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A bride and groom dance down the street while a brass band plays in a vibrant neighborhood.

Life On Esplanade Ave.

Get to Know the Real New Orleans

Walter "Wolfman" Washington Park

At an intersection of street signs that could only happen in New Orleans, there is a little urban oasis called Walter "Wolfman" Washington Park.  The park, too, is something that could only happen here, this city where everything, even the munda… Read more

Walking in New Orleans

There are angels in the details, and any stroll down any street in New Orleans will show you that the city is a living museum of life lived well. Walking in New Orleans means seeing the city at street level, where the streets are alive with art, bot… Read more

Guardians of Gentilly Mural

Gentilly is where New Orleans began to expand in the 1920s. By the 1950s and 60s, it had become a shopping hub. It was no Canal Street, but Gentilly had its share of shopping centers and commercial strips. That's not why I'm sending you out there. A… Read more
Beautiful calm sea and bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds

How New Orleans Rolls

Parades roll. This is what we say in New Orleans. We don’t say they march, we don’t say they pass; we say they roll. That is how New Orleans rolls. This is why we love it so. If you see a city bus this time of year (summer 2025) you will see advertis… Read more
A cozy coffee shop sign that reads "PONTILLY COFFEE" with illuminated text for pastries and an open sign.

Pontilly Coffee

I am at Pontilly Coffee this morning. It is next to the God is Good Carwash on Chef Menteur Highway. It is run by the same people. It is across the street from the New Orleans Baptist Seminary. I am looking at the live oaks on the seminary grounds as… Read more
A colorful mural depicting two playful figures riding a tandem bicycle with flowers and a flowing ribbon.

Flour Moon New Orleans

When something is Uptown, there is its equivalent Downtown. It is hard to find a good bagel in New Orleans.  Uptown, on Freret Street, there is Humble.  Downtown, at 457 North Dorgenois Street, Is Flour Moon Bagels.  When you are in Ne… Read more
Black Cat Magic Club logo

The Black Cat Magic Club of New Orleans

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of the Black Cat Magic Club of New Orleans.  New Orleans is a city full of secret societies, fraternal organizations, sororities, social aid & pleasure clubs, Carnival krewes, marching associations.  Th… Read more
Sidewalk tiles spell out "PAUL MORPHY" in blue and gold letters on a concrete surface near a curb and a yellow textured section.

The Ghost of Paul Morphy

New Orleans is made up of things both visible and invisible.  It takes a certain kind of eye to appreciate all the various threads out of which any day in New Orleans is woven.  I know.  I live here.  So does the ghost of Paul Mor… Read more
A golden statue of a mounted figure holding a flag stands among several flags under a blue sky.

Joan of Arc

I have been going to the French Quarter more often than usual recently.  There is no particular reason beyond me having nothing else to do.  I live in New Orleans.  While I appreciate the French Quarter, I know what is there, so, if th… Read more
A red metal gate decorated with colorful butterfly cutouts, adjacent to a turquoise house.

The Peacemaker Po' Boy

Have you ever had a sandwich?  A New Orleans po’ boy is a sandwich on steroids.   You can usually get them 6″ long or 12″ long.  Six inches of overstuffed po’ boy is enough for me.  Peacemaker po’ boys only come in 12 inches. When… Read more

You Belong Here

The best New Orleans memories are made on Esplanade Avenue