It was the morning of our last day in Nola and we still had a full day of adventures awaiting us. (Can you tell I packed as much as I could into each day of my New Orleans itinerary?)
My daughter and I hopped on the St. Charles streetcar ($1.25 per person) and took a ride over to Commander’s Palace for their Sunday Jazz Brunch. It was one of the first things I had written on my list of things to do in New Orleans way back when I was planning the trip.
It’s a New Orleans landmark with award winning food, and you’ll want to make your reservations early because it books up quickly. I called a couple of weeks ahead to make mine.
It was probably one of my favorite memories of the whole trip because it was so distinctly New Orleans: the music, the history, the atmosphere and the food.
Speaking of the food, it was beyond beyond. The presentation alone was magnificent, but the food itself was an explosion of decadence and satisfaction. It was pricier than what I’m used to but worth every penny.
And how can you not love a Jazz Brunch? The musicians were happy to take song requests and they rotated around the restaurant as they played so everyone had a good chance to hear and enjoy them.
We left with happy and full bellies and enjoyed the magnificence of the Garden District as we strolled back to the streetcar for a ride back to the hotel and a nap.
When we woke up mid-afternoon, we strolled over to do some French Market and French Quarter shopping. I loved just walking down the streets and popping into the stores that caught my eye.
Late in the afternoon, we decided to walk over to Harrah’s Casino, yes walk. So much of what we wanted to do was within walking distance of our hotel, the J.W. Marriott. There’s no question I will stay there again on my next visit.
I’m not the gambling sort, but I’m happy to drop some coins into the slot machines and hope I can make them last long enough to chalk it up to the cost of entertainment, so we did just that in the penny slots. We earned pennies, we lost pennies, and it was totally fun.
At this point, it was dinner time so we walked (see what I mean with the walking?) over to Mulate’s for dinner. They have live Zydeco music every night and a dance floor where happy diners of all ages twirl around.
We absolutely loved this restaurant and I highly recommend it. There’s such a positive energy inside, the music is catchy and fun,and the food is fantastic.
Try their red beans and rice. We loved it!
And sadly, after dinner we walked back to the hotel to pack and get some sleep before our early morning flight home which means this is the last in my series of New Orleans posts. I hope I’ve shown you how much New Orleans has to offer its visitors. I can’t wait to go back and explore it again.
I love New Orleans!
Comments & Reviews
looks very quaint, the food looks delicious!
I wanna go again!
Looks like so much fun. I’d love to visit New Orleans some day.
I don’t blame you for packing as much as you can into one day. I see they have a Harrahs there… Bonus for my Hubs.
I just came upon your post of your New Orleans adventure, day 5. I need to go back and look at the rest of your post. I am glad you and your daughter enjoyed your stay in New Orleans, I live here (Metairie) and it is nice to see when someone posts about the good time they had in our city. I love New Orleans and lived here all my life, can’t imagine living anywhere else. There is always something to do, something to see and never run out of places to eat! I hope you will visit us again soon!
Food, music, architecture, museums…everyone should visit!! Love this and glad you had a blast in New Orleans.
i want to go just for all that amazing looking food!!
We went to all those places when we were there except the Jazz brunch – which looked amazing from your pictures! I won the jackpot with nickel slots at Harrah’s – which was funny, since it was just nickels in ended up being like $40 🙂
So many awesome pictures! Now I want to go!
Liz, I am so envious. I’ve always wanted to go there. Now that I’ve read this I need to start planning my own trip.
You’ve out and out given me the New Orleans bug!! I’m excited about a visit there someday!
Your baby girl (ha! I call mine my baby too and she’s almost taller than me) looks so stylish in all of her pictures!! Just gorgeous (her and the city). And the food on those plates does look fantabulous. Those pancakes are calling my name.
This was a fun series!! I’m sorry to see it end. 🙁
Good food, great shopping and sight seeing are a must on any trip or vacation. Sounds like you had a great trip.
New Orleans is definitely on my list of places to go!
I love to travel! I am putting this on my list! Looks like an awesome time!
Been following your trying and I have officially made New Orleans the place for our girls getaway next year so exciting and I love all your pictures. I think I was sold on Day 4.
The food looks A-m-a-z-i-n-g! I totally want to visit for the food alone.
Now this looks like a fun weekend trip for my family!
I have loved reading this series and following along on your NOLA adventures. It is definitely on my list of places to visit sometime in the future!
I always wanted to go because of the food. It looks so fun to visit!
I went for a trip there on business and I hated it – seemed so run down. But you make it look fun.
I really enjoyed these posts. Took me back to one of my favorite cities.
I already want to visit New Orleans and all these posts just make me want to go more!
oh man…i would love to make it back to nawlins…..never been to that restaurant…but i will…for sure….
I have always wanted to visit New Orleans and now when I do I know where to look for all the best spots to visit.
Seriously though, I can’t wait to visit that part of the country one day!
I love NOLA! We walked every where when we visited as well. Walking makes room for more wonderful food and drinks! After reading all your wonderful experiences, I have to make plans to go to NOLA again! I haven’t been there since the hurricane.
New Orleans is definitely a place I want to visit one day. That trolley ride sounds fun. My hubby and I did one in Salem, MA once and saw all the witch trial hot spots.
You’ve been having an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Oh my, the architecture and food looks so great in New Orleans!
Those pictures make me really want to take a trip! That food looks amazing, too!!!
I would love to take a food tour in NO, what a tour that would be!
I just saw Commander’s Palace on an episode of Top Chef and it’s now on my to do list for a visit to New Orleans. I really want to visit with my husband some day and since it’s within driving distance for us, I think it will happen… eventually!
That looks like such a nice place to visit. Good food, good sites, and fun things to do.
Oh wow what some beautiful and different looking places – I would really love to take some time out and travel around the US one day there seems to be so many places to see. x
I’ve never been to New Orleans, and your posts are making me want to go!! That food…oh my goodness! And I’m totally like you with gambling. I like it as a form of entertainment. 🙂 If I can come away with a few more dollars than I started with, then even better.
We love Commander’s Palace! Their turtle soup is amazing!
Ah yes there is nothing better that pralines from the French Quarter! Looks like you had a wonderful time and great pics!
Next time you are making a New Orleans Itinerary, you need to remember one thing. Brett.
I want to come too!!
How on earth do you stay so skinny? Guess the walking helps a little bit, but my heavens, THE FOOD LOOKS AMAZING!
Looks like an awesome trip! My kids would love to ride a street car. That would be all they need for it to be a perfect vacation!
That food looks amazing,i really want to visit New Orleans i find the history and things i have read and seen really interesting, thanks for sharing.
Any excuse to eat shrimp for breakfast is ok with me. I visited New Orleans about 10 years ago and LOVED the live zydeco music. Your post really took me back. Looks like you had a great time!
What an amazing trip! I love the photos of inside the streetcar! I’ve never seen one! New Orleans is on my bucket list of places to visit for sure!
Oh my! The food looks incredible! I have got to get to New Orleans. The gorgeous pics make me want to visit. 🙂
I love the streetcars and all the wonderful history in that city. It looks like you had some amazing eats on this trip!
I have not been to New Orleans in years I went to Mardi Gras a few years ago and had the best time the food and atmosphere is so nice and different than what I am use to.
What a fabulous trip. I will have to keep this in mind for a moms weekend.
Gah, the food looks amazing. What a fun time – I’ve loved following along!
Wow! What fun! I only wish I could visit there someday! Love your pictures!
Looks like you had a blast! I love New Orleans too but I may be a bit biased! I also hate New Orleans in a way only someone that lives here could hate the city. It’s a true love / hate relationship we have! But in spite of that I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else than here!
OH my goodness!! So much fun! I want to go to New Orleans so badly now! You seriously must be having the time of your life!
New Orleans is definitely on my bucket list. It must be an amazing place to visit. I love what you said about the food: it’s beyond beyond. That’s what I have always heard.
I seriously want to visit New Orleans!! Now, that food looks absolutely delicious! More things to add to my list.
First of all, let me say that your daughter is gorgeous!
I have always wanted to go to NOLA…it looks like a blast. And the food…oh my gosh. You’re killing me here!
Oh my, that food looks delicious!! I love the houses there, the way they were designed. You don’t get that here =/
I love New Orleans too! It is such an awesome place to explore and there is so much to do.
This looks like such a fantastic place to visit! I would go for the food alone- delicious!!!
Sounds like you had a fun trip! I’ve never been to New Orleans.
New Orleans is a place I definitely want to visit. All of the food photos look amazing!
What a wonderful place to visit. I would visit just to eat their foods!
I really would love to take a ride on St. Charles streetcar! And the food looks delicious like always 😀
Looks like you had a fantastic trip! I’ve never been to New Orleans. My husband spent a few weeks there for a contract job and loved checking out the city.
Looks like a fun place to visit I have always wanted to go to New Orleans but haven’t had the chance to go yet.
It looks like you had an amazing time!
I have never been to New Orleans, but I really want to go! The food and the music sound incredible, I’m so jealous of your travels:) This definitely gave me a better view of what to expect, Thanks for the info…now I’m hungry looking at your food pics!
Wow.. what a fun time. I know a few people who have been to NO and all loved it as much as you and your daughter.
Oh my gosh, those pancakes? Want. Now. What an awesome trip!
I just love the picture of you two together, you look like you are really enjoying yourselves.
I am glad you enjoyed your trip! I think I would want to make a vacation just for the food!
I have loved reading about your New Orleans adventures! The food looks delicious!
Looks like a fun trip – and the food is so exquisite! New Orleans is always a fun and great place to visit!
That food looks AMAZING! We ate at Harrah’s while we were in New Orleans. Their food was REALLY good. We had no time to gamble, but I’m not a gambler anyway.
I have always wanted to go to NOLA. My daughter was able to go to Mardi Gras a few years ago and I was very envious. It looks like you had a great time. Love all the photos of the food! yum!
I would love to go to new Orleans, sound great
I would love to try the food in New Orleans. I have heard so many great things about it and you are confirming what I have heard. I would love to know what the shrimp meal was.
We enjoyed the jazz brunch at Commander’s palace about 10 years ago as part of my college graduation trip. Unforgettable! Glad ya’ll had fun.
glad you shared all these places… i will have to check them all out
It looks like a wonderful time. The food looks delish!
You had a packed day!!! I would love to take my family down to NOLA soon.
I can’t wait to visit NOLA! I’ve heard so much about it, especially the food and the architecture. It sounds like a wonderful trip for you and your daughter!
What an amazing trip! I’ve loved the posts so far!
Brunch is my favorite meal and this place looks amazing!
The food looks amazing! I’d love to ride the train 🙂
You and your daughter are look beautiful and so happy on this trip. I love New Orleans and haven’t been since college!
New Orleans is quite a city, and I love the food! Your post makes me want to take a roadtrip soon
OMGosh I LOVE these pictures! I would love to visit New Orleans more than anything… and I keep seeing all of your post – ugh! I’m anxious to walk the streets there!
Oh, the food!! I just had a baby so I haven’t gone anywhere in quite a while. I think it’s time for a road trip!
I keep saying… 1 day I will get to NOLA!!!
Looks like such an awesome time!!!
All that food looks amazing!
That looks like an amazing place to visit! The food at that restaurant looked decadent, but even if it was expensive, I’d have loved it for the atmosphere! I love how inexpensive the trolly was. So glad you’re experiencing this with your daughter!
I’m not a gambler either so penny slots are totally my speed. That food has me drooling!
The food looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
I want to go there so bad! &I’m the same way as you with gambling- I’ll play a few dollars &if I lose it, well, I paid for the time I spent having fun.
NOLA is such a wonderful city. I have not been back for two years and your post made me feel nostalgic.
My sisters were in New Orleans for the first time for 7 days about a month ago. I haven’t had the opportunity yet, but I love your post. I want to get there, and I want to take my kids with me. I’m ready to continue our journeys through the continental United States!
Look at all that food! Everything looks so tasty. One of my favorite things about traveling is eating out and trying new foods.
I have had the best time reading about your trips to New Orleans. What fun you have had!
What a great share about New Orleans! The photos are gorgeous and I am guessing the food tastes even more amazing that your fab photos. New Orleans is definitely on my travel bucket list.
OOOOO!!! I really want to go to New Orleans. I’m bookmarking this so I have some good ideas of where to visit when I get there. Thanks!!
I went to New Orleans last year and thoroughly enjoyed the trip! And we walked every where except when we were riding the trolley to go to the zoo. 🙂 And the food at each restaurant was soooo yummy!! I tried Alligator for the first (and last) time on that trip. 😉 LOL
Oh my daughter would love to ride in that trolley. She loooves trolleys. It looks like you had a fun day!
I love New Orleans….our favorite town. We have been there numerous times…quite a few times at Mardi Gras. It is a amazing place…like none other. I am sure you are having a wonderful time! Everyone does in New Orleans!
I would love to visit there some day all the food looks amazing!
You did pack in a lot of fun while you were there. I have to agree that the presentation of the food is fantastic. I’m drooling just looking at your photos. It’s also nice that you could walk so many places. Having to drive and find places to park sometimes is just a pain.
I’ve never taken my boys to New Orleans but I’d love to. I last went for Mardi Gras in 2007. I’ve gotta to catch up on your whole trip now. 🙂
i was in new orleans back in 2001 or 2002. it was right after mardi gras and a lot of fun.
Every time I read the words New Orleans, that rice commercial pops into my head “Jazzoray New Orleans” or something like that – some rice commercial I swear. It does look like you have a great time! The food looks dlish.
All of the food you featured looks beyond delicious! You both look so happy and I’m sure it was a fantastic mother/daughter trip! I seriously must make plans to visit.
I’m kinda sad that this is the end of the series! You have definitely increased my desire to visit NOLA some day!
I loved reading all about your visit to New Orleans although it made me homesick. So glad you enjoyed your visit!
OH…how I love NOLA…and you captured the essence of the food and atmosphere so well in your pictures. I have never ridden the St. Charles streetcar when visiting and will do that next time for sure!
You’re making me miss Louisiana! We lived there for a bit (I’m sure I’ve bored you with that story before) and we loved it!
What an experience for you!
I just saw The Commanders Palace on Top Chef and thought to myself that I would love to go there!
So jealous!! I’m dying to go to New Orleans – glad you’ve given me some itinerary options! That food looks to die for.
Oh my goodness, all that food looks delicious! My mouth is watering! I definitely can’t wait to sometime make it to New Orleans!
The food and the attractions look absolutely delicious and amazing. I’ve never been to New Orleans but it is definitely on my bucket list of places to visit in my life.
wow, all that food looks amazing and tempting! red beans and rice…mmmm..
I really enjoyed New Orleans when I visited. It was super duper hot but the food and the history are just incredible!
Wow this looks like such a beautiful place, this would be a fun place to go on vacation for sure. Looks like you have some good eating too!
You got with me with the food. It all looks SO delicious!
I always wanted to go to New Orleans! The food, the people, the music … Yes, right now I am daydreaming my way to New Orleans 🙂
You had such an amazing adventure from the food to the sites. I could never get my husband to do that much.
This truly was one of the most epic trips I’ve ever seen to New Orleans. I feel Iike I went with you!
Commander’s Palace is on my list for the next, next time. I’m going back to NOLA this month but only for 2 nights.
I’ve never been to Nola before but its on one of my dream trip list.
It looks like you guys had a wonderful time in New Orleans! I’ve always wanted to visit!
Looks like so much fun! I would love to visit New Orleans some day!
These pictures of Nola are gorgeous! I definitely want to visit there someday – just not looking forward to the 12 hour drive yet. Plus, I don’t think I will ever hop on a plane. 😉
I love all the photos, they are taking me back to my trip with my sister in August. The food at that brunch looks amazing, and I did pretty well on the slots at Harrah’s myself.
I absolutely love the presentation for your entrees at Commander’s Palace. Beautifully done.
It looks like you had an amazing trip! Loved following your journey.. I need to get there again soon! It’s been too many years!
We went to NOLA in September and LOVED it! I would like to go back again.