It’s our final day in New Orleans, and we’ve taken it easy
today – revisiting Café Du Monde for more beignets and walking along the
river-front. We’re going to Bourbon Street tonight for some last-minute souvenir
shopping and just to let loose a bit. It’s our last night, so why not?!
Bourbon Street is alive and bustling with huge crowds of
people streaming down Bourbon Street like a strong river… I can’t imagine what
it’s like during Mardi Gras!
Each street is filled with gift shops, bars and of course
live music! We wander the street, enjoying the crowd and of course, we gotta try
those Hurricanes.
Caution: Those giant hurricanes you see everyone carrying
around the streets really are delish! They’re so sweet you can’t taste any
alcohol at all. But trust me, it’s in there – and it’s strong. You’ve been
warned.
Anyway, we continue down Bourbon, hopping from place to
place, enjoying the music, picking out masks and beads from the shops, grabbing
more “To-Go” Hurricane’s, all while fighting through the sea of people. It’s
pretty crazy – it’s very exciting. But man, I could use a break...
..And then, right in the middle of Bourbon Street something
hits us! Like a snake charmed by the flute, we’re drawn into a courtyard by
the sweet sound of the trumpet and a voice so hypnotic, we forget we’re in the
middle of the infamous Bourbon Street.
We stagger through the
iron gates that read “Musical Legends Park” and we see statues of Jazz Greats. There are charming iron tables and seats in
front of a stage. In the back of the courtyard there is a bar, and of course a
coffee and beignet shop.
We grab a seat in front of the stage and enjoy the sweet
sounds. The sign behind the beautiful
voice reads STEAMBOAT WILLY.
Ah, Steamboat Willy. He’s a jazz master. He does all the classics … and his Louis
Armstrong is Spot-on – the voice and the trumpet. Listening to Steamboat Willy
feels like we’ve been transported to a different time and place.. and the rowdy
Bourbon street seems worlds away.
This is the perfect place to spend our last
evening in the Big Easy.
If you’re in New Orleans, I’m serious about this – you MUST
go see Steamboat Willy in the Musical Legends Park. Unfortunately, we must hit the road tomorrow.
New Orleans, you
have taken us to another country, fed us the most amazing authentic food, and
entertained us to the max. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We will be back!
