My first time visiting New Orleans was when I was 20 years old in
the middle of a national tour with only one day to experience and enjoy
it as much as I could, and I did. I immediately immersed myself in the
culture and fell madly in love, as if I just discovered who I was and
what I truly loved. Typically when people think of New Orleans they
think barbaric college kids, mardi gras beads, or a rundown urban
ghetto… which in a sense is dead on if you have tunnel vision, but there
is SO much more to this city. The Garden District/Uptown area is my
absolute favorite neighborhood of anywhere I have ever been. The area
was originally developed between 1832 and 1900 and is considered one of
the best-preserved collections of historic Southern mansions in the
United States. What initially took my breath away was the architecture. I
have always had a profound love for opulent, mid-1800′s architecture
including Greek Revival, Colonial, and Victorian styles such as
Italianate, and Queen Anne, but had never seen them so vast in person.
The second showstopper was how the foliage abounds far and wide; from
the tree lined streets, to the lush gardens nearly every home possessed.
It is positively one of the most visually appealing places in the
United States.
Below I have comprised a list of 10 places you MUST enjoy during your next visit to New Orleans; Enjoy:
1. The Wedding Cake House
This ostentatious Victorian, Georgian revival mansion is one of the most
prominent and recognizable historical residences along St. Charles Ave.
Can you imagine an entire neighborhood of these?
Built in 1896-Located
at 5809 St. Charles Ave.
2. The Carroll-Crawford House
The elegant, but dark Italianate design with the fine cast-iron double
galleries will always remind me of the first time I saw this type of
architecture… Disneyland’s Haunted House; it was surreal.
Built in
1869-Located at 1315 First Street.
3. St. Charles Street Car
You can hop on at several locations along St Charles and Carrollton and
jump off at the French Quarter On Carondelet/Canal St. or vice versa AND
it’s only $3 for a day pass.
4. Lafayette Cemetery
Known for its old, often crumbling, and occasionally open, above ground
tombs, Lafayette is easily one of the most fascinating cemeteries you
will ever visit. Although St. Louis Cemetery is generally the first
sought after by tourists due to it’s location in the French Quarter and
the graves of more celebrities, Lafayette is much more serene and
picturesque cemetery that you could probably spend hours in.
Established
in 1833-Located at: 2010 Washington Ave.
Tips: There are gates on each of the roads around the cemetery, but
only the Washington and Sixth St are unlocked. Also, there is an awesome
coffee shop across the street called Still Perkin’.
5. Blue Phoenix
This is a wonderful place to acquire metaphysical and new age supplies
including: herbs, oils, incense, amulets, cool candles, crystals, voodoo
dolls and other spiritual supplies.
Located at: 4304 Magazine St.
6. Sucre
An Uptown sweet boutique that features an assortment of handcrafted,
luscious chocolates, fresh gelato, one-of-a-kind pastry masterpieces and
super-premium coffees.
Located at: 3025 Magazine St.
7. Audubon Park
This is a beautiful Uptown park that borders both the Mississippi River
and St. Charles Ave. with a great set of walking/bike paths and plenty
of benches near the lake, under the overgrown, live oak trees, also
adjacent to the Audubon Zoo.
Located at: 6500 Magazine St.
8. Commander’s Palace
You will find this place at the top of every “Where to Eat in New
Orleans” list. Located just across the street from the Lafayette
Cemetery, this large, but intimate Victorian house is the perfect place
to get some of the best Southern food New Orleans has to offer.
Located
at: 1403 Washington Ave. Established in 1880
9. Dos Jefes Cigar Bar
If you’re interested in a more relaxed, but entertaining place to enjoy
your evening, Dos Jefes features live jazz with great top shelf liquor
and there is never a cover charge.
Located at: 5535 Tchoupitoulas St.
10. Hubbard Mansion B&B
This is an exquisite family owned business located in the heart of the
Garden District that offers five exquisitely furnished suites in the
Main House, and two executive apartments. The beautiful rooms recall the
grandeur of 19th century New Orleans. The St Charles Street Car stops
right out front for a convenient, quick ride to the French Quarter.
Located at: 3535 St. Charles Ave.
"Through the vessel of the figure and materiality of clay, I create sculptural objects and installations to evoke intuitive, visceral responses informed by our subjective notions of physical image and societal norms. I question my own experiences of these through the various personalities that emerge with each hybrid portrait, as they are often an exaggerated mix of whimsical beauty and exaggerated macabre. Posture and pose illustrate the psychological scope of the feral female while their wide-eyed gazes portray an emotional duality that is constantly evolving within each beastly image. At the heart of these works is the eternal push and pull of the spirit. The two-headed beast, the twin within, living just beneath the skin, sharing the shell and breathing life in through the cracks. They are psychic creatures blistered by hope and beaten with twinges of nostalgia."
