Trip to New Orleans Next Week - what should I do?

[Anne_in_VA]

I'll be in New Orleans for a conference next week and will have at least one evening, maybe two and at least one morning with nothing to do.  Anyone got any suggestions for something to do or places to visit?  I know I want to go to Café Du Mond (sp?) for beignets, but other than that I don't know.

Any suggestions

[Lizard Queen]

Bourbon Street, of course.  I guess it depends on what you're interested in.  Aquarium, zoo, food, , music, voodoo, history, cementaries?  I've only been there a couple times for just a couple days, so I'm sure others can be more helpful.

[Anne_in_VA]

I'm kind of a foodie and would love to try a restaurant or two. Like history too - do they have tours? Love music of all kinds and like jazz and zydeco(sp?) so maybe something there?

I'll be with my boss for 2 of the days, but will be on my own for at least one evening meal and part of one day so I'm looking for something to do.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Bourbon Street is a must! Dinner at the Hotel Sofitel (on Bourbon Street). Also a great place to stay while in N.O. Outstanding beyond belief.

Definitely a trip to The River Walk - also a Canal Cruise - lots of shops along the canal/River Walk as well. Have fun.

[Lizard Queen]

I had breakfast here:  www.courtoftwosisters.com/
And dinner here (among many places, this one I just happen to remember):http://www.redfishgrill.com/
Tons of different tours you can do.  for example: www.touristathome.com/literary-walking-tours-of-new-orleans/
www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/

I'm not up on the music, but it is everywhere.  You can't miss it.  One time I was there, there was a wedding procession complete with its own band, bride and groom dancing and strutting down the street, bride with her parasol.  I was awesome to see and hear.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

While you're there, also do a Mansion tour - you''ll see some fabulous old mansions dating back a century or two - one of them was used to film "Gone With the Wind" - I think that mansion tour was "Oak Alley". There's four or five more that are great to tour as well "Houmus House", "Nottoway", etc.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Emeril's restaurant NOLA's is excellent, I've been there twice and each time I've gone I've been blown out of the water.

I want to go to August when we go there next time. Acme seafood is wonderful for seafood, especially po boys. You need to get there early as the line goes out the door.

I may be there next week as well. My b/f has to go for business and I'm trying to talk him into letting me tag along while he's working. Probably Wed thru Mon if I go. Not sure where he's staying though.

[Value Buy]

Pick a restaurant on Bourbon street area. Any restaurant.

Check if reservations are necessary.

I doubt you will be disappointed in the quality.

Our only trip to N.O. my wife and I did not understand why everyone on the bus from the airport was talking about the various eateries they were going to and how excited they were in anticipation.

We learned the first night what it was all about.

Four days there, and all we could talk about was food when we got home.

That and Hurricane drinks.......but they may not be quite as popular there now as they were pre Katrina......

Oh,  and do not forget a Po Boy sandwich

[Tiny]

Bourbon Street is not all that interesting during the day. Once it's night time and the clubs open and there are are crowds of people it more interesting. I'm not a big drinker and the loud music hurts my already damaged hearing... so I didn't really go into the clubs - mostly walked the street with the rest of the crowd. You can walk outside with a drink (and buy alcoholic beverages on the street). People watching was great. There were sometimes "performance art" things going on and I saw a roving 10 piece brass band several times while walking.

I'd recommend getting some freshly made pralines (don't get the machined packaged ones)- there's a couple of 'hole in the wall' shops near Café Du Monde (I really hate you right now - because I loved Café Du Monde... that was the way I started each morning - a walk from the hotel to Café Du Mode, coffee, and beignets while figuring out what to do that day. One of the most enjoyable parts of that vacation.) I was there off season and mostly on weekdays so it wasn't crowded - we'd walk right in, sit down and get served immediately. On Saturday morning the wait was 45 minutes for a table and almost 30 minutes for the 'walk up window'!!

Across-ish from Café Du Mode is a park and a church (which the name of escapes me right now). In the early evening and after dark there were 'artisans' and 'physics' and what not in the 'square/garden' - it was kinda fun to walk thru that too.   I got a custom made gris gris there... LOL! 

I was with my neice for that vacation and we are both alittle weird - so the Cemetary tour (Grayline) was interesting - we both wanted to see Marie Lavoe's tomb and we both snuck back to make a 'request' with a bit of graffiti and a penny tossed on top of it. hee hee hee. We also took a very cheesy 'ghost tour' and had fun retelling the ghost stories - because we could do it better than our guide. LOL!! That made it fun.

You can also take the streetcar to the Garden District - there's maps available for walking tours you can do on your own. I'm a city girl (and so is my neice) so riding the street car (during the day) wasn't scary and didn't seem particularly dangerous. But, I understand something like that might be too scary to do.

Picking up a current Fodors or Frommers book might be helpful - I had one with lots of maps and me and the neice are both walkers - so that's what we did walked (or streetcar) to most places.

My neice and I did an 'Old person thing' and took a dinner Jazz cruise on the Natchez.   Yes, we were surrounded by old people - and the food was so so - but the steamboat was incredibly intriguing to the two of us, the band was jumping, and the view from the river boat (and getting a mental grasp of the levees!!) as the sun went down and the lights of the city came on was worth it.  We had arrived that afternoon and wanted something 'easy' and not too taxing to do and that fit the bill. 
I liked New Orleans a lot and I'm not a Party Girl.

ADDED:  I can't really recommend food - because we discovered Café Du Monde and Pralines.  I think we both lived on coffee, beignets and pralines (other wonderful candy concoctions) for 4 days.  We did have some alligator stew or something cause we thought maybe we should eat something other than caffeine and sugar.    

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

That and Hurricane drinks.......but they may not be quite as popular there now as they were pre Katrina......

I don't think that Hurricane drinks will ever be out of style in N.O.. and as Tiny Speck says, Bourbon Street is more "alive" at night.. but do take in other attractions I've listed.

We were there twice during late fall (close to Halloween) - that was a lot of fun.

The food is out of this world - jambalaya, cajun, creole, spicy foods, and so much more (Po-Boy's as Value Buy mentioned... I long to go back.

[chiver78]

At the top of the Riverwalk, you'll find the Southern Food and Beverage museum. I think admission was $5. we toured that one rainy afternoon and found it very interesting. (I'm Acadian, so there were links to foods I know and love)

sent from my electronic distraction

[mawmaw]

We were just there a few weeks ago and if you like history, the WWII Museum is worth the time, it is on Magazine Street.  I'm not a big history buff, but I really enjoyed touring it.  

There are lots of hole in the wall restaurants that are wonderful, but if you are looking for a good steak, Dickie Brennan's is awesome, a little pricy but it was well worth it.  The Monteleone hotel has a carousel bar that I recommend you go just to see the bar. If you like a home cooked breakfast, there is a 24 hour place called Daisy Dukes, you can get more than you can eat for very cheap, and they have the best buttermilk pancakes.

Just walking around and looking at the sites will keep you entertained!  Have Fun!

[Anne_in_VA]

Thanks everyone! I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'll be staying at the Marriott since that's where the conference is.

I saw a review of NOLA recently and thought I'd try that and think I'll take a canal cruise. I love shopping and will have to bring an extra suitcase in case I shop too much!

[Deleted]

I second the "almost any hole in the wall" restaurant.  Get red beans and rice! The food is awesome.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Mar 14, 2014 6:15:12 GMT -5 Anne_in_VA said:

Thanks everyone! I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'll be staying at the Marriott since that's where the conference is.

I saw a review of NOLA recently and thought I'd try that and think I'll take a canal cruise. I love shopping and will have to bring an extra suitcase in case I shop too much!

Get reservations now.

The first time I went, I walked in off the street and lucked into a cancellation.  There was no way we would have gotten in otherwise.

Second time, we made reservations.  No way would we have been able to walk in and get fed.

[Anne_in_VA]

Thanks Walk - I already have reservations.

I'm thinking I'll try to find a place with fresh pralines - I used to work with someone from the New Orleans area and when she visited she'd bring some back. Love them!

[NoNamePerson]

Geeze, I hit enter and lost my post. There is so much to do I would not spend much time shopping. you can shop anytime.

Lots of good suggestions from everyone so not much to add except the link below. I am more in line with Tiny (tinyspeck) also.

But I have to add that I can leave home a 6 and be in NO by 9.



www.preservationhall.com/

Pat O'Brien's for hurricanes and great Piano Bar for quick drinks.

[Bonny]

I second the trip to Oak Alley.

We also did a trip on a swamp boat. Really enjoyed that. Very different perspective. I've also read about kayak tours in the canals which I would like to do.

Enjoy!

[midwestlily]

I've been there three times, always enjoyed it.  

Loved the aquarium, but then, I'll go anyplace that has otters.  I remember in 2005 (just before Katrina) I took some sort of riverboat trip that went from the aquarium to the zoo and back.  I think the the boat ran every hour, so you could stay at the zoo for hours if you wanted, or come back sooner.  That was fun.  Also loved the cemetery tours, I took one in 2005 and one back in the 80s.

Last summer my friend made me get up early so that we could take the streetcar to the Cafe du Monde for breakfast before the conference sessions we needed to go to.  I couldn't believe we had to leave the hotel around 7am, but it was worth it, we got there before there was a line.

I also loved the Camellia Grill when I went there in the 80s, hoping to go back someday.  A friend and I took the streetcar in a thunderstorm, got soaked, and when we walked in a man working the counter handed us linen napkins to dry ourselves with, which made us feel so welcome.  Wonderful pecan waffles, with the pecans actually baked into the batter instead of just being dumped on top.  I've loved pecans ever since.

[Bob Ross]

Get drunk.  Show yer boobs.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Last time I went to New Orleans, it was for a research meeting. There were 2 large conferences happening at the same time and the only place I could find to stay was a B&B.

www.bedandbreakfast.com/louisiana-new-orleans-5continentsbedandbreakfast.html

This is where we stayed. I was on crutches at the time and it was h/c accessible, which was awesome and the owner was incredible. He directed us to hole in the wall restaurants that were outstanding.

I'd have no problems staying here again if we ever get back. Probably not going to get to go on this business trip next week, so kinda bummed about it.

[Tiny]

Mar 14, 2014 6:15:12 GMT -5 Anne_in_VA said:

Thanks everyone! I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'll be staying at the Marriott since that's where the conference is.

 

My neice and I stayed at the Marriott (on Canal street)... it was very nice.  We got the room courtesy of my brother's  (my neice's God Father) frequent flyer miles or something... the two of us didn't have alot of money for the trip and I think my brother felt sorry for us .  It's a very nice hotel.  There's a small out door pool on one of the floors.     You can catch the street car on St. Charles and lots of stuff is in easy walking distance (if you are a walker and have comfy shoes) - 10 to 15 minute walks.   We'd walk up to the River Walk area, Bourbon street, etc.  

Print out a street map from on-line. 

[Anne_in_VA]

I'm not much of a walker (bum knee), but would love to do some kind of tour to get a flavor of the city. I'll be there Tuesday - Friday afternoon and will have Monday evening free plus Friday morning.

I'm an early riser and will go to Café Du Monde for beignets most mornings. My meetings start at 9 so that shouldn't be a problem. I may skip one or two sessions to do something.

[sesfw]

a trip on a swamp boat. Really enjoyed that

I've been to NO just once for a weekend and I still remember the swamp boat tour.  It was great.  An airboat tour was NOT recommended.  We also took a river dinner cruise and the food was OK but loved being on the river.  I'm not a beignet fan so will pass on that recommendation.  Bourbon Street after dark is interesting and can be fun.  The further down the street you get the raunchier it gets, and the farther back into some of the stores the more 'earthy' they get.

[chiver78]

but if you go far back enough (not by yourself!) you can check out Jean Lafitte's - the oldest bar in New Orleans. you can get yourself some absinthe in there too.

[saveinla]

Mar 14, 2014 8:43:28 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Geeze, I hit enter and lost my post. There is so much to do I would not spend much time shopping. you can shop anytime.

Lots of good suggestions from everyone so not much to add except the link below. I am more in line with Tiny (tinyspeck) also.

But I have to add that I can leave home a 6 and be in NO by 9.



www.preservationhall.com/

Pat O'Brien's for hurricanes and great Piano Bar for quick drinks.

Love preservation hall. Those people are talented.

[justme]

Depending on where on Canal St you are, Café Du Monde could be quite a walk each morning unless you have a lot of time - at least 7 blocks.

I ate at The Palace on Canal and it was really good. (It's right across from your hotel) If you're there for the weekend too I would recommend their brunch. It was a delicious, they have a make your own bloody mary bar if that's your thing, and a tri that walks around taking requests.

Mr. B's was decent. The Bourbon House was really good (went there twice, though I had a migraine the second time so I just wanted to go some place I knew was good). Acme was also good - I'd recommend it during lunch, we walked by it at dinner time and the line was huge but during lunch we didn't wait that long. The Carousel Bar is cool since it turns around.

The French Market was fun to walk through - bough a couple masks from there. There's also the street cars  - I took a street car from my hotel on Canal all the way down to the French Market and walked back, stopping at Monde.

Going to the original Pat O'briens was pretty cool since there's one where I live. The Mardi Gras World was a pretty good tour if you like looking at the floats/art. The aquarium was cool but there wasn't anything that really set it apart from the other aquariums I've been to.

I REALLY wanted to go to August, Chef John Besh's restaurant (if you know him), but didn't make it.

Work friends went on the ghost tour and really liked it. I heard the zoo was pretty good.


ETA: I had been talking about going back recently, but now typing all that out and reading this makes me REALLY want to go back.

[Chocolate Lover]

Mar 14, 2014 11:48:35 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

but if you go far back enough (not by yourself!) you can check out Jean Lafitte's - the oldest bar in New Orleans. you can get yourself some absinthe in there too.

And you may need it to help sanitize your brain if the strippers hanging out outside the establishments are anything like I remember :S

[NoNamePerson]

Mar 14, 2014 14:23:42 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Mar 14, 2014 11:48:35 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

but if you go far back enough (not by yourself!) you can check out Jean Lafitte's - the oldest bar in New Orleans. you can get yourself some absinthe in there too.

And you may need it to help sanitize your brain if the strippers hanging out outside the establishments are anything like I remember :S

How about the one swinging thru the window from inside the establishment?  Gotta love it!!