opinions on visiting NO [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

caitycaity

10-05-2006, 04:30 PM

DH and i have already booked the trip and at this point it is not really cancelable, so we will be going to NO in November for our anniversary.

We were both really excited and did a bunch of research on the fodors boards, e tc.

However, recently we have had a few acquaintences, all of whom are from LA tell us that they are not sure if we should be going due to safety concerns, primarily.

Can anyone reassure me on this point? Are we being stupid by making a trip to NO? We're staying at a hotel a few blocks south of the superdome, btw. We are also city-savvy people and know how to be aware of our surroundings. This is part of what has me freaked out...even knowing that we are city and travel savvy-people our friends have told us not to go.

FloraFauna

10-05-2006, 04:56 PM

We live in Kenner, about 15 miles west of New Orleans. Last week, we were in the French Quarter eating and enjoying the sights. I never felt unsafe.

I am not sure where your hotel is. There were areas to stay away from before the storm, just like every other big city.

inspector63

10-05-2006, 08:30 PM

I went about a month ago and could not believe how many people were walking up and down the streets. This was a Saturday night and it sure looks like the Quarter and surronding areas were back to normal. We walked down Canal St. then all around St. Louis Cathederal. Was great. Can't wait to go back.

Poppinsme

10-05-2006, 09:38 PM

Please come and have a good time. We are trying to get back to normal and I think the quarter is much better then pre K as far as crime. JMHO

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

TigerKat

10-06-2006, 01:47 PM

Please come and have a good time. We are trying to get back to normal and I think the quarter is much better then pre K as far as crime. JMHO

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

ITA, crime situation is much better than pre-K!!

beck0321

10-06-2006, 01:56 PM

It'll be fine. We've been to the French Quarter and out on Bourbon til all hours of the night/morning and it always been fine. My cousin lives off St. Charles, it's fine there too. Don't let sensational news and gossip discourage you from visiting. It's fine in the French Quarter and touristy areas. Some parts are still not fixed at all but it seems to be getting better every time we go our there (which is often). I hate when people I know say they won't be going there because of all the crime, and haven't been back since the storm. I'm confused :confused3 I tell them we go all the time and it's fine.
Now, the West Bank, that's a different story all-together, but there should be no reason to venture out there, unless you want to see the devastation.

Eat some Deanie's for me please?!

ETA: Just an FYI: The green-line trollies aren't running yet for sure. Those go up and down St. Charles and South Carrollton to the French Quarter. I don't beleive the red-line is running either, but don't quote me on that. Last time we were out there they weren't, but that was late at night so they may be on some kind of schedule. If the red line IS running that's a cheap way to get around the French Quarter. Last weekend we were out on Bourbon Street and took a cab from there to St. Charles and it was $10 so that might be another option if you are going out drinking (I think that's a pretty cheap cab drive). Just be aware that some cab drivers are A-holes and won't take you if you are drunk - we found this out last weekend!!! WTH is that about though? I thought that was the whole reason for getting a cab in the first place?!?!?

TheBeadPirate

10-06-2006, 04:20 PM

Hiya all! DH and I live in the French Quarter. A couple blocks from the Cathedral. We also have a couple small stores here. Since the storm Rick has gone back to his old job and travels a great deal leaving me here to keep watch. I am frequently out after dark and alone. I have never felt safer. Being city savvy is the key.

The crime in the Quarter lately has been directed at businesses- a rash of bar robberies where the register is taken. But I know they've caught one guy and the other they think is in Houston.

If anyone has any questions about down here please post or PM me. I'd be glad to answer!

annegal

10-06-2006, 10:05 PM

Name of hotel ..and what street its on??

Muffin

10-07-2006, 10:47 AM

Now, the West Bank, that's a different story all-together, but there should be no reason to venture out there, unless you want to see the devastation.
What are you talking about? The west bank was far from devastated by Katrina. :confused3

There are several reasons a tourist would visit the west bank.

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World in Algiers is a really fun, family friendly attraction. Take the free ferry from the foot of Canal St. to Algiers Point and you get an awsome view of the city skyline from across the river at the same time.

There are several swamp tours offered in Crown Point and Lafitte, plus the village of Lafitte is an interesting destination in itself. The Barataria unit of the Jean Lafitte National Park is beautiful and has many miles of nature trails to explore and offers canoe tours. I don't know if they are doing them this year, but the full moon canoe tours are particularly nice.

The old sections of Algiers Point, Gretna and Westwego have many architectural treasures. Westwego (specifically Salaville) offers a performing arts center and a couple of small museums reflecting lifestyles of the prior centuries.

This weekend, there is a Heritage Festival in downtown Gretna which showcases some of the best local musicians and also some national acts. There are many food booths offering local seafood and other dishes, plus a German beergarden.

If you're a gambler, Boomtown casino is a lot of fun.

Those are just a couple of reason why someone would want to venture to the west bank.

caitycaity

10-07-2006, 11:10 AM

we weren't really planning on visiting the west bank. we'll only be there a few days and i have never been there before, so i am sure we will find enough to amuse ourselves in and around the fq.

i'd rather not post the name of our hotel, but it is a hotel a few blocks south of the superdome.

thanks everyone - you have made me feel better. as i said before, we are not in danger of canceling (we would lose a lot of our money) but we were just getting nervous after hearing some of our friends' opinions. :)

Ms Marigny

10-07-2006, 11:26 AM

I'm in the middle of it all too- literally, because I live in Mid City, which is right in the middle of New Orleans...
Anyway, I agree that the crime is no worse than before, and I live in a devastated and somewhat deserted area. The French Quarter and Garden District is probably safer than before. I went strolling through the Quarter when I was huge and pregnant and had no worries (I wasn't hitting Bourbon Street, haha, I had a craving for beignets and cafe au lait...).
Come on down and have a good time! :wave:

Muffin

10-07-2006, 11:48 AM

we weren't really planning on visiting the west bank. we'll only be there a few days and i have never been there before, so i am sure we will find enough to amuse ourselves in and around the fq.
caity,
I understand that not every tourist who comes to NO has the time (or even the desire) to visit the west bank. I know that there is plenty enough to do and see in the city itself without side trips to outlying areas.

I'm sorry to hijack your thread, but it reallly bothers me to see the amount of inaccurate information posted on the web, not just here but at many other sites as well, since Hurricane Katrina. Even if you don't use this information, maybe someone else will see it and it may be helpful to them.

The tourism industry in New Orleans, its surrounding areas and the whole southern part of the state needs all the good press it can get.

caitycaity

10-07-2006, 01:55 PM

I'm sorry to hijack your thread

nah, no worries. :)

annegal

10-07-2006, 04:02 PM

WE always stay at The Hilton-which is several blocks southest of the Superdome-Besure and visit the Riverwalk-a huge mall along the river ,connected to it. Also, take the ferry right there(just ride as a passenger) across to The Mardi gras world-it really is a "must see" if you've never seen Mardi Gras!!

The Superdome is on Poydras and Poydras "dead ends " at the River & The Hilton...and right before there's "Mother's" a super famous "hole in the wall" po-boy place

lulu71

10-07-2006, 11:33 PM

hey Muffin, I was walking around Algiers Point just today with the baby in the stroller, grabbed some lunch, had a good time!

Caity, have a great time in NOLA, I think you are going to love it!!! You shouldn't have any worries, just stay out of my neighborhood (Lakeview) - it's still a mess!

DopeyRN

10-10-2006, 10:08 AM

I live in Kenner too. My son is head of security at the Riverwalk (a mall right next to the Hilton). It has been VERY safe there. Come, enjoy, stay in the tourist areas...you'll be fine!

zoesmama

10-13-2006, 10:19 PM

I live in Algiers Point and can't believe someone would say that the Westbank was devastated during Katrina. In fact, we were the first part of New Orleans where you were allowed back about a month after the hurricane if you could prove residency there.

Thanks to the previous posters who cleared up that inaccuracy.

I love lunch at Mardi Gras World....best deal around for $7. And the tour is a must do for any visitor. I think it is fifteen dollars a person and the free shuttle picks you up at the ferry landing on the Algiers side.

Sinderelli

10-15-2006, 11:37 AM

:wave2:

I live in Kenner, also. The main thing to remember is to stick to the tourist areas if you are not familiar with New Orleans. I've lived here all my life and still don't know my way around! It's easy to take a turn in a not so desirable area, so be smart. BTW, if anyone tells you they "bet they know where you got your shoes", RUN!! :rotfl:

Marie17

10-16-2006, 08:02 AM

Sinderelli - We've fallen for that line before! Over by the moonwalk by the Cafe du Monde - couldn't believe it and we're originally from New Orleans.

FloraFauna

10-16-2006, 08:50 AM

Muffin

10-16-2006, 10:18 AM

What does this mean?? :confused3

Someone tells you "I bet I know where you got those shoes". So you think "how can they possibly know where I got these shoes" and say "ok, tell me where". Then they say "you got them on your feet". And you lost the bet.

Marie17

10-16-2006, 03:23 PM

Yup - it cost us $20 bucks. We weren't going to pay up but after about 7-8 other guys showed up with three little kids in tow - we decided to pay up to get them out of our hair. Saw a policeman a couple blocks down but by the time we got to him the group of guys was gone.

Did it cost you anything?

TheBeadPirate

10-16-2006, 03:36 PM

Thankfully I haven't seen that on Bourbon St yet. This weekend was packed (it was sooooo good to see) and it was the first time since the storm that I've seen the "tapper" kids. But there were only a couple of those. And I'm on Bourbon everyday!

Heehee with the good comes the bad.

Lori in the Quarter

krissylynne

10-16-2006, 09:47 PM

I was there with my church doing some rebuilding. We were actually in Pearlington Ms. We decided to take a short day and veture west to NO and look at the devastation.
We were totally safe there. It felt like being everywhere else. You should go!!

I will say that what America saw on Tv will never prepare you for what you will see once in person. The drive from Pearlington to No, was one of the saddest times in my life. I could not believe it. It was so hard to comprehend everything we were seeing.

Very Frankly, I was kind of upset. There are so many cities outside of NO that never got any attention on the news. The Eye of the storm went over Pearlington. I had never heard anything of Pearlington until I went with my church. We also saw so many other cities also that were just destroyed. I guess we just hear of NO becasue there were so many people involved.
I am glad to see all the rebuilding going on all over.
New Orleans looks better, I am glad that they are getting tourists agai :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: back. It was pretty cool for my first visit.

Southerngirl71

10-21-2006, 06:01 PM

annegal

10-21-2006, 06:53 PM

it was the first time since the storm that I've seen the "tapper" kids.

Have the Silver and gold painted "Lady statues" come back?

Or the small band who played in front of the Royal Orleans & his Golden retriever would catch the dollar bill tips in his mouth?

DisneyDotty

10-21-2006, 07:04 PM

Ms Marigny

10-21-2006, 08:28 PM

This is my very first post :cheer2: . I am so excited to see there are so many people from my area on here. :banana: (I grew up in St. Bernard and live in Metairie).

I say come to NO and have a great time. IMO most of the crimes are committed by criminals on criminals. Best of luck for a great trip.
Hello there! :welcome:
I love seeing more and more folks from my area on here too!

My name is Lorie too- what a coincidence- there is another poster on here from the Quarter named Lori also (The Bead Pirate)- popular name down here!

Ms Marigny

10-21-2006, 08:31 PM

We're planning a trip to NOLA in April--can't wait! Wondering about the above-mentioned statues, too. And is is the restaurant in the Garden District with the amazing barbecue shrimp (its name completely escapes me right now!) open again? Mmmmm--wish I could be there now! NOLA ranks up there next to WDW as a favorite place! :sunny:
Are you refering to Commander's Palace or Pascal Manale's? They are both open- heck, eat at both! Not sure about the statues though...
Come on down and have a good time! :cool1:

DisneyDotty

10-21-2006, 08:35 PM

Pascale's! Thanks Yum!
We didn't get to Commander's last time--would you recommend it? :sunny:

Ms Marigny

10-21-2006, 08:51 PM

Commander's is wonderful, although a bit pricey... it is a better deal to go at lunch- still great food at a better price and not quite as formal. They also run some good drink specials during lunch depending on the day (not that I would know anything about that :rolleyes1 ), or at least they did pre-Katrina. They just reopened this month, so I haven't been there since then.
If you do go to Commander's, there is a cemetery directly across the street that might be interesting for you to take a look at (if you are into looking at cemeteries- I love them!)- the name is Lafayette Cemetery. They used to do lots of tour groups there, not sure if they still do or not...
Have fun, wherever your appetite takes you!

Sinderelli

10-22-2006, 10:32 AM

TheBeadPirate

10-23-2006, 10:29 AM

Have the Silver and gold painted "Lady statues" come back?

Or the small band who played in front of the Royal Orleans & his Golden retriever would catch the dollar bill tips in his mouth?

The silver and bronze cowboys are back at Jackson Square. Have not seen the ladies yet. The band has not come back that I know of. But Royal Street is open during the day now, has been since the storm. No date announced to turn it back into a ped mall yet.

Lori in the Quarter

TheBeadPirate

10-23-2006, 10:32 AM

Hello there! :welcome:
I love seeing more and more folks from my area on here too!

My name is Lorie too- what a coincidence- there is another poster on here from the Quarter named Lori also (The Bead Pirate)- popular name down here!

Good golly miss molly! If we keep going we'll need a Lori/Lorie/Laurie board!

Morning everyone!

lulu71

10-25-2006, 08:29 AM

Pascale's! Thanks Yum!
We didn't get to Commander's last time--would you recommend it? :sunny:

By the time you go in April, Commander's should be back to it's normal great self! We went for dinner on Saturday and while the food was outstanding, the service is not really up to par just yet. Commander's is a great dining experience, they were just a little lacking. It seems there were a lot of new people working there.

lori1043

11-06-2006, 06:55 PM

alright- MY name is Lori and I just joined the DIS. And I am from the New Orleans area-actually we are on the northshore for about 7.5 years. I was born at Ochsner and raised in River Ridge. This sight may cause me some problems w/ DH and DD's as i am glued to it lately! I am a huge Disney fan also and am waiting for the days to come-although not for a while as you can see on my sig. Saw Katrina spot so had to look. We were out for 4 weeks-and as much as I wanted my DH to go EAST-his boss is in Dallas so there we went-not knowing if either would have a job when we got home unless we went that way. We DO feel blessed and came home to a home that was almost untouched-amazing considering the nieghborhood. We did house family for 5 months. Everyone has a story and I could go on-but this is the short quick version! DH got home and went to get money out of the vaults for Chase-yuck!!

Sinderelli

11-06-2006, 07:06 PM

Lori:

:welcome: to your new addiction! LOL!

:grouphug: to your daughter- let's go 5 years!

TheBeadPirate

11-06-2006, 07:12 PM

mamacatnv

11-06-2006, 07:32 PM

My best friend just returned from a 4 day trip to NO where she attended the Voodoo Music Festival. This was her 6th visit in as many years. She really enjoyed herself. She said they were able to visit most of their favorite restaurants although some of her fav shops were gone.

She said the only time they felt uncomfortable was at about 2:30 a.m. on a late Sunday Night/Early Monday Morning depending on you perspective. They were at Cafe DuMonde. She said the walk back to their hotel was a little creepy as there was not a sole out and about other than the homeless at the Cafe.

Bead Pirate, she saw your shop, but only in the wee hours after her visits to the festival and then Bourbon St. We will have to catch you on our next visit.

heatherlynn444

11-09-2006, 11:38 AM

Thought I'd say hi everyone! finally got a bit of time to catch up on my Dis board reading! I am a bit concered about some NOLA things right now. I think everything is perfectly safe, safer than it WAS before Katrina, BUT I am getting married in less than 2 months a we are having a lot of out of town ppl come in who are "scared" of the city now, and I'm afraid they won't come to my wedding :( (First Baptist New Orleans) and reception (Southern Oaks) :confused3

lori1043

11-09-2006, 04:29 PM

THANK YOU- It IS addictive!!! So many thanks for the kudos for my oldest DD and the cheer for 5 years!!! She has a site that I do updates on, but not as often as i used to b/c nuthin's is happening and that is a GREAT thing in the Caringbridge world!!!
Lori

lori1043

11-09-2006, 04:32 PM

when I figure out HOW to navigate this site better I will find you!!! Thanks for the welcome!!!Lori-new addict to the DIS!!

cajunmommy

11-10-2006, 09:26 AM

heatherlynn....I can sympathize with your concerns. My parents recently attended a wedding & reception at St. Louis Cathedral & Gallier Hall. They were a bit worried before going, but said they had absolutely no problems.

I think it boils down to remembering you're still in a big city & need to have your wits about you. You might want to find out if there are some preferred parking areas & pass that along to help ease your guests' mind.

Best wishes on the upcoming nuptials!

shovan

11-10-2006, 05:09 PM

Heatherlynn, Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!

I guess you've been reading the other threads! When we here about all this stuff, it's quite disturbing. Just try to concentrate on getting everything ready for your wedding & it will all turn out Great!

Planning a wedding has to be one of the top stress inducers! (My daughter was married in "05) I can tell you, I worried about every detail. The worry was totally unneccesary. Everything turned out wonderful. Your wedding will be perfect!

Don't worry friends & family will be there because they want to share the special day will you!

heatherlynn444

11-10-2006, 10:00 PM

thank yall so much for easing my concerns! like you said, I am just overly-worrying about every little detail, and my DF is from Mississippi so there will be a ton of out-of state ppl, and NOLA scared alot fo ppl as it is, hahah we are the "evil" people living in the "devil city" hehe :teeth: thanks you guys!

caitycaity

11-13-2006, 09:17 PM

although this thread has gone of in a different direction, i just wanted to thank everyone. we just got back yesterday and had a great time. :)

Ms Marigny

11-14-2006, 07:45 AM

Wonderful! I'm glad you had a good time! :cool1:

shovan

11-14-2006, 11:41 AM

I was looking thru all the post & some how I missed the new chat section of Lori aka TheBeadPirate ,Lorie aka Ms Marigny & our new Lori1043!

:welcome: to you Lori1043!

shovan

11-14-2006, 11:45 AM

Just thought I'd post this little NOLA ditty:

GIVE ME NEW ORLEANS!!!!!!!!!!!!

give me a king cake baby
give me a beignet kiss
give me a french quarter morning that looks like this

give me the endymion krewe
give me the times-picayune
give me a drunk and lazy crawfish boil in muggy sticky june

give me a six pack of dixie
give me some assorted abita beers
give me a city where it only snows once every 10 years

give me a green neutral ground
give me a mardi gras ball
give me a medium rare burger at my grand old Port of Call

give me a glittery drag show
give me the streetcar line
give the House of the Rising Sun
give me a Tchoupitoulas sign

give me a shrimp and oyster poboy
give me lovebug season in May
give me my New Orleans-
I will definitely stay.

Pass this on to everyone
who loves this
beautiful city we call
NEW ORLEANS!!!

58 percent of Americans think New Orleans should
not be rebuilt...

TheBeadPirate

11-14-2006, 11:48 AM

I was looking thru all the post & some how I missed the new chat section of Lori aka TheBeadPirate ,Lorie aka Ms Marigny & our new Lori1043!

:welcome: to you Lori1043!

And you know as a kid I was bummed cause I could never find anything with my name on it! At least now I know I wasn't the only one :rotfl:

Lori

shovan

11-14-2006, 12:11 PM

Don't feel left out Lori. Sometimes with my DIS-addiction, my attention gets a bit scrambled! :crazy:

As you can see, I'm still here feeding the addiction, instead going to the grocery store!

Mom2LnE

11-14-2006, 04:34 PM

One other thing I always try to recommend to my out of town guests- try to catch the Rebirth Brass Band. They are amazing! I haven't seen them in a while, but Tuesday nights at The Maple Leaf were a staple in my (previous) bar hopping college days!

Are he Rebirth back in NO yet? the last time I heard from them was about a month ago, they were still here in Houston headlining Sunday brunch at a restaraunt. Can't remember the name of it but my friend Apes and her DH go there every Sunday for Margaritas.

BTW, i grew up in Marrero (West Ba nk) for almost 23 years until i moved to Houston about 13 years ago. My family and friends are all still there though.

Ms Marigny

11-14-2006, 04:40 PM

Are he Rebirth back in NO yet? the last time I heard from them was about a month ago, they were still here in Houston headlining Sunday brunch at a restaraunt. Can't remember the name of it but my friend Apes and her DH go there every Sunday for Margaritas.

Yes, the Rebirth are back playing at the Maple Leaf on Tuesday nights! :banana:

lori1043

11-16-2006, 12:37 AM

Thanks for the WELCOME! I am excited to be here! Good to meet other Disney addicts from our wonderful city..ummmm... named Lori

lori1043

11-16-2006, 12:41 AM

sorry, SHOVAN, just others who love our city and the MOUSE! We were in the quarter at the "W" hotel in October, went to the flea market-boy was it SAD. We did enjoy some good food-still cannot make it quite like that! I LOVE Masparro's and the food we ordered late at the hotel was awesome too! Surprizingly-I have craved thier crabmeat/crawfish sandwich ever since about a week after we came home. Not that we are far- but far enough-Lori

lori1043

11-16-2006, 12:46 AM

LOVED this-esp. abita beer-our neck of the woods! Thier root beer is tasty too! Sorry I did not get this all in one post-reading one at a time here-the weather had us up all night and since I slept intoday-i am WIDE awake right now-waiting for DH to get home from the airport. he went to NYC and didn't have a good experience with the people-we really have a different outlook on life down here in the south. No offense to any NYC'ers out there-I am sure he just didn't meet the right ones!

annegal

11-16-2006, 08:04 AM

although this thread has gone of in a different direction, i just wanted to thank everyone. we just got back yesterday and had a great time. :)

That's great caity! Where did you eat?? NO is the best place in the world for food.

caitycaity

11-16-2006, 12:57 PM

bon ton cafe (very very good), cafe maspero, and we had our anniversary dinner at gw fins.

we also had beignets and coffee at cafe du monde. i have to say i thought the beignets were a little over rated. the coffee was good though. and i can see how the beignets would be good when you were drunk. :rotfl:

annegal

11-16-2006, 05:23 PM

GW Fins is on my "to do" list :)

DisneyDotty

11-16-2006, 05:29 PM

i have to say i thought the beignets were a little over rated.

:eek: :faint:

Sacrilege! :teeth:

Ms Marigny

11-16-2006, 06:04 PM

:eek: :faint:

Sacrilege! :teeth:
My thoughts exactly! :rotfl:

annegal

11-16-2006, 11:01 PM

we also had beignets and coffee at cafe du monde. i have to say i thought the beignets were a little over rated. :

Mais, chere, I've been inhaling that powered sugar and fried dough for a lifetime...ambrosia! :teeth:

shovan

11-17-2006, 12:29 AM

Lori1043, I'm glad you passed a good time while you were in our home sweet home!

CaityCaity, I think it really might be a sin in New Orleans to talk bad about the beignet! :rotfl:

I up in a hotel room in Ruston tonight! Had a really good steak at Rabbs!

Marie17

11-17-2006, 08:41 AM

Mais, chere, I've been inhaling that powered sugar and fried dough for a lifetime...ambrosia! :teeth:

Love those beignets!

Walter C

11-17-2006, 10:50 AM

Beignets, I love eating those things, even though they are so messy.

I love to visit NO again someday. The site of my 1st ever solo trip.

caitycaity

11-17-2006, 06:04 PM

CaityCaity, I think it really might be a sin in New Orleans to talk bad about the beignet!

that's why i waited til i got home. :blush: :rolleyes1

shovan

11-21-2006, 01:04 AM

that's why i waited til i got home. :blush: :rolleyes1

Yeah, In New Orleans, it's really okay to talk *!*! if you're a local!! :teeth:

lori1043

11-26-2006, 01:09 AM

has the BEST beignets ever- some poor person started a beignet buisness over here and since it is the only place to get them until OUR Morning Call is finished being built-they are edible- but in comparison-they stink!! My Favorite thing from home besides crawfish!! :thumbsup2
Hope the owner of that place isn't on here!!

annegal

11-26-2006, 08:01 AM

has the BEST beignets ever- some poor person started a beignet buisness over here !!

My fave French Bakery makes a soft version-baked, I think. Don't compare at all!! :sad2:

Do you mind me asking where you live-I didn't know Morning Call had "other sites"???!!!

lori1043

11-26-2006, 10:55 PM

yes, they have the original in NO, La. And in the past 10 years or so they have branched out to the area malls(Lakeside and Esplanade). They also have another freestanding one on Veterans Blvd in Metairie b/t Clearview and Transcontinental. We live in Covington. They are almost finished building one in Mandeville- about a 10 minute drive.

Muffin

11-27-2006, 05:15 PM

lori1043

11-27-2006, 05:49 PM

[QUOTE=Do you mind me asking where you live-I didn't know Morning Call had "other sites"???!!![/QUOTE]

OOPS!!! Sorry- I got them mixed up -it is a Cafe Du Monde going up over here-I have to admit though that these 2 places are VERY similar to me. I have lived here my whole life except for 2 years(Plano, Texas). I grew up in River Ridge,l lived in Kenner and Metairie and now in Covington. I have lovely memories of the quarter-we had a tradition of going there in the fall to get our pumpkins from the market and always stopped at Santas Shop (don't know the official name but it is right across from the market) for an ornament or some little Christmas decor-then having beignets at Cafe Du Monde. That was one of many trips into the city we did every year- that is my favorite...oh, and of course, the bunnies at the flower shop on St Charles ave. at Easter time-we have even done this with our kids.