New Orleans - New Orleans and NCL Escape - November 28, 2025

I knew going into today it would be a packed day so I started with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel restaurant where I managed to snag a window table.

I had tickets to the National WW2 Museum so started my day there.  This was a really well done museum that really covered the basics of WW II along with a lot of other important topics like the role of African Americans and immigrants in the war and even a special exhibit on Hitler's attack on modern art.  And it was filled with personal stories bringing to life the human aspect of the war.  There were also some really cool planes on display as well, along with an exhibit in a submarine.  I'm not going to include a lot of photos because they just don't do it justice.  If you are ever in New Orleans, you should see it for yourself.

Shirmp PoBoy at the American Sector Restaurant

"My Gal Sal", a restored plane

"My Gal Sal"

For the evening, I had booked the Cocktail History Tour through Doctor Gumbo.  Before joining that tour, I figured I should get something in my stomach so I stopped at Cafe Beignet.  You can't order a single beignet so I ended up with three huge ones that were so good. 

I had a few extra minutes so I spent some time wandering down Bourbon Street.  It was the weekend of the Bayou Classic so I had read warnings that it would be a bit crazy.  This is when I first encountered the National Guard.  We later asked our tour guide about the heavy police presence.  She acknowledged the Bayou Classic brings a lot of college students to Bourbon Street (she has bartended in the French Quarter in the past) and thus it is helpful to have extra security but she was quite taken aback by the presence of the National Guard.  

 I met my guide and five other people at Patrick's Bar Vin for the start of the tour.  It was a nice small group that left time for a lot of great conversations.  The tour stopped at quieter bars but still gave us a bit of a taste of Bourbon Street.  We got to try a different cocktail at each bar.  At some of them there was a choice between two cocktails.  At others, we all got the same drink.  The advantage to booking this as a pair or group is that it gave you a chance to share but I still really enjoyed it as a solo.

The first drink was a rum punch.

Sazerac at 3rd Block Depot - a rye whiskey with bitters and a spritz of absinthe - the absinthe gives it a hint of anise flavor. This was probably my favorite drink.

Courtyard of Peychaud’s

Ojen Frappe at Peychaud’s - this one had a strong anise flavor from the Ojen’s liquor which was combined with Peychaud’s bitters over a lot of ice. The other drink choice at this venue was a gin based drink which I heard was very good and I was tempted to choose instead until our guide told us this was the prettiest drink. Plus maybe I wanted to push against my tastes as in the past I have always avoided black licorice flavored foods and drinks. I actually enjoyed this one quite a bit!

Roffignac at Bourbon ‘O’ Bar - a cocktail named after New Orleans Mayor Louis Roffignac who brought gas lighting to the streets which allowed people to safely go out at night and thus spend money later in the evenings at bars.

Vieux Carre made with cognac and sweet vermouth, this was the drink I bought after the tour was over to listen to some live music at Bourbon ‘O’ Bar

Live music at Bourbon 'O' Bar 

The walk back to the hotel

This tour was such an amazing way to end my time in New Orleans pre-cruise.  Afterwards, I relaxed at the hotel until it was time to sleep.  The next morning is cruise day!