New Orleans was surreal.  Really, it was kind of out of this world.  I had a certain picture in my mind and it was not what I expected!  It is a very unique city that is hard to put into words.

We stayed in the French Quarter RV Park, which is about a block and a half directly behind the French Quarter beside Armstrong Park.  It’s most definitely not the safest neighborhood to camp in, but our park was actually very secure- razor wire and all! It was a strange feeling because our park was actually very nice and we roamed about freely and enjoyed the pool and common areas, but right outside our gate there was this strange mix of crime and tourism- prostitution, people strung out or drunk, and then others walking around with their cameras. It was such a strange conglomeration of cultures and activity.  New Orleans has such a dynamic history of culture clash and you can almost feel that same tension existing there today.

Cemetery #1 was actually right on the other side of the cement wall bordering our park.  I won’t lie- that was a little on the creepy side!

As much as James and I would have loved to take an extensive guided tour to soak in every detail of the French Quarter history, we knew the kids just wouldn’t have the endurance required to walk and listen four hours and hours in the heat.  So, instead, I spent some time online the night before and created our own mini tour that made a nice loop through the Quarter and highlighted some very cool history (that was all kid-appropriate history).  We saw Burbon Street (but didn’t actually spend time there), St. Peter’s Cathedral, Andrew Jackson Square, Pirate’s Alley, The French Market, St. Ursuline Convent, The old pirate Captain Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and lots of amazing architecture.  We heard that Frenchmen Street was the local favorite- slightly off from the highly toured French Quarter.  We veered a couple of blocks off course to see it, but there wasn’t much there to impress. A couple of rowdy bars but nothing much to see.  We can say we’ve been there though!

French Quarter memories

Our campground neighbors!

James with St. Peter’s Cathedral and Andrew Jackson.  Did you know that this was the first statue

ever created that had more than one horse hoof lifted of the ground?

In front of St. Peter’s Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

We stopped for lunch in the French Market.  James was feeling adventurous so he went for a gator burger and all the kids tried a bite too! I chickened out.  I’m pretty adventurous when it comes to food, but I just can’t stomach the thought of eating a reptile.  But, I had my own little foodie adventure.  I’m quite sure I stumbled onto the world’s absolute best crab cakes!  They boast the best crab cakes in the city, but I’d venture to say they’re the best anywhere.  If you ever find yourself in the French Market you must try them!  You can find them at this small stand called “Meals from the Heart Cafe”.

Meals from the Heart Cafe

We didn’t have time to tour any other areas in the city, unfortunately.  I very much wanted to tour the Laura Plantation (a Creole Sugar Cane Plantation that has been incredibly preserved) but we realized that our GPS was predicting our arrival 15 min. after the last tour so we missed out.  (Mom may have been a little cranky about not moving a long fast enough to leave in time. Not my finest moment I’ll admit).  The next time we’re in LA, it’s going to be at the top of my list.

James and I decided that we’d like to return to New Orleans sometime without kids so that we can truly soak up the history.  But it was an eye opening experience for us all and even the kids were amazed at the level of historical preservation that New Orleans offers.