New Orleans for Christmas

Wrapping up this year, I decided to visit New Orleans, aka the Big Easy, aka a Mardi Gras capital. I have never been to Louisiana before, and while it was not on my bucket list, I wanted to visit it at some point in time. Two of the friends of mine are originally from there and headed to NOLA for a month visiting family. I decided to meet up with them to get more of a local experience. 

I planned my trip over 5-6 days to not rush as I usually do. I had the time off from work and didn't want to stay at home for the holidays. Below was my planned itinerary, although as always things didn't exactly align to it.

Day 1: Scenic Drives & Birmingham, AL

• 🏞 Little River Canyon: A quick pit stop for stunning views and fresh air.
• 🏨 Fairfield Inn & Suites: My stay in Birmingham.
• 🍽 Dinner with Strangers at The Harvest: A unique dining experience with delicious food and great company.

---

Day 2: Arrival in New Orleans

• 🚙 Road Trip Vibes: Drive and crossing into Louisiana.
• 🏡 Check-in at my AirBnb: A warm welcome to my home base in New Orleans.
• 👫 Meet Up with my friends at Canal Street: Catching up with a friends and soaking in the later afternoon vibes of the city.

---

Day 3: Exploring NOLA

• ☕️ Morning Coffee at Old Road Coffee: Starting the day with a cozy café visit.
• 🌳 City Park: Gorgeous greenery, peaceful walks, and a cemetery.
• 🐊 Jean Lafitte National Park: A dive into Louisiana’s rich natural beauty and history.
• 🚙 Meet up with my friends: No plans.

---

Day 4: Christmas Eve in New Orleans

• 🎄 Coffee Start: Grabbing coffee at Starbucks.
• 🏛 Laura Plantation Tour: Learning about Creole history and heritage.
• 🍴 Culinary History Tour: Tasting the flavors of New Orleans on a guided food adventure.

My friend kindly agreed to watch Kitty at his house, and after a pre-Christmas celebration exchanging gifts, we parted ways as I headed towards New Orleans the following morning.

My first stop was at Little River Canyon in Alabama. Originally, I planned to stop at Little River Falls and head to Birmingham, but after meeting a volunteer at the trailhead who handed me the map assuring that I should drive along the Little River Parkway to see all the scenic points, I decided to do that.

While NOLA was not my favorite place, I found it to be different from other cities I visited. I especially enjoyed the history and culture, and would skip the food tour or anything food-related. I guess my taste is a bit different nowadays, I don't like greasy food!