Looking to do a long weekend in New Orleans. Any suggestions? The target is good food, good music, and some history.

Went to NOLA a couple of time in its heyday. I hate NOLA. One man's opinion. The Garden District is really nice. Some cool cemeteries if you're into that stuff....I am. You realize that the place is chock full of sin and sinners....right?

You ever been to Quebec City? Talk about history and food. Also, Charleston, S.C. kicks ***. History and food galore.

quote:

Originally posted by J.R.Briquette:
You realize that the place is chock full of sin and sinners....right?

I go where I'm needed most. And I'm planning on bringing my Kirk Cameron charm to ward off evil.

Read about that Garden District, sounded a little lame. I've put the National D-Day Museum on my list.

I went to Tulane for undergrad, so I have an 18 -22 year old's perspective on the town, which may or may not be what you are looking for.

I also have not been back since Katrina (last time I was there was Thanksgiving of 2004), so that may be a hindrance, too.

But, if you'd like my thoughts, I'm happy to provide them.

I think he is looking for your thoughts. So....spill it. Where should he stay? And which French Quarter establishment has the best and largest selection of frozen daquaris?

Take a look @ the Royal Sonesta in the French Quarter.

Well, I was just asking because when I lived there, we only went to nice restaurants when someone’s parents were in town. Now, if you wanted to know all the drink specials around town circa 1998 - that I can do.

Where to stay: I presume you want to stay in the French Quarter. I would stay closer to the river than to the Superdome. Just like any city, there are all the main chains - Hilton, Marriott, etc so if you have points, go ahead and stay at one of those, they are all nice. If you want a non-chain, I would choose a hotel which is between the river and Bourbon Street. I haven’t stayed at any of these, but I’ve been in the public areas/ballrooms for various formals:

Hotel St. Marie: 827 Toulouse
Hotel Monteleone: 214 Royal
Bienville House: 320 Decatur

If you don’t want to stay in the French Quarter, let me know. I can make more suggestions. I’m actually more familiar with the rooms of non-French Quarter hotels because that’s where my parents and my friend’s parents would stay when visiting.

As far as history is concerned, I don’t know if you know this, but The French Quarter is a national park, so there is a free tour you can take given by the National Park Rangers. It’s actually one of the best tours I’ve been on in the city. If you are into churches, St. Louis Cathedral, which sits on Jackson Square is the oldest Catholic cathedral still in use in the US. Also surrounding Jackson Square are the oldest apartments in the US (they have a name, but I forget what it is), along with the Cabildo, where the Louisiana Purchase was signed. During the day along the edges of Jackson Square sit independent artists (portrait and other) and fortune tellers.

The Garden District may sound lame, but it is really quite stunning. Don’t just take the streetcar to the end and back, you’ll miss a lot of beautiful architecture. Get off in the number streets (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc) and head toward the river and look around either on a formal walking tour or just on your own. Those houses are really something to see.

Good Food: Here’s where I’m not that helpful. I wasn’t really into 5 star cuisine in college. The Brennan family of restaurants are famous for a reason – the food is really good. So are Emeril’s and K Paul. But, for an excellent, reasonably priced meal, make sure to try the Gumbo Shop on St. Peter and Mulate’s (this is very touristy and loud, but delicious) near the Riverwalk. Actually, most restaurants in New Orleans are good; the only place I truly don’t like is the restaurant right on Jackson Square. It gets plenty of business because of it’s location, but it’s not very good.

Music: Of course you have to go to Preservation Hall; it’s on St. Peter, right next to Pat O’Brien’s. The line is for Preservation Hall – not Pat O’s. However, if the line’s too long, go into Pat O’s and throw back a couple of Hurricanes in the piano bar - it’s just as much fun. The music joints on Bourbon St. come and go; I think Famous Door is still there, I like it there. Other, non jazz places to try: (don’t laugh) Margaritaville (they really do get good bands), Howlin Wolf (although I hear this has almost turned into House of Blues - which of course NOLA has as well) and Tipitina’s - which is not in the French Quarter at all, but has great live music. Zydeco music is most often found in restaurants - Michaul’s and Mulate’s are two places to go for Cajun music.

I don’t know if you are into the whole voodoo aspect of New Orleans, but it’s a great city to take a ghost tour in. It’s just so old and historic that there are lots of good ghost stories to tell. I would definitely take the streetcar at least once. It will take you straight Uptown near Tulane and the zoo. Feel free to get off and walk around the campus of my alma mater and/or Loyola next door. You can then just pay another $1 (or $5 or whatever it costs now) and take it straight back downtown.

Thanks, Mama!

Oh - and the answer is New Orleans Original Daiquiris!

There used to be one right on the river bend in Uptown that had a drive through. Seemed practical at the time. . . of course, I didn't have a car so I didn't actual imbibe and drive; thank goodness.

I have to say, my favorite restaurant in the whole world is in NOLA Jacques-Imo’s. It’s in Uptown so you need a cab, but its well worth it. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

What do you think that means?

Really seems to like that restaurant. Keeps repeating himself.

Went to the D-Day Museum when I was there back in 12/2000, It was pretty cool. Got to see the Illini get stomped by LSU in Sugar Bowl. That was not cool. I saw way too many LSU fans in purple and yellow camouflage.

Here's a tip: when looking at a map of the French Quarter, pretend it stops at Bourbon St. Don't go more than a block beyond Bourbon headed away from the river. It gets mighty seedy, mighty quickly. I actually have a very funny story that came from a trip I took to the "French Quarter" Winn Dixie in 2004. It involves some Teddy Grahams, swim diapers and the auctioning off of my turkey, but that is a story for another day.

And I've never heard of Jacques Imo's. But, I haven't been there in 4 years either.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
We can only hope that he wasn't posting and driving.

GENIUS! No one else gets it though.

I got it. That was pretty funny.

For Fan.

Geeze tough crowed crowd. It was/is a long day. Nope didn't get it either.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: perplexed,

quote:

crowed

Tough indeed...

That's it... I'm never posting when I haven't slept in over 24 hrs again (after this post of course).

One of my favorite cities -next to Chicago!
Le Pavillion is the best! The best! hotel

Be sure to dine at Top of the Dome restaurant. Revolving restaurant, overlooks superdome.
Of course Hurricanes and pralenes rule there. Usually great breakfasts there in the city and quarter! Real southern. Actually I could not find a fast food or pizza place there it usually creole food. It is was heaven! Binets, chicory coffee
The city smells of Pralene.
Be sure to check out the JAX Brewery. Watch them flip fudge. Streetcars are terrific.
The aquarium was not built when I was there but I hear it's great. There is a massive mall on the riverfront. And of course check out St. Louis cathedral - one of the oldest in North America (went to Sunday church there myself and I'm not catholic!) Huey P Long bring is neat to see in the distance. The people (when I was there years back) were the finest! Usually there is an art show or artists around the Cathedral on the weekends. I picked up some roof tiles, which does add weight to your luggage.

I was there around Christmas. They had just chosen the Mari Gras queen and we got to met her. It's a big ball/party that is done several months ahead of time. The streets downtown the streetcars were all decked out with lights. It gets pretty chilly there in Dec.
I don't know if they still do this but the cops come on horseback down the quarter late and try to get everybody back to their hotels/homes. It was like curfew.
things to do

I always like to stay here.