New Orleans Travel: French Quarter & Swamp Tour
New Orleans, located in Louisiana, is a uniquely charming city in the American South. Loved by both locals and tourists for its diverse culture, jazz music, and distinctive cuisine, locals affectionately call it "NOLA" đĽ°. đď¸ French Quarter Founded by French colonists, New Orleans is brimming with French influencesâfrom French-style architecture and French restaurants to Creole eateries (a unique NOLA cuisine rooted in French cooking, blended with Spanish and African flavors). The French Quarter is where these elements shine the brightest! Street Performers: As the birthplace of jazz, NOLA is a romantic "music city." Wander the French Quarter, and youâll stumble on street musicians playing jazzâtheir passion for music is so contagious, you canât help but stop and listen đˇ. French Architecture: Every corner boasts pastel-colored buildings with intricate iron balconies, often draped in ferns or flowers. Itâs like stepping into a little piece of France in the U.S.âso photogenic! đ¸ đ˝ď¸ Restaurants We Tried in the French Quarter 1. Pelican Club (Fine Dining) This upscale spot requires advance reservations, and itâs worth planning for! They offer a classic three-course menu ($59)âhereâs what we loved: Appetizers: My partner and I ordered baked oysters with cheese (just "okay," nothing special) and NOLA-style shrimp (a total surprise!). The shrimp were fried first to lock in their savory oils, so the shrimp broth was rich and flavorfulâdipping bread in it was heaven đŚ. Mains: I got the Gulf fish (fresh and flaky, with a bold "blackened" flavorâ8/10!), while my partner had the lamb chops. The lamb was tender, and topped with a crispy, fine breadcrumb-like crust that added great textureâ8.5/10! Dessert: Forgettable, so we skipped writing about it đ . 2. Sucre (French Pastry Shop) The pink interior is super cute (great for photos!), but the pastries were only "above average"ânowhere near as good as French bakeries in New York. We tried a pistachio dessert, which was creamy but not memorable đĽ§. 3. Napoleon House (Hidden Gem) Located in a historic French Quarter building, the interior feels like a cozy Italian bistroâwarm and inviting. The standout? Their Italian cheesy bread: crispy on the outside, soft inside, topped with roasted tomatoes, melted cheese (it tastes like Neapolitan pizza!), and the grilled Gulf shrimp we added. Drizzle it with the green sauce, and itâs delicious! With an average cost of $20â$30 per person, itâs a total steal đ°. đ Swamp Tour New Orleans is surrounded by swamps, and a swamp tour is a must-do! We picked a random tour company, and it still exceeded our expectationsâwe saw alligators, raccoons, blue herons, and more wildlife đŚ. If you love animals, donât skip thisâitâs a fun, unique way to experience the Louisiana wetlands! To be continued... #USATravel #NewOrleans #FrenchCuisine #StudyAbroad #Foodie