A day in New Orleans - US Rail Journeys Series 2 Episode 11
To the hotel:
A day in New Orleans begins with our late arrival at the station, a taxi ride to our hotel and a good night's sleep at the French Market Inn. Get more details here.
Morning:
I woke refreshed, dressed and went to reception to meet my friends. We decided to go across the road to Cafe Beignet on Decatur Street. You can find out more about the restaurant here.

We then went through Jackson Square and the Colonnade Market to the hop on, hop off bus stop. The route that the bus takes is here. We got off when the bus reached Basin Street Station as there is a small museum there.

We then got on the next bus and travelled through the Garden District, past some of the famed above ground cemeteries and into the City Centre.
On foot:
We then walked back to the Garden District and stopped for a reviving cup of coffee. Our route then took  us towards one of the famous cemeteries. We spent an hour or so looking round. They're like towns of small houses arranged on streets. The same families have occupied some of the mausoleums for hundreds of years.

After we left the cemetery we went in search of a streetcar. Some of the New Orleans street cars date from the 1920s. The Charles line first opened in 1835 and is the oldest streetcar route in the world. When you board a streetcar you are 'boarding a piece of movable New Orleans history'. Find out more about the New Orleans streetcars and other public transport here.
Afternoon:
The streetcar took us into the main 'Downtown' area. We decided to get off and look for a late lunch.

After lunch we returned to the hotel to rest our weary feet, and in some cases, take a 'Zizzzzzz'.

Refreshed by our rest we met up in reception and went out for an aperitif and dinner.
Evening:
We first went to the river to marvel at the majesty of the Mississippi as it makes its way to the sea.

After crossing the road back into the French Quarter our walk took us through streets of houses with amazing ironwork, past a jazz band playing on a street corner and some strange sights. We found a lovely bar, the Pirates Alley Cafe, for a relaxing drink.

Refreshed we walked back towards our hotel for the last part of 'a day in New Orleans'. We were had an excellent dinner at Tujague's restaurant. This is a traditional restaurant that opened in 1856. You can find out all about it here.
The photographs that accompany the podcast:
Please click on a thumbnail to open the gallery:

Next up:
I hope that you've enjoyed this podcast. Please join me in two weeks for the next episode where I board the Sunset Limited for the start of my journey along the southern border of the United States towards Los Angeles.
Links:
To visit the Amtrak website please follow this link.

You can also listen to this podcast on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Deezer, Podchaser, Spotify and Stitcher.

Music:
AKM Music has licensed the theme, Steam Railway, for use in this podcast.

Audioblocks has licensed Taste of the French Quarter and Tasty Louisiana Barbecue by Bob Khurana, New Orleans Jazz sting by Michael Nicholas and Down in New Orleans by Ron Komie for use as incidental music in this episode.

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