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Day 3 kicked off with more adventure. We had a visit to Laura Plantation planned, and I felt proud of my proactive breakfast research. According to Google Maps, a Ruby Slipper location was conveniently between our hotel and the plantation. But either Google Maps lied or I hallucinated it, because no Ruby Slipper was in sight. Running on fumes and on the brink of snapping at each other, we were lifted by the sight of a sign promising bagels and coffee—only to have our spirits crash again when that too turned out to be a mirage.
Fortunately, we had snacks packed—ribbon pakoda and pineapple cream biscuits, the kind only folks of Indian origin or the lucky few know about. Toss in a coconut pie my cousin snagged in her quest for local treats, and we were set for the day ahead.
The tour at Laura Plantation was fantastic, though more focused on the three generations of women who ran it than the history of slavery we’d hoped to learn more about.
After a quick stop at Oak Alley Plantation, where we scoured the gift shop strictly for research purposes (more on that later), we made our way back to the French Quarter. There, we had just enough time to try some New Orleans staples—fried green tomatoes, jambalaya, and hush puppies—before our final tour, a walking visit to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
We saw the tombs of notable figures like Marie Laveau and Nicolas Cage, who must be a fellow proactive planner with his pre-purchased grave. Yet, the elusive spirits of New Orleans continued to evade us. At this point, my cousin, who had been staunchly anti-ghost from the start, did a complete 180 and began researching ghost tours for that night! Encouraged, we urged her to book one, but lost interest upon discovering the tour covered only places we had already seen in the French Quarter.
Note to self for future trips: Plan ghostly activities starting on Day 3, when cousin's fear mysteriously starts to disappear.
Feeling deflated, we opted for an Uber to Bourbon Street for a late dinner to experience its notorious nightlife. However, destiny, in the form of our hotel’s front desk attendant, insisted we go to Frenchmen Street instead.
Tip No. 3: For good spirits, follow suit! Take an Uber to Frenchmen Street, preferably after 9:00 pm. Stroll through the art markets, have a late dinner, and wander into any club that catches your eye. We were drawn in by the music of Patty Brine at Bamboula’s, her deep voice and familiar tunes captivating us. And yes, we shamelessly enjoyed the music from outside, for free!
I'm certain that the doorman, recognizing the prestige our mere presence brought to the club (even from the outside), graciously let us hang around and enjoy the music to our heart’s content. After several songs, we reluctantly headed back to our hotel—our last night in New Orleans had come to an end.
Free Spirit Bonus Tip: We had a leisurely start to our last day, ticking off a few more items from my ambitious itinerary. We explored Sts. Peter & Paul Church, devoured our final beignets at Café Beignet, picked up a few ‘trinkets’ at David’s Antiques (husbands, please ignore this part), and then came the ultimate test.
Here’s the backstory for this final free spirit challenge: Could my cousin fit a handwoven basket (made in Ghana) into her already bursting stroller without racking up extra fees on her Spirit Airlines flight home? We had plenty of practical suggestions. The favorite was wearing it as a hat, with a close second being balancing it on her head to double as storage for other "small" purchases.
In the end, she crammed the basket into the stroller, offloaded a few items into a discreet drawstring bag (one of many extras I’d packed for emergencies), and casually carried her coffee table books and laptop as though she intended to use them on the flight. I’m happy to report that she managed it, and I can now confidently recommend this strategy for free Spirit travel!
Our New Orleans trip was a rocking adventure of culture, history, and unexpected detours.
From sampling local delicacies to exploring the hauntingly beautiful French Quarter and plantations, we soaked up everything the city had to offer. Despite a few hiccups—elusive breakfast spots and last-minute changes of heart—our days were packed with fun and plenty of laughs. Whether it was hunting in bookshops for antique copies of Martha Stewart lifestyle books or fitting a handwoven basket into a stroller, the trip was unforgettable and full of free-spirited fun!
If you haven't read the prequel, the first part, or the second part, be sure to catch up so you don’t miss out on any of these fascinating adventures.
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