What better place to enjoy Halloween than in America's most haunted city? Today, we'll be talking about the many fun ways to enjoy Halloween in New Orleans.
On today's episode Mark is joined by Brian Kern, who puts on the Carnival-style Krewe of Boo, and by Sidney Smith, owner of Haunted History Tours.
You'll learn all about the Krewe of Boo, including how you can take part as a rider, enjoy the parade along the route, or attend the after-party in your favorite spooky costume? Don't have a costume? We'll help you find one!
Are you interested in vampires, Voodoo, and haunted tales? You might want to check out a Haunted History Tour. We're also joined by a special guest who fills us in on the most haunted of New Orleans locations, the LaLaurie Mansion.
All this and more on today's show!
The Krewe of Boo rolls on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The Zombie Run will take place that same day at 9AM. Get all the details about riding in the parade, attending one of the special events, or the race over at KreweofBoo.com
Haunted History Tours offers several different types of tours. In addition to tour information, you can purchase a copy of the book New Orleans Ghosts, Vampires and Voodoo by Kalila Smith.
If you are in town with young children the weekend of the parade, check out Boo at the Zoo. Our five-year-old twins love it. So do we!
The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival takes place on Sunday, October 22, 2017. We also covered the festival back in Episode #1. You can find that one on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
If you are coming to New Orleans on the weekend before Halloween, you'll want to check out LGBTQ communities events that raise money for Project Lazarus. Frenchmen Street is always a great destination during that weekend and on Halloween night. The Frenchmen Street Live website is the best place to get updated listings for events.
Be sure to check out The Mortuary if you are into haunted houses - the spooky, jump out at you kind! Insider's Tips - take the Canal Street streetcar to get there. Eat at Katie's or Mandina's before or after.
If live music and art are your things, then don't miss the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. Held on the festival grounds at City Park, this three day festival is a fun way to spend the Halloween weekend.
Uptown Costume & Dancewear
4326 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone:(504) 895-7969
Here are a few key points, if you want to jump back and listen to something specific.
6:02 Krewe of Boo
8:00 Roy Kern and the start of the Kern float building tradition
26:30 Things to do the week before Halloween
30:15 LeLaurie Mansion
35:30 Costumes!
41:00 Oak Street Poor Boy Festival
Thanks to Brian Kern and Sidney Smith for joining me on the podcast!
A special thanks to Joel Sharpton for covering the intro and out at the last minute when I lost my voice! Joel is the voice you hear at the start of each episode of the Beyond Bourbon Street podcast. He is the head guy in charge over at Pro Podcasting Services where he offers podcast editing, coaching, and voiceover work. Thanks, Joel!
If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music or wherever you get your podcasts.If you do enjoy listening, please share Beyond Bourbon Street with someone who shares our love of New Orleans.
We now have a Facebook group where you can ask questions, share your New Orleans experiences and engage with others who love all things New Orleans. Join us by going to beyondbourbonst.com/facebook
Got an idea for an episode, have some feedback or just want to say hi?
Leave us a message at 504-475-7632 or send an email to mark@beyondbourbonst.com
Thanks for listening!
Mark
Today’s show is the first one where we venture beyond New Orleans! We’ll be traveling to the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, where we’ll focus on the outdoors. Come along as I explore Cane Bayou by kayak with Chad Almquist and Matt May of Canoe and Trail Adventures.
Have you ever wondered what it was like to paddle along a Louisiana bayou? Want to see wildlife including turtles, heron, and the occasional alligator or snake up close? Would you love to see the New Orleans skyline from the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain?
If so, this episode is for you!
While we spent a lot of the discussion focused on Cane Bayou, there are many more places to explore across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. Visit the shores of the lake from Fontainebleau State Park. There, you can wander the park as a day visitor, or plan ahead and rent one of their cabins.
Cane Bayou runs directly between Fontainebleau State Park and Big Branch Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is an interesting place to hike, hunt, and explore. Look for the trees with the white rings at their base. This is your sign there is a woodpecker's nest in the branches above!
If cycling or running is your thing, the Tammany Trace is your spot. This 30+ mile path connects many of the communities along Lake Pontchartrain's north shore. As an added bonus, you'll find places to eat and to enjoy a beverage along or very close to the trail. My favorite areas include Abita Springs and Old Covington. Nan's Cafe, where we recorded this week's show is just off the path in Mandeville.
Fontainebleau State Park - the cabins are in high demand. If you want to rent one, plan on making a reservation several months n advance. You can also rent a campsite on the grounds.
Southern Hotel - this 40 room hotel is the place to stay on the Northshore if you want to pamper yourself in luxury. Located in downtown Covington, the location is easy to get to from the Tammany Chase or the highway. Close by, you'll find several excellent options for meals, as well as small boutiques for shopping. The Covington Brewhouse is a short walk.
B&Bs - the Northshore is home to a wide array of bed and breakfasts.
More to follow, but for now....
Nan's Cafe - our host for today's show, this casual eatery on Highway 190 in Mandeville, is excellent for lunch or dinner. Try the fried chicken on Tuesdays and do not skip the boudin egg rolls!
Just Chillin' Too - across the patio from Nan's is where you'll find this spot. They offer both homemade ice cream and the traditional New Orleans dessert, shaved ice snoballs!
Oxlot 9 in the southern Hotel is an upscale bistro.
Just across the street is Del Porto Ristorante. Del Porto's has terrific fresh pastas, and excellent grilled entrees. The double cut pork chop is delicious! I recently had the sautéed sweet potato soup that was beyond words.
Across the Lake From New Orleans, you'll find a terrific community of craft breweries and brewpubs. Be sure to check out Abita Beer, Chafunkta, and the Covington Brewhouse. Many of the local restuarants will have these and other local beers on tap or in bottles.
You can find Canoe and Trail Adventures at their website and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. (all @canoeandtrail). Book a tour on their website, and check out the wonderful photography on their Instagram feed.
Thanks to Chad Almquist and Matt May for joining me on the podcast and inviting me to take a kayak tour of Cane Bayou. Matt was a wonderful guide and helped bring the bayou to life with his knowledge and stories.
A special thanks to Bobby Folse at Nan's Cafe. We showed up announced. Not only did Bobby welcome us, but he proceeded to feed the three of us and kept our glasses full.
Lynne over at Just Chillin' Too helped cap off a wonderful afternoon with a delicious scoop (or two!) of homemade ice cream. Thanks!
If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music or wherever you get your podcasts.If you do enjoy listening, please share Beyond Bourbon Street with someone who shares our love of New Orleans.
We now have a Facebook group where you can ask questions, share your New Orleans experiences and engage with others who love all things New Orleans. Join us by going to beyondbourbonst.com/facebook
Got an idea for an episode, have some feedback or just want to say hi?
Leave us a message at 504-475-7632 or send an email to mark@beyondbourbonst.com
Thanks for listening!
Mark