This week, instead of food, I bring you something that is necessary to do either before or after the food: take a walk, missy. Anyone who's ever been to Jazz Fest or Voodoo Fest knows the hidden charms of Bayou St. John, mid-city, and City Park, but many people never make it out of the Quarter on their short-timed visits. I never did either, until I moved here. If you can spare an hour or two, take a cab ride (or the red streetcar that goes to the New Orleans Museum of Art) and walk around Big Lake, Fortier Park, and the Bayou. You can finish up at Fairgrinds Coffee House or at Parkway, depending on whether you want to stay awake or fall into a po-boy-induced nap.
All of these photos were taken this morning on a 40-minute walk, and mind you, I barely scratched the surface of the awesomeness that is City Park. Further in, you'll find a fully restored 100-year-old carousel, the sculpture garden, golf courses, tennis, dozens of ponds, bridges, and pavillions, and horseback riding.
You can find more details about my recommendations, neighborhood-wise, here.
[starting out, along Bayou St. John]
Several folks have been asking about where to eat on Thanksgiving day in New Orleans, and I've found a great place to get the lowdown: visit Tom Fitzmorris's 
