After doing some research, I decided that I'd dedicate a full day to walking around the French Quarter. For safety, I spent the money to park in a gated parking lot. I arrived early in the morning and had my pick of parking spaces. I parked facing Decatur (the main drag). That proved to be a good strategy as I could use my car as a place to rest, have lunch and still people watch.
I made sure to visit the two National Parks in the French Quarter -- the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and the French Quarter Visitor Center of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
To say the least, it was a very full day of exploring and walking; I was especially tired as I drove away at dusk ... but, what memories! Here are some pics, shared in the order taken ...
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| It's morning and horse-drawn carriages are lined up and ready to be hired by tourists on Decatur St. |
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| Decatur St. with carriages, in front of Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral |
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| Cafe Du Monde's open-air dinning area where I enjoyed french donuts (beignets) and their coffee (with chicory) |
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| Inner courtyard at the Jean LaFitte Visitor Center. Although it's called the "French Quarter" the architecture is mostly Spanish. |
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| Statue of the Father of New Orleans, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, one of the many sites seen on a National Park Ranger led history tour of the riverfront. |
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| The Mississippi River on a chilly day |
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| St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square |
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| Tourists on Decatur Street |
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| Watching some acrobatic street performers (in red shirts) among the tourists, across from Jackson Square |
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| Leftover Mardi Gras decorations |
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| I really enjoyed the street performers. Great talent. |
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| One Man Band |
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| Really wonderful group. Every flavor of jazz here. |
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| Amazing clarinet player. She could do circular breathing and hold a single note "forever." |
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| Even the street sweepers couldn't resist the music and got into the act! |
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| Statue of Major General Andrew Jackson in the Middle of Jackson Square |
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| I next went to the Old United States Mint |
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| The Old US Mint is a national historic landmark with a museum |
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| This is an unusual kind of photograph from me, but I thought it truly captured my feelings of being into the music at the time. I was absorbed in the performance of an old time gospel/jazz group as part of the Music at the Mint Program. |
