NOLA | A Genuine Review of a 3-Day New Orleans Itinerary (Part 1) 🌳

🐊 Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour → Highly recommended! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ → Booked on TripAdvisor and Grayline with similar pricing. → Air-conditioned bus from downtown; the guide was incredibly knowledgeable about NOLA's history and culture — much more immersive when you understand the context. → Oak Alley Plantation: Focuses on the lives of plantation owners; the slave quarters are reconstructions. Tried the non-alcoholic Mint Julep, which tasted like a sweet lemon soda! Spent about 3 hours here. → Cajun Encounter Swamp Tour: The captain’s Cajun accent was strong 😅, but seeing alligators up close — even touching a baby gator’s soft belly — was unforgettable! Pro tip: sit in the middle of either side — that’s where they feed the gators right in front of you. 🦪 ACME Oyster House → “When in NOLA…” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ → Walked in without a reservation, waited about 20 mins. → Raw Oysters: Large and fresh — definitely the highlight! → Fried Alligator: Tastes like chicken nuggets 😆 → Jambalaya: Just okay — maybe opt for a $5 side dish instead. 💍 Jewel of the South → Absolutely recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ → Ranked among the World’s 50 Best Bars — great ambiance, and reservations are a must! → As non-drinkers, we still enjoyed three cocktails: Feast of Avalon: Smoky and subtly sweet. Columbina: Tangy and pineapple-forward. Brandy Crusta: A local classic with a sugared rim — strong but iconic! 🦐 Hot N Cajun Boil House → Solid choice ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ → Waited ~30 mins; they offered off-menu crawfish specials. → 🧍‍♀️ Review: A bit too salty, service was just okay. → 🧍‍♂️ Review: Loved it — reminded me of Mr & Mrs Crab! 📌 Travel Tips → Avg. 12K steps/day — wear comfy shoes! 👟 → 3-day budget: ~$500 USD per person (excl. flights & hotels). → Rearrange Day 3 activities to avoid midday heat. 🌞 → Skip driving — downtown attractions are within <20 min walks. #TravelGuide #NewOrleansTravel #NOLA