Select a Caribbean cruise that
departs from and/or returns to New Orleans and you’ll get an automatic bonus:
some time in one of the most distinctive and historic cities in the U.S.
There’s so much to take in that you could plan to spend a few days there before
your cruise, after your cruise, or both.
The French Quarter is the
oldest and most-visited neighborhood in New Orleans, and it’s a gem. The narrow
streets are lined with Spanish-style buildings, many with ornate ironwork
balconies (most were constructed during a time of Spanish rule in the late 18th century, after
a fire destroyed the old French colonial buildings). Jackson Square is the
heart of the Quarter, always busy with horse-drawn carriage rides, street
performers and sidewalk artists; at night, palm readers will tell your fortune
in front of the Cathedral of New Orleans. Some of New Orleans finest
restaurants are in the quarter, serving up savory Creole and Cajun cuisine.
The French Quarter’s Bourbon
Street turns into an exhilarating party zone nightly, and the crowd is lots of
fun. But, don’t forget to see the rest of the Quarter: the walking tours (which
morph into ghost tours in the evening) are fascinating. Afterwards, refresh
yourself with beignets and café au lait at busy Café du Monde, a tradition for
visitors. The French Quarter is just a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship
dock, too.
There’s also a lot to see
outside the French Quarter: just to the east, or downriver, is the Faubourg
Marigny neighborhood, where Frenchman Street has become the center of the city’s
live music scene. It’s a lively backdrop for the Frenchmen Art Market, which
opens at 7 p.m. Thursday through Monday and stays open for browsing until 1
a.m.
New Orleans’ loveliest homes
and gardens are in the Garden District, where the live oak trees are draped
with Spanish moss. This is another wonderful neighborhood for a walking tour:
many of the stately homes are historic and some are owned by celebrities. For
antique shopping and lunch, visit Magazine Street. The elegant Commander’s
Palace, generally regarded as the finest Creole restaurant in the city, is in
the neighborhood, too, just across from one of the city’s famous above-ground
cemeteries.
To
visit the Audubon Zoo in Uptown, or expansive City Park – which has a sculpture
garden, art museum, small amusement park and more – hop on one of New Orleans’
streetcars.
For more ideas for a memorable pre- or post-cruise stay in
New Orleans, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays Personal Cruise Expert.
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