Relax in New Orleans

While in Slidell, we stayed at the North Harbor III condo complex. Take a Swamp Tour. You actually see alligators, Great Blue Herons, and lots of other wildlife. A surprise we had was that there was no mosquitoes in the swamp! The tanic acid produced from the tannin in the trees, makes mosquitoes nesting impossible. Very comfortable and relaxing.
Next, visit the D-Day museum in the heart of New Orleans. Expect to spent 3-4 hours (no cameras allowed). The step by step documentary of how the US entered the war to its conclusion is riviting. Obviously, the main portion of the tour is dedicated to the D-Day Invasion. I have renewed respect for the soldiers who fought in that battle.
While you are in New Orleans, visit the 1814 Battlefield of New Orleans. Here you also get a video and can take a tour showing how a newly formed country with a bunch of rag-tag soldiers, defeated a vastly superior army. Visiting the on-site gravesite is also a must. Of course no trip to New Orleans is complete without a walking tour of the French Quarter. We went ourselves at our own pace. I'd suggest taking a tour since you get the history behind what your are seeing. And last but not least, what can you say about drive-up margarita stands?

Quick Tips:

It seems like everyone takes Travel Checks, if you get to the French Quarter early in the morning, you can park in the street and pay a meter (cheaper than a parking lot).

Best Way To Get Around:

Best way to get around is by car. There is ample parking near the areas we toured, at least during the first week of November time period.

An unbelievable, sequential walking tour of the D-Day Invasion. They take you from the beginning of WWII to the end, with special emphasis on the D-Day Invasion itself. It's a very sobering tour that makes you realize just how much we gave for the price of freedom.

The Honey Island Swamp Tour was a very pleasant surprise. I expected lots of mosquitoes and dingy waterways. What I found was a thriving ecosystem, complete with turtles, snakes, great blue herons, bald eagles, and yes, alligators. The swamp has no mosquitoes because the tannin from the trees creates tannic acid in the water that stops the mosquitoes. I didn't have to swat at a single insect. We saw numerous alligators, mostly smaller ones. I was also surprised at the fact that many people live out here in huge modern homes. You also have your run-down fishing villages that remind you of the backwoods bayou. The guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable of the area, being one of the people who grew up in the swamp itself.