Howdy, folks! It’s me, Huck. I reckon if you’re readin’ this, you’re lookin’ to find some adventure in this here city of New Orleans. Well, sit tight, ’cause I’ve got some tales and spots to share.
The Mighty Mississippi:
Stroll by the River
This here river’s always been a true friend to me, just like ol’ Jim. The riverfront in New Orleans gives a fella feelings of the old days. Now, instead of rafts, they got them fancy steamboats like the Natchez. They even got them jazz bands on board, playin’ tunes that’d make ol’ Tom Sawyer tap his feet!
The French Quarter:
Walk Them Streets
This part o’ town feels older than the Widow Douglas! Wanderin’ them cobbled streets, with its old shanties, is like bein’ in a dream. Reminds me of the times when me and Jim’d hear music around the campfire, only now it’s everywhere, floatin’ out from them open doors and windows.
Beignets at Café du Monde:
Get Yer Fill
Back in my days, me and Jim had us some catfish and cornbread. But these beignets? Lawd! They’s like a sweet cloud of sugar, especially when you’re restin’ your feet. And that chicory coffee, it’s got a kick stronger than mule’s!
Street Musicians and Jazz:
Follow Them Tunes
Music in these parts ain’t just old banjo strummin’; it’s like the whole city’s got rhythm. I’ve seen folks on corners playin’ them horns and strings, kinda like how we’d gather ’round for a jamboree back in the day. If you’ve got a hankerin’ for some real music, make your way to Preservation Hall.
Swamp Tours:
See the Bayou
These parts make me think of the times when me and Jim would hide in the thickets. These tours’ll take ya through the swamp, showin’ you gators and old trees, lookin’ all mysterious in the mist. Almost feels like sneakin’ around with Jim, just without the trouble tailin’ us.
Bourbon Street at Night:
Where the Action’s At
Now, this here street after sundown is wilder than the time Tom and I tried to start that gang of robbers! With all the hollerin’, dancin’, and drinkin’, it’s a whole mess of fun. It’s like them rowdy river towns, but with brighter lights and wilder tunes.
Local Tales:
Hear Them Stories
Now, I’ve heard my fair share of tales, from river spirits to treasures. But the stories in New Orleans, ’bout the Voodoo Queen and haunted houses, make even Injun Joe’s tales seem tame. If you’ve got the gumption, take one of them tours and listen close.
Garden District:
Gander at the Grandeur
This part of the city’s all fancy, like. Makes me think of the times I’d see them big houses from my raft, wonderin’ ’bout the lives inside. These here mansions, with their shiny gates and gardens, are somethin’ to behold.
New Orleans Museum of Art:
Peep Some Fine Paintin’s
I ain’t much for sittin’ around, but this museum’s got some real interestin’ doodads. From paintings to sculptures, it’s a sight for sore eyes. Makes me wonder what ol’ Miss Watson would say, seein’ all this highfalutin art.
Where to Bunk Down in the Big Easy:
The Royal Sonesta:
Check It Out
Now this place, right on Bourbon Street, is as fancy as they come. Made me think of that big ol’ house the Grangerfords had. If you’re lookin’ to be right in the middle of all the ruckus and hootenanny, and don’t mind splurgin’ a bit, The Royal Sonesta’s your spot.
Hotel Monteleone:
See For Yourself
Heard tell of a thing called a ‘carousel bar’ in this joint. Now, I ain’t seen it myself, but folks say it’s somethin’ special. This hotel’s been around longer than most of the tales I’ve heard, and it’s got a charm to it, like a well-worn fiddle.
The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery:
Have a Gander
This place? It’s got history. Used to be an old warehouse, now it’s a spot where travelers can rest their bones. Ain’t as fancy as some, but it’s cozy, kinda like that cave Tom and I used to play in.
Frenchmen Hotel:
Take a Peek
Now if you’re lookin’ to be close to the music, this might be your place. Over yonder on Frenchmen Street, where the real music’s at. The hotel’s got a charm, bit like Aunt Polly’s place, only with more jazz.
The Quisby:
Check It Out
For folks who ain’t looking to drop a pile of coins but still want a decent place to hang their hat, The Quisby’s the ticket. Right on St. Charles Avenue, it’s a hop and a skip from all the hustle and bustle. Kinda reminds me of the simpler spots where me and Jim would rest our heads – no fuss, just good people and a place to lay down after a day of adventuring.
I reckon that should give folks a good idea on where they might want to lay their heads when visitin’ New Orleans. Just remember, in this city, it ain’t always ’bout the fanciest place, but where you feel the spirit of the river and its stories.
Jazz in the Heartbeat of NOLA
Well, now, if you’re steppin’ foot in New Orleans and ain’t payin’ mind to the jazz, you might as well be floatin’ down the Mississippi with a plug in yer ears! Jazz here ain’t just music; it’s the lifeblood of the city, like the river’s current, ever-flowing and full of life.
Preservation Hall:
Have a Listen
In an old buildin’, much like the ones me and Tom would sneak around in, you’ll find folks gatherin’ every evening for some true-to-heart jazz. Ain’t no fancy doin’s, just pure music that’ll make your feet tap and heart light.
Frenchmen Street:
If you’re lookin’ to hop from one joint to the next, hearin’ different tunes and feelin’ the city’s pulse, this is the street to wander. Kinda like the adventures me and Jim had, every door leads to a new tale.
The Spotted Cat Music Club:
Swing By
This joint’s smaller than some, but the music? Mighty big! It’s got a feelin’ like them impromptu jams we’d have by the campfire, where the tune carries you away.
Jazz Fest:
If you find yourself in the city ’round spring, you best not miss this. It’s a gathering of folks from all corners, sharin’ their love for music. Much like the big gatherings by the riverbank, it’s full of laughter, stories, and foot-stompin’ tunes.
Street Musicians:
Don’t be rushin’ past them musicians on the sidewalks and street corners. They’re sharin’ the soul of the city, one note at a time. Drop a coin or two, take a moment, and let the music whisk you away. Reminds me of the times when a simple tune on a harmonica would lift our spirits on the river.
So, whether you’re a highfalutin city slicker or a river rascal like me, let the jazz in New Orleans speak to your soul. And remember, it ain’t just about the notes; it’s the stories they tell and the feelings they stir.
10 Grub Spots in NOLA, Huck Finn Style:
My picks for some of the best eats in the Big Easy. Whether you’re hankerin’ for some old-time classics or somethin’ a bit fancy, I got you covered.
Commander’s Palace:
Get Yer Fill
Now, if you’re feelin’ like puttin’ on your Sunday best and treatin’ yourself, this joint’s a must. Heard they serve turtle soup and bread puddin’ that’d make Aunt Polly proud.
Café Amelie:
Sit a Spell
Tucked away in a quiet courtyard, this spot feels like one of them secret places Tom and I would discover. Perfect for a quiet moment and some shrimp and grits.
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe:
Taste a Bit
For some true Creole grub, this is the spot. Reminds me of the hearty meals after a long day on the river. Their fried chicken and gumbo? Lawd!
Willie Mae’s Scotch House:
Take a Gander
Speaking of chicken, folks say this place has the best fried chicken in town. And trust me, it’s finger-lickin’ good, almost as good as the fish me and Jim would catch.
French Market:
Wander ‘Round
This ain’t just one spot but a whole stretch where you can find all sorts of treats. From gator on a stick to fresh pralines, it’s a mishmash of old and new.
Parkway Bakery & Tavern:
Bite into Tradition
Po’boys! Can’t come to New Orleans and not have one. This place? They’ve been at it since before Tom and I had our adventures. Get the shrimp po’boy, and you’ll be thankin’ me.
Napoleon House:
Sip & Munch
Been around for ages, this one. Got a charm like an old song. Try their muffuletta and sip on a Pimm’s Cup, sittin’ in a spot where history’s been made.
Elizabeth’s:
Dive in
Head over to the Bywater, and you’ll find this gem. They say their praline bacon is something fierce. Breakfast here’s as hearty as them meals before a day of rafting.
Coop’s Place:
A True Dive
Now, if you’re lookin’ for a real dive with darn good eats, head here. They got jambalaya that’ll remind you of the warmth of a campfire on a chilly night.
Well, there y’all have it – a little peek into the Big Easy, as seen through my river-tinted spectacles. New Orleans, with its winding streets and tales as deep as the Mississippi, sure has a way of making a fella feel both lost and found at the same time. If you ever find yourself driftin’ down this way, I reckon these spots’ll treat you right. But remember, sometimes the best adventures are the unplanned ones – so let the river’s current guide you, and you might just discover tales of your own. Happy wanderin’!
