New Orleans – Day Two: Trip On The Mississippi

“Take Me to the River” *

This morning I’m going on the Mississippi River on a trip on the Steamboat Natchez as hopefully it’ll be a good way to get another view of the city. I’ve always thought seeing a place from the river gives you a new perspective on it, and this one is no different. Tip – if you take the trip, don’t bother with the lunch. It’s a paid-for extra, but I didn’t ‘bite’, and when I wandered down to see what was being served I’m glad I didn’t. It didn’t look too bad, I just thought it was expensive.

Back on dry land I find a micro-brewery, Crescent City Brewhouse, for lunch. The beer and food are good. I’d decided earlier to go back and look at the photos I saw in the market yesterday so I walk down Decatur Street, browsing in the shops on either side of the road. I buy a couple of souvenirs on the way before arriving back at the French Market. Today I decide to buy the photos of Bourbon Street. They are a bit pricey but are well shot and framed. Hopefully they will look good on a wall back home! Before leaving I go and sit in the Market Cafe again – there’s a three piece band playing today – and they are very good, with lots of blues-y numbers and some good musicianship.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

After a refresh back at the hotel, it’s back down to Bourbon Street. Same quiet walk then turn right and the madness beckons in the distance… Tonight seems even busier again. And it is. You can’t move for people. There are musicians playing in the street tonight and I find the Musical Legends Park where a band are on stage. The place is very full but I manage to get a table when someone leaves. The table service for food and drink is very slow though so I end up going ‘self-service’ at the counter. It’s cheap and cheerful food but  good. It’s jazzy-type music and whilst not a big jazz fan, that too is good.

Fed and watered, the band then finish up and I decide to leave as well and see if there’s any other music elsewhere tonight. No, is the answer. Despite the Street being packed out, and constantly dodging folks in the crush – the Street really is full tonight and it’s only Wednesday – there’s still no decent music anywhere.

I’d read about Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, “reputed to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States”, so a bit of a legendary place. It’s on Bourbon Street but a few blocks up. So I say ‘goodbye’ to the ‘Bourbon madness’ and walk up the street in peace and quiet until I find the bar.  You could almost walk past the place as it’s not very well lit at all. It’s quite unassuming in fact. Inside it’s sedate, quiet – and great. Make sure to pay it a visit. I sit at the bar, the barman is busy but he’s friendly and chats when he can. After a nightcap or two, it’s back to the hotel for bed. Tomorrow, it’s time to hit the road and leave New Orleans behind!

* Take Me To The River by Al Green