Slice of New Orleans Past in Greek Revival Home
The St. Charles streetcar has rumbled through New Orleans since 1835, making it one of the world’s oldest street railways. It's still fitted with mahogany seats and brass ornaments, and simply riding is a peaceful sightseeing tour of the Big Easy—it passes 19th-century mansions as well as Tulane and Loyola Universities. Located just a block from the streetcar's route in the Lower Garden District, Fairchild House also reflects New Orleans history through its restored Greek Revival structure, built in 1841, and two adjoining homes.
From the street, the bed and breakfast blends so well into its surroundings that you might mistake it for someone's home—there's no sign out front, only a wrought-iron gate with a small brass plaque. Behind it, two of the buildings boast neoclassical columns and painted shutters. There’s a courtyard paved with bricks in the back, and live oaks stretch along the entire length of the property in the front, making it one of the best places to read the paper or enjoy a cup of coffee.
Each guest room offers its own style, but several are outfitted with the mantels of former fireplaces. Throughout the buildings, Victorian-style antiques blend with posters of past New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivals for a charismatic Big Easy atmosphere. In the morning, innkeepers lay out a breakfast of seasonal fruit, cereal, breads, tea, and coffee.
New Orleans: Classic Creole Food and Historic Neighborhoods
New Orleans's unofficial motto is "Laissez les bons temps rouler," which roughly translates to "Let the good times roll," a phrase that describes the city’s carefree attitude. Creole influences have also made the city's cuisine famous, with signature dishes like spicy jambalaya, giant crayfish boils, smoky gumbos, and pork boudin sausages. Don't miss the city’s classic dessert: beignets, square donuts buried in powdered sugar.
The iconic French Quarter is the city's oldest neighborhood and one of its most popular, thanks to the 18th-century homes, courtyard cafés, and jazzy nightlife on Bourbon Street. To the south, the quieter Garden District is well worth touring for its classic Greek Revival and mid-19th century Italianate homes sitting alongside formal English-style gardens and antique shops.
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