My six year old had never been, of course. She was our "souvenir" from that previous trip. We named her after a plantation we fell in love with just outside of New Orleans. Here is a picture of her on the St. Charles streetcar. The streetcar was her favorite part of the city. I let her pick our seat and decide which stop to get off. She was so precious and really got the "feel" for the city. I could literally feel her soaking it all up. She also loved the beignets and cafe au late...
Before we left, we took one final ride on the streetcar and she decided to get off at the Audubon Park, where we tossed pennies into this fountain and made wishes. It was so much fun to spend big girl time with her by myself. She's quite a little personality!
Isn't she just the prettiest little thing?
We also went on a carriage ride, since it was so hot. It was a good decision because our drivers name was our last name and Laura got a big kick out of that. She was able to feed his horse carrots and pet it. We got to see more of the French Quarter than we could have on foot, simply because it was so hot we couldn't stand to walk much more. Isn't this house pretty? I love all the different colors.
Here's another pretty house. I love the green of the ferns against the crisp salmon and white.
We ate like crazy people at the Camellia Grill. This is a little place at the very last stop on the St. Charles streetcar line in the Garden District. Laura was so impressed with the grill. That man made ONE huge omelet on the entire grill and it looked scrumptious. We had a pecan waffle, a cheeseburger and an orange freeze. It was all yummy.
But the best part was dessert. Look at that big scoop of ice cream! I have got to find a good recipe for pecan pie.
Here's a picture of some of the wrought iron fencing so gracefully surrounding Jackson Square.
This is the famous Cafe Du Monde in the French Market. This cafe has been in business since 1862! We find it charming and a nice spot to sit and cool off after going to the Preservation Hall concert. You haven't had coffee until you've had a cafe au late from here. And the beignets are things to dream of!
Even the shadows in New Orleans are dreamy. I love it here!
This is the nondescript sign for preservation hall. I could spend every night in New Orleans sitting right there on that little wooden bench listening to those "old timers" play true New Orleans jazz. It is worth the 13 hour drive to close your eyes and just listen to the music. Amazing.
Another part of New Orleans that I love is the surprises in each doorway. You never know what you're going to stumble onto! Look at that fountain and the spiral staircase. With the french quarter being so hot and dirty, there are always little secret places tucked away in these courtyards that look so lush and green.
We did have a great time. How can you not have a great time in New Orleans?!? I will go back every chance I get. My little one asked me if we could move there. Oh, if only! She also asked if she'd been there before, because it "felt" like she had. I got goosebumps on that one. My answer to her was no, not technically ;) . But I was so pleased that she really absorbed all the city had to offer and got a taste for it. Hopefully the next trip will come soon! 
