Jean Brashear - The Best of New Orleans

A Hotel Marchand Bonus

The Maxwell Sisters "Best of New Orleans"

A salute to the New Orleans that was, and will be again.

Best way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Cajun music and dancing at Tipitina's. Bruce Daigrepont plays Tip's almost every Sunday afternoon. There are loads of locals who love Cajun dancing. They start dancing as the musicians tune their instruments and don't stop until the last note is played. If you're interested in learning the moves you can always find someone there to show you. They truly want to pass on their love of Cajun dancing on to others.

Best place to get a drink. Pat O'Brien's on Bourbon. The piano bar is where the tourist hang out and it can be fun, but check out the main bar for some real New Orleans conversation.

Best place for dessert. Angelo Brocato’s on N. Carrollton. This place is Italian through and through. They celebrated their 100 year anniversary in 2005 with a newly remodeled building that was severely damaged by Katrina. They reopened September 23, 2006 to huge crowds with Italian cakes and cookies, gelato, and their world famous cannoli.

Best way to spend a Saturday. The Audubon Zoo. When I was a child Audubon Zoo was one of the worst zoos in the country. It has made quite a transformation since then, it is now one of the best. Plan on spending the day because there is a lot to see. The Louisiana Swamp Exhibit has a Cajun Village and white alligators and sometimes live music at the café. The Sea Lions are fed twice a day, but arrive a little ahead of their posted feeding times to get a good seat. They put on quite a show.

Best place to take the grandkids. Storyland in City Park. The kids can walk into Old Mother Hubbard's shoe, sit in the driver’s seat of a fire truck or see Cinderella's pumpkin coach. There is also a train ride that goes around the park. The oldest operating carousel in the nation is in City Park too. This was my favorite as a child. There is just something about seeing Mother Goose flying in the large oaks of City Park or being able to walk inside Mother Hubbard's shoe. It was magical then and it is more so to see the wonder in your grandchildren's faces.

Best cup of coffee. Café du Monde, New Orleans café au lait for less than $2.00 a cup. You can't beat the beignets either. Sit outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Quarter. There are always street musicians and entertainers nearby

Best place for shopping. Magazine Street. There are lots of little quirky shops and restaurants. A grand way to spend the day.

Best place to pick up dinner. Langenstein's is a local grocery that has been in the city for almost 100 years. Their recipes for local favorites have been around that long as well. It's a treat to have your dinner pre-made and pick it up on the way home. They also do catering, so you can have a fabulous dinner party without cooking a single item and without anyone being the wiser!

Best dancing. Swing dancing at Rock n Bowl. This has to be the only bowling alley in the country that has live music.

Best sounds of the city. The sound the street car makes when going down Saint Charles Avenue. When you ride under the beautiful oak trees that line the street and see the grand old homes that were built in the 1800's you get a sense of how regal New Orleans was and can be.

Best free party. Mardi Gras can be lots of things depending on the spot you pick to see and be seen. Bourbon Street is wild and crazy, Napoleon Avenue is family friendly and Canal Street very crowded. The parades are like no other and the sights are even better.

Best Festival. This is a very tough one. I love Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest. Both have music and food and drinks but very different vibes. I wouldn't want to miss either of them.

Other Things to Love about New Orleans. I love the fact that nearly every restaurant you go to on a Monday will have red beans and rice and fried catfish on Friday, but the best dinner is always Sunday dinner at Mom's. We are a city of traditions and family. We resist change but welcome those that are different form us. We definitely have the best people. I love the people of New Orleans for lots of reasons. They hug you when they see you, no hand shakes here. They ask "How's yo mama and dem?" and really care how you and your family are doing. They have a love of life that I think would be hard to find anywhere else. The French term is "joie de vivre." It is a joy of living that you cannot help but feel when you are here.

Note from Jean: Many thanks to Marcie Maxwell Lemoine and Becky Maxwell Ancira, for sharing their New Orleans with me.

And to all of you reading this: I've been to New Orleans, post-Katrina, and the Quarter is in grand shape. Yes, the city has suffered, but the hospitality you receive is magnificent, and everyone I spoke with was so grateful for every single visitor. One of the best things you can do for New Orleans is...GO! Spend some money! The hearts of the people and the spirit of a grand and beloved city are very much still there and ready to welcome you back.

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