haha! Marielle scooping me on the FTR when I just created this listing tonight…read more Vicky and I were cruising lakefront this evening and I almost wrecked my car when I saw that the fountain was lit up. Tonight was only the third night with lights. The grand opening won't happen until all the krewe tiles are restored and the landscaping is finished. It's going to be phenomenal

The recent (post-flood) renovations on Mardi Gras Fountain left us with a beautiful monument to New…read moreOrleans Mardi Gras Krewes and a great place to stop out at the Lakefront of the Pontchartrain. In addition to the colorful purple, green, and gold dancing waters of this lovely fountain and the plaques displaying the names and logos of many, many mardi Gras Krewes, both past and present, there are several benches and picnic tables surrounding the fountain so folks can gather and sit a spell and enjoy the view and the breeze off the lake. Mardi Gras Fountain my favorite place to meet up with friends after work and watch the sunset.

So I won't profess to be a historian and give deets on the bridge or its namesake; but what I will…read moredo is speak on is loving bridges and my experience on this bridge. Currently undergoing a facelift, the Huey P, as it's affectionately called, is a major thoroughfare to connect the WESTBANK to ELMWOOD; WEST to EAST!!! The bridge is appx 153 feet in height; it has commuter lanes and active train rails as well. The sight of the bridge can be daunting and a bit intimidating but it's quick for commuting and moving around. With the new renovation, it's shaping up to be more welcoming and less intimidating. This is great, I personally know a few folks who REFUSED to cross this bridge in the past because of its appearance. I've been told at some point as the trains cross the rails, they're expected/required to turn off their engines and just coast across. Something about safety, ehhhhhhh idk. I love bridges and this one gets some of my loving too.

I'm probably one of the few who miss the original bridge this may be due to the fact that I never…read morehad to cross this bridge out of necessity, it was always a option I chose freely. The new modern renovations has completely removed the fear factor for many, it also removed the thrill for those of us who were hopeful that our approach to this bridge was in sync with a freight train loaded with thousands of ton of cargo slowly inching its way across this high-rise trestle bridge shaking and flexing the structure as well as our inner fears, the murky waters flowing far below this bridge further enhanced this nightmarish but exhilarating experience. This bridge is unique in a number of of ways, the spans carrying vehicular traffic is a little over 1.52 miles long but the gradually sloping train trestle extends more than 4.35 miles. I'm sure this bridge had the engineers scratching their heads back in 1935 while only using slide rulers and number two pencils to calculate the load ratings especially for the longest span at nearly 800 feet not to mention the fearless engineer who maneuvered the first freight train across this iconic structure. In 2006, shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the State of Louisiana embarked on an unprecedented project to widen this 75-year-old civil engineering marvel. The $1.2 billion project celebrated its grand opening in June 2013 with new lanes in each direction and major railroad modifications. The project was a symbol of resilience of this great state's people. It's not the same and that's somewhat saddens me but the refurbishment and upgrades will ensure this engineering landmark will remain for many more generations to come, but they'll never experience this bridge as some of us have...

Interesting to run across the statue of Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville in the French Quarter…read more Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville was a French-Canadian colonial administrator and founder of New Orleans. He also served four terms as governor of French Louisiana between 1701 and 1743. He helped establish the first permanent French settlements in the Gulf Coast, forged alliances with Native nations, led military campaigns such as the Chickasaw Wars, and shaped Louisiana's colonial identity before retiring to Paris. Bienville is often described as "the Father of Louisiana." This monument was erected to recognize Bienville's role as founder of the city by the Louisiana Purchase Sesquicentennial Commission. The monument features Bienville atop a pedestal. To his right sits a Native American. The monument also features a priest and the Le Moyne coat of arms.

Very unique monument to the immigrants that have come through New Orleans. One side of the two…read moresided sculpture shows a family and the other side shows the bow of a ship. The New Orleans Riverfront was the first place where generations of immigrants first stepped onto American soil. The image of a young family carved in Italian Carrara marble is so beautiful and so touching. The other side that looks like a ship faces the Mississippi River. It is a nod to the role that the river and the shipping industry plays in the past, present and future of New Orleans. A very unique Monument to the Immigrant.

This monument consists mainly of a sculpture and is located in a small plaza in Woldenberg Park…read more This is paid commercial parking lots in walking distance of the monument. It was dedicate din 1985 The monument is actual a two for one. On side of the sculpture, facing away from the river, depicts an immigrant family. The side facing the river has a stylized ship-shaped figure. The monument's inscription reads: "MONUMENT TO THE IMMIGRANT DEDICATED TO THE COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN WHO LEFT THEIR HOMELAND SEEKING FREEDOM, OPPORTUNITY AND A BETTER LIFE IN A NEW COUNTRY MARCH 19, 1995 COMMISSIONED BY THE ITALIAN AMERICAN MARCHING CLUB SPONSORED BY PRIVATE CITIZENS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS." Italian immigrant ,Franco Alessandrini was commissioned by the Italian American Marching Club in New Orleans commissioned to create the sculpture. Alessandrini used actual photos of immigrants arriving and marble imported from Carrara, Italy to design the piece. It is an interesting monument. And I like how Alessandrini put 2 sculptures into 1. Sadly the monument has been vandalized. There are really some jerks out there. Hopefully it will be cleaned up soon. There are lots of attractions near this monument, so you should consider making a stop here part of a larger itinerary and pair it with a visit to the Cathedral, Jackson Square, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Spanish Plaza.

I finally found this statue when I was walking around with my bestie, Steve I. And his family after…read moreseeing the Christmas lights turn on at the Roosevelt hotel! We walked by it and I had to take a picture after seeing so many of my fellow elites posting their picture! For some reason i imagined that this statue was on Decatur close to the St. Joan of Arc statue? Don't ask, i have no idea why I thought it was there! I'm getting old, that's my excuse! hehe

It was cool finding this statue after breakfast at the nearby Bourbon House. Now I really want to…read moreread the book, which I've had on my bookshelves for a while. The statue is in front of a hotel, which is a little surprising.

The Green Bridge on Paris Road is one of those pieces of mid‑century infrastructure that rises in a…read morelong, steady climb over the old Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet channel before dropping you toward Chalmette and the rest of St. Bernard Parish. It's a tall steel through‑arch with that familiar truss pattern that once carried deep‑draft ships underneath, and even after all the repainting cycles and rehab work it still carries the local nickname that stuck from its original green finish. The approaches are smooth, the lanes are wide enough to feel comfortable, and it remains the main northern gateway for anyone heading into the parish. Because of the height, your passengers get a great view of the waterway and the industrial landscape around Michoud, but the driver should be keeping their eyes on the road instead of trying to sightsee. It's a practical, well‑engineered bridge that does exactly what it was built to do, and the recent restoration work has only helped it feel sturdier and more polished. Crossing it is quick, direct, and a reminder of how much this span has meant to the region since the 1960s. It does not have a toll. [Review 315 of 2026 - 93 in Louisiana - 25503 overall]

Well, it's back to just one lane in each direction. Been like that for weeks. No equipment or…read moreworkers present, just cones and barricades until further notice.

From Native Americans to Pontchartrain Beach this area of New Orleans history is long and…read moreinteresting as New Orleans owes a lot of its very existence to Bayou St. John. At the original point where Lake Pontchartrain met Bayou St. John now sits the crumbling remains of an old fort known variously as The Old Spanish Fort, Fort St. John or most commonly just Spanish Fort. The history of this fort goes back before New Orleans existed and it went from being a military installation to a resort for the elite of New Orleans which was transformed into an amusement park for the masses which evolved into Pontchartrain Beach along with entertaining generations of New Orleans residents. The Spanish Fort amusement park was an integral part of the development of New Orleans culture and Jazz history. Notable restaurants in the Spanish Fort park area included Moreau's Restaurant, Noy's Restaurant, Over the Rhine Restaurant and Tranchina's Restaurant. The park eventually was forced to move out of Spanish Fort due to the lakefront land reclamation project of the Orleans Parish Levee Board. The Spanish Fort park reinvented itself and moved nearby onto some of the newly reclaimed land in 1924 and transformed into the first Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park. The first Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park closed in 1938, to move to an even larger location in what used to be Milneburg, and opened in 1939. The Spainish Fort and Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Parks brought joy to thousands of people over many generations. Sadly the amazing history of Spanish Fort along with its important place in the good food, good times and good people history of New Orleans has largely been forgotten by most these days and few even know about the crumbling ruins that remain of the old Spanish Fort of Fort St. John. This is definitely New Orleans history that deserves to be remembered. Fort St. John having been such a huge part of New Orleans history from before the city existed to The Battle of New Orleans and to just being a place of joy for so many is worthy of preservation. My video review is here: https://youtu.be/07HzYNcSGVU

I really like how this has been kept up. Not really kept up as much as left alone and the grass cut…read moreand maintained enough to not let the grass become overgrown or the remains to fall down. The fenced in plot has a unique story. Evidently, one of the soldiers fell in love with a local native American and was killed by the father, the chief of the tribe, when he found out. This used to be a way of moving goods into New Orleans via the water way that leads to bayou St John and into the city. This is a perfect spot for a picnic. There are no grills there, so bring your own food, and remember to take your garbage with you. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a blanket to sit on, there are no picnic tables or benches. Be respectful of the nearby neighbors and their privacy.

Longest 24 miles of my life, well technically longest 48 miles of my life…read more Why did I think I was just going to drive on a cute 5 min little bridge. Def should have read the reviews first. My anxiety was through the roof, the bridge felt like it kept going and going with no land in sight. And just to let you know there are turnabouts & emergency shoulders but you have to be escorted by the police. I kept telling myself do not call, you got this. I didn't know how long the bridge went and that's what gave me more anxiety since I had 3 hours to return the rental. And then finding out it's a draw bridge too, wtf! If I had to witness that, I'm parking and call the ambulance for me. I would never be able to cross this bridge at night! Mile markers hallelujah Driving over the bridge during the day hallelujah Draw bridge not opening hallelujah Police and tow trucks visable hallelujah No high winds hallelujah

For cash and credit card holders, $6 (#1) is all it costs for a one way drive across the Lake…read morePontchartrain Causeway Bridge, which is the world's longest continuous bridge over water. The bridge turns 60 years old this year and remains one of US history's most remarkable feats. At close to 24 miles in length, it feels less like a bridge and more like a two lane highway in the middle of the water. It is in fact more than one bridge, operating at two parallels of north and south. While there are gaps for every few miles, the only cars that are allowed to turn are police cars (#2). The visual of the distant New Orleans skyline and the large body of water with little else in sight is both a bit nerve wracking (#3) and awesome at the same time. ___________ (#1) Or $3 and some change with the GEAUXPASS toll tag (#2) Who are sometimes at different mile points tracking speedsters. Watch out. (#3) This is the wrong place to run out gas.