Ride in Style: Eat and Laugh
Now, we’re heading for the finish line – this is the final blog for September and, if you recall, I’ve written all four blogs this month specifically for visitors to New Orleans. Said differently: I’ve rounded up some of the best things to see and do so you can do ‘em fast-and-easy. A minimum of hassle: I’ve done the digging; you do the exploring.
6. A Streetcar Named Invincible
Sorry, I couldn’t resist this play on “A Streetcar Named Desire” because I truly believe that Tennessee Williams really made the world sit up and listen when his play – and the movie based on it -- became such smash hits worldwide. Now, if you’ve never been on a streetcar you have to definitely put this on your “to do” list
The St. Charles Avenue Streetcar is as essential to Uptown and the Garden District as live oaks and mansions
(W) What year did streetcars start appearing in New Orleans? The St. Charles streetcar line began in 1835 as a passenger railway between New Orleans and a suburb called Carrollton. It was one of the first passenger railroads in America and remains the oldest operating street railway in the world.
(X) How many are there and when do they run? There are five lines that run 24 hours a day – during peak hours, they come along every five minutes or so. The historic St. Charles runs on a 13-mile track that goes “in” and “past” storied streets. You can catch these GREEN CARS all along St. Charles Avenue.
(Y) What is the cost of riding a streetcar? It is just $1.25 each way or LESS if you buy a multi-day pass that will allow you to get “off” and “on” – this means you can take a closer look at things that catch your fancy. For example: live oaks, antebellum mansions plus Loyola and Tulane universities. The most popular place to catch the St. Charles is at Canal and Carondelet streets in the French Quarter. Just look for a YELLOW sign that says, “Car Stop” on a pole near the corner.
(Z) What are the other four? Here’s the lineup: (1) The Canal Street line is a 5.5-mile route that goes into the CBD and winds up at City Park Avenue. (2) The Riverfront line will take you to the French Market, the aquarium and Harrah’s if you’re in the mood to gamble. (3) The Loyola line picks up passengers from the train station and goes to Canal Street and the French Quarter. (4) The Rampart/St. Claude is the newest line – it takes passengers from the train station to Marigny/Bywater + the French Quarter.
It’s time to break loose and have some fun!
7. Beignets: Eat With Abandon
1862 was a banner year. Why? That was the year the Café du Monde (this is French for “Café of the World”) opened on Decatur Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It is now a landmark and tourist destination that is known for its café au lait (coffee with milk) and beignets. By the way, its chicory coffee was first introduced to The Big Easy when it was still a colony of France.
IN 1928 a report appeared in the local newspaper that said, “No class distinctions are recognized at the Café du Monde. Sweet young things in evening dress rub elbows with unshaven hucksters in overalls. And dowagers sit down beside gamblers, debutantes, artists and cab drivers. In fact, tourists from all parts of the world mingle and fraternize together.”
IN 2021 not much has changed. At one time or another EVERYONE comes to Café du Monde at any time of the day or night. You read this correctly: Café du Monde is open 24 hours a day, every day with the exception of Christmas Day OR when the city is threatened by a particularly severe hurricane.
THE 18TH century was the time when the French colonists from “the old mother country” brought beignets to New Orleans. A newspaper interview in the 1920s reported that, “sometimes a customer turns up his or her nose at our doughnuts. For example, the other day a lady from New England came into Café du Monde and was served coffee and beignets.
She took one look and said with disdain, “Doughnuts? I don’t want them. Never eat the things.” The finale? She tried one, ended up eating four AND asked for the recipe.”
TODAY Here’s a straightforward description of our delicious beignets: a square piece of dough that is fried and covered with powdered sugar. They are served in orders of three. What they DO NOT tell you is this: to eat this delicacy is nothing like anything you have ever done “in public” in your entire life. The white powdered sugar goes all over you, your clothes, the table, the floor and your shoes – two or more people at a table leads to an incredible mess. But then you look around and realize EVERYONE is in the same boat. The whole experience is one you will probably never have again in your life. It’s a real hoot!!
WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? Since you’re really getting into the swing of things with NoLA activities why not stay with us at Rathbone – two antebellum mansions that will REALLY take you back in time. We’ll be very happy to see you!
PLEASE CHECK THE WEB for any updates or changes that may occur during your stay in The Big Easy.
Shaun Nelson-Henrick