The Trekking Pawns' Diary

Our stay at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in New Orleans was nothing short of spectacular! Nestled in the vibrant Warehouse Arts District, just three blocks from the French Quarter, this hotel perfectly captures the essence of the city's rich history and culture. Old 77 Hotel From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the hotel's unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Housed in a building dating back to 1854, originally serving as a coffee warehouse and later a chandlery, the hotel has retained much of its original character with exposed brick walls and thoughtfully curated décor. Old 77 Hotel (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  Our room was a delightful retreat, featuring large windows that bathed the space in natural light, stylish décor, and artwork by students from the New Orleans Center for Creative A...

New Orleans is known for many things—jazz, Mardi Gras, Creole cuisine—but one of its sweetest claims to fame? Beignets! We couldn’t leave without trying this deep-fried, powdered-sugar-dusted pastry, so we decided to compare two of the city’s most talked-about spots: Café du Monde and Beignet Café . (Photo: Original Cafe du Monde ! We went at 10 pm and this place was packed! Opened until midnight.) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  (Photo: Nice cozy place inside Cafe Beignet , out of the cold.) Beignet Café – A Cozy First Try Our first attempt at Café du Monde didn’t quite go as planned (more on that later), so our first actual beignet experience was at Beignet Café . We chose it because of its good Google reviews and the promise of live music, plus we were looking for a warm indoor spot since the chilly night air wasn’t ideal for out...

After finishing The Seamstress of New Orleans and experiencing the city for ourselves, one thing became very clear—Mardi Gras isn’t just a day or an event. It’s a way of life. From the moment we stepped off the plane, reminders of the festival were everywhere: airport decorations, signs at car rental counters, and beads hanging from balconies long after the parades had ended. (Photo: We took this photo Sunday morning after all the wild parties were done. During the day, you can see the beautiful architecture and decorations on the balcony.  At night there were people having a grand time throwing beads into the streets. The French Quarters was definitely an experience!)  Reading the book, we loved how this short passage captured the spirit of Mardi Gras: "Alice saw the continued concern on his face. She felt a need to divert him. ‘I beg your pardon, Mr. White, but what is Mardi Gras?’ "Oh, Mardi Gras. It’s quite a festival, I believe. In New Orleans, each year to begin the s...

Louisiana cooking is legendary—a delicious melting pot of cultures and culinary influences that has made the Pelican State a global gathering place for fine dining and enchanting flavors. Few states can claim even one instantly recognizable regional cuisine, let alone two. That’s what makes Louisiana such an incredible place to eat: both Creole and Cajun food are world-renowned. And that’s not all—this southern gem is also home to outstanding Italian cuisine, Jewish delis, and soulful Southern comfort food. (Photo from  Amazon ) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) For those of us not lucky enough to live at the lower end of the Mississippi River , it can be hard to tell the difference between Creole and Cajun cuisine. There’s definitely some overlap—gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish pie, for example, are staples in both (and are even immortali...

We love to eat—and trying new foods is one of our favorite parts of traveling! So, when we stumbled upon the book 50 States, 1,000 Eats by National Geographic , we knew it was the perfect companion for our adventures. This beautifully illustrated guide features 1,000 must-try dishes and drinks across all 50 states and Canada, complete with travel tips and mouthwatering images. From diner breakfasts and food trucks to fine dining and U-pick farms, it’s a foodie road trip dream! (Photo from Amazon ) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) Naturally, since we’re heading to New Orleans , we flipped straight to Louisiana to see what made the cut. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot to explore, so we’ve got some research to do over the next few days. But let’s start with the big picture: Founded in 1812, Louisiana is home to 4.59 million people and a rich c...

Whenever we’re planning a trip, we love diving into a book that takes place in the destination we’re about to explore. It’s our way of setting the mood and getting a feel for the place before we even step foot there. For New Orleans, the challenge wasn’t finding a book—it was choosing one! So many of the stories set here are steeped in voodoo, murder mysteries, and the wild celebrations of Mardi Gras. It seems like New Orleans has a bit of a spooky side, doesn’t it? (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) (Available on Kindle, Audio, and Paperback via Amazon ) After a bit of searching, we found a book that perfectly captured the vibrant, mysterious energy of the city while also offering a fresh perspective: The Seamstress of New Orleans by Diane C. McPhail. Published in 2022, this historical fiction gem is set against the jasmine-scented backdrop ...

  While planning our upcoming trip to New Orleans , there’s one thing we’ve already decided on: we’re going all in on beignets . The very moment we started talking to people about our trip, three separate conversations began with, “You HAVE to try the beignets.” Without even asking for recommendations, this fried, powdered-sugar-dusted treat was at the top of everyone’s must-try list. (Image: AI generated. Real pictures to come when we go!) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) We’ll admit, we’ve never had a beignet before. We’ve had donuts—plenty of donuts—but from what we’ve heard, beignets are something else entirely. Curious, we dug into their history via the Food Network (recipies can also be found here ). Beignets, as we learned, are square, puffy pastries made with a less-sweet dough and fried to golden perfection before being bu...

(image: AI Generated) Happy New Year, fellow wanderers! 🥳 We hope your holiday season was filled with love, joy, and plenty of good food (we know ours was!). As the clock struck midnight and we welcomed 2025, we couldn’t help but reflect on the amazing year we had in 2024. From weekend getaways to longer trips, it was truly a year to remember. And now, we’re excited to share our plans for 2025 – starting with a trip to New Orleans and a week-long cruise around the Gulf of Mexico ! (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) But before we dive into all the exciting details, we’d like to pause and acknowledge some sad news we came across as we prepared for this adventure. The New Year’s Parade tragedy in New Orleans weighed heavily on our hearts. It’s a reminder that safety should always come first, whether you're at home or on the road. Naturally,...

Go City New Orleans Pass When it comes to planning a day in New Orleans , it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There’s so much to see and do in this vibrant city, from the historic streets of the French Quarter to the hauntingly beautiful cemeteries, bustling markets, and swamp tours that take you deep into the Louisiana bayou. Add in the countless tours and attractions, and you might find yourself asking: How do I make the most of my time and budget here? That’s where the Go City New Orleans Pass enters the conversation. We’ve been debating whether this pass is a good fit for our day in New Orleans, and after diving into the details, here’s what we think. What is the Go City New Orleans Pass? Essentially, this pass offers admission to a curated list of New Orleans’ top attractions , covering everything from swamp tours to cooking classes and even the city’s famous bus tours. It’s designed to save you money if you plan to see multiple attractions, all while streamlining the ticket-buying pr...

  Our planned walking path to see the most and eat the most. New Orleans is a feast for the senses and a paradise for food lovers. With a cuisine rooted in Creole traditions, a vibrant history of cultural blending, and a wave of international influences, the Crescent City is a culinary playground unlike any other. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, rich flavors, or innovative spins on classic dishes, here are the must-visit spots to savor the essence of New Orleans. Our walking path was inspired by the Lonely Planet and mapped for maximum flavor and time to digest while sightseeing. Another option is to book a lovely food tour! Saba , 5757 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 Mister Mao , 4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115 Pascal's Manale by Dickie Brennan & Co., 1838 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115 Lucy Boone Ice Cream , 3918 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70115 Stein's Market and Deli , 2207 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 Parkway Bakery & Tavern...

9th Ward, New Orleans East & Gentilly | New Orleans As we prepare to embark on our cruise from New Orleans, we’ve decided to arrive two nights early to immerse ourselves in the city’s magic before setting sail. One night will be all about catching up on rest after a late-night flight, but the next day, we’re diving into exploring this vibrant city. With so many distinct neighborhoods to choose from, we’re planning to visit a different one each day to help us decide where we’d want to stay or explore further . Today, let’s talk about the fascinating and resilient neighborhoods of Gentilly , New Orleans East , and the Lower Ninth Ward . Gentilly: Resilient Charm and Diverse Culture Gentilly, nestled on the eastern edge of New Orleans, is a neighborhood with stories to tell. It’s close to the University of New Orleans and has a historic gem in Pontchartrain Park , one of the city’s oldest African-American neighborhoods. What We’re Excited About Lakefront Views : With its proximity t...

Image: New Orleans Uptown & The Garden District | New Orleans Deciding Where to Stay in NOLA As we gear up for our next big adventure—a cruise out of New Orleans—we’re taking the opportunity to spend two nights in the Big Easy before setting sail. It’s always smart to arrive a day early to avoid any last-minute travel hiccups, but why stop at just one day? We’re coming in late the first night, catching some Zs, and then diving headfirst into exploring this magical city. But first, we need to decide where to stay. Each neighborhood in New Orleans offers something unique, so we’re breaking it down and considering doing one neighborhood a day before settling on our favorite. Let’s take a look at what makes the Lower Garden District , Irish Channel , and Uptown/Carrollton neighborhoods shine. Lower Garden District The Lower Garden District is a feast for the senses. With streets that radiate charm and an artistic, offbeat vibe, it’s easy to see why this neighborhood is a favorite....