Frozen Dead Guy Days is one of Colorado’s most unique festivals. It celebrates the town of Nederland’s cryogenically frozen man known as Grandpa Bredo. Grandpa Bredo sits atop the town tucked away in the mountains in a Tuff Shed filled with dry ice hoping to one day be thawed and brought back to life. He has been frozen in Nederland since 1993 after being transported from his home country of Norway and has been waiting to come back ever since. Every year, nearly 30,000 people ascend to the town of Nederland to spend the weekend celebrating the fascinating story of Grandpa Bredo at this three-day festival. The celebrations of Frozen Dead Guy Days revolve around the themes of death and Winter. There is frozen turkey bowling, polar plunges, human foosball, and, of course, coffin racing.
 Lining up for the parade! This crowd was just the beginning.
Sadly, our team didn’t quite make it to the final heat, but we did make it all the way to the semi-finals ending in third place. The Revenge of the Lobsters isn’t over yet, and we will be back next year to win the cup!  The winning team Feeling Nauti'.
The entire weekend really brings the small, mountain town of Nederland to life even though the celebrations are centered around death. It’s quite a funny thing when you think about how someone’s death brings so much joy year after year.  Our third place team! The festival takes place in March every year and be sure to check out their website for the announcement of next year’s dates. You won’t want to miss this!
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 | New Orleans, Louisiana, The Big Easy. It might be known for the wild festivities at Mardi Gras and on Bourbon Street, but there is so much more to this truly magical and historical American city. |
Sure, drinking and partying are a huge part of the culture in New Orleans - it can’t be denied. There are local watering holes on almost every street corner, the drinking age barely exists, and you can go just about anywhere with a drink in hand – including in your car after going through a drive-thru daquiri place!
 Fish bowls!! |  More fish bowls! |
There are sides of town and stories that most people who visit New Orleans don’t know anything about. From its antebellum upbringing through Hurricane Katrina and the reformation afterwards, this city has a truly unique story. Different from the rest of the world, operating almost separately from the rest of the country. It’s one place that is so captivating in its beauty and its charm.
I love coming back to New Orleans, time and time again.
 2015. |  2022. |
Here are things I recommend doing to help you better understand the true New Orleans, beyond just the surface of Mardi Gras and the famous Hurricanes and Hand Grenades. Spend a little time to take a deep dive and truly discover the soul of New Orleans.
Things to do during the day:
Ride the trolley! One of the easiest ways to get around New Orleans is the free trolley system. You can ride up and down Canal Street and all over town to see the city in a quick, traffic-free, way.
Photo from NewOrleans.com
| Take a tour! As I’ve mentioned, New Orleans has a fascinating history. It is full of voodoo, hauntings, fires, and pirates. Learn from the best historians about what makes New Orleans, New Orleans! Whether you want something scary and haunted or something diving deeper into history, or even about the food or art culture of New Orleans, there is a tour for everyone! | |
I recommend a catacomb tour that includes The Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveu’s, final resting place or a haunted history tour that would share stories of serial killers, vampires, and other crazy stories.
Visit Jackson Square! If your tour doesn’t take you around Jackson Square be sure to spot by this national landmark to see the statue of Andrew Jackson in front of St. Louis Cathedral. Plus, see the street performers and purchase some local art. It’s an eclectic place to walk around, learn a bit, or grab a bite to eat or drink.
Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral.
Go to the market! Try some authentic Cajun cuisine at The French Market. Buy pralines, boudin, or some right near the banks of The Mississippi River. Watch women weave traditional sweetgrass baskets and create beautiful masterpieces with their hands.
Learn more about this long-running marketplace, here: https://www.frenchmarket.org/
Photo from NewOrleans.com
Visit a Voodoo Shop! Hopefully you will learn all about the religion of Voodoo on your tour, but if not, check out a voodoo shop. Marie Laveau has a store and then there is Voodoo Authentica. Buy a spell or a voodoo doll and summon some good things your way!
 Candles inside Voodoo Authentica. |  Voodoo Authentica.  Spells for purchase in Voodoo Authentica. |
Where to eat:
Café Du Monde - Try some beignets at this world-famous New Orleans restaurant. This New Orleans staple, doesn’t come without a wait, though. Be prepared to stand in line for a few hours if you are visiting any time during the day, especially on the weekend. The restaurant is 24 hours, though, so I always recommend stopping by to end the night on a sweet note. Plus, it’s fun to watch them sweep up all the powdered sugar at 3 am!
Read the Café Du Monde menu, here!
 Having fun in Cafe Du Monde. |  One of their famous beignets. |
| NOLA PoBoy - For a traditional PoBoy sandwich this is a great shop right on Bourbon Street. A poboy is a sandwich made on a baguette with usually friend seafood, a remoulade sauce, and some greens on it. They are delicious and all over the south. You can get a good one for cheap at this pretty decent hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Find it on Google Maps, here! |  The colorful menu at NOLA Poboy. |
| Lucy’s Retired Surfer’s Bar and Restaurant - This fun bar serves some of the best brunch in town! Sip on some strong cocktails while enjoying a good egg skillet inside this cozy little shack. |  Huevos Rancheros from Lucy's/ |
| SoBu - For a nicer sit-down dinner I recommend the hip-creole restaurant inside The W Hotel, Sobu. This sleek spot serves a modern take on classic cajun fares like cracklins, gumbo, and meat pies – and if you ask they will serve you Hooch in a gigantic foot-tall flask! Book a reservation here. |  Our hostess let us keep the flask. We clearly had too much fun at Sobu! |
Jack Rose - Another nicer dinner spot is the trendy Jack Rose inside The Pontchartrain Hotel. It’s an upscale dining spot full of eclectic artwork and bright colorful feelings. It’s a great place for a girl’s night out or a bachelorette party. Plus, the rooftop, Hot Tin, is a great place to checkout afterwards!
See more about Jack Rose, here.
 My friends bachelorette dinner at Jack Rose. |  More from Jack Rose. |
Where to go at night:
Bourbon Street! No trip to New Orleans would be complete without at least one stroll down Bourbon Street. This famous stretch is home to some of the wildest bars in the country. People are on this street 24-7 sipping on the famous bright green Hand Grenades or giant fish bowls of liquor.
 Bourbon Street 2022. |  Bourbon Street 2016. |
Here are bars I recommend visiting, though 99% of bars on Bourbon Street won’t leave you disappointed:
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- Saints and Sinners – Channing Tatum owns this fun two-story nightclub
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar – this is the oldest operating bar in the COUNTRY. It has a deep history of pirating and debauchery, and the city-saving owner is believed to still haunt the bar. I recommend visiting during the day or as part of your ghost tour to learn all about it!
 Ons tage at The Cats Meow. |  Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. |
Frenchmen’s Street – the better Bourbon Street alternative!
If you like live music then Frenchmen’s Street is your area. Nearly every bar in this area has live music almost every night. This isn’t as wild as Bourbon Street, but in my opinion a way more fun time. Check out The Spotted Cat for jazz music, Café Negril for Reggaeton vibes, and Adolfo’s for some of the best Italian and creole dishes in the area!
If you like live music then Frenchmen’s Street is your area. Nearly every bar in this area has live music almost every night. This isn’t as wild as Bourbon Street, but in my opinion a way more fun time. Check out The Spotted Cat for jazz music, Café Negril for Reggaeton vibes, and Adolfo’s for some of the best Italian and creole dishes in the area!
 Cafe Negril. |  The Spotted Cat. |
Take another tour! Seriously, I cannot recommend enough hiring a guide and going on a tour. There is so much to be seen in New Orleans, and some of the best stuff only comes out at night. Ever wanted to see a ghost or wanted to hunt for vampires? There is a night tour out there that can show you a whole new side of NOLA once the sun goes down.
| Go gambling! If the thrill of New Orleans hasn’t been enough for you yet, try your luck at Harrah’s Casino at the end of Canal Street. Get a drink, win some money, and stay late becuase the casinos never really seem to close here! Learn more about Harrah’s Casino, here! |  |
This is by no means a complete list of things to-do, but just a launching point for those who know nothing about Nawlins. I hope this guide helps you plan a successful, fulfilling trip!
Enjoy and Laissez Les Temps Bon Rouler!
Checkout my guides for other U.S. Cities below:
Leadville, Colorado is the highest incorporated city in the United States. Sitting at 10,200 feet above sea level, this old mining town holds a rich history and features a cute town center in a beautiful mountain setting.
Whether you visit in summer or winter, there are many places to explore around the Leadville area. Being only an hour and a half from Denver, this is the perfect place to plan a quick trip into the Rocky Mountains!
Photo from The Leadville Ski Joring Festival.
Year-round activities:
Ride the train! Learn about the fascinating pioneer and mining history aboard The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad. Take a scenic train ride up a 19th century mining track and discover what made Leadville a booming city, one that only lost the vote for capital of Colorado by two votes!
Soak in a hot spring! After a long hike or day skiing, there is nothing more relaxing than soaking in naturally hot spring water. Enjoy one of Mount Princeton's many relaxing pools, including natural pools along the river side. You can also stay in a cabin on site and enjoy the waters all day long!
Eat or stay in a yurt! Hike or ski up Tennessee Pass to find quaint yurts inviting you to dine and spend the night on the mountain pass. You can enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner in the main dining yurt after the quick, one-mile hike or skin up from The Nordic Center.
 Photos from The Tennessee Pass Instagram. |  Photos from The Tennessee Pass Instagram. |
Visit Downtown! No trip to Leadville would be complete without some shopping and downtown dining. Walk down colorful Harrison Avenue to get a feeling of walking through an old western town. Pop into all of the downtown shops and stop at the historic Golden Burro or Silver Dollar Saloon to grab a bite to eat.
 Downtown Leadville. |  The Golden Burro Cafe. |
Winter:
See Ski Joring! Every year, Harrison Avenue transforms into a snow-packed ski course on the first weekend of March to host The Annual Ski Joring & Ice Crystal Festival. Watch skiers be pulled down main street by horses as they try to jump off of ramps and collect hanging rings in this fast-paced Nordic competition.
The 2022 Leadville Ski Joring Festival.
Hit the Slopes! Ski Joring might not fit your skiing skill level, but no matter if you are a beginner or expert, there are places for you to go enjoy the slopes! There are two places to ski or snowboard near Leadville: Copper Mountain and Cooper Mountain. They may have similar names, but they are very different mountains!
Discover which mountain best fits your ski level and get out to hit the slopes:
Check out Ski Cooper's website here and Copper Mountain's here!
Check out Ski Cooper's website here and Copper Mountain's here!
 Ski Cooper's map. |  Copper Mountain's map. |
Go Dog Sledding! Leadville’s high elevation in the mountains makes it perfect for different modes of exploration. One way to see the mountains in the winter is by dog sled! Visit a dog-sledding ranch and take an expedition through the snowy wilderness.
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Summer:
Checkout Twin Lakes! When the weather turns warm, take a mountain swim in nearby Twin Lakes. You can kayak, canoe, or boat around the conjoined alpine lakes. Spend the day fishing, picnicking, and relaxing and stay nearby at a campsite or in a rental cabin.
 Camping above Twin Lakes. |  Twin Lakes in the summer. |
Hit The Trail! There are many trails around the Leadville area perfect for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. I recommend downloading the AllTrails app to find one near you that fits your goals and skill level. You can even follow the trail map offline to keep you on track when you lose cell service!
Climb a Mountain! For the more experienced adventurers, try hiking or climbing a 14’er. A 14’er is a mountain that peaks over 14,000 feet above sea level. Mount Elbert is nearby and a great first peak to bag. You can also check out Mount Massive or La Plata Peak for more intense ascents. Be sure to check the weather and be prepared!
Watch our attempt of nearby Mount Sherman in winter of 2021.
As you can tell, there are activities for everyone during every season in Leadville, Colorado. Start planning your trip today!
Checkout these other places to visit in Colorado:
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 | Leadville, Colorado, is known for being the highest incorporated city in the United States and for being home to one of the most interesting competitions I have ever witnessed. Ski Joring is a fast-paced skiing event where horses drag skiers through a course and over jumps. |
Leadville has perfected this fascinating Nordic sport over its 74 years of hosting the Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival.
Checkout my recap of the 2022 Leadville Ski Joring Festival in the video below!
| The History of Ski Joring: The sport of ski joring was brought to Leadville by two locals looking to jazz up the town’s winter festival. They had driven up to Steamboat Springs for the Winter Carnival hoping to get some ideas. The two came back after witnessing ski joring as a mode of transportation and decided to make it into a competitive sport. |  |
The Ski Joring they saw was nothing like it is in Leadville today. Ski joring as transportation is the traditional form of ski joring from Nordic countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Traditional skiers were also pulled by reindeer instead of horses like Santa Clause if he lost his sled.
The Growth of the Sport:
Over the decades, the sport underwent changes. Competitive Ski Joring rose in popularity and was featured as an exhibition sport in the 1928 Winter Olympics in Switzerland. When Denver put in a bid to host the Olympics in 1976, they tried to bring it back. Denver never hosted the Olympics, but many are hoping that ski joring might make a return on the 100th anniversary of its Olympic appearance.
 | Leadville has had its ski joring festival since 1949, and dozens of competitors register every year. Skiers, horses, and riders came from across the country for the return of this year’s festival. This year, over 50 people competed in the various events throughout the two days of competition. Different categories of competition include an open division and a sport division awarding competitors for hitting jumps, collecting rings, and staying within the route’s boundaries. Competition moved quickly rotating through skiers and horses all day Saturday and Sunday. |
Hundreds of spectators filled the streets of Leadville, and the festival made a successful return to main street Leadville. Last year, due to COVID, the festival was held at an alternative location.
The Leadville Ski Joring & Ice Crystal Festival is a fundraiser for the local Elks Lodge, and thousands of dollars are raised every year through the competitors, sponsors, and raffles. The festival takes place on the first weekend of March every year snow or shine. 2023 will be the 75th anniversary year, so start planning your trip now to witness this awesome local competition!
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Read about other things to do in Leadville year-round!
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Talkin' 'bout Tacos:
I'm Taylor, aka Tacos! I am sharing my journeys and experiences from across the world hoping to inspire travel and adventure in all who read.
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