Tuesday, January 13th, 2026

Mena’s is closed on Tuesdays and so we found Café Fleur de Lis farther up the block. They offer balcony seating, which we have been interested in, but it was a bit too chilly for that, so we ate indoors. We each had some of the fluffiest, melt-in-your-mouth pancakes we’ve ever had!

All fueled up, we walked the mile or so to the National World War II Museum. All I can say is “wow!”. What an experience! I can’t remember being so moved by such careful and dedicated curation and presentation other than when I visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. It was simply incredible. Someone deeply interested in the War and what led to it could probably immerse themselves and spend a couple of days there. We spent a few hours working our way through the exhibits and then shared a charcuterie board in the café.

I’d had some minor stomach issues and so did not feel much like walking a mile back to the Quarter House. We found the nearest streetcar about 3 blocks from the museum and took it back to Canal Street from which it was a short walk to the Quarter House and some rest. Mid afternoon we visited the Legendairy Milkshake Bar. We had seen it earlier in the trip but it was closed. We looked up its hours and made a point of visiting for a mid-afternoon snack. I don’t know as I’ve ever paid $18 for a milkshake, and I probably won’t do that again; but we are on vacation and it was a treat! Amanda had “Death By Chocolate” and I had “Cereal Killer,” a vanilla base with Fruity Pebbles cereal and crushed Trix powder topping off the whipped cream. Oh MY, was that delicious!

I spent some time in the Quarter House’s courtyard finalizing some materials for an upcoming board meeting and chatting with some of the staff and other guests milling about. They were preparing for a Social Hour (wine and cheese) from 5-6pm. Amanda joined me at 5 and we continued to enjoy the food and company for a bit.

Cheese and crackers does not a meal make, however. We were not hungry enough for a meal, but decided to go walking and see where the evening took us. We decided to check out Pat O’Brien’s, about which our tour guide on Sunday had told us. It’s apparently the original home of the Hurricane rum drink and we wanted to have one there. O’Briens is unfortunately closed on Tuesdays!! In the French Quarter. During Mardi Gras season. Go figure!

Amanda suggested we head back to Fritzel’s to hear whomever was playing. We took the same seats we had on Sunday and were entertained by a foursome called The Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band, who were playing not only traditional/Dixieland jazz, but also “Old Time” hits from the 1800s, which I very much enjoyed. We stayed until about 8:30 and then went in search of food, as Fritzel’s is drinks only. We got pizza slices at the first stand we found on Bourbon Street, sat and ate, and then walked back to the Quarter House and bed. I don’t know if it was the number of drinks we’d had or the fact that it was Tuesday in Winter, but the walk down Bourbon Street seemed a good deal less obnoxious than it was on Saturday!

Step count: 10,533, or 4.68 miles

WWII: I Want You

WWII Museum Exhibit

Tootsie Rolls in WWII

View from Fleur-de-lis Café

Death By Chocolate and Cereal Killer

The courtyard at Quarter House

Amanda and Me at Fritzel’s