New Orleans info please

[Belle1962]

I'm traveling to New Orleans next week for business (translate--by myself). What would be your recommendations for restaurants and must see attractions? I'm staying on Canal Street a few blocks from the casino (but could change to St Charles St at the entrance to the French Quarter.) I'd love to do a plantation tour (love history) and would like to do a ghost walk but afraid to do it by myself. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[JoNo]

woohoo, my specialty! (I lived there for 5 years)

Well, for starters, if you have the $$$, go to NOLA, which is Emeril Lagasse's resteraunt. Good GOOD food, but at a big price. Example, it cost my fiance & I $145 to eat there w/ dessert.

If you want to do some ghost hunting, check out "The Bottom Of The Cup Tea Room" where ghosts are found almost daily & they also sell a great variety of Tarot cards.

also check out the Voodoo Museum located at 724 Dumaine.

St. Louis Cemetary #1

Haunted History Tour (504)897-2030
This tour explores the old French Quarter and ghosts and vampires are said to still haunt the Vieux Carre. They say this tour is like no other. (I'm friends with the lady that owns/runs the tour)

Plantation Tours (504)592-0560
New Orleans Tours offers two plantation tours. One is the Half Day tour visiting a plantation built in 1856 and the other is the Full Day tour visiting two plantations that are both over 250 years old

Riverfront Shopping
The French Market winds along the Vieux Carre Riverfront and was formerly the Jackson Brewery until 1984 when the renovations opened up an entire new era of shopping here. There is also Canal Place and the New Orleans Riverwalk.

I could go on & on... PM me if you want to hear about some more!!!

 

[ahutton]

I second the opinion of Nola's - although our meal was certainly less expensive as we went with the chef special of the day which included an appetizer, entree and dessert. It was all wonderful.

For a great tour find one of the handsome cabs that loop the French Quarter, it is a great way to get a lot of history and see many sights without having to be a pedestrian off by yourself. Then if there are things you want to see closer up you know what they are and where.

As for hotels, everything is in very close proximity there. We stayed at the Hilton on the river, and comfortably walked to the aquariam (that was really neat) and into the quarter for meals. Lots of good shopping too - the mall is really nice and the view in the food court is fantastic!

 

[Belle1962]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll probably try Emeril's place--since Breakfast and lunch are included with my conference fee so I can splurge at dinner. I was a bit concerned about walking at night by myself--quite a few people have told me NO is "dangerous". BUt I don't want to go and sit in my hotel room!!!!

 

[RUDisney]

You should have an easy time making friends at the conference. There will be plenty of people who are also there solo, although some will not have a budget that can include Emeril's.

When I was in Atlanta, I met a bunch of women and we ventured out to Buckhead to bar hop. It was fun, but we really had to watch one of the women. It was her first time in a city and she really didn't know how to conduct herself (i.e. be street smart.) We kept an eye on her and everything was fine.

If you're looking for something to do one afternoon, make reservations for a cooking class at Jax Brewery or at the Riverwalk Mall. That is a fun way to watch and learn how to cook cajun delights.

You'll have a great time!

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by Belle1962
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll probably try Emeril's place--since Breakfast and lunch are included with my conference fee so I can splurge at dinner. I was a bit concerned about walking at night by myself--quite a few people have told me NO is "dangerous". BUt I don't want to go and sit in my hotel room!!!!

It's been a while since I've been to New Orleans but stay on the well-traveled streets and make sure that your money or wallet is safely tucked away. I never carry a purse while I'm walking through a city because of purse snatchers.

If you're interested in ghost stories, the French Quarter is the perfect place. There's slews of ghostly legends and haunted places all over. Do a search on the Internet and you'll find lots of information.

JoNo, where is The Bottom of the Cup Tearoom? I've never heard of this one.

 

[JoNo]

Originally posted by Planogirl
where is The Bottom of the Cup Tearoom? I've never heard of this one.

It's located at 732 Royal Street... HERE is a good site for the place. I love it there.


Oh, also don't forget La Madeleine's!!! They serve french quisine and have THE best french onion soup in the world. They're right next to jackson square.

 

[JoNo]

And as for venturing off the brightly-lit streets... I dunno, maybe because I lived there I knew everywhere & everyone so I really had no problem... But I would recommend sticking with someone if you do go "outta the way".

 

[bananiem]

You have to go to Cafe DuMonde for beignets. If you order coffee be warned that it is strong and has chickory(?) in it. Not your usual cup of joe.
I like to go to Jax Brewery, Riverwalk and a tour through the Garden District.
If you like aquariums be sure to go to the Aquarium of the Americas.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by JoNo
It's located at 732 Royal Street... HERE is a good site for the place. I love it there.


Oh, also don't forget La Madeleine's!!! They serve french quisine and have THE best french onion soup in the world. They're right next to jackson square.

Thanks for the info and for the website too. This is my kind of website. I particularly like the pictures of the Myrtles since I'm spending a weekend there with a friend in a few weeks. I hope that it's an interesting visit.

As for restaurants in New Orleans, Galatoire's used to be good. I like Mike Anderson's for massive seafood platters.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I also vote for Cafe DuMonde for beignets. If I remember correctly, they are open 24 hours a day. You should be able to find a buddy who wants to go there.

Now I'm drooling thinking about beignets.

 

[JoNo]

mmmmm........ beignets... With cafe au lait... *drool*

 

[DopeyRN]

They closed Mike Andersons. If you stay at the Hilton (not sure if that is an option), you are in a very good location. Another vote here for beignets.

 

[adamak]

Gumbo Shop. The BEST gumbo and jambalaya ever.

Acme Oyster House (similiar name??). It's pretty down to earth, and they have a hugh area for single guest. Really really really good. We went there for breakfast even!

 

[Belle1962]

Thanks all. Looking forward to my time in the Big Easy.

 

[krazyboutWDW]

I also highly recommend the beignets. You might want to try Pascal's Manale on Napoleon Ave for dinner. They have great bar-b-que shrimp. If you are at Jackson Brewery and want to grab a quick sandwich, Maspero's (which is across the street from the Brewery) has really good, really large sandwiches at a good price.

Hope you have a good time in NO.

 

[ByTheSea]

Great timing for this thread. I have several trips to New Orleans (suburb area) over this summer and am trying to talk my family into joining me, but DH doesn't know how much there may be to do for DS age 9....

Would like to maybe spend the weekend either near the French Quarter or maybe on the Gulf somewhere and would love to hear some suggestions!

I'm actually here now! Have 6 more trips scheduled here between now and September. Will have to make a copy of this thread!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Timing is indeed perfect for me too. I will be attending an IAAP Certification seminar. DH is going with me and 3 others from our area. Don't know exactly what we will be doing after seminar in evenings, but carriage ride, cemetery tour, plantation tour, people watching, beignets, and hurricanes are all on my list! We get there the weekend before conference begins.

Beauty of going to a seminar/convention is usually someone wants to do something and you do have an oportunity to go with others. There are usually a variety of people going to do a variety of things and the more the merrier is the attitude I have observed at these events.

Last time we went was with DS at AAU meets. We did the kids version. Was fun too. We did many day time things scheduled around their practice/competition time. Walked French Quarter at night (stayed out of the bars of course) went for Beignets with the kids. We managed to keep busy.

We are looking for a more "adult" version of the tour this time.

 

[FleurdeLise]

Go to Barnes and Noble....they have this great map of New Orleans that is ofthe Downtown/French quarter area,plastic and folds up that has all the buildings drawn and numbered and labled-a great tourist aide."The Place Map of New Orleans".

More good food: House of Blues on Decatur$$, Mr. B's$$ and Brennan's $$$$on Royal st.,Napolean House$ on Chartres st.,Central Grocery $(or the joint next door if th line is too long)on Decater across frm Cafe du Monde for the BEST muffalato's.

Gosh...I'm getting hungry.

 

[MerryPoppins]

We spent a day in New Orleans with our kids on the way home from Florida. We stayed very busy. They have a great aquarium and our kids loved the beignets at Cafe du Monde. I'm sure there is even more that kids would enjoy, but other than a quick tour of some shops and the French Quarter, that is all we had time for that trip.

My friend used to live south of New Orleans and she had 2 young kids. If you need more ideas for families PM me and I'll ask her next time we talk.