fun in the big easy.

new orleans really is a fun town.  there is something for everyone!  so we enjoyed many aspects of new orleans on our five nights o' fun.

bourbon street was, of course, our first stop.  even the old souls that we are can have a fun night out on bourbon.  granted, our night ended about the time the party really got started.  but that is fine by us.  we strolled down the street, watched some sunday night football while frat boys took turns seeing who could punch a punching bag game harder or ride a mechanical bull longer, & even got to watch the party from above on a second floor balcony.  it was a lot of fun.  & i'm really glad we only did it one night.  {ok, one evening.  "night" is a little generous of a term.}

blakey has been really into tasting different versions of & learning the intricacies of the sazerac cocktail.  so we were super excited to stop by the sazerac bar in the roosevelt hotel.  it had a fabulously prohibition style feel, & their take on the signature drink was quite delicious.

nola was hosting a film festival while we were in town, so we decided to join in for a different kind of cultural evening.  we chose to see silver linings playbook at one of the old theaters in the garden district.   believe it or not, i actually really enjoyed this film.  it's a comedy-drama about life & living with life not going as planned.  blake sold me in that bradley cooper is in it.  but it was quite good.  i encourage you to see it when it comes to theaters!

after the film, i was very excited to head to the hotel monteleone, my first car's namesake.  we enjoyed a beer while watching a little monday night football on their rotating carousel bar.  we do love a new & different bar.  this is where we ran into taylor hicks, a birmingham native & american idol winner.  i say "ran into" but really mean noticed him from afar.  hotel monteleone, where the cool kids hang out :)

{the carousel bar!}

one evening was spent with the local twenty-somethings on frenchmen street.  we listened to some live music, participated in a dance class, & enjoyed some new orleans-based abita beer.

{everyone has a full-sized piano in the bathroom, right?}

{our dance instructor & musician}

claimed to be america's oldest bar, lafitte's blacksmith shop was a wonderful little historic stop.  at lafitte's, you must try their version of the classic bourbon street hurricane & listen to some piano music in the dark bar.  it was fun sitting there knowing how many people had come before us to this quaint old pub.

{new orleans loves their saints.}

a fabulously fun city.  more to come!

love love,

kjp.