Deadwood, South Dakota: “No Law at All” for the Outlaws

20 October 201816 September 2024

“No law at all in Deadwood? Is it true?” According to the HBO television series, Deadwood, this was the state of the infamous town, east of the Mississippi. Set in the late 1870s, this gold mining town of the American West was known for its whiskey, women and western wranglers. This popular show, airing in 2004, fascinated me with its depiction of the Gold Rush and life in a western town. While gun fights and debauchery brought noteriety to Deadwood, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane would serve as its main characters.

The US gave this land to the Lakota Indians, by means of the 1851 Treaty of Laramie in an effort to resolve disputes between the Indian tribes and the US Government. Once it was discovered that gold was in the hills of the Great Sioux Reservation, prospectors invaded the land ignoring the terms of the agreement. This resulted in war between the Sioux Indians and the settlers in 1866 and a major conflict continued between the two.

Deadwood continued to grow as a prospectors camp and was eventually established as a city in 1876. A city that once thrived on prostitution, gambling and the excessive consumption of alcohol, Deadwood’s popularity as a tourist stop was based on its preservation of historical buildings as well as its colorful past.

With the lack of law enforcement, Deadwood was known for its high rate of crime, including homicide. Its most notorious murder is that of Wild Bill Hickok by Jack “Crooked Nose” McCall, living under the alias of Bill Sutherland.

The story begins with Hickok playing a game of poker in the Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon (today’s Saloon Number 10) when McCall, who had lost a fair amount of money to Hickok the night before, shot Hickok from behind. It was said that Hickok was holding a pair of black aces and eights, which has become to be known as the Dead Man’s hand.

Saloon Number 10 displays the chair where Wild Bill Hickok was shot as well as other historical memorabilia.

McCall attempted to escape the law, but was apprehended, He was later sentenced to death in a second trial. At the age of 24 years old, he was hanged on March 1, 1877. Today, the Masonic Temple in Deadwood hosts reenactments of the Trial of Jack McCall during the summer months.

After spending the night at Comfort Inn Gulches of Fun, I awoke early in the morning with one last stop at the Mount Moriah Cemetery. Located on the outskirts of the historical downtown, the burial ground maintains the grave sites of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Known as Hickok’s girlfriend, Martha Jane Burke, was an outlaw in her own right. Their resting place is a short uphill walk from the cemetery’s entrance.

A further jaunt towards the edge of the cemetery is a stunning scenic view of the city of Deadwood. According to Loretta, the friendly historian at the Welcome Center, Deadwood is very much the same as it was in the 1880s. She also mentioned that the series Deadwood is very true to its historical portrayal of the city as it was during the time of the Gold Rush. A once thriving city with upwards to around 5,000 residents, today it is a quiet, somewhat laid-back town, quite different to its former reputation. That is, until the shootout reinactments begin and you’re taken back to the Deadwood of Wild Bill Hickok.

Have you visited Deadwood or other Wild West sites? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading my post about Deadwood and I wish you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Mount Moriah Cemetery
10 Mt. Moriah Drive
Deadwood, SD 57732
Telephone: 605 722 0837

Admission Fee: There is a $2 admission fee for Mt. Moriah Cemetery
Hours: Open daily from 8AM to 6PM
Amenities: The park provides a map that identifies the celebrity graves and other significant locations.
Scenic View: Towards the back of the cemetery is an amazing view of the downtown of Deadwood.
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Wear proper footwear for walking. The cemetery is a sacred place and should be treated with respect.

The Trial of Jack McCall
Telephone: 800 344 8826

Saloon No. 10
657 Main Street
Deadwood, SD 57732
Telephone: 800 952 9398

Admission Fee: There is no fee to enter the saloon.
Hours: Open daily from 8AM to 2AM
Amenities: Historical site, restaurant, bar, gambling, entertainment and souvenir shop
Scenic View: See the location where Wild Bill Hickok was killed by Jack McCall and scan the walls for western memorabilia.
Length of Visit: 1 hour or more depending on if you want to play blackjack and the slots
Tips for Your Visit: When visiting Deadwood, a stop at Saloon Number 10 is a must! Be prepared for a wild enactment of the shooting of Wild Bill Hickok. Cigar smoking is permitted in the bar, so there are times when this may deter non-smokers.

Where to Stay:

Comfort Inn Gulches of Fun
225 Cliff Street
Deadwood, SD 57732
Telephone: 605 578 7550

Where to Eat:

Gem Steakhouse & Saloon at The Mineral Palace
601 Main Street
Deadwood, SD 57732
Telephone: 605 578 2036

It had been awhile since I had seen Buffalo on a menu so I ordered the Buffalo Salisbury which included a 12-ounce ground Buffalo patty served with mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes.

Deadwood Social Club Restaurant at Saloon No. 10
657 Main Street
Deadwood, SD 57732
Telephone: 800 952 9398

I decided to dine here before leaving Deadwood continuing my trek out west. It was a beautiful evening to enjoy the rooftop patio with its twinkling lights strung about against the growing darkness of dusk. I ordered the 8 oz. Filet Mignon, medium rare with a Crab Hollandaise topping. The other option which I really wanted to try was the Crab & Pork Belly Carbonara which included the crispy pork belly, snow crab, peas, red bell peppers, fettuccine in a rich cream sauce. The prices were exceptionally reasonable and the flavors of my steak and crab topping was extraordinary.

What to Eat:

Buffalo
Chislic – chunks of mutton on a stick (kabob)
Chokecherries – an ancient cherry used to make wine, jam, butter and syrup
Honey
Hot Beef Sandwiches
Indian Fry Bread
Indian Tacos
Kolache – a polish pastry
Kuchen – German cake
Lefse – sweet bread made of potatoes of Norwegian-American origin
Pasties – hand pies
Rhubarb pie
Steak
Zebra Donuts – marbled chocolate and vanilla donuts

What to Read:

Deadwood’s Al Swearingen, by Jerry L. Bryant & Barbara Fifer
Deadwood, by Pete Dexter
Saloon No. 10 in Deadwood, South Dakota, by GentleSeas

Movies/TV Shows Based in Deadwood:

HBO Television Series: Deadwood

Photo Guide for South Dakota:

The Badlands
Custer State Park’s Annual Roundup
Wild Horse Sanctuary
Wildlife Loop at Custer State Park
Sunflower Fields
Spearfish Canyon
Falls Park

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Grave Site of Calamity Jane

The Trial of Jack McCall

First Wild Animal Sightings in The Badlands

25 August 201821 September 2024

Approaching the Badlands on Interstate 90, I began to notice the fascinating geological formations that makes up this unique region of the United States. I realized soon that I would be reaching the highway exit to the entrance of Badlands National Park, one of the several national parks I would be visiting on my ten-day vacation.

The exit to access the Badlands heading west on I-90 is Exit 131 (Interior) which leads to Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), one of the country’s most beautiful drives. My plan was to purchase the annual National Park Pass which would allow me entrance to several of the national parks I had scheduled to visit on this trip.

Within minutes upon entering the Badlands National Park, I noticed the scenic trail providing 180 degree views of the Badland’s geology. A fairyland of soaring spires and pinnacles, the landscape is layered in spectacular color as a result of years of water erosion and is best viewed from the White River Valley Overlook. Running more than sixty miles in length, I had come across “The Badlands Wall”. Dividing the upper and lower prairies, the wall is in a state of attrition, washing away into the White River Valley. I followed this wall along The Loop Road making frequent stops along the route and taking in the magical scenery and enjoying its short hikes.

The temperature continued to drop, and with a mist in the air, the park gave off an eerie vibe. The boardwalk to the first overlook had a thin layer of ice and I noticed tourists sliding along the wooden planks careful not to lose their balance. I had expected more visitors at the park by mid-morning, but realized that the weather may have kept them away and although the weather was to reach a high of 70 degrees, there was a threat of thunderstorms ahead. The Badlands are known for its unpredictable hailstorms and sudden rain during the summer.

Taking in the view, I imagined the region during prehistoric times when the area was submerged beneath an ancient sea. Over time, the sea receded and the land would become inhabited by saber-tooth tigers and three-toed horses. Today, its rolling, rounded hills look like the perfect backdrop for a Star Wars movie with its colorful hues and sparse vegetation.

Looking out onto the horizon, I could hardly see the group of hikers relaxing on one of the Badlands’ formations. The contrast between man and rock provided a new perspective of my surroundings where everything looked miniature. This view brought about a realization of just how small I was against this vast, amazing landscape.

I had planned on spending at least three hours touring the park and hiking some of the trails. I estimated that it would take about an hour to drive the loop road while most of the hikes were no longer than a mile, ranging from easy to moderate in level of difficulty.

As a result of years of erosion from wind and rain, the Badlands contain a large number of spires, hoodoos, canyons, bluffs and other interesting formations. Once inhabited by the Lakota Indian tribes, it was the French Traders who gave this area its name, “mauvaises terres”, which translates to “Bad Lands”.

Scientists have found fossils of prehistoric mammals throughout the park, many of which were displayed on the Fossil Exhibit Trail. Several other trails lead into the interior for an up close exploration of the Badlands ecology and ecosystems. My favorite trails included the Door Trail, a .75 mile boardwalk path leading to a break in the Badlands Wall and the Window Trail departing from the same trailhead passing a natural window in the Badlands Wall opening up for a view of the canyon.

I enjoyed the short jaunts and continued my drive on Dillon Pass where I noticed several cars pulled over to the side of the road. I was so surprised to notice a bighorn sheep resting a short distance from where we had parked and it was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is exhilarating, but I knew I had to keep my distance.

Bighorn sheep are not the only animals that make the Badlands their home. According to the National Park Service, there are coyotes, porcupine, bobcat, black-tailed prairie dog communities, herds of American bison, pack of red wolves, prairie rattlesnakes, mule deer, black-billed magpies, swift fox and black footed ferrets.

I found it difficult to break away from the bighorn sheep, but the Yellow Mounds Overlook was just around the bend where I would be able to see the spectacular striations of colors on the Badlands formations. From blue coal to red scoria, my favorite colors among the stria were pink and gold.

Located off of Sage Creek Rim Road, I looked forward to visiting Roberts Prairie Dog Town. I immediately fell in love with the active prairie dogs and their cute little mannerisms. They were energetic, hopping in and out of their dens, mounds of dirt with entrances on the top. Kicking up dust while digging holes, these little critters would pause only for a moment to let out a little chirp to warn of danger. Posted signs warn humans that these seemingly docile little animals carry disease and touching them is prohibited.

It was an exciting visit to Badlands National Park and I was most excited about seeing all of the wildlife and ecological formations. Geologists predict that, in a half a million years, the Badlands will be gone. I was so glad to have the opportunity to explore this spectacular park and overjoyed with the animal encounters.

For more information about the park, visit the Badlands National Park website and stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to browse the displays.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Badlands National Park? Did you hike or see any of the wildlife that live here? I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading my post about my day at Badlands National Park and wishing you many and Happy Travels!

Badlands National Park is located in the state of South Dakota. Entering the Badlands from the East, I was able to program the following address into my GPS: 21020 SD Highway 240, Interior, South Dakota 57750. For more information about the park, visit the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov and search for the Badlands National Park.

What to See and What to Do:

Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Road
Interior, SD 57750
Telephone: 605 433 5361

Admission Fee: All fees are valid for 7 days which includes a $20 fee for private vehicle, $10 for motorcycle, and $10 per person for individuals hiking, biking, etc.
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 8AM – 4PM during winter hours; open from 8AM – 5PM April & May; open from 7AM to 7PM during the summer hours and open 8AM – 5PM early September to late October. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Amenities: visitor center, scenic drive, ranger programs, guided hikes, exhibits, campground, scheduled tours, audio guides are provided in 10 languages, special exhibitions, restaurant, cafes, shops
Scenic View: The incredible geological formations throughout the park are incredibly scenic along the 38-mile Badlands Loop Road (Hwy 240) as well as the wildlife. For a panoramic view of the White River Valley, hike the mile and a half Notch Trail. Climb the log ladder up a cliff which leads to the top of a butte. A notch in the canyon allows photographers the opportunity to capture the perfect photo. Stick around for sunrise or sunset to photograph the beauty of the Badlands’ strata of color. Other trails include the Fossil Exhibit Trail and the two-day Sage Creek Trail.
Length of Visit: At least 2 hours but up to 2 days to explore the whole park.
Tips for Your Visit: The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall months when the number of visitors is much lower than summer. The South Unit’s White River Visitor Center is only open during the summer months, so check its hours of operation at the Ben Reifel Visitor’s Center. Wear comfortable shoes for hiking and be on the lookout for rattlesnakes. The restrooms are scattered, so use them when you can. Stay on the trails and be careful when walking out into the formations. Trails can be slippery after rain or snow, so proceed with caution along some of the park’s sheer cliffs.

Where to Stay:

Days Inn, Sioux Falls Airport
5001 North Cliff Avenue & 1-90, Exit 399
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605 331 5959
Rate: 66.56 (AAA rate) + tax = 76.88 (includes $2 lodging tax)

Hotel Rating:

The hotel is acceptable for a short stay. Although the rooms are very dated and the furniture is stained, the rooms are clean. Smelled like cigarette smoke, but the air conditioning worked great. It is close to Falls Park and various fast food and dining in restaurants. Did not stay late enough for breakfast.

Badlands Inn, located at the park near the Ben Reifel Visitor’s Center, is the perfect front row seat for Badlands sunrises and sunsets.

Where to Eat:

Red Rock
506 Glenn Street
Wall, SD 57790
Telephone: 605 279 2388

A steakhouse with specialties such as Buffalo Steak, Prime Rib and Walleye Dinner. A little on the pricey side, but there are several options.

Badlands Saloon & Grille
509 Main Street
Wall, SD 57790
Telephone: 605 279 2210

I hear the steak with whiskey glaze is worth a try and the Angus burgers come highly recommended.

What to Eat:

Buffalo: A meat substitute for beef which is much healthier to eat.
Chokecherries are a Native American cherry that is made into jam, preserves, butter, wine, jelly and sauce. Wojapi is a chokecherry sauce.
Dakota Martini is made of three-fourths beer and one-fourth tomato juice
Fleisch Kuchele is a meat pie originating from Germans who lived in Russia. The dough is filled with meat and onions, then deep fried until the pastry is hot and flaky.
Hot Beef Commercial, also known as hot beef sandwich, beef combination, hot beef combo and hot beef combination. This is a sandwich made of real mashed potatoes and chunks of seasoned roast beef sandwiched between two pieces of white bread and smothered with homemade gravy until it floods the plate.
Indian Fry Bread is the state bread of South Dakota, a recipe of the local Indians.
Indian Tacos are made with a specially spiced beef and beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, onion, black olives and house made picante sauce on the top.
Kolache is an amazing Czech dessert made from pastry and filled with fruit filling such as apple, cherry, lemon, apricot, prune and strawberry.
Kuchen is German for cake and in South Dakota, visitors can enjoy this pastry filled with custard and fruit.
Lefse is a flat potato bread coming from Norwegian-American origin and served with butter
Mocha Cakes, also known as Blarney stones, are square or rectangular blocks of light and airy white cake. Frosted on all sides with vanilla buttercream, they are rolled in lightly salted crushed peanuts for ideal flavor and texture.
Pasties are savory hand pies.
Tiger Meat is South Dakota’s answer to steak tartare.
Wasna is a buffalo and berry dish passed down by the Lakota Indians.
Zebra Donuts are marbled chocolate and vanilla donuts that is fried, dunked in sweet glaze and hand-dipped in homemade chocolate frosting which feeds 15.

What to Read:

Death Where the Bad Rocks Live, by C.M. Wendelboe
Badlands, by C.J. Box

Photo Guide for the Badlands:

Photograph the sunrise at Badlands Overlook
Hike the short trails for beautiful views
- Badlands Wall on the Door Trail
- Notch Trail: climb the ladder for outstanding views
- Natural window on the Window Trail
White River Valley Overlook
Panorama Point for the sunrise
Yellow Mounds Overlook for phenomenal colors

Stay tuned as I explore Mount Rushmore, Custer’s Wildlife Loop Road and the Peter Norbeck Scenic Highway!

Entering Badlands National Park

Mardi Gras: Let the Good Times Roll

5 March 201531 August 2024

Having spent the month exploring the beaches of Costa Rica, I decided to meet some of my best friends in New Orleans for the Mardi Gras festivities. It had been a few years since my last visit while working for the cruise lines, so I was looking forward to experiencing one of NOLA’s most famous festivals, watching the parades and revisiting the city I had loved so much.

The Mardi Gras celebration is most known for its flamboyant festivities throughout the world. Starting as an ancient pagan holiday in Rome, many other European countries followed suit, observing the annual event which continues to this day.

The timing of the holiday coincided with the knighting ceremonies of the medieval times where extravagant feasts would follow. It was during this time that small gifts such as coins would be given to the poor of the kingdom. The tradition continues as doubloons are tossed into the crowd from parade floats and the feasting on colorful King Cakes.

While Mardi Gras was influenced by the Roman festival, it was also a religious celebration as well. In some European countries, this day is known as Shrove Tuesday. Festivities and parties are actually halted on this Tuesday providing an opportunity for Christians to atone for their sins, confessing in preparation for the Lent season. Shrove, comes from the Hebrew word meaning “to confess”.

So how do all of the extraordinary costumes and masks play into the celebration of Mardi Gras? Since the celebration prohibited activities in which one would “delight oneself”, this not only included eating, but other activities which would have been highly forbidden for religious reasons. Therefore, for those who insisted on reveling in those restricted pleasures, they found a way to wear costumes to indulge but remain unidentified by the wearing of masks.

New Orleans has made this celebration most famous. From parades, to parties, the wearing of beads and costumes, the multi-day event that starts January 6^th until midnight of Fat Tuesday, takes place primarily in the French Quarter. At the close of the festivities, there is a meeting of the Courts of Rex and Comus which takes place at the Ball of the Mystick Krewe of Comus. First celebrated here in 1699, the Mardi Gras festivities have been embraced by the Louisianans and were given its own tradition. It is not uncommon to see banners, beads, floats and costumes in the traditional colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power).

The parades are over the top and have themes for various aspects of the history of Mardi Gras as well as social organizations (called Krewes) that continue on the tradition to this day. The floats are lavishly decorated and manned by prestigious members of the Krewe where they throw out beads, candy and doubloons to bystanders. The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans is said to have begun in 1837. Some of the oldest known organizations that participate in the parade events are Comus, Momus, Original Illinois Club, Proteus and Twelfth Night Revelers. But it is the Rex, King of Carnival that has been around the longest and is the most popular of all of the organizations,

Other Mardi Gras celebrations take place throughout the world. For Brazil, the event is known as Carnivale and is the country’s most important holiday of the year. And it is Rio de Janeiro that is credited as having the largest carnival celebration where over 2 million people from all over the world come to participate in the event. In Belgium, it is the Carnival of Binche, one of the most important celebrations in their country as well, lasting from dawn until dusk with the playing of traditional carnival songs. In some countries such as Germany, there are additional festivities such as “Pancake Day” where the tossing of pancakes and pancake races which continue today. There is also “Fat Thursday”, the day in which all of the lard that was stored up for the winter must be consumed. The start of Germany’s carnival season is November 11^th at 11:11am.

And of course there is Italy, the birthplace of Carnival celebrations, stemming from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the Roman god, Lupercus. Venice is the most known of the cities where the celebrating of Martedi Grasso (Fat Tuesday) occurs, but there are other festivities that take place in cities such as Viareggio and Ivrea.

So if you have the opportunity to attend a Mardi Gras celebration, whether in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro or where it all began in Italy, just take in the festivities, the parades and as they say in Louisiana, Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let the good times roll)!

I would love to hear about your Mardi Gras experience whether you have traveled to some of the top locations to celebrate or if you have your own Mardi Gras party each year! Tell me all about it by leaving a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading about my past visit to New Orleans and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do:

Mardi Gras (official website)

Spanish Plaza
2 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France (also known as St. Louis Cathedral)
615 Pere Antoine Alley
New Orleans, LA 70116
Telephone: 504 525 9585

Admission Fee: Free, with the option to leave a donation
Hours: Open daily from 8:30AM to 4PM with daily mass held at 12:05PM.
Amenities: Gift shop, can light candles for a charge of $2,
Guided Tours and Informational Booklets: Self-guided brochures are available for a $1 donation. Guides are available for groups with a prior reservation.
Length of Visit: 1 hour
Tips for Your Visit: The cathedral may be closed on Saturdays due to weddings, so check their website to inquire if a wedding is on the schedule. Please respect fellow visitors who may be entering the cathedral for prayer and refrain from taking photos during mass.

Where to Shop:

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
500 Port of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70130
Telephone: 504 522 1555

Open: Monday – Saturday: 10AM – 9PM; Sunday: 10AM – 7PM

French Market
700 – 1010 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Telephone: 504 522 2621

Hours: The market is open daily from 9AM to 6PM. The Farmer’s Market is open from 10AM to 6PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Amenities: Shopping, food, crafts bazaar, flea market and live entertainment
Length of Time to Spend at The French Market: 2 – 3 hours

Where to Stay:

Omni Royal Orleans Hotel
621 Saint Louis St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Toll Free Number: 866 538 9295

This hotel is located in the middle of all of the action in New Orleans! It is an absolutely beautiful property with a rooftop terrace, outdoor pool and balconies with a street view!

Where to Eat:

Acme Oyster Bar – affordable seafood!
735 Iberville Street
Telephone: 504 522 5973

Try the oysters or a local po-boy sandwich or if you have a bigger appetite, the New Orleans Medley allows you to try a sampling of gumbo, jambalaya, red beans & rice and grilled smoked sausage.

Brennan’s – upscale Creole cuisine since 1956
417 Royal Street
Telephone: 504 525 9711

This is one of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans not only because the food is so fabulous but its courtyard and patio are picturesque and remind me of dining at a southern plantation. During a recent visit, I ordered the Roasted Oysters prepared with smoked chili butter and a manchego cheese crust. For my entree, I decided to order a selection from the starters section and could not wait to try the New Orleans BBQ Lobster. The wine list is extensive with over 30,000 bottles on site! We ordered a bottle of Bartolo Mascarello. Save some room for their signature dessert which is the Bananas Foster and is world-renowned!

Court of Two Sisters – Jazz brunch buffet, expensive
613 Royal Street
Telephone: 504 522 7261

Once a home for a Louisiana governor, this restaurant is one of the most accommodating eateries in New Orleans with four dining rooms and a French menu to die for. David had been begging me to try the Turtle Soup and it seemed as though every restaurant we visited, it was on the menu. I started out with the Turtle Soup Au Sherry, which was actually quite good, but I will probably not order it again. At least I can say I tried it and I hope he doesn’t encourage me to try the Frog Legs! For my main entree, I could not pass up the Vegetarian Lasagna to save some room for the Creme Brulee!

Commander’s Palace, Creole and Jazz brunch buffet
1403 Washington Avenue
Telephone: 504 899 8221

A New Orleans landmark, this restaurant is the epitome of Creole and Louisiana cuisine! It is here that I first experienced Creole gumbo and Crawfish. Note that there is a dress code for Commander’s Palace.

Many people visit New Orleans to experience Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants and here are the links to these wonderful establishments as well! I have not had the pleasure of visiting his restaurants as they are usually booked far in advance! It is best to call ahead for reservations!

NOLA
534 St. Louis Street
Telephone: 504 522 6652

Meril
424 Girod Street
Telephone: 504 526 3745

Emeril’s New Orleans
800 Tchoupioulas Street
Telephone: 504 528 9393

Emeril’s Delmonico
1300 St. Charles Avenue
Telephone: 504 525 4937

What to Eat:

Crawfish Etoufee – shellfish over rice, using a technique called “smothering”
Andouille Gumbo – a stew consisting of a strong-flavored stock with meat or shellfish, a roux, celery, bell peppers and onions. Andouille is a type of spicy sausage usually included in gumbo.
Jambalaya– a dish of meat and vegetables mixed with rice
Beignets – fried fritters, sometimes filled with fruit and topped with confectioner’s sugar
Zapp’s Potato Chips!– a thick cut, kettle style potato chip that includes cajun and creole spices. My favorite flavor is the spicy cajun crawtators!

Where to Drink:

Pat O’Brien’s Bar
718 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Telephone: 504 525 4823

Hours: The bar opens daily from noon; the piano lounge show typically begins at 6PM and the courtyard is available from 11AM; The kitchen is open until 10PM.
Amenities: Restaurant, bar and live entertainment
Tips for Your Visit: Try Pat O’Brien’s signature drink, The Hurricane. Additional specialty drinks on the menu include The Cyclone, Bloody Mary, Pat O’s Lemonade, Mint Julep, Skylab, Rainbow, Pat O’s Rainstorm, Category 5 Margarita, Fuzzy Leprechaun. For a small fee you can keep the souvenir cup, which your server will carefully wrap up for you. The piano bar is extremely fun to sing along with the dueling pianos and check out the flaming fountain at night, which is absolutely spectacular!

What to Read:

New Orleans, DK Eyewitness Travel, by Marilyn Wood
A Street Car Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams
Interview with the Vampire, by Anne Rice
The Axeman of New Orleans: The True Story, by Miriam C. Davis
Voodoo Dreams, by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Photo Guide for New Orleans:

Mardi Gras is an amazing time to take photos for the floats, people, decorations, etc.
French Quarter: The architecture is absolutely stunning, so look for the Creole houses with wrought-iron balconies. Some of the most beautiful buildings in the Quarter include St. Louis Cathedral, the Old Ursuline Convent, as well as the Cabildo.
Jackson Square: The square is located in front of St. Louis Cathedral and was once the location for public execution. Today, there are musicians and tarot card readers that provide local entertainment and are accustomed to photographers shooting their pics.
Food photos are a must in New Orleans, so order a muffaletta, beignet or plate of oysters and shoot away.
Garden District: With million dollar homes lining the street of St. Charles, you will want to hop on the streetcar to explore these amazing homes and their spectacular architecture.
Cemeteries of New Orleans: While St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is home to some of the most famous mausoleums and interesting history, there are several cemeteries which are also accessible by tour. These cemeteries include St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, Metairie Cemetery, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, Charity Hospital and Katrina Memorial Cemetery and Greenwood Cemetery.
Frenchmen Street is the new Bourbon Street just across the esplanade from the French Quarter. A safe option for exploring New Orleans at night, visitors can browse a local art market, listen to local music at one of the amazing clubs and explore the fabulous street art throughout this district.

Family Vacation Photos to Walt Disney World, circa 1991

3 April 201431 August 2024

Visiting Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World!

What child hasn’t begged their parents for a visit to Walt Disney World? From the time they are born, kids are inundated with all things Disney, so for them to see it all in person is a child’s dream come true. Whether it is to see Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the Disney Princesses or another spectacular character, this splendid them park is truly magical…even for adults. One of my favorite memories was visiting the iconic Cinderella Castle.

Inside Cinderella’s Castle!

Inside of Cinderella’s castle, her fairy tale story is told through a series of murals. Each are handcrafted with over one million pieces of glass in 500 different shades of color. Silver and gold accentuate these exquisite masterpieces and bring her legendary story to life.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was an attraction at the Magic Kingdom from 1971 until 1994 located in the Fantasyland area of the park. Passengers could board the submarine to enjoy the sea life surrounded by lobsters, crabs, moray eels, sea bass, clams and turtles. Floating through the water, the sub passed by underwater attractions such as the Graveyard of Ships, mermaids and a large sea serpent in the ruins of Atlantis. This attraction no longer exists and has been replaced by Pooh’s Playful Spot and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Fort Sam Clemens

Fort Sam Clements was located in Fort Wilderness of the Disney Park located in the Frontierland region of the park. Originally opened in 1973, the fort has since been renamed to Fort Langhorn at Tom Sawyer Island. Visitors can reach the island by floating on a log raft to explore caves, cross a suspension bridge and check out the frontier fort.

Walt Disney World Railroad Main Street Station & Mickey Mouse

Next, we boarded the train at the Main Street Station for a ride throughout the park. The tram took us through each region Walt Disney World with the exception of Adventureland. The Main Street Station is located at the entrance to Disney where we found a great photo opportunity with Mickey Mouse, made from colorful flowers.

Disney at Night!

Disney comes to life at night with an evening parade and fireworks show, It was totally worth the wait and is one of the most attended events at the Walt Disney World Park.

There was so much to see, rides to ride and attractions to experience. Walt Disney World first opened its doors in 1971 and hosts over 52 million visitors annually. It is open 365 days per year and continues to expand through added attractions and Disney-related resorts. The attractions mentioned here do not even compare to the number at all of the parks but were a great way to reminisce about my family vacation. Whether you are 9 or 99 years of age, Walt Disney World is a place to escape the reality of our everyday lives and to make our dreams come true.

Have you visited Walt Disney World in Orlando? What are some of your favorite attractions or cherished moments? I would love to hear from you, so leave a description of your experience in the comments below! Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
Telephone: 407 939 7679

Walt Disney World Resort encompasses several theme parks to include Magic Kingdom^® Park, Epcot^®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios^® and Disney’s Animal Kingdom^® Theme Park, plus Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water parks.

Where to Stay:

Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
Telephone: 407 939 7679

Walt Disney World Resort hotels include encompasses several theme parks to include Disney’s Animal Kingdom^®Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (opening in 2021) and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel.

Where to Eat:

Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
Telephone: 407 939 7679

All Restaurants are located at Disney’s Magic Kingdom: Be Our Guest, Jungle Navigation Company, LTD Skipper Canteen, Rainforest Cafe, Casey’s Corner, The Plaza Restaurant, Main Street Bakery, The Crystal Palace, Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern, Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, The Diamond Horseshoe, Columbia Harbour House, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, The Friar’s Nook, Sunshine Tree Terrace, The Lunching Pad, Tortuga Tavern, Cool Ship, Golden Oak Outpost, Liberty Tree Tavern, Sleepy Hollow, Liberty Square Market, Aloha Isle, Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, Contempo Cafe

Photo Guide to Walt Disney World: The park maps designate picture spots which are listed below.

The Magic Kingdom
- Big Thunder Mountain picture spot
- Sword in the Stone picture spot
- Tiki Statues picture spot
- Splash Mountain picture spot
Epcot
- Germany
- Japan
- Morocco
- Epcot Main Entrance
- United Kingdom
- China
- Canada
- France
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- Hollywood Studios Arch
Animal Kingdom Park
- Main Entrance

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