New Orleans Day 2 & 3: A Travel Journal

My second day in NOLA was a total "special forces-style" rush—started with a walk through Jackson Square to grab beignets at Café du Monde. Unsurprisingly, there was a long line, but the café has plenty of seats, so the turnover was fast. The warm, fluffy beignets were right up my alley—not too sweet. Though since the café is semi-outdoor, the powdered sugar would get blown all over me by the wind 😂. After checking in at the LaBranche House, a stunning landmark with intricate architecture, I had lunch at Gumbo Shop. I ordered turtle soup, blackened fish, and gumbo—all packed with rich, bold flavors! The turtle meat tasted like beef but with a bouncier texture 🐢. The restaurant’s food, ambiance, and service were all top-notch—highly recommended! Just a heads-up: their signature dishes are on the saltier side, so keep that in mind. In the afternoon, I joined a swamp tour with Cajun Encounters. It was my first time seeing a swamp in person! We hopped on a motorboat driven by a guide and ventured deep into the swamp. Everywhere I looked were dense forests and vegetation rooted in the water. Along the way, we spotted a few alligators, raccoons, turtles, and various waterbirds 🦆. My eyes were glued to the surroundings, eager to spot all the (novel) flora and fauna—I felt like I was turning into a waterbird myself, itching to dive right into the swamp! Later that night, I headed back to the city center to meet up with friends for dinner at Seaworthy in the Warehouse District. This area feels more upscale than the French Quarter, with a much quieter vibe. If you don’t like crowds and noise, this is a great spot to wander around 🤫. Day 3 was way more laid-back 🧘‍♀️. During the day, I visited Oak Alley Plantation—booked the ticket through Cajun Encounters too, and both tours (yesterday’s and today’s) were fantastic. While exploring the Big House Exhibit on the plantation, the guide (included in the tour package) walked us through the history of the colonies and enslaved people. It was eye-opening, and I realized how true-to-history Gone with the Wind (both the novel and the movie) really is 📖. I’d even brought the novel with me, so I found a bench under an oak tree and symbolically read a chapter or two. I got back to the city around 5 PM and had dinner at Curio Bistro. That’s where I tried fried alligator meat for the first time! Its texture was somewhere between fried chicken and fried fish—super unique and delicious 🐊. You definitely have to give it a try if you’re here; you can’t find this in Canada, that’s for sure 🇨🇦. To get my fill of jazz these two nights, I hit up two different jazz bars: Spotted Cat and Mahogany. Both come with my highest recommendation! Every day, different bands play, giving you an immersive experience 🎷. The musicians are a mix of locals and top-tier talents from around the world—you can tell they’re pouring their hearts into every performance, keeping the "jazz city’s" pulse and rhythm alive and kicking ❤️. #NewOrleans #NOLA #NewOrleansTravel #ThingsToDoInNewOrleans #USTravel #SouthernUSTravel