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Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Discovering New Orleans with TripAdvisor Day One


Before I start this post and how amazing our trip to New Orleans was, I want to give a huge shout-out to TripAdvisor for giving us the opportunity.

This was the first time I had been to New Orleans and was looking forward to it, then I saw the weather report. There was a tropical storm heading right for the Gulf and all it said was thunderstorms, and lots of rain. We were a little worried and started looking at more indoor things to do. Luckily, we only got caught in one downpour, the rest of the trip was perfect weather.


We flew in super late but thanks to our house we were at (click here to book through TripAdvisor), we had a very successful self check-in with a code so we didn’t have to disturb anyone else in the home. Since it was so late, we didn’t explore the house but in the morning enjoyed some breakfast out on the porch. To say it’s humid in New Orleans in May is an understatement. 8am and you could feel it already. The neighborhood we were in is Marigny Super close to the French Quarter, Frenchmen street but yet far enough to be quiet and a great area. It cost about $5-8 give or take to get an Uber XL ride which was needed for us with my wheelchair.



Day one started out with hands down the best “donut” ever, the famous beignets from CafĂ© du Monde right there in the French quarter. If you go on a weekend, be prepared for a long line. When I say long, I mean about 2.5 blocks. Don’t let that steer you away though as the line moves fast and well worth it. The service is fast, and you won’t regret ordering a few beignets. Don’t forget the coffee with some chicory. If there is a chance you aren’t a coffee drinker, they do have hot chocolate.






From there we walked (well I got pushed) around Jackson Square, seeing the street performers, like this guy that was gold, and the one that posed for me in front of the Cathedral,  until it was time for our first tour through TripAdvisor. We went through the Lafayette Cemetery 1, along with a tour of the Garden District.









We had a great time in both, however if you are in a wheelchair like I am, the cemetery is not easy to navigate. This isn’t their fault really, I mean it is a cemetery and there are trees and roots and such. Just warning you, still worth it though. I’m from Wisconsin and our burial process is so different. Much like probably 99% of the country we are either cremated or buried 6 feet under. In New Orleans you can’t really burry 6 feet under as they are below sea level and when it rains it floods, and floods fast. The rituals and how they hold it sacred is truly amazing. When a person dies they place their body in the family vault for 365 + 1 day. This gives the body time to do a natural cremation. After that, they take the remains, and place in the area below the vault. This way an entire family can be together. Our tour guide did an amazing job of explaning it to us and was super funny. If you like Ryan Reynolds, you will love him as he had a great sense of humor and you could tell his respect for the cemetery and New Orleans runs deep.




From there, we walked a few blocks to the Garden District. This is a very famous area of the city as it has historic homes. I’m talking homes that are valued at 4-7 Million dollars. Not only that but a few celebrities live in the area such as Sandra Bullock and John Goodman. The only time I was disappointed during the tour is when it started to rain and then downpour which ended the tour, thankfully we were almost done. On the plus side we have a fun story on how we got caught in the rain a block from John Goodman’s house. The only thing that would have made it better, was if it was right at his house, but whatcha doing to do right?


ONE property! 

Sandra Bullock's house 


Overall, the tour was awesome, we learned a lot about the area and got to see some awesome homes in the process. You can book right through TripAdvisor, and it tells you exactly where to meet up with the tour guide. If you don’t do an Uber or Lyft, there is a streetcar that goes a block from the cemetery. I was sad we didn’t get to do a streetcar, but it would have been hard with my wheelchair.

We had booked a night tour around the Quarter but had to cancel due to the rain. Like I said above, when it rains it floods and well when you have a wheelchair that makes it hard to get around. We were disappointed, but it happens. We ended up relaxing in the room and ordering some Gumbo and a Po-Boy  from UberEats.



Our first full day in the city was awesome and full of memories. Make sure you check back for the next few posts about the other days we were in NOLA. In the meantime check out all the other cool TripAdvisor New Orleans activities. 

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Disclosure: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. Top Notch Material blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. We will only recommend products or services that we feel are of benefit to our readers. If you have any questions, please contact me at katrina dot gehman {at} gmail com. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 

24 comments:

  1. What a cool trip. The tour definitely sounded worthwhile. I've been to New Orleans a couple of times but I haven't seen it all!

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  2. You did so much in one day! I've always wanted to visit New Orleans. I would have been bummed about the rain canceling the night tour of the Quarter. Can you reschedule?

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  3. New Orleans is something I have always wanted to experience. I would love to try and real little fried donut like the ones featured.

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  4. I have always wanted to go to New Orleans. Now I want to go even more. The food, the entertainment, the history - all of it just sounds so amazing.

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  5. My husband and I are hoping to make a trip to New Orleans next year. It's within driving distance and I can hardly wait to try all the FOOD!!!

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  6. New Orleans has been on our list of places to visit since college. It just seems like it would be so much fun.

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  7. Looks like an awesome trip! I'd love to go visit New Orleans, I want all that yummy food! - Sarah, Must Have Mom

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  8. We've always wanted to go to New Orleans! I will have to check out TripAdvisor for our next trip!

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  9. New Orleans is such a beautiful city! So vibrant, alive and so much history. Excellent post about your trip!

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  10. When I went to New Orleans a few months ago, I was really taken in with the sites and the overall vibe of the city. Walking around the city is an eye-opener to just how much fun The Big Easy is!

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  11. The Big Easy is one of the best cities anyone can ever visit. Ever. I've been a couple of times, but I think Trip Adviser would have been a big help in finding the best spots.

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  12. New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. It's so full of music and life. And let's not forget the food! it's so, so good!

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  13. New Orleans is on my bucket list. Love this post, such great info! Love the pics too!

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  14. I've been there but haven't really explored the town like you did. How fun!! I would most want those donuts when I go back.

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  15. New Orleans is at the top of my US travel list. It looks like you got a lot of awesome activities accomplished in your first day. So fun!

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  16. I think it's awesome that you're sharing this trip! It's been so long since we last went to New Orleans and I definitely miss it especially the beignets! Thanks to TripAdvisor, it looks like you had a laid back and hassle free experience!

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  17. Sorry you got rained out a little. Glad you got to go. It's def. a once in a lifetime experience kind of place.

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  18. Toni | Boulder LocavoreThursday, June 28, 2018

    Sounds like a great place to explore! Those activities sound so fun!

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  19. I am dying to go to New Orleans! Your pictures are so great, I need to get this on the books!

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  20. My brother lived in New Orleans so I definitely got a taste for the city during the years he was there. However, it's been over a decade and definitely time to go back!

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  21. Everytime I go to NOLA I gain a new experience! I am so happy you had a good time and I am trying to make my way back this year as well.

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  22. I've never been to New Orleans before, but I would love to go someday! Sounds like you had an amazing time on your trip! Love Trip Advisor!

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  23. New Orleans is on my list of places that I would like to visit. I have heard great things about the food - the beignet looks so delicious - and the fun places to see.

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  24. I have never been to New Orleans but it looks like an amazing place to visit.

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