Back in January and February, I was in the middle of planning a trip. It was going to be great. Ten days traveling along the Rhine. My family and I were going to visit wine cellars, spend nights in castles, cruise down the river, and even take a short trip to the Black Forest of fairy tale lore. We were just waiting on one person to get their new passport in the mail before booking all our tickets and making it official.
Then, of course, things went south very, very quickly. No tickets were ever booked and there are no intentions of booking tickets to Germany or any other destination in the foreseeable future (of which, there is currently less of than normal).
But I still have the travel bug so bad. I’ve told myself a hundred times, the moment this thing ends I’m going to New York… Paris!… London… the Scottish Highlands… Italy… Prague! I see a picture of a place and my heart aches for it.
I don’t know what your heart is aching for right now, but if it’s aching for travel too. I can help. With one city at least.
So sit down on your couch, and let me bring my home, New Orleans, to you.
Something To Hear
What’s more New Orleans than some wafting jazz? This is the best sampler of New Orleans music I could think of, with a variety of jazz bands, brass bands, and even some cajun zydeco thrown into the mix.
Something To See
I could share a bunch of movies filmed in New Orleans for you to watch (and I totally am!), but if you could only see one thing in New Orleans on your visit here, I would recommend taking a ride down St. Charles in a streetcar. You’ll get to see parks and mansions and universities, all while cruising down the neutral ground in a historic streetcar. There’s no better way to see the city in an afternoon. Hopefully this video will give you a taste of the experience.
Something to Taste
Speaking of taste… you can’t experience New Orleans without experiencing our food! If you’re not an experienced baker, I’ll let you in on a secret, you can get some great box mixes for easy-peasy versions of classics like gumbo and jambalaya online. Even locals eat these.
If you’re up for a challenge, however, I recommend trying one of Joy the Baker’s recipes. While she’s not a New Orleans native, her recipes are amazing and give even the best restaurants here a run for their money. I love her twists on classic New Orleans dishes, too.
You can make some baked beignets. Or try some red beans and rice nachos! Or gumbo poutine! Or your own pull-apart biscuit king cake! The options are endless as they are delicious.
Something to Make
Finally, you’re going to need a souvenir. My recommendation is Mardi Gras beads! Specifically, some paper ones. It’s a project that is simple, cheap, and still an absolutely beautiful souvenir. I first learned about it on Design*Sponge (RIP). The link is here. If it doesn’t work, I have a PDF here.
So enjoy a day in New Orleans (while #StayingAtHome)! I hope it helps sate your wanderlust in a way that will eventually get us all out of our homes sooner.
In the comments below, please feel free to share some things to hear, see, taste, or make from where you live!
Stay safe!
x Julia