In the past celebrities as Drew Carey, Whoopee Goldberg, and Harry Connick, Jr have ridden the floats. In my experience, this star-studded Krewe is perhaps one of the most vibrant and well-funded Mardi Gras Krewes. Historically speaking, www.mardigrasneworleans.com says, "Founded in 1993, the Krewe of Orpheus takes its name from the musically-inclined son of Zeus and Calliope. In New Orleans, the krewe established themselves as a superkrewe with their first parade in 1994 that rolled with 700 riders, a record. Now consisting of 1,200 male and female riders, the Krewe of Orpheus will roll over the Orleans Parish featuring celebrity riders."

If you're looking to catch a glimpse of a celebrity this is the parade to go to. Maybe they'll even throw you a dabloon.

The best place to see this parade is on St. Charles because it tends to be less crowded than the downtown portion of the route.