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If you’ve never been to the French Quarter in New Orleans, and are simply thinking of an endless night of drinking and debauchery, throw those ideas right out the door. There is a side to the Vieux Carre that is quiet and surreal, but to see it, you’ll have to have an early wake up call. First thing in the morning, is when I think the French Quarter really shines. Before the southern heat and humidty or throngs of tourists really hit, it feels like you can have this historic neighborhood all to yourself.
There isn’t much open in the Quarter at this time, but there’s no shortage of things to see. Your first stop should be to grab a cup of iced coffee from a local, New Orleans shop to start your day. My personal favorites are Arrow Cafe, right across the street from Louis Armstrong park, or Spitfire Coffee, around the corner from the St. Louis Cathedral. For a classic cafe au lait or sweet treat, Cafe du Monde is open 24/7 and tastes even better before the crowds come in. Now that you have the proper fuel for the day, you are ready to set out.
No matter where you start, I suggest to go down the Quarter, towards Esplanade. Leaving all of the souvineir shops behind you, the more residential area opens up and you really get to see the architecture, history, and culture of the city take center stage. Every building, no matter the state, looks like it has a story to tell. As the saying goes, “if only these walls could talk.” New Orleans is a city with so many historical identies, and you can see that in its architecture. Notice the Spanish and French influences, along with the Creole townhouses that make this city so unique. From cast-iron balconies to brightly colored exteriors, each residence sparks so much inspiration.
To play with the French Quarter reputation for just a second, taking a quick peek at Bourbon Street at this time is a real experience. An extremely hard-working crew picks up (and bleaches) all evidence of the night before to get ready for a new day. For a brief moment, Bourbon Street looks picturesque and you forget about all of the bars that will open in a few hours. Afterwards, be sure to cap off your peaceful morning with brunch at a New Orleans staple, such as Brennan’s or Court of the Two Sisters.
A romantic neighborhood also calls for an equally dreamy dress. I purchased this striped maxi from Madewell specifically for my trip. The soft, white linen fabric did wonders to keep me cool, but the dress also did a fantastic job of playing up such an iconic backdrop. Honestly though, the French Quarter needs no help to keep daydreaming for years to come.
Love from NYC,
Katie