French Quarter Festival, New Orleans, April 2014.

This weekend was full of food, family and fun at the French Quarter Fest! Entry to the 31st annual festival, held in the heart of the French Quarter, was free! I packed in as much activity as I could – enjoying a scenic streetcar ride to the Vieux Carre, walking the streets and taking in the sights and sounds and sipping on a daiquiri! And we met a Mardi Gras Indian!

Tips for enjoying the Festival:

Take plenty of cash, as several vendors did not take cards. Wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be doing plenty of walking on streets that are centuries-old. It’s not chic hobbling on cobblestones! Stay hydrated and take sunscreen; you don’t want to pass out or get sunburned! Above all, take an appetite for fun and be ready for an impromptu second line, as well as lines/crowds just about everywhere. But this is the Big Easy and no one is in a rush, so relax and laissez les bon temps rouler!

Here are some of my finds that you might enjoy:

Best Daiquiri: Tropical Colada/Daiquiri Chef
Best Oysters: Royal House (served chargrilled)
Best Breakfast: Anita’s Grill (try the liver and onions with hashbrowns!)
Best Shopping: The French Market, of course! I bought pralines at Southern Candymakers and some beaded slippers at Oriental Trading, one of the umpteen vendors in the open-air market. Skip the portapotty: Harrah’s has a super-clean ladies room, as does the Jackson Brewery! (You’re welcome!)

Images via AEB and MCBarton