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Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Discovering New Orleans with TripAdvisor Day Three and Four

Or first couple days in New Orleans was amazing. Day one, we got to learn about the cemetery and saw some awesome homes and ate too much food. Day two, we ate even more food, saw the Cathedral and the Hurricane Katrina Museum. Make sure you read about them, if you haven’t yet. Now it’s time to fill you in on Day three and four (we flew home so not much happened day four).




We had a big day planned so we decided on eating a bigger breakfast at the house (if that café had been open on Memorial Day, we would have eaten there). We got all ready and waited for the shuttle to pick us up as we were going to the Bayou on a swamp tour, from Cajun Encounters, which can be booked hassle free on TripAdvisor. They picked us up which is so much easier than trying to get Uber to take us almost an hour outside the city (and cheaper than Uber too). On the way to Slidell our bus driver gave us information on the area and what Hurricane Katrina damaged. Years after the fact you can see buildings that were damaged and never got rebuilt.



We got to Cajun Encounters and got all checked in and waited for our tour to start. They divide people up with color coded bracelets. From there we got into the boat and went on our way. Or tour guide Greg was awesome. The wildlife is amazing, and each part of the river is different from the last. Like, each area has its own ecosystem. We saw a few alligators at first but saw more as we got deeper into the river. At that point we stopped and actually fed a few some hotdogs. We were told that they know the tourist’s boats and know they have food. Which makes since as I’m sure the boats are there pretty much all day every day over and over.




We got to one part of the river where we had to turn around as we couldn’t go any farther and that’s where we saw Hamlet (that’s what we named him). A cute wild boar. There was a raccoon who we name George Cooney (bad puns I know), but we didn’t get a really good close look at him. Hamlet was awesome though. You could tell he was used to tourists as well as he came right up to the boat wanting food, which our tour guide gave. He would have come onto the boat had it been a little lower to the waterline.



We left Hamlet and George and headed to another part of the river where we stopped in an open area and got surrounded by small(ish) alligators, which we fed more hot dogs. Overall, we spent about 1.5 hours on the boat, but saw so much. Not only did we see the wildlife, but also people’s homes and shrimp boats.






I mentioned in day Two how we made appts for tattoos. Once we got dropped off from the tour we headed over to the shop and got them, quick and fun. Then back to the house to get ready for dinner.




Our driver had recommended a place called The Joint, and we are so glad he did. It’s a small BBQ place. We got there and got in line which I’m sure there is always one. They were out of burnt ends, which I really wanted but wasn’t surprised they were out since it was later in the evening. We ended up ordering the 3-meat platter of brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Man, I could eat that brisket all day. So, if you are in the area, go out of your way and go to The Joint if you like some BBQ.  After that we headed back to the house as we were exhausted from the entire day.



We got up on Tuesday (day four), packed and headed to Café du Monde for one last breakfast of beignets. This time they were busy, but no line at all. We had breakfast, and then ordered 5 orders of beignets to go so the kids and some friends could try. Honestly, I should have ordered even more, but I did get the box mix to try and make some on my own.



Sadly, after our breakfast our trip was over as we had to head out to the airport to go home. We had such a blast that I can’t wait to go back for more food and fun. Did I mention the food was amazing? If you go for just the food, I won’t judge as it really is that good.


I want to thank TripAdvisor again for such a fun trip. Make sure you check out the attractions we went to and even more on their site. Please let me know if you did any of the activities that we did or what you would do if you were to go.

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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. 

30 comments:

  1. We have never been to New Orleans. Sounds like you had a great time seeing the sites. Love trying new food Photos let us know how everything looks

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  2. That cruise looked like the highlight of the trip. Seeing crocs or alligators looked so scary. You certainly took the nature trips version of New Orleans.

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  3. I've always wanted to visit New Orleans. Trip Advisor is such a wonderful resource. Everything looks amazing. Especially, the food.

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  4. I enjoyed learning about your trip and seeing the food you all had for dinner. The Ribs looked yummy.

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  5. How fun! I've always wanted to go to New Orleans. One day we'll go and I am SO eating at Cafe Du Monde! I don't like coffee, but I'd pig out on beignets.

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  6. What a fun day! I love that you guys got to try so many things and even got the chance to have tattoos! I always get sad whenever a vacation is over! I know how you feel.

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  7. It was so many years ago that I visited New Orleans. I really want to go back and see all the changes - these are great tips. It looks like you had so much fun!

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  8. I have always wanted to visit New Orleans. There is so much culture to that city!

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  9. I need to get down there to see Hamlet! Looks like everyone had a blast and that BBQ! yes please, I'll take a few plates of it.

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  10. My husband is headed to New Orleans for work. I will mention the food places to him.

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  11. I have always wanted to visit New Orleans! Ooooh Cafe Du Monde is definitely on my list of places to stop in when we go.

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  12. I have always wanted to visit New Orleans. That BBQ looks heavenly!!

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  13. Looks like a fabulous trip. Did not know that crocs eat hotdogs..but luckily these were small. The food in the cafe looks yum too!

    www.yeahlifestyle.com

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  14. This sounds like a great trip! I think I would skip the gator tour though, I'd be afraid of getting eaten! lol. Although, it looks like you had a great time, I enjoyed your photos too.

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  15. Oh my goodness those alligators would have made my adrenaline through the roof. I bet that was quite and experience.

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  16. I would love to go to NOLA one day. Specifically for the food. I've heard so many great things about the restaurants.

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  17. Love New Orleans! I visited quite a bit in the past and I love it. The atmosphere is amazing and the food is great!

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  18. I have never been to New Orleans, although I've been wanting to go with my husband. Looks like you had great fun on your visit!

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  19. This sounds a like a trip of a lifetime! No trip to NOLA is complete without beignets!

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  20. I've been there once but have never seen these sights. I'd love to see gators or even a wild hog. Next time we go to NO we will have to go see some wildlife instead of just the town.

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  21. Sounds like a great trip. That is the first place I tried Alligator �� it wasn't that bad. New Orleans is known for its food.

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  22. This looks like such a fun trip! I have never been to New Orleans but I have always wanted to go. We'll have to do something simialr soon, thanks for sharing!

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  23. That is a bit scary experience. I am not sure if I will ever want to visit the place with alligators. haha! But it looks all fun and food looks good!

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  24. Yea the alligators are scary but it still looks like a fun time :)

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  25. These all seem like really great things to try out! Thanks for sharing,

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  26. My favorite city in the whole world! The last time my husband and I were down there, we did a bayou tour too. I still laugh every time I see the wild boars going nuts over marshmallows!

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  27. That boat tour looks fantastic. I'll have to try it if I ever visit.

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  28. New Orleans is #1 on my bucket list!

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  29. I love the photos, and appreciate your sharing your experience with us. Thanks for the review on a great vacation.

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