Bob Walker's Official New Orleans
Area Wedding Guide
YOUR NEW ORLEANS HONEYMOON -
Fun, Food, . . . and All That Jazz!
Quaint old world charm, exciting activities both day and night, romantic
and historic settings, and-in general-a raucous good time.
Sound like a good place for your honeymoon? It is! And it's your own hometown...New
Orleans!
Many local couples are deciding to discover for themselves the reason for
this city's well-known and well-deserved reputation as the place to have
fun. Whether you spend your whole honeymoon here-or just the first few days
of it-the two of you will find out together why the visitors from the world
over pour into The City That Care Forgot and invariably fall in love with
it.
The city oozes with romance. Just waiting for you are secluded courtyards,
lacy wrought-iron balconies, a moonlit lake, a fog-shrouded river and moss-draped
oaks.
And the city celebrates life with sizzlin' Bourbon Street, Dixieland jazz,
irresistible cuisine, festivals galore, and party, party, party!
Laissez les bon temps rouler, Cher!
ACCOMMODATIONS
To really do it right, choose your hotel accommodations in the French Quarter
itself, the central location for the city's night life. Although the rooms
are usually more expensive than accommodations outside the area, remember...you
haven't paid anything for airfare or gas to get here, so why not splurge?
The Quarter offers dozens of possibilities including historic luxury hotels,
modern high-rises, chain motels, and European-style guest-houses.
Just outside the Quarter in the city's central business district are more
alternatives, especially on and between Canal and Poydras Streets. These
also range from the lavish to the moderate. Many offer free shuttle service
to and from the French Quarter.
Many of the city's finer hotels offer special wedding packages. For example,
some specify that if you hold your reception in the hotel's ballroom, your
wedding night accommodations will be provided free. Also popular are honeymoon
packages which include special bridal suites and champagne breakfasts in
bed. Call several hotels and ask about their wedding and honeymoon packages.
NIGHTLIFE
For nightlife in New Orleans the obvious place to start is the French Quarter,
particularly along that famous midway-Bourbon Street. Merge into the fun-seeking
crowd that sashays down this carnival-like route and see for yourself why
Bourbon sizzles. All along the way the music spills into the street: jazz,
gospel, rock, rhythm & blues, Cajun...you name it! The establishments
that line the street are varied-from classy stage shows to rowdy dives.
Pick a place with the kind of music and atmosphere that appeal to you and
enjoy!
Then discover other areas of the Quarter. Around the corner on St. Peter
Street you'll find your best bet (and best buy) for authentic New Orleans
jazz...Preservation Hall, where a couple of dollars gets you a spot to hear
the real stuff. Then, a few steps away, sing along all night long at Pat
O'Briens while sipping a delicious Hurricane. Visit the Quarter's other
famous and not-so-famous drinking establishments; the choices are endless.
Worked up an appetite yet? Well, you've certainly come to the right place!
Famous names like Antoine's, Arnaud's, Brennan's, Court of Two Sisters,
and Galatoire's begin a long list of some of the best restaurants in the
country-and all within walking distance when you stay in the French Quarter.
Then enjoy an after-dinner drink on a balcony overlooking the crowd on Bourbon
Street or the serenity of Jackson Square.
And what could be more romantic than rollin' on the river under the stars?
The Creole Queen Paddlewheeler offers a nightly Dinner Jazz Cruise, and
the Natchez Sternwheeler offers a Moonlight Dance Cruise. After a few spins
around the dance floor, be sure to check out the topmost deck and sit together
under the moonlight. Caressed by gentle breezes and serenaded by the music
of the band below, the two of you can watch the lights of the city slide
by.
When you're back on land, ride to the top of the World Trade Center, the
Hyatt, the Marriott, or other highrises for a different, but equally spectacular
view of nighttime New Orleans ablaze with lights. Some of the observation
posts are actually luxurious cocktail lounges which slowly revolve so that
the entire city unfolds before your eyes one section at a time.
DAYTIME FUN
In the morning begin your day the traditional New Orleans way: cafe au lait
and beignets at Cafe Du Monde. Or you may want to try any of the magnificent
French Quarter bakeries that offer European pastries and other irresistible
assaults to your diet. Then again, if you've never had breakfast at Brennan's,
this would be the perfect time. Lingered in bed a little too long and missed
breakfast? Great! Then you'll enjoy one of the city's most pleasant meal-and-music
deals-the champagne jazz brunch, offered by many of the hotels and restaurants.
Now you're ready for the daytime fun to begin.
Remember that spectacular view of New Orleans you saw last night? You might
want to try it again by day. From an observation deck perched high above
the streets, the city spreads before you like a real life map. Then to get
a good overview of the Quarter, take a ride on the horse-drawn surrey-with-the-fringe-on-top
that clip-clops its way through the streets. The talkative guide will point
out places you may want to visit later.
For an unforgettable momento of your honeymoon in New Orleans, observe the
sidewalk artists of the Vieux Carre, then pose together for a portrait.
Later, stop and enjoy the mimes, the musicians, and other street acts that
contribute to New Orleans' unique atmosphere.
Succumb to the call of the riverfront again. Stroll the Moonwalk (named
after former New Orleans mayor Moon Landrieu) and Woldenburg Park and you'll
begin to understand why the Mississippi is the lifeblood of this city. Many
boats, including the one that took you on your romantic moonlit riverboat
cruise, offer daytime cruises of varying lengths-short jogs up and down
the New Orleans riverfront or long journeys into Louisiana bayou country.
Either way you'll ride the river's sweeping curve that gave the Crescent
City its nickname.
The revitalized riverfront offers other attractions: the Aquarium of the
Americas, the Riverwalk, and the Jax Brewery. Wondering how to get from
one end of the riverfront to the other? The best method of transportation
happens to be an attraction in itself. Ride one of the "Ladies in Red,"
the streetcars that shuttle up and down the riverfront. When you're ready
for a break, stop to enjoy lunch on a balcony overlooking the bustling river.
All along the river is some great shopping. The historic French Market was
first opened as an Indian trading post over 250 years ago and has been in
operation continuously since then. Visit the Market's open air stalls and
the specialty shops. Watch the ladies make pralines and then give in to
the temptation. Between the river and Bourbon Street is one of the world's
most celebrated centers for antiques and art...Royal Street.
To make sure you haven't missed anything, take advantage of the free tour
of the French Quarter conducted by the national park rangers or any of the
many other tours available. If you'd rather explore the area on your own,
follow the suggested route of the self-guided walking and driving tours
(for info, see the end of this article) to visit some of the oldest and
most famous structures in America:
St. Louis Cathedral
Pirates' Alley
Jackson Square
The Cabildo
The Presbytere
Marie Laveau's tomb
The Pharmacy Museum
The Pontalba Building
Madame John's Legacy
The Old Ursuline Convent (said to be the oldest building in
the Mississippi Valley)
The Old U.S. Mint
LaLaurie's (New Orleans' most famous haunted house)
The interiors and courtyards of some old-time French Quarter
homes,
such as the Hermann-Grima house.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE QUARTER
As dynamic as it is, the French Quarter can't possibly hold all there is
to do in this wonderful city. Crave some romantic outdoor settings? Picnic
under the moss-draped oaks of City Park. Canoe through its lagoons and stroll
though its extensive rose gardens (where many weddings are held), go horseback
riding along grassy paths, and by all means, visit the historic Dueling
Oaks. It was on this very spot that many New Orleans beaux of old lost their
lives fighting for the love, and defending the honor, of their ladies. Historic
Audubon Park offers similar arboreal settings. While you're there, don't
forget to do the zoo!
Perhaps the most beautiful and extensive gardens in the city are those surrounding
Longue Vue House on Bamboo Road. After a tour of the mansion and its 18th
and 19th century furnishings, stroll hand-in-hand through eight acres of
flowering and sculptured gardens.
Then there's every New Orleans lover's favorite place...the lakefront. Sit
on the seawall together and watch the sun set into the waters of Lake Pontchartrain.
Or enjoy the same scene from one of the many lounges and seafood restaurants
at the lake's West End. For a really romantic experience, go sailing on
the lake. If you can't handle the actual sailing itself, leave that to one
of the charter companies and enjoy the song of the wind and the spray as
you fly over the waves.
"Desire," the world's most famous streetcar, was once part of
the country's oldest continuously operating streetcar system. Ride the rails
together through the darkness or by day and sway to the enchanting rocking
motion of the car as the St. Charles Avenue line takes you through the historic
Garden District and past Tulane and Loyola Universities.
Just outside of the Metro area you can experience the antebellum world of
Rhett and Scarlett. Several plantations, the oldest of which dates back
to the 1700's, are located along the river and ready to take you back in
time. Better yet, spend the night in one of the plantations that offer overnight
accommodations in authentically appointed bedrooms with antique furnishings
and canopied beds. Most of the mansions are within a 90-minute drive from
downtown. Tour companies offer varied packages which include meals in the
plantations' formal dining rooms.
FESTIVALS
In the city that celebrates life like no other, festivals abound. If your
honeymoon dates coincide with any of the parties listed below, don't miss
out on the fun. The following is only a partial list:
* Mardi Gras (February / March) - The granddaddy and undisputed
king of all festivals. You've no doubt been to Mardi Gras before, but have
you ever experienced it from the second-floor balcony of a hotel room overlooking
Bourbon Street? You'll gain a whole new perspective of the world's biggest
street party-but book your room REAL early!
* St. Patrick's Day Parade (March) - Be prepared to drink green
beer.
* Spring Fiesta and the French Quarter Festival (April) - The
world's largest jazz brunch.
* Jazz and Heritage Festival (April / May)
* Greek Festival (May)
* La Fete-The National Festival of Foods and Cookery (June /
July)
* Festa D'Italia (September)
* Oktoberfest and the Swamp Festival (October)
* Creole Christmas (December) - Candlelight caroling in Jackson
Square
* New Year's Eve Countdown-Jax Brewery (New Year's Eve) - Fireworks!
ENJOY!
Is there anything else that you've always wanted to do in your own hometown,
but haven't gotten around to yet?
Never eaten raw oysters on the half shell? Now is the time!
Never sat at the romantic Mardi Gras Fountain? Get out to the lakefront!
Never taken the secluded backwoods trail at the Nature Center? Put your
walking shoes on!
New Orleans is a delightfully romantic town with a partying spirit like
no other. Newlyweds from around the world come here to take advantage of
all that it offers. Don't miss out just because you live here. Discover
its delights together, and you will soon fall in love with the city where
you fell in love!
For more information on walking and driving
tours, accommodations, dining, shopping, plantation tours, etc., contact
the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention
and Visitors Bureau at 1520 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana
70112, or call (504) 566-5011.