Fun Things To Do In Morocco: Exploring The Land Of Rich Culture And Adventure

BY  Sibashree Jan 17, 2025

The specific geographical location of New Orleans, especially the proximity to Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, blesses the city with a vast coastal landscape.  So, along with the local heritage and culture of the city, the beaches and beach activities on the Gulf Coast can be a prominent factor in boosting tourism here.  From Bay Saint Louis, the closest beach to New Orleans, to more beautiful options like the Biloxi Beaches, await you with a lot of excitement! No wonder people are opting for vacation rentals near the New Orleans beach locations and cruise trips in the Mississippi River.  Adventure Life is such a service, organizing a Lower Mississippi River Cruise. You can contact them at +1.800.344.6118 to know more about the cruise trip.  Along with these cruise trips, many other activities like fishing, nature strolls, hiking, and bird watching make the beautiful beaches in New Orleans a lot of fun!  Charmed and impressed with these beaches, we have created a beach tour guide at Tour and Travel. Let’s explore the places!  Closest Beach To New Orleans | Explore The Gulf Shores At Their Best  Summer days in New Orleans can be extra balmy. So, winter, especially January, is the ideal time to explore the beaches here. The average temperature in New Orleans ranges between 43-62 degrees F and rarely there is snowfall in the city. All these weather conditions add to beach fun and vibe in New Orleans, and these are places you need to be at for some beach fun.  1. Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi | The Closest Beach To New Orleans Distance from New Orleans: 58.7 Miles An hour's drive from New Orleans will take you to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. The water here is shallow, but the peaceful ambiance and stretches of white sand more than makeup for it.  Enjoy sunbathing and crabbing here on a sunny day, and let your kids build adorable sand castles.  2. White Sands Lake Day Beach  Distance from New Orleans: 74 Miles Franklinton, on the north of New Orleans, has White Sands Lake Day Beach. This is a man-made and spring-fed lake that has become a popular tourist destination near New Orleans.  The Aqua Park is the prime attraction here. Your little ones will love playing on the slides and with inflatable water toys here. You can even play beach volleyball, kayaking, and boating here.  For a relaxing experience, you can even try full-day cooking. The entry fee to the Aqua Park is $18 for adults and $12 for children. 3. Biloxi Beaches Distance from New Orleans (90.2 Miles) The City of Biloxi has been one of the forerunners in restoring the beaches after the rampage of Hurricane Katrina. On its southern border, Biloxi is surrounded by a beautiful white sand beach, the Harrison County Sand Beach. With a whopping 26 miles of shimmering white sand, the Harrison County Sand Beach is the largest man-made white sand beach in the world. You can take a stroll along the pedestrian pathway here and on your way, you will also find some magnificent sand dunes.  The beach is also known for hosting special events. You can contact the Harrison County Sand Beach Authority at (228) 896-0055.  Moreover, you can take a drive along Beach Boulevard to enjoy the sound of the Mississippi and meet the historic oak trees. You will even find the antebellum homes here.  4. Grand Isle State Park Distance from New Orleans (110 Miles) Grand Isle State Park is next on our list of closest beaches to New Orleans. If you want to experience the coastal wildlife of Louisiana, there can be no better place than your destination.  Nestled at the southeast corner of Louisiana, the Grand Isle State Park is accessible to visitors with an entry fee of just $3.  Here, you can be a part of the deep-water fishing excursions and wildlife viewing. If you are here for fishing, don’t miss the longest fishing pier in Louisiana. It is 400 feet in length.  Do you want to make the most of the Grand Isle State Park fishing experience? Why don’t you get in touch with the best fish charter services, like the Southern Angler Fishing Charters, and explore the options? You can reach out to them at +1 504-458-7328.  Furthermore, this state park has a lot of hiking trails that you can explore. You will even enjoy birdwatching here with varieties like seagulls and pelicans displaying their prowess.  5. Dauphin Island, Alabama Distance from New Orleans (148 Miles) Dauphin Island on the border of Alabama and Mississippi, is a great spot for family vacation near New Orleans. This will be your ideal destination if you especially want to relax and have a low-key holiday.  Like many other beaches in New Orleans or beyond, it does not experience a rush of visitors. However, if you want to know about the local history, you will love visiting  Fort Gaines here.  This historical site has an association with the American Civil War. You must pay $10 for adults and $5 for children to visit this historical fort.  Moreover, Dauphin Island is a wonderful location for avid birders. It is home to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Covering a span of 165 acres, this bird sanctuary will allow you to walk through the trails and meet winged wonders. You will find osprey, gray catbirds, blue jays, and yellow-rumped warblers here.  No wonder that the American Bird Conservancy has termed Dauphin Island as the "Globally Import Bird Area.” Dauphin Island is also “America's Birdiest City." 6. Orange Beach, Alabama Distance from New Orleans: Around 200 Miles Orange Beach, Alabama, is not the closest beach to New Orleans. However, covering the 200-mile distance between the two is worth it because of the pristine shores. Looking at the stretches of white sand shores is an experience in itself.  Another major attraction on Orange Beach is the coastal cuisine. In fact, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism organized a specialized Foodie’s getaway for a gastronomic tour of the area.  Further, there are dedicated food trails like the “Oyster Trail,” “Burger Trail,” “Shrimp Trail,” etc. The Mardi Gras Food & Drink trail is another attraction for food lovers here. You can email Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism at Info@AlabamasBeaches.com to learn more about this food tour.  You can even get real-time updates about the city of Orange Beach, Alabama, from the government website or by contacting the authorities at 251-981-6979. Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

BY  Mashum Dec 28, 2021

Barnaby’s cafe is located in Houston, Texas. A place filled with small cafes. This cafe especially stands out for its good food and ambiance.  Did your family members or friends suddenly show up? And you don't know what food you are going to offer them, don't worry Barnaby is here. A cafe with minimum price and tasty food will surely make them happy.  If you are at your office and want to order food, you can easily check Barnaby’s cafe menu price list on your desk and reach the dish you are craving. The menu has all the food items from starters to desserts written properly with price, to make it easy for you to choose.  You should know the updated price of the foods like burgers, salad, soup, chicken, beverages and many others.  In this article, I have included Barnaby’s breakfast menu price, Branaby’s meal menu price, cafe catering menu price. Before becoming confident about the food they offer, you should once check Barnaby's website to get the accurate price.  Barnaby's Cafe - Reviews People often visit Barnaby’s cafe for a quick lunch, where pesto chicken and albacore tuna sandwich is always ready. People want something heavy at lunchtime therefore they keep it ready.  Reviews say that people really like their chicken tinga torta, they even compared it with another cafe which is near Barnaby’s cafe. They never make any mistakes, when there is a take-out or dropout. That's what the customers like the most. The place, instead of being busy, is serious about their job.  They never fail to repeat the same taste. If they do, people won’t be coming there. Therefore they consistently maintain it, even on busy weekends. It is vegetarian friendly as well. The ambiance is perfect with huge windows that allow everyone to enjoy rain, wind, or warm weather and at night the place turns out to be very smooth, with the help of eye-soothing light systems. They serve the food very well, the utensils and floors are always being wiped by a sweeper.  The service is pretty quick, they understand that customers don’t want to wait therefore they do it as quickly as possible. Reviews say that the employers there are very kind and understanding. They behave very politely, especially with kids. The place overall is a must-try out.  Barnaby’s Cafe- Special Menu The menu is pretty clear and proper therefore it kind of goes like this. Vegetarian Burger Falafel burger- deep-fried patty of falafel, served open-faced with lettuce and tomato, pickle, tahini sauce mayo and onion, sesame paste, and some spices on the bun.  Boca burger- jack and cheddar cheese, served open-faced with onion, tomato, lettuce, and pickle. Dressed with 1000 island. It kinda tastes like meat, but it is meatless. Chipotle black bean burger- vegetarian spicy topped bean patty with jalapeno jack. It is served open-faced with Cholula mayo, tomato, lettuce, and onion.  Meatless garden burger- patty topped with jack cheese, sliced cucumbers, black olives, chopped onions, teriyaki sauce. It is served open-faced with chopped red cabbage and also a dip of mayo. French dip. Starters Mac and cheese. French fries- dusted with cajun seasoning salt.  Sweet potato fries with bbq chipotle- potato fries dusted with cajun seasoning, with a side of chipotle bbq sauce.  Small house salad. Salsa and chips-  homemade tortilla chips, with a side of chipotle salsa.  Plates Grilled salmon filet- filet of grilled salmon, grain rice, vegetable with lemon butter caper sauce.  Flatiron steak- shoulder cut steak, with french fries. Danish baby back ribs- full rack of ribs, with bbq sauce, with apples and french fries.  Coronado beef- jack cheese, shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes, scallions with french fries. Gales meatloaf- mashed potatoes, topped with sweet marinara. Hawaiian pork chops- center-cut pork chops, topped with grilled pineapple wedge with apples and french fries. Ribeye steaks and fries-  all-natural choice ribeye with french fries. Lasagna Lunas meat lasagna. Spinach and cheese lasagna. Salads House salad grilled chicken- lettuce, carrots, red cabbage, topped with herbed croutons, cheddar cheese, with bacon and Campari tomatoes. Chopped chef salad- chopped ham chicken, jack and cheddar cheese shredded, sliced mushrooms, herbed croutons, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and scallions. Cobb salad- lettuce, carrots, red cabbage, blue cheese, mushrooms, bacon, eggs, onions, and cucumbers with Campari tomatoes. Sausalito chicken crunch salad- napa cabbage, chicken breast, queso fresco, tortilla chips peanut, grape tomatoes, onions, and cumin. Petaluma salad- carrots, lettuce, red cabbage, forest mix, black beans, corn, green and red bell pepper, and tortilla chips. Romaine caesar- lettuce, croutons, eggless caesar dressing, parmesan cheese. Sweets Red velvet-  cream cheese icing, dusted with powdered sugar. Big carrot cake- cream cheese icing, grated carrots, pineapple, and chopped walnuts, with sugar on top. Rice Krispy treats- made with jumbo-sized marshmallow rice. Sara’s brownie- Mexican vanilla ice cream, half shot Kahlua, marshmallows, and sugar on top. Baby brownie. Sandwiches Honey baked ham- honey mustard, ham, lettuce, tomato, on wheat bread. Egg salad bacon- chopped egg with mayo, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, onion. Classic clubhouse. Meatloaf Bruschetta. Chicken Menu Chicken breast-  brain rice with vegetables. Newport chicken- honey-baked ham, jack cheese, with french fries and cinnamon apples. Chicken mill valley- creamed spinach, artichoke hearts, red pepper flakes and jack cheese. Served with french fries. Smoked pink chicken- honey bbq sauce, chicken, with cinnamon apples. Burger Green chili cheeseburger. All-natural hamburgers. Buffalo burger. Hickory BBQ burger. Guacamole cheeseburger. Bacon cheeseburger. Mushroom swiss. Grilled turkey burger. Spinach and feta burger. Texas chili burger. Blue cheese and bacon burger. Soup Handmade guacamole and chips. Spicy chicken wontons. White queso and chips. Waffle fries and blue cheese fondue. Garlic hummus and pita chips. Chicken tinga quesadilla. Beverages Strawberry lemonade. Lemonade. Soda. Coffee. Milk. Fresh lemonade. Barnaby’s Cafe- Price Vegetarian Burger- 10 dollars. Starters - from 3 dollars to 5 dollars. Plates - starts from 13 to 18 dollars. Lasagna - 12 dollars. Salads - 11 to 13 dollars.  Sweets - starting from 2 to 7 dollars.  Sandwiches- 9 dollars to 11 dollars.  Chicken menu - 13 dollars to 14 dollars. Burger - starts from 11 dollars to 14 dollars. Soup - 4 dollars. Beverages - 2 dollars.  Wrapping It All Up Here you go with anything and everything you want to know about Barnaby’s Cafe. The place is indeed a nice and calm place. You can visit this place anytime with your friends and family. The place will give you a homely ambiance, and you can relax while having your meal. If you are a coffee lover then this place suits your need. Leave a comment on the comment box down below and share your experience with me, I would love to reply back in no time. Read More: 3 Ways To Enjoy Spring At Zion National Park Why Myrtle Beach Is The Ideal Summer Destination Three Dollar Cafe – Reviews, Special Food, Pet Friendly Cafe

BY  Sibashree Sep 11, 2024

Kobuk Valley National Park is surreal! Have you ever thought to meet sand dunes in the Arctic Circle? The unique geology of the park makes it possible. That’s not all! The Great Kobuk sand dunes stand here, along with the remains of the North American continental glaciers.  Three of the sand dunes in this national park are active or alive. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, Hunt River Dunes, and Little Kobuk Sand Dunes here cover a mesmerizing 20,000 acres of area in the park.   Today, hiking through these dunes is one of the most popular activities in the Kobuk Valley National Park.   While it is visually unusual or unexpected to see sand dunes in an Arctic National Park, you also need to understand that the Arctic region gets very little rainfall every year. So, this is also a desert region.   “Sand dunes in the Arctic landscape are not what you would expect. Since most people associate sand dunes with a hot desert environment, it is a visually unusual thing to see. In fact, what most people don't realize is that the Arctic is also a desert with very low levels of rainfall.”   - Christian, a Kobuk Valley National Park Worker  Having said that, how the sand dunes came to be here, and the experience of exploring them will be a great thing to discuss in this article.   This Is How The Kobuk Valley National Park Became The Land Of Sand Dunes   https://www.instagram.com/p/BWatGdVFuis/ Much of Alaska, including the Kobuk Valley National Park, falls in the Tundra region. Tundra, the coldest of the biomes, gets only around 150 to 250 mm of rainfall and snowfall yearly1. So, the national park has less rainfall than some of the most well-known deserts in the world.   Further, the sand dunes in the Kobuk Valley are as old as the Ice Age. Now, as the mighty glaciers moved forward and made a retreat, the rocks beneath got ground. Now, the blowing wind transported the sand into the empty and ice-free Kobuk Valley. The sand dunes in the park are up to 150 feet high, and they are the biggest, high-altitude, and most importantly, “active sand fields”  in the earth.   In The Land Of The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes  https://www.instagram.com/p/BgmZYDdAA_r/ Are you in the Sahara? No, you are around 35 miles above the Arctic Circle and still find the largest active sand dune field in the world. Today, it is a popular backpacking, hiking, and camping destination in the National Park. You must attend the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center to learn more about the outdoor pursuits in the land of sand dunes.  Let’s quickly look at why the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is a preferred destination for camping, hiking, and backpacking.  The sand is steady enough for the landing of an aircraft with wheels.  You can put up your tent on any level surface.  Also, you can hike in any direction.  Further, you can board a float plane and reach the Kobuk River. From there, you can take a backpacking tour for around two miles and reach the dunes.  You must visit the Kotzebue Visitor Center if you have plans to take this backpacking journey to and from the Kobuk River.   There is no marked route for hiking.  In summer, the temperature in the sand dunes can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, fall is the season to see caribou migration here.   However, there’s more to it! Let’s learn about the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes as relics of the Ice Age and how life thrived here.   Great Kobuk Sand Dunes: The Relics Of The Ice Age   https://www.instagram.com/p/BYwfdMYlr-0/ To know about the formation of the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, we must go back to the Ice Age. Around 28000 years ago, glaciers in the mountains formed. I have already discussed how the glaciers ground the rocks and wind deposited them in the Kobuk Valley.   Further, approximately 14000 years ago, the glaciers made a massive retreat. As a result, there were 200,000 acres of sandy land formation on the river banks. Complex holocene activities and geomorphic preservations keep the sand dune field at the Kobuk Valley National Park active or alive. Along with the Kobuk Valley, small lakes in the park have also accumulated sand over thousands of years.   However, most of the landscape today is occupied by the vegetation of the national park, and the sand dune area consists of only 20,000 acres. The vegetation found here consists of the following varieties.  Wild rye  Grasses  Sedges  Kobuk locoweed  Wildflowers blooming occasionally  These species grow on the shifting sand, and they function as stabilizing agents. You can see shrubs, lichens, mosses, and algae following this vegetation. Finally, there are spruce, birch, and aspen trees covering the landscape.    The slopes of the Kobuk Valley sand dunes are the only place where Kobuk locoweeds grow. These plants belong to the pea family, and they are known for their purple flowers. If you want to see these flowers, you must visit the park in late June and July.   The inland dune field of Kobuk Valley National Park is surrounded by boreal forest.   Humans And Wildlife In The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv0EhpdLsJ5/ It’s amazing to see the Western Arctic Caribou walking through the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. Fall and spring are the migration seasons for these animals. The north of Brook Range is the caribou herd’s calving ground, and they migrate to and from this place.   As the caribou herds pass through the sand dunes, their footprints remain in the ground for the longest time. According to National Park Service data, around 250,000 caribou pass through this national park annually.   No wonder that the Kobuk Valley National Park is one of the “last great migrations” remaining in the world. The table below gives you a brief idea about the animals and birds in the sand dunes.  Birds Sharp-shinned Hawk Golden Eagle Bald Eagle American Wigeon Northern Pintail Rough-legged Hawk Marsh Hawk Mammals Caribou Wolverine Muskox Snowshoe Hare Moose Gray Wolf Grizzly Bear Beaver Arctic Fox American Pine Marten Amphibians Wood Frog Fish Longnose Sucker Salmon* Northern Pike Alaska Blackfish Alaska Whitefish Humpback Whitefish Alaskan Stickleback Ninespine Stickleback  Human history in the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is at least 8000 years old. They lived by the Kobuk River and were mainly focused on fishing, hunting, and trapping for survival. It is fascinating to visit the thousand-year-old hunting camps on the edges of the sand dunes.  The golden and shifting Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are located a few miles away from the Kobuk River. Further, the sand dunes soar up to 100 miles in the air.   Kobuk Valley National Park Is Also The Land Of Iñupiaq Subsistence  https://www.instagram.com/p/BWdjyOBl_Lw/ Human life, which started in the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes 8000 years ago, is still thriving with the mantra of subsistence. The Iñupiaq people here use the available natural resources to fulfil their physical needs and safeguard their spiritual and cultural requirements.   For example, they depend on caribou and salmon to feed themselves and their dogs. At the same time, caribou skin hide is extensively used to make parka jackets to combat Arctic winter. They also make mukluks or boots using reindeer skin to walk through the snow.   Further, the local people made baskets using birch and willow. Moreover, in darkness, caribou tallow or seal oil were the only ingredients to light up their stone lamps.   Irrespective of the trade with the coastal communities, the “customary, traditional and non-commercial” use of natural resources is still important in the park.   Iñupiat Ilitqusiat And Respecting The Ecosystem   https://www.instagram.com/p/CzjboNfsc4Y/ Aboriginal people in the Kobuk Valley National Park are committed to passing on their values from generation to generation. The Iñupiat Ilitqusiat value asks them to transfer the knowledge and skill of hunting and everything about life.  In addition, this transfer of knowledge helps to make the most of various seasons and subsistence opportunities. For example, the caribou season comes to this park after the salmon season.   Earlier, Noatak Valley was the destination for these people during the caribou season, and even today, some families move to Noatak Valley. Again, summer camping around the Kobuk River is common for fishing, especially catching salmon and whitefish.   Summer is also the season for harvesting berries and wild greens for the local people.  If you want to learn about the local people and their values, you must be respectful and understand their seasonal activities as a part of their subsistence practices.   Overall, the Kobuk Valley National Park is not just a place to see sand dunes and wildlife. It is a tapestry of human lives depending on nature.   Things To Know Before You Visit The Kobuk Valley National Park   For me, the sand dunes and Iñupiaq subsistence practices are the most fascinating things in the Kobuk Valley National Park. However, keep the following information handy if you are to pay a visit anytime soon.   Mode of Transport: Authorized air taxis from Kotzebue or Bettles  Visitor Center: Northwest Arctic Heritage Center  Entrance Fee: Free  Permits Required:  Commercial Use Authorization or CUA for commercial activities, Research Permits, Filming and Photography Permits  Activities to Do: Boating, fishing, camping and backpacking, hiking, flight-seeing and exploring nearby attractions  Best Time to Visit: June to July   Area: 1,750,000 Acres  Established: 2nd December, 1980  Number of Visitors: 17,616 (2023) (National Park Service Data)  Snowfall, downpours, and extreme weather conditions can occur in any season of the year. So, follow the instructions shared at the visitor center and keep your gear ready for survival!