Hello and welcome to travel + explore & play with Sallee Jay, I am your host.

If one is lucky in life, they are able to make 2 or 3 really good friends. It’s even better when those friends become family. Allow me to introduce you to one of those people in my life, Rachel Nava. Recently, we traveled to Nola to celebrate my longtime sister-friend affectionally dubbed “Chacon” for her 50th birthday and 5th wedding anniversary and we had a blast.

Rachel and I met when we worked together almost 20 years ago and have always managed to stay in touch. She is a rare and beautiful soul and the epitome of a true friend.

When I googled friendship, I received the following search results:

The sentence below the results for, ‘what is the true meaning of friendship?” describes my dear friend perfectly.

Real friends may show unconditional love and expect nothing in return. They may not judge you or think less of you.

Rachel has an ability to love anyone, in any state of being. She just has a big huge heart and beautiful green hazel eyes that let you know, that you are safe with her. I have witnessed her pour into so many over the years and now it’s her turn to be poured into!

And that is just what we set out to do, as five friends journeyed to Nola from Colorado and New York to celebrate our friend.

One of the many things that I value about Rachel, is her circle of friends (of course I am biased because I am a part of it.. Lol). She has a way of connecting people with varied social & economic backgrounds, that you would think from the outside have absolutely nothing in common and makes them friends. She and I have a great knack for connecting with the misfits and outcasts of society and making them feel seen, when it matters the most. Her friends circle looks like the UN and I love her deep for exposing me to some amazing people.

I could also go on and on about all the ways that she has shown up for me and my family but we would be here for a very long time!

It was definitely a trip for the books!! Gene, Diana, Meagan and Amanda - THANK YOU for helping me celebrate our friend. Hands down one of the best group trips EVER!!

Now on to the details of where we stayed, what we did and where we ate… because that’s what y’all really care about.

Where we stayed.

Amanda and I stayed at Le Pavillon Hotel, a member of Historic Hotels of America since 1994. I chose this destination for our accommodations because its history is quite extensive, harkening back to the twilight of the Gilded Age.

In 1899, La Baronne Realty Company bought a plot of land along Poydras Street with the intent of developing an upscale boutique hotel. But the construction did not begin in earnest until 1905 and took another two years to complete. Nevertheless, the company managed to create a magnificent structure that displayed some of the finest Renaissance-inspired architecture in all of New Orleans. Indeed, its iconic design made it one of the most defining edifices in downtown New Orleans at the time. Justin Denechaud subsequently acquired the location when the project concluded in 1907 and renamed it as the “New Hotel Denechuad.” Under Denechaud’s stewardship, the New Hotel Denechuad quickly became among the best hotels in the city with its cutting-edge amenities and opulent services. In fact, the building developed a considerable reputation as a popular gathering spot for New Orleans’ social elites. Denechaud nonetheless sold the New Hotel Denechaud to new hoteliers right before the onset of World War I, who renamed it as the “DeSoto Hotel.” Despite the change in ownership, the business managed to maintain its prestige as an exclusive vacation getaway.

This repute endured for many years thereafter, even as events like the Great Depression and World War II negatively affected the local economy. Indeed, the hotel staff thought of innovative ways to keep the business solvent. During Prohibition, for instance, the DeSoto Hotel operated an underground escape tunnel that led straight to an exit over a block away. (The tunnel was activated in case law enforcement arrived on-scene to break up any illicit parties.) Then in the 1970s, new owners acquired the site and relaunched it as “Le Pavillon Hotel.” The proprietors soon focused on redeveloping Le Pavillon into an outstanding showplace for the city. The search began in Europe, yielding most of the décor that grace the halls today. Among the items collected included massive exterior columns and oversized sculptures that were carved by Italian artisans to the owner’s specifications.

Eleven glistening crystal chandeliers were also purchased from Czechoslovakia and installed throughout the redesigned lobby. Various French paintings and furnishing even arrived, such as the unique marble railings that once resided in Paris’ Grand Hotel. All helped accentuate Le Pavillon Hotel’s historic roots, while also elevating its character for a modern audience. Le Pavillon Hotel has since remained one of New Orleans’ most fabulous places to visit. Its grand European-inspired ambiance and warm hospitality have truly made it a wonderful destination to experience.

On June 24, 1991 Le Pavillon was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of Interior. It is a member of Historic Hotels of America and has been the recipient of AAA Four-Diamond award since 1996.

*excerpted from www.historichotels.org

I cannot not say enough about this establishment. The staff and accommodations were superb and the weekend breakfast is delightful. They also have a very cute nightly PB&J social and decadent bar to indulge in, if you feel like spending the evening in. It was also in a very central location to most things that we wanted to see and do while in Nola.

What we ate:

Jack Rose

Located the in New Orleans’ historic Pontchartrain Hotel, brings an eclectic and fun dining experience to the Garden District. Jack Rose is the culinary crown of the hotel, alongside Hot Tin, Bayou Bar and the Silver Whistle Cafe.

The vibrant atmosphere encourages spontaneous celebration whether enjoying dinner in the Jack or Rose rooms, hosting an escapade in the Mile High Pie Club, snacking on small plates under the Lil Wayne Portrait in the Living Room or sipping sparkling rosé in the Rose Garden Patio. In keeping with the building’s homage to the Pontchartrain’s connection with Tennessee Williams, the name is inspired by his play The Rose Tattoo.

We had the pleasure of dining in the Mile High Pie Club room. Our hostess was super cute, friendly and knowledgeable. I cannot say enough about the food and special cocktail offerings. The portions sizes are perfect - from the starters to the desserts we enjoyed it all. I will definitely be back soon!

Café Du Monde

What is a trip to Nola without a stop at the iconic Cafe Du Monde? Cafe Du Monde is an iconic New Orleans staple for beignets, cafe au laits and chicory coffee dating back to 1862.

Sun Chong

Sun Chong is (serial entrepreneur) Larry Morrow’s love letter to his maternal grandmother, Sun Chong, affectionately known as Sun.

The Asian fusion restaurant pays tribute to Sun’s journey from Seoul, South Korea to New Orleans through delicious dishes, classic hip hop music and innovative cocktails.

Located on the corner of Decatur and Bienville in the French Quarter; Sun Chong connects the heart of New Orleans’ most historic neighborhood with the bold flavors of Asian infused cuisine. The menu features house favorites like Crawfish Fried Rice, Beef Bulgogi, Stuffed Steamed Bao Buns (Bacos), YumYum Fried Ribs, Korean Fried Chicken and more.

Great vibes and service, who says Blacks and Asians don’t get along!! Learn your history folks.

The Gumbo Shop

The French Quarter is the oldest section of New Orleans. The building housing Gumbo Shop is one of the oldest in the area. Built after the big fire of 1794, the structure has served many purposes. It wasn’t until 1920, that it finally became home of its current resident. Since that time, it has had three owners. The original family operated it until 1960’s, bringing their Italian family influence to bear on the menu. The current owners took over in 2008, and have strived to maintain the tradition of serving Creole cuisine to customers from far and wide.

Happy Birthday Rachel!!!

Let it be known, that I made an entire restaurant sing happy birthday to my friend over a Chantilly Cake!! Best moment ever and she deserves so many more.

Pizza Luna

I love Philly Cheesesteak and I love pizza so I was delighted to discover that I could have both. Located just outside of the Le Pavillion hotel’s side entrance, Pizza Luna is a must. Luckily, I did not discover the restaurants proximity to the hotel until the last day or we would have had every meal here!!!

According to their website,

“Our purpose is simple, we want to bring back high-quality food that you simply can’t get at a chain store. Our family has been cooking for ages and we are committed to providing a great experience for our customers.”

I can firmly say, they deliver on their brand promise and value!! Highly recommend!!

Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

This is the most amazing pizza that I have ever eaten!!!

Where we went for Live Music & Fun

The Famous Door

Blue Nile

Cat’s Meow

Bamboula

What we did – cultural & historic sites

Natchez Steamboat lunch cruise

To start, we went aboard the iconic Steamboat NATCHEZ! This was the perfect ice breaker for our trip as it was our first lunch together, relaxing and it set the tone for the trip.

We enjoyed an authentic riverboat experience consisting of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi, enjoying traditional live jazz and all the beautiful New Orleans sites. All while also exploring the newly renovated riverboat and four decks, with the top deck view taking the prize!

The cruise departs from the historic French Quarter and travels down the mighty Mississippi to show you the ever-changing skyline of New Orleans and its bustling port, one of the busiest in the United States.

From the open deck or the climate-controlled interior of the historic Natchez, listen to stories about historic events, like the thrilling Battle of New Orleans. Pass by scenery that helped inspire Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

For the full experience, you can also opt to enjoy lunch onboard, featuring a variety of Cajun favorites and New Orleans classics, this buffet-style meal is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

WWI Museum

Exhibits: The museum's exhibits cover the epic and global scale of the war that changed the world, in a voice that is intimate and personal. Exhibits not only highlight the role of world leaders, but also the everyday men and women who found the strength and courage to accomplish the extraordinary.

Add-on Experiences: The museum offers several add-on experiences, including "Beyond All Boundaries," a 4D journey through the war that changed the world; "Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience," which places visitors aboard the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol on October 25, 1944; and "Expressions of America," a 60-minute outdoor sound and light show available on select nights.

Bookstores

One off the beaten path experience that Amanda and I explored was visiting local bookstores.

Van Goor Industries - Tattoo Artist
Shout out to Joel for opening his shop an hour early to give us these simple and yet symbolic matching tattoos. If you are looking for an artist in the area, his shop is clean the vibes are immaculate and the energy is amazing.

Lastly, Rachel and Meagan participated in Alchemy Tours, Shadows and Spells - A Voodoo, Vampire, and Witch Tour of the French Quarter.

Dive into the fascinating realms of voodoo, encounter the allure of vampires, and explore the ancient traditions of witchcraft with Shadows and Spells —a mystical journey through the mysterious streets of the French Quarter.

Another off beaten path activity with deeps roots in New Orleans.

I hope you all learned some new things about New Orleans, I certainly did. It was a fantastic trip with an amazing group of humans. I cannot wait to get back to the big easy.

Until next time, stay safe and travel well!

Sallee Jay