Summary
After a journey of approximately three hours, characterized by warnings of looming hurricanes, we finally arrived in New Orleans to explore Preservation Hall, enjoy dining at Mother’s Restaurant, and immerse ourselves in the local jazz scene.
New Orleans was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated destinations on our USA road trip.
Upon our late night arrival, we were rather fatigued after a bustling day. Therefore, we mustered enough energy to refresh ourselves, grab a coffee, and set out to discover the offerings that New Orleans has in store.
As a quick note, the photographs included in this article are captured using my iPhone, so the quality reflects that of a mobile device.
After visiting numerous American cities, one begins to recognize several commonalities among them.
For instance, numerous glistening glass and steel skyscrapers, relatively uniform streets, and frequent sightings of recognizable retail brands.
Nevertheless, New Orleans is one of the select few cities in the United States that retains its own distinct character, making it memorable long after the visit.
When reflecting on other exciting US cities, mentions of locales like San Francisco, New York City, and Seattle come to mind. However, the experience in New Orleans exceeded mere expectations and proved to be thoroughly enjoyable.
Our first priority was to seek out a meal! Mother’s Restaurant stands out as one of the most renowned establishments in New Orleans, often featuring long queues for their renowned “World’s best-baked ham.”
The walls are adorned with autographed photographs from its notable visitors, showcasing an impressive roster of patrons.
I opted for a Po Boy (similar to a submarine sandwich) featuring, of course, the ham.
I must admit, while it was delicious, my enthusiasm for Po Boys is somewhat muted since I do not particularly prefer bread-based meals (with the exception of clam chowder in sourdough bread).
As you can infer, adjusting to the portion sizes in New Orleans proved to be a novel experience for me, hailing from the UK.
Nonetheless, visiting Mother’s Restaurant in New Orleans absolutely warranted the experience, and the next time I returned, I chose to try something entirely different!
Subsequently, we proceeded to Preservation Hall in New Orleans to experience live jazz.
Preservation Hall has been a longstanding venue for jazz music, established to conserve this defining genre.
As Louis Armstrong famously remarked: “Preservation Hall, now that’s where you’ll find all of the greats.” This statement perfectly encapsulates its significance.
Please note that photography and recording are not permitted during performances, but you may capture a photo of the band immediately after they allow for such moments.
Next, we ventured to Pat O’Brien’s, an Irish pub located near Preservation Hall.
I am generally not fond of Irish pubs abroad (I liken it to visiting Vietnam and ordering fish and chips; I would prefer to indulge in local delicacies instead).
However, Pat O’Brien’s was uniquely enjoyable, serving as an outdoor venue with vibrant energy and remarkably potent drinks.
We inadvertently ordered the signature cocktails, which are widely recognized as essential beverages to try in New Orleans, only realizing our mistake later.
Now we understood the enthusiasm from the American group beside us as the cocktails arrived.
Following our time at the pub, we decided to make our way back to the hotel via Bourbon Street.
Bourbon Street is multifaceted and warrants a detailed discussion at a later time, but suffice it to say, it was quite a shock to the senses.
Initially overwhelming, we eventually acclimatized to its vibrant atmosphere and learned to communicate in Bourbon Street’s lively dialect.
As I mentioned before, more details about this experience will come at a later date.
Ultimately, we made our way back to the hotel, albeit with a brief stop at W.I.N.O. (the name itself is clever, as it doubles as the Wine Institute Of New Orleans).
With excitement, I ushered everyone inside, where I placed my card behind the ‘bar’ and we began sampling various wines from around the globe.
While the concept behind W.I.N.O. remains somewhat ambiguous, it was indeed an exceptional idea.
The format allowed patrons to sample a variety of wines in smaller quantities, enabling them to return for additional tastings of their favorites.
Lloyd particularly took note of the wines he preferred, while the rest of us simply indulged!
Upon concluding our wine tasting experience, we finally proceeded back to the hotel without further diversions.
This proceeded smoothly since most establishments were closed, a fortunate aspect given our tendency to become easily distracted; particularly after an extended ‘wine-tasting’ session.
New Orleans is truly a remarkable city!
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