How to Save money on Vacation

If you are wondering how to budget your travel and save some money on your vacations without being frugal minded, you are at the right place. Everyone normally pays a lot of attention on choosing the right air fare/hotel rates by comparing different travel sites hoping to get some good deals. But saving can be done when on vacations too and here are a few tips on how to save money on vacations.

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Best Places to see New York City Skyline

New York's Skyline is awe inspiring, there is no doubt about it. Some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world form this incredible skyline and its a sight to behold. Be it Gothic Revival, Art Deco, International to Post-Modern, NYC has High Rise's with every architectural principle you can think of. If you are interested in learning more about Skyscrapers and New York's architecture, you can visit the Skyscraper Museum.

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Top 5 Attractions in New Orleans

I would like to start by saying, visiting New Orleans or "The Big Easy" for the first time is like hearing Opera Music for the first time. Some of you will be amazed and rest will be dazed and confused. New Orleans is unique, you will sense it the first time you set foot in French Quarter. The birthplace of Jazz has something for everyone, Actually it has a lot to offer if you are willing to explore it.

Here is a list of 5 top attractions/things do in and around New Orleans

New Orleans : French Quarter

French Quarter has a lit bit of everything. Start your day by exploring Jackson Square & St Louis Cathedral which happens to be the oldest running cathedral in US. Around the perimeters of Jackson Square you will find entertaining street artists, performers and fortune tellers. Tucked in a corner is "The Cabildo" museum, the site of Louisiana Purchase process, For 6 dollars you can learn everything about Louisiana Purchase and the colorful history of New Orleans. A stone's throw away from Jackson Square is the New Orleans favorite cafe/tourist trap "Cafe Du Monde", stop here for some refreshing "Cafe Au Lait" and heavily sugar dusted but yummy beignets. Please be aware that they accept only cash and the cafe is always crowded.

Walk along Canal, Esplanade along Decatur and wind down to Royal. Make sure you look at the tops of the buildings for wonderful Balconies with flowers and some magnificent architecture. You will find a lot of cheap to Classy restaurants offers all kinds of cuisine, but dont forget to try the quiet essential Gumbo. If with Kids, try to avoid taking Bourbon street, not family friendly at all.

New Orleans Trivia/ Fact #1

The Cabildo is home to one of the death mask's of Napoleon Bonaparte.

New Orleans : Garden District

If you want to take a break from the rambunctious crowds of French Quarter and Bourbon street, then take the St Charles Streetcar and enjoy the ride under the shade of southern live oak trees to Garden District for just $1.25. Tucked in between Jackson Avenue and Louisiana Avenue, Garden District is home to some of  the best preserved mansions of Antebellum period in the South. These opulent residences were built by early wealthy Americans who wanted to keep their distance from vivacious Creoles of French Quarter. 

 You can easily explore the neighborhood by foot(no paid tour required) and make sure your camera has enough charge, who knows you might run into Sandra Bullock one of the current residents of Garden District. 

New Orleans Trivia/ Fact #2

St Charles Streetcar Line is the oldest running streetcar service in the world.

New Orleans : Swamp Tours

Time to check off "Seeing a Alligator up close" from your bucket list, if you have one. New Orleans has many swamp tour companies offering half/full day of swamp and wildlife adventures. Some of these tours include transportation from various departure points in NOLA.

New Orleans Trivia/ Fact #3

New Orleans own playboy Jean-Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny introduced the casino game Craps to America.

New Orleans : Cemetery Tours

If you are a  big fan of Graveyards and History, then you would enjoy the cemetery tours of New Orleans. You can go either explore some of the cemeteries on your own or take a guided walking tour and learn about some of the historically important residents of NOLA and their beautiful ornate over the ground tombs dating back to 18th century.

New Orleans Trivia/ Fact #4

St Louis Cathedral of New Orleans, is the oldest cathedral in United States. 

Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation is about an hour's drive from New Orleans and is in the heat of the plantation country of Louisiana on banks of the river Mississippi. The plantation gets its name from the quarter mile long alley of 28 splendid live oaks pictured above but unfortunately the name of the gardener/slave who planted these magnificent trees 300 years ago is lost in pages of history. No words describing the trees will do justice for the beautiful sight that you will witness when you see them for real. A sense of calm and peace is felt when you stand in the shade of those mighty trees and time stops completely ticking. 

The house on the grounds came later, built in 1837-39 for Jacques Roman has passed through many hands throughout its existence. The last owners of this property were the Stewart's from Texas who created the Oak Alley foundation and preserved this rich cultural heritage for generations to come. 

Your entry($22) to the plantation comes with a guided tour of the house from well informed guides which takes about 30 to 45 minutes. As for the slave quarters, its a self guided tour and you can take as much time as possible learning about the lives of southern plantation slaves and  the American power structure prior to Civil war. Oak Alley also has accommodation, dining options and a decent sized gift shop. Laura Plantation, Whitney Plantation, St Joseph Plantation, San Francisco Plantation are other plantations around Oak Valley worth exploring.

Before you head to the plantation, make sure to check their website for discounts and offers.

New Orleans Trivia/ Fact #5
Ursuline Academy of New Orleans is the first Catholic school and the Oldest running school for girls in US.  

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