New Orleans at Christmas: Unexpectedly Photogenic!

☕ Cafe Du Monde​ The line looks long, but it moves fast—no endless waiting! Their famous beignets taste like extra-rich fried dough sticks (think fluffy, sugar-dusted goodness) 🥨. So delicious, you’ll want to grab a second order!​ 🦪 Acme Oyster House​ This spot also has a queue, but we showed up around 6 PM and only waited ~20 minutes—not too bad! I nervously ordered fried alligator, and guess what? It tastes exactly like chicken nuggets 🐊🍗! Both the alligator and other fried bites are tasty, but eat too much and your mouth might feel sore (thanks to all that crispiness) 😅.​ 🍸 The Sazerac House​ You can book online, but walk-ins get checked in just as easily—no difference either way! The wall of spirits is super cool (total photo op 📸), but as someone who’s not great with strong drinks, I couldn’t really “get” the cocktail samples. Total newbie move over here!​ 🏛️ French Quarter (The LeBranche House & St. Louis Cathedral)​ The whole area is dripping with Christmas cheer! The square has tons of horse-drawn carriages, and the horses are all decked out in cute festive gear—but most of them were dozing off. They looked so tired, like they had major “workwear vibe” (relatable, honestly) 🐴😴.​ 🌳 Oak Alley Plantation​ It’s a great spot to learn about Southern U.S. history, and the plants are all well-tended. If you’re driving from Texas and pass by, it’s worth a quick stop. But unless you’re super interested in the history of enslavement or the Southern sugar industry, it’s probably not worth the 1-hour drive from downtown NOLA just for photos—save that time for other spots!​ 🐟 Pêche Seafood Grill​ Incredible food, but hard to book (plan ahead!). Every dish we ordered was a hit—zero misses! Fresh seafood, bold flavors, and totally worth the effort to reserve 🦞.​ 📌 Bonus Bits​ The National WWII Museum: Absolutely worth visiting, but be ready for an emotional ride—it’s heavy stuff, and it’ll leave you with a lot to think about ⚔️.​ Hotel: Maison Métier: Highly recommend! It’s beautiful (so many photo spots 📸) and super cozy. The first floor has free tea, coffee, and snacks available 24/7, plus a hidden speakeasy bar that’s super unique—don’t miss it!​ #ChristmasVibes #NewOrleans #CafeLife #FoodDiary #NOLA #USA #RoadTrip