A commoner dines at Camellia Grill, New Orleans

I have to admit I’m more than a little embarrassed – and frankly a little ashamed – that it’s been almost three weeks since my last blog post. 

Let’s remedy that by picking up where I left off on my most recent trip to the Big Easy – the day the April and I explored the Garden District.  Afterwards, we hopped back on the streetcar to have a late lunch at one of my favorite spots along the St. Charles Avenue line – the Camellia Grill. 

Scenes from the Garden District (and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1)

To anyone familiar with New Orleans, the city offers much more than the French Quarter, jazz, and parting on Bourbon Street.  That’s why, while I always seem to book my hotels in the Quarter or the Central Business District, I always try to spend at least one day of every trip I make to New Orleans in another part of the city. 

For most people, venturing outside of downtown means a streetcar ride down St. Charles Avenue to the Garden District.  Synonymous with New Orleans “old money,” the Garden District is easily one of the oldest and most famous neighborhoods in the city.  The combination of ornate mansions/former plantation homes, tree-lined streets and lush gardens at nearly every residence give the neighborhood its name and well-deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful areas in the city. 

A commoner drinks at the Erin Rose, New Orleans

No matter where you choose to stay when visiting New Orleans, it seems like you’re never too far from a friendly neighborhood bar.  That holds true even in the city’s most famous neighborhood, the French Quarter.  And it’s one reason why I love to stay at the Prince Conti Hotel … because, despite being less than a block off of  Bourbon Street, you’ll find a couple of great neighborhood bars on the same city block as the hotel. 

In front of the Erin Rose on Conti Street