New Orleans - Needing some help on things to do and see... if You Please

[Skywalker3]

I grew up about 45 mins from NO. Used to go there for most shopping, Dr's Appts, at Oschner's, and sometimes for visiting historical sites, the zoo, etc. Used to usually just be my mom and me. Never felt too uneasy in the French Quarter, or driving around the Garden district, etc. BUT we NEVER went walking off the beaten path, stuck to the main streets in the Quarter, etc. There have always been panhandlers, and people proposing 'I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes,' I was taught early on to just keep walking, no eye contact. Also never really spent any time at night walking around, and still won't. DH worked in NO for 13 years, and my dad did for 30. You just don't go wandering around. Definitely wouldn't go to the cemetery without being on a tour. It's got such a rich history, ,but it's just like other major cities when it comes to crime. No exploring places alone off the beaten path.
We moved away not long after WWII museum was built. DH and I both love history, especially military history, and we want to take a trip so, so badly and just be tourists, and do the museum, the Chalmette battlefield, etc. Mardi Gras is such a part of my growing up, I'd like to tour the museum. Plus the Cabildo and St Louis Cathedral are very interesting. What I really want to do is eat, eat, eat. Try all the great restaurants I never got to do as a kid, or just never took the time when we lived close....you know how you don't appreciate things until you move away.....Wish I'd done more Saints games, more time in the historical places, more food, etc. Hopefully can get back soon!
NOLA can be sweltering for sure in the summer (and spring and fall,) so might be a lot better to go in a somewhat cooler month. If you're used to FL heat/humidity, it's the same, but maybe a little more w the concrete/traffic etc. Hope you'll reschedule and enjoy a wonderful trip! I haven't been back 'home' in many years, and dreaming of crawfish boils right about now.....

 

[hertamaniac]

We were there for a MNF Saints game in December 2020. We stayed on Poydras right down from the Superdome and walked to the French Quarter everyday.

We ate at Mother's (no frills, but excellent) and Daisy Dukes (there are several in the area and was very good). We did the WWII museum, but didn't give it enough time. You really need hours to get the full experience.

The Gumbo Shop is a tradition for us and is always good. Also, Cafe Beignet (I think there are 3 of them) is always excellent. We usually go to Music Legends Park as jazz is played all day and night (no cover charge, but tips appreciated). Our next trip will have Antoine's on the itinerary for sure.

We bought the day pass for mass transit and went to Frenchmen Street after taking a bus to the canal. This is where my favorite band plays frequently.....Tube Skinny. We also went to the Garden District where we toured and saw the Drew Brees residence (it's unpretentious).

We are lining up another trip, but only if we can catch a Saints game this fall/winter.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you want a serious breakfast in the Quarter and not just sweets, go to Cafe Fleur de Lis. It's on the corner of Chartres and Bienville, a block up from the "market" end of the French Market (where the actual produce is). There has been a diner in that spot serving the produce people for years; the name changes, but always hearty food in the morning, and usually not much of a line by the time tourists get up and moving.

I've never been a huge fan of Cafe du Monde; there are better places for beignets and coffee that won't make you wait that long.
I also have richer taste in pastries, so if I'm looking for some in that neighborhood, I head straight for Croissant d'Or.

 

[Tigerlulu]

OP here...

We are putting New Orleans off till later in the Year...Not sure when though.... maybe early October... for my birthday trip...

A guy who works in the same field as my DH...was just there for business( February), this is part of his territory and he goes there all the time... and his wife met him for the weekend... This guy told my DH that him and his wife and another couple ran into some trouble while they were there... twice they had some very aggressive homeless people trying to get them to give them money, like standing around them, and not letting them pass through some park or square that they were walking through, and this was in the middle of the day.. and earlier in the week he had a dinner meeting, and normally he would walk back to his hotel, and would enjoy walking back a block or two.. he said that one of the guys who lives there, said "its not safe for you to walk around right now at night, I will give you a ride to the hotel"... He told DH that is glad he doesn't have to go back till the third quarter...

So we talked about it, and we just decided to move it till later in the year... Hopefully by that time more things will be opened, and more people about, and getting back to normal everywhere...

Please keep up with the suggestions... and thoughts... I'm still working on a plan for us when we finally do get to go...

There have always been homeless in the area and with less tourists there have been reports they have been more bold. But I’ve known plenty of people who haven’t had issues, just as I’ve read plenty of reports of people who did. I personally would go with deep caution but I am also incredibly familiar with the area having grown up wandering those streets. I should probably have more fear of them but I do have a healthy respect and am very aware of my surroundings as I am anytime I am out in public. With restrictions starting to be loosened tourism is starting to make a come back in the city and I expect all this will normalize back. Y’all should be fine!
But definitely go when you feel comfortable. Also when you arrive your hotel will have lots of advice and be able to answer any questions for you. So don’t forget that as a resource. They will be able to give you very current info.

And to the poster who mentioned Daisy Dukes—YES! We love that place! 24 hours and they deliver! And it’s cheap!