Boiling in New Orleans Part II

Click Here for Part I

WHEN: A sweltering week in August (Day 3-6)

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

Day Three: Creole Queen Riverboat Cruise; $39+, handicapped accessible, and we got a stamp.

We didn't want to go to New Orleans and miss a ride on the Mississippi! We also wanted to get to Chalmette Battlefield without getting our Jeep out of jail...or wherever it was tucked away by the hotel. FYI: It was one rate if it stayed put, it was extra if we took it out for a spin.

We opted for the Creole Queen Historic Tour for our river adventure. Since we were exploring during the off-season, we were glad to make use of those Groupons. They also offer lunch if you enjoy dining in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, and they have a cash bar, restrooms, and air-conditioned areas.

We enjoyed the hottest boat rides of our lives despite something of a breeze. While they said not to bring drinks, they did allow water bottles and Gatorade, thankfully. As we floated slowly down the river, we learned all about the history of the area as well as the continuous destruction and challenges from Mother Nature. We were surprised to find out that the Domino Sugar plant was still processing, despite that it looked abandoned.

When we finally made it to Chalmette Battlefield, we realized that I wasn't going to make it to the tour on time with my mobility limitations. I tried to get up the ramp and catch up with the tour...but this is as far as I made it. We will drive back around on our next trip down.

Day Four: Swamp Tour with Cajun Pride Tours; $69+ (included hotel transportation and plantation tour), handicapped accessible

Another must-do in Louisiana is a swamp tour. We searched extensively for a tour company that could take us to both a swamp tour and a plantation tour in a single day. Eventually, we discovered Cajun Encounters. We wanted to avoid spending two days on a bus or having to drive the Jeep.

Even with all our time in Florida playing with gators, the bayou gators are much scarier, and we were glad to be on a sturdy boat.

The guide had a thick accent, yet his enthusiasm made it easy to understand him. The tour went through his private property, where we encountered a family of raccoons, wild boars, and, of course, alligators. He had names for all the alligators and knew which one had bitten the tip of his finger.

Day Four: Laura Plantation; $28+ (part of Cajun Pride Tour package), partially handicapped accessible

Our bus waited for us while we played with alligators, giving us plenty of time to snack and buy stuff at the gift shop. They recommended bringing a picnic lunch since our stops only offer snacks, not sandwiches. We chose to have our meal at our next destination, Laura Plantation.

Laura Plantation is deep in Creole history. If you want to know more, they have a podcast.

This was my second time on this tour, but I wanted Bob to visit it. Next time, we will check out some of the other plantations.

Please be aware that if you visit during the summer, it's not uncommon for individuals to become separated from the tour group. We lost nine people to the heat before reaching the area of the slave cabins where "Br'er Rabbit" was first documented in the 1870s.

Day Five: Hop-on-Hop-off City Tour; $51+ (2 day w/Garden District tour), handicapped accessible

We wish we hadn't waited five days before getting the bus pass. Unfortunately, the hotter it became and the more we walked with my cane and boot, the less I was able to get around. We did have my mobility scooter, but the streets of The French Quarter are far from scooter-friendly.

We could have opted for the public streetcars for just a few dollars per ride, but the tour was more fitting for us. The stops were conveniently placed to minimize my walking, and the double-decker bus included a tour guide who shared historical insights and gossip. It wasn't a cooler ride—still sweltering—but when it's hot, there's nothing you can do about it.

We rode on the top deck of the bus so we could get a different view of the city.

Day Five: The Presbytère & The Cablido; ($6+ or Free with our NARM membership), handicapped accessible

Before every trip, we scan through NARM, ROAM, and AZA reciprocal museums lists and add those destinations to our master bucket list along with National Park stamp locations. We often find hidden gems that we wouldn't have explored otherwise.

Add this to your notes! There are lots of places to visit in New Orleans, but not all of them will be as well air-conditioned as a state-funded museum with security and clean bathrooms cleverly disguised as port-a-johns. Let's not forget the exhibits about surviving hurricanes, local crafts and art, the history of Mardi Gras, and New Orleans' origin stories.

Day Six: Garden District Tour; $51 part of our Hop-on-Hop-off City Tour, handicapped accessible

The best way to see the Garden District is with a tour guide. I have taken several tours over the years in this district, and the enthusiasm and knowledge of the guides here are always memorable.

If you prefer the less exciting version, you can choose the self-guided option; keep in mind that visitors can no longer enter the cemeteries without a guide.

Last but not least! Day Six: Haunted History Tour; $30, not handicapped accessible

Like I said, this tour was not accessible, and I didn't want Bob to leave New Orleans without a proper ghost tour, so off he went into the night all by himself. We chose the 5 in 1 tour, which we regret. He said it was a lot of walking with very few details. We will try a different tour next time that we visit, and fingers crossed, I will be able to walk by then.

Thanks for reading... our next post will come from the windy shores of Cape Cod, giving us a chance to cool down for a while.