Hey Everyone!
I initially wanted my first real post to be of a nice small town in the middle of nowhere, however family brought me down to the deep bayou and right on into New Orleans, Louisiana. My brother has lived here for 14 years now and I have have the great opportunity to explore and become quite familiar with this amazing town. With that being said, I will be focused on my mission and talk about some really cool off the trail places you can check out if you ever make your way down here and want to avoid the typical tourist spots!
Now we all know New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, and partying. This city is known around the world for its culture, its history, its food, and of course, its music. There are countless ways to have an amazing time and the city offers something for everyone. Honestly, I could write about places I have found over the years for months and still wouldn’t be able to cover them all. But, I would like to talk about my current trip and the amazing things I have gotten to experience while down here for what may be the last time in a long time.
Clesi’s
I want to start off by talking about this amazing restaurant called Clesi’s. This Midcity gem is an absolute must. First thing I noticed right off the bat was the delicious smell of the fresh crawfish being broiled as I am walking in. The menu was perfect for anyone looking to get a taste of great local New Orleans flavors. You will find fresh crawfish, boudin, oysters, po-boys and so much more. With local beers on tap and a great collection of mixed drinks, it would be hard to find something you don’t like. I myself, went for the Crawfish Mac & Cheese BBQ burger with bacon. THIS WAS AMAZING!!!! This is the type of dish I want to find all over the country. It was unique, flavorful, and VERY filling. Might be a heart attack later on, but absolutely worth it. I mean really, just look at this monster.
Be sure to check them out online at www.clesicatering.com
JAMNOLA!
If you’re into art, you HAVE to check out JAMNOLA. This new art exhibit celebrates New Orleans culture, music, and life. The multi-media art celebration is perfect for everyone. They encourage interaction with exhibits and pieces so it is also very kid-friendly. My 7 year old nephew had a blast! The local artist’s exhibits do a great job showcasing New Orlean’s history through art and music with these colorful, vibrant, and unique rooms, sculptures, and designs. Another must stop when you’re in the Bywater area!
For more information and tickets, check out: jamnola.com
Cochon Butcher
Another amazing eatery in the downtown area is Cochon Butcher. It’s a sister spot to the Cochon Restaurant. Butcher has exactly what you think it would. A great menu of cured meats of all different styles. The decor has a feel of a perfect Texan/Louisiana love child with the Mardi Gras colors and the Texas Longhorns. Being from Virginia, when I saw that they had a NC Style BBQ sandwich, I knew I had to try it to see how well they can do what is basically known as a religion in North Carolina. And also, being the mac and cheese addict that I am, also had to get that as well.
They absolutely NAILED IT! Tender, juicy pulled pork on top of a crisped bun with a savory and tangy BBQ sauce, I was very happy with how it tasted. And this mac…..oh my. The crumbly crust I am always a sucker for, and the cheese was just creamy and delicious and left me wanting more.
If you’re downtown, be sure to check them out! You’ll find the menu and more at:
National World War 2 Museum
This museum is absolutely incredible. I could easy go on and on about the details of this amazing and in-depth experience. Having had a grandfather who served in this war, my brother and I had to make a stop here and have my nephew learn more about the war. With that being said, this museum is interactive that helps to teach not just kids, but everyone of all ages. Do keep in mind, this museum is HUGE! Plan a couple of hours to really take everything in. We were there for around 4 hours and we still didn’t get to see everything. BUT! Make sure you make time for the 4D experience “Beyond All Boundaries.” I won’t give any details to spoil it, just go experience it for yourself! After talking to one of the employees there, it sounds like they are still adding more and more to the museum, so I can’t wait to see what else they add! Oh, and don’t worry, if you get hungry or thirsty, they do have a restaurant and bar inside as well!
For ticket info and more, here’s a link to the website!
https://www.nationalww2museum.org
Welmon Sharlhorne
I got to meet Welmon Sharlhorne or “Uncle Shadow”, while out and about showing a friend of mine that was in town around New Orleans. This man has had a very interesting life. A New Orleans native, Uncle Shadow spent 26 years in prison only to be released because he was there wrongfully. However, during his incarceration, he taught himself to draw. Using only ink and manilla envelopes, he was able to find his medium and created very unique art pieces of birds, buses, and building with soft lines which “evoke a spiraling sense of time”. He began to sell his pieces to other inmates and then to the outside of the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Today, you can find his work at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as well as other museums around the world. A wonderful man and a local legend, it was very cool to meet him and get to hear his story! You can find him hanging out of Frenchman Street in the Marigny dancing to the jazz and living it up!
To see some of his work, google will be your best source or you can find a few at:
https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/untitled-beaked-creature-36227