When I say I live in Southern Suburbia I mean that I live in the South and in the suburbs. I’ve been living down here since 2000 when I moved to New Orleans for my MBA. I fell in love with the city during afternoon walks around the French Quarter –along with my Southern man… and the rest as they say is history.
I often get asked: why don’t you move? Why would you live down there? There are hurricanes! Yes, but things can happen anywhere… and New Orleans is a sight to see.
I love being a tourist in my own city with my family. The French quarter is beautiful on a sunny fall day. People sun bathe, hang out and listen to the musicians that often play across the street.
If you are not the walking type, a carriage ride can show you the French Quarter or the Garden District in style. Our favorite way to ride is with a cup of coffee from Cafe Du Monde on our hands.
I often sometimes think how lucky I am that I can see. I would miss so many things! When we go to Cafe Du Monde, my oldest two squeal in joy at the fact that they can eat fried dough and dunk it in powder sugar. I try to remember all the great moments and almost create a mental index of when amazing things happen. Baby G has not yet eaten fried dough or powdered sugar but he does like the smell of coffee. Good thing!
It’s often difficult for me to pick a place to eat lunch. I simply can’t make the decision! Food is more than just a “meal” here… it’s an event! I remember one of our first dates and having Bananas Foster made at our table at Commanders Palace. What a cool thing! Their Sunday Brunch is not to be missed!
You can literally spend a whole day walking around the quarter and fall in love with the people, the food and the city within minutes. Most people come back for a reason! Mardi Gras is a great time of the year but since having kids I haven’t visited the quarter with them often.
The quarter tends to be kind of crowded and maneuvering 2 strollers with 3 young kids is not easy. I typically use the time off from school to schedule doctor visits, yearly eye exams and bake our own king cakes.
We live busy lives so scheduling important routine eye exams when the kids are off of school is really the best time. Last year we visited Auntie Gwen the eye doctor and then off to the children’s museum. Hey, it’s important to get the kids checked at a young age because they are both learning to read and making sure they have a healthy sight is important to me.
As it is, my husband is already complaining that all the computer work he does is taking a toll on his sight. He keeps reminding me to head to the eye doctor for my yearly eye exam (which I’ve gone) and how cute I look with my glasses –he thinks glasses look sexy, but I only need them for reading and when I am on the computer.
Both his mom and dad wear Transition lenses and it’s pretty cool how they can go outside and they adjust to the sunlight. My mother in law loves the fact that “she doesn’t need sunglasses” because they serve dual purpose and that she can go from morning to night with the same pair. If you know me, you know I always have my sunglasses on because I have a sunlight sensitivity. I can’t wait to get my own pair of Transitions.
When we don’t have the kids, Eric and I love going to The Piano Bar inside Pat O’Briens. Although it’s a total tourist spot, we like meeting friends there and having a good time. Oh yeah, you should try the alligator sausage… tastes just like chicken!
Towards the end of the day, we always head back along the river. It’s amazing the volume of water that flows through the Mississippi! The currents are fast and it’s actually pretty deep. One day, we will take a trip on what my daughter calls “the Tom Sayer boat.”
Isn’t it beautiful? You should really think about coming to visit. I couldn’t possibly show you all the areas in one post but know this: you can come to New Orleans with kids! It’s really a unique place that once you come, you’re family! Don’t you want to come and sight see?
If you could pick one place, where would you like to go sight seeing?
Maria
Love these pictures. I am forever telling people to visit NOLA w/ your kids, it is very family friendly!!Great job recapturing the area.
Tiffany's Toy Box
I adore that photo in the quarter with the shops and everything. DId you take that photo. It is awesome, looks like a post card. I hear you, I love being a tourist in my city too, except sometimes it’s just too crowded. I hope I can go visit you there one day. xoxo