Boiling in New Orleans: Part I

Melanie
May 21
4 min read

Updated: Jul 27

WHEN: A sweltering week in August

WHERE: New Orleans, LA

WHY: We were drawn by the lower off-season rates in August, and Bob had never visited before.

SHELTER: Random French Quarter Resort

PERKS: Well...it's New Orleans...everything's a perk!

Cons: Hot

The journey from Maggie Valley, where it was 58 degrees, to New Orleans, with its 100+ degree heat, in August 2024, seems like it happened ages ago. But we will never forget the sweltering heat of New Orleans and have learned that we will never visit in August again. We still have a few items on our bucket list for next time when the temperature is less blistering.

New Orleans Bucket List For Next Time:

Bob was so happy to make it to New Orleans. At first, we were embracing the warmth, we had been in the cold mountains wrapped up, with the Jeep closed up tight. We had so much fun riding over Lake Pontchartrain collecting tangles in our locks that took all week to comb. In true Rootless Rambler style, we had to learn about the lake's details. It's an impressive body of water, but our favorite fact is that it hosts the longest bridge in the world, 23 miles long with no land pilings.

Day One: New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park; Free, handicapped accessible, and we got a stamp.

Gotta go get our National Park Stamps! Bright and early, it was already 80+ degrees as we walked well, I hobbled with my boot and cane, our way down to the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park. The museum/visitor center incorporated a light touch on the history of jazz and New Orleans, with air conditioning and clean bathrooms. As we were leaving out the rear door, we heard some sounds, and a very enthusiastic Orlando Primo Prince of Majek Fingers guided us into the park's classroom to join his drum circle. Orlando is not just a drummer but one of the best teachers I have ever witnessed. If you have a chance to meet him, you will not regret it.

Day One Next Stop: Cajun Encounters: City and Cemetery Bus Tour; $47+ handicapped accessible, air conditioned.

Yes! We hunted down the nearest air-conditioned bus tour so Bob could get a lay of the land and see the cemeteries. The newest rule requires all cemetery guests to be accompanied by an approved tour guide. It was a quick yet eventful tour, as a couple from our bus had too many local spirits and started a fight amongst the group. They were exiled from the bus with a unanimous vote. Our guide handled it well and kept as much peace as possible, and waited patiently for a taxi to come get them so they could be someone else's problem.

Luckily, Cajun Encounters is owned by the guy who owns Seven Three Distilling Co., and he easily includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery. While we are not big drinkers, it was nice to cool off with a frosty drink and see someone's hobby become a dream. Fun Fact: Seven Three gets its name from the 73 neighborhoods that make up New Orleans.

Day One Final Stop:

Back at the hotel, I went for a dip in the courtyard fountain that they call a pool. Shortly after, we were informed that the city was on a boil water alert, which continued throughout our stay. So that was fun, hauling drinking water from two blocks away, and unable to get ice anywhere.

Day Two: Walking Tour hosted by the hotel activities director; free, handicapped accessible if you consider the French Quarter accessible.

This walking tour was a ninety-minute overview of the French Quarter and was worth every penny! Full of juicy gossip, historical disagreements, and architectural fails and wins.

Day Two Next Stop: 1850 House; free with our NARM/ROAM pass or $8, not accessible, but I made it work, air conditioned.

As our walking tour ended, we were happy to find the nearest free and air-conditioned entertainment. We ended up with a private tour, and our favorite takeaways were the history of celery, hair wreaths, and how they let guests know it was leave without making a scene. A tradition we should bring back...if you are ready for a guest to leave, then you serve their next course on a cold plate. No one will be embarrassed as they will find a subtle way to leave dinner early.

Day Two Final Stop: So not free and So not accessible

As you can imagine, we were exhausted at this point, and no way we were going to make it back to our room and still have enough energy to make dinner. I know this sounds crazy, but Bob and I have a secret. We don't care for seafood or spicy food. I haven't met anyone who doesn't associate New Orleans with food...well...except for us. I usually lose lots of weight when I come here since I think everything tastes fishy or spicy, and I end up just eating breakfast. That being said, Bob wanted to try the famous Muffaletta created by his Sicilian ancestors. You can get the original for around $30 at Central Grocery. This sandwich was bigger than Bob's appetite, as it gave him four filling meals.

The same can be said for my choice of dinner, a legendairy milkshake from the Legendairy Milkshake Bar. It was a little trickier trying to get my frozen treat two blocks in the scorching sun without eating half of it, but it survived a few nights in the freezer as I slowly finished it off. Hold on to your unicorn 'cause that milkshake was $20.