Epic American Road Trip: Falling in Love with New Orleans (NOLA)
Every day in New Orleans draws us closer to contacting a real estate agent—we're utterly smitten with NOLA! We hold immense reverence for the stunning landscapes of swamps, bayous, lakes, and the vibrant wildlife and people who thrive here, alongside deep admiration for the locals' unique, eccentric culture.
Our third day kicked off with a gospel brunch at the House of Blues. Though tourist-oriented, it had even the stiffest guests clapping and waving after indulging in classic Southern dishes and endless mimosas, served by cool, tattooed staff. For a more authentic experience next time, we'll head to the Tremé neighborhood for Sunday services at St. Augustine’s Church—pure energy, no frills.
As temperatures soared to 95 humid degrees, we drove an hour north through endless swamps to the Laura Plantation in Vacherie, LA. This 80-minute tour was the most organized and insightful we've experienced on our three-week NYC-to-NOLA road trip. It covered four generations of the plantation family, 18th-19th century Creole culture blending French, Spanish, German, and West African influences, free Blacks versus enslaved people, languages, architecture, and this unforgettable quote: "Louisiana didn’t join America; America came to Louisiana" (via the 1803 Louisiana Purchase).
Nearby, Oak Alley Plantation offered a classic experience; we snagged the last 5 p.m. tour, enjoying it privately.
Returning to the Big Easy, we dined on Magazine Street before our penultimate night at the InterContinental. It's hard to believe our time here is nearly over.
Time flew on this New York-to-New Orleans road trip. Stay tuned for detailed insights into our Southern discoveries in the coming weeks.
Tomorrow brings a major road trip update! Like us on Facebook for daily photos and follow on Twitter for adventure updates.
For couples embarking on vacations or long trips, check out The Art of Couples Travel ebook—two chapters by us—for real insights into traveling as a pair.
