What's there to do in New Orleans?

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Free stuff in New Orleans

I hope you have enjoyed Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas right here in Port Arthur. But if the experience has made you crave New Orleans, here’s a few tips to help you save your doubloons. Look at this blog post from MrFreeStuff.com, for some ideas. Here are a few from the selection:

1. New Orleans Museum of Art
 - Museum admission is free on Wednesdays, making this landmark a must-see midweek. You can spend the better part of the day perusing art and artifacts ranging from modern to impressionist, to downright puzzling.

2. Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum - 
It's a shame to miss Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but thankfully you can soak up some of the magic by visiting the Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum. Filled to the brim with masks, costumes, vintage photos and more, its collection is nearly as cumbersome as its name.

3. Crescent City Farmers Market
 - Though you can't score fresh produce au gratis at the Crescent City Farmers' Market, you can watch a cooking demonstration for free. Local chefs will share their secrets using local fare, making it almost impossible to avoid buying a few items for munching.

4. Jackson Square
 - Street performers often congregate at Jackson Square because the striking architecture of the St. Louis Cathedral provides a theatrical backdrop. Visitors can treat themselves to these impromptu performances or decide which of the three statues of Andrew Jackson is the best.

5. St. Charles Avenue
 - When people think of the South, visions of colonial-style mansions and porch swings inevitably arise. St. Charles Avenue is the place in New Orleans to see these 19th century homes "in the flesh," and you can walk the area for free.

6. Bourbon Street
Though there's more to New Orleans than this French Quarter staple, you can't visit the city without strolling Bourbon Street at least once. Prepare yourself for hustlers, street performances and tempting pleas from store and bar owners.

The Meat Market

I was headed to the center of Texas with barbecue on the mind when I braked for the Bellville Meat Market sign, reading “Meat” is our middle name. With three words, and “meat” being the word in the middle, they were right. I had my meat stuffed into a baked potato and enjoyed it on a long wooden bench with other carnivores.

Some kiss

There’s more to Tequila Partida  than a beautiful bottle. Inside is authentic, ultra-premium Tequila, made from 100% blue agave in the heart of Mexico’s historic Tequila Valley. Sounds like some valley. I tried a “pure” recipe, then got jealous about the sweet one, so I kind of combined the two and made my own with cream and chocolate.

The Spirit Journal rated Partida Reposado "the best Tequila in the world" and one of the top five spirits in the world. For Valentine’s Day, consider this one:

The Anejo Kiss

1 1/2 oz. Partida Anejo


1/2 oz Creme de Cacao (white)


1 oz. Amarula

Cream 
Mix ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Did you know that Feb. 22 is National Margarita Day, according to Tequila Partida? I tried this recipe with home-grown lemon instead of lime and pronounce it purely delicious:

The Partida Margarita


1 ½ ounces Partida Tequila (Blanco or Reposado)


1 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice (the juice of one whole lime)


¾ ounces Partida Agave Nectar (to taste)


¾ ounces pure water
Shake all ingredients with ice in standard bar shaker.


Taste. Add additional lime juice if you prefer more tartness; add more agave nectar for more sweetness.
Serve in glass on rocks. No garnish, no salt.

ddoiron@panews.com