New Orleans...vacation planning help needed!

[busy mom]

We are planning our first vacation to New Orleans in April for the Food & Music Festival. Our Hotel is booked (Drury), but we really have no idea where to go from there.

I would love any suggestions for transportation to/from the airport (5 people), must-see attractions, or any other tips you can share.

Also, I know there are so many great places to eat, but if you have a favorite, please share as well!

Thanks so much!!!

 

[CruisingKate]

We also stayed at Drury on our May trip to NOLA. I frequented the Trip Advisor and Frommer's forum for great info - definitely check them out.

We ate lunch one day at Commander's Palace in the Garden District ( short streetcar ride away from Drury). Best food and 25 cent martinis! Highly recommend! Had charbroiled oysters at several places in the Quarter; all fantastic.

Fritzel's Jazz was our favorite little place for awesome music in the Quarter, but there are so very many great spots.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We are in NO at least 4 times a year. We love Mr B's bistro in the quarter, Mulottes for seafood near Harrahs, Cochon Butcher is a great local spot for sandwiches. Court of Two Sisters is a great brunch. I would try to see Jacksom Square, Cafe du Monde, The Aquarium of the Americas, the D Day museum.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Do not miss Cafe du Monde for beignets and chicory coffee for a lazy breakfast or pick me up snack!
Also best, best, best pralines on the planet are at Southern Candymakers. Don't plan to bring any home, they won't make it! Lol
DD, DSiL, and DGS all reside in NOLA. It's a great "foodie" city. There is almost no "bad" places to eat.
Pick up a King cake or 2 at Rouses grocery. Many in the city. They make a really good cream cheese stuffed King cake that my colleagues all loved. Not expensive either.
Try a muffaletta (almost everyplace sells them) and grilled oysters, as well as a po' boy. All great NOLA foods available anywhere in the French quarter.
Have a great trip, it's a beautiful city!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Oops forgot to tell you, don't miss the WWII Museum. It's considered the #3 museum in the US (only behind the Met in NY, and Musee in Chicago). It's an amazing place. We spent an entire day there and didn't see it all. The First person stories were heart wrenching, so poignant...

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We were there in October. We did a walking tour of Lafayette cemetery and the Garden District. Really enjoyed that.

 

[North of Mouse]

We are planning our first vacation to New Orleans in April for the Food & Music Festival. Our Hotel is booked (Drury), but we really have no idea where to go from there.

I would love any suggestions for transportation to/from the airport (5 people), must-see attractions, or any other tips you can share.

Also, I know there are so many great places to eat, but if you have a favorite, please share as well!

Thanks so much!!!

Don't miss the River Walk, and a must is coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde. If you have time, a river boat cruise is nice. We love to eat at Mike Andersons in the Riverwalk Mall - it's a counter serve, but gives you great options to try Cajun food, plus you can eat outside on the terrace right on the river. There are also many table service restaurants in the area that have already been mentioned above.

I grew up near there and we go back every year for our 'fix'!!

 

[bear_mom]

We were there for spring break this year. We used a taxi to get to the airport to our hotel and then walked or used the streetcar to get around.

We did: the WWII museum, which was interesting.

A Segway tour which was everyone's favorite thing we did.

We went up to the city park for an afternoon which had a neat sculpture park.

Plus we spent the better part of a day walking up and down Royal street listening to all the street musicians. There are some amazing people playing different types of music.

Our favorite place to eat was a Mr. B's.

To be a dissenter, we like the beignets at another cafe better than Cafe du Mode. It was on Royal street and was next to the police station. I would go every morning and get coffee, beignets, and strawberries.

We also really liked the desserts at Sucre, which opened a location in the French Quarter while we were there (we had eaten at the other location earlier in our trip).

 

[NinaBella]

We love NOLA. So, there is a thread on the Orlando board if you search.

We use to go at least once a year but haven't been in 2 years. We love Cafe Du Monde at midnight! I take my middle school kids with us, it's safe at Cafe Du Monde and fun for a midnight snack!

 

[xlsm]

Lots of people have mentioned Cafe du Monde, which is great for the experience, but I always recommend Cafe Beignet (we like the one on Royal St.) for beignets and cafe au lait, they're our favorites.

I definitely recommend a cemetery tour, as well. We had an awesome tour guide with French Quarter Phantoms when we did the St. Louis Cemetery #1 tour. It was historical and informative, not kitschy and theatrical, which is what we prefer.

Ride the streetcars on St. Charles to see the gorgeous homes and Tulane and Loyola campuses and City Park, and visit Magazine St.

We stayed at Sulley Mansion B&B on our honeymoon, which is in the garden district, and we drove down, so we just took the streetcars everywhere or walked while we explored the city. That's not much help in terms of airport transportation, though, I'm sorry! I assume a cab will be your best bet.

New Orleans is a gorgeous, amazing city with so much to offer. We are itching to get back soon! My DH even ordered macarons from Sucre for me for Christmas. We love it there.

For food, we like the po boys at Joey K's on Magazine, and a crazy place called Fiorella's on Decatur St. in the Quarter for fried chicken of all things, and their corn and crab chowder is great and their red beans and rice are delicious!

I could go on and on about New Orleans forever, but those are a few highlights in my opinion. There's so much to see and do, it's impossible to narrow it down and not say, "Oh, but..."

Have fun!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Another vote for Mister B's. My favorite bbq shrimp in the city (well next to when Jacques-Imos has it on the menu).

I think Commander's is over rated but I haven't been there in years. As a PP mentioned Cochon Butcher has some great sandwiches and IIRC is a quick trip from the WWII museum.

ACME is a meal and an experience. I recommend going at slightly off times or you will wait forever.

 

[potterfanatic]

I agree with everyone above. Also, one of my absolute favorite places to eat in New Orleans is Napoleon House. And if you are a drinker Pat 'O Brians for the Hurricane is a must.

 

[monarchsfan16]

We stayed at the Drury in April. Great hotel, and reasonably convenient location. Perks of staying at Drury can't be beat. We took a taxi from the airport. The Drury is close enough to the French Quarter that it is included in the flat rate for taxis between the airport and the French Quarter. I don't remember the price, but you can easily find it by googling. Many of the taxis were mini vans, so that would cover the 5 people. There's a taxi stand right outside baggage claim, and the line moves quickly. Buy a Jazzy Pass once you're in New Orleans for the length of time you will be using the transportation; it'll cover bus and street car. There's a list on the website for Jazzy Pass of where you can buy them. I bought ours at a pharmacy. Don't remember if it was Walgreens or CVS, right in the French Quarter.

Is it the Jazz and Heritage Festival that you're going to? We went to that one and it was AMAZING.

We loved the food at Gumbo Shop. Pat O'Brians is also a lot of fun. The jazz brunch at Court of Two Sisters was excellent. The fried chicken at Brothers really is the best there is (and it's conveniently located on the walk back to the Drury...cheap too). The WWII museum is incredible, and the museums in Jackson Square (Presbytere and Cabildo) are both very well done. Jackson Square is neat to walk around. If you like jazz music you MUST see a show at Preservation Hall. Such a cool experience. Pay the extra for the Bigshot Tickets. It's completely worth it to not have to wait forever in line in whatever crazy weather may pop up. You can also bring drinks in, so don't hesitate to stop by the courtyard bar at Pat O'Brians and get a hurricane. They serve them there in a to-go cup so you can walk anywhere with it. No open container law, at least in that part of the city.

Weather in New Orleans in April can be crazy. We saw 90* and sun. We saw 70s and (normal) rain. We saw torrential downpours that were part of storms that spawned a tornado in another part of the city. Be prepared for EVERY kind of weather. Program the number for a cab company into your cell phone (TA recommended United Cab New Orleans if I'm remembering correctly).

Also, total luck of the draw, we were there during Navy week when several military ships from the US and other countries were in port and open for (free) public tours. We stumbled upon this. Since it was also April, might be worth googling to see if it'll happen while you're there. VERY cool to see and the active duty folks were SO excited to show off their ships.

 

[mmounsey]

Mr. B's is a great place to start, but be sure to stop at the carousel bar at Hotel Monteleone for drinks too.

Cafe du Monde or Morning Call are both great places for beignets.

There are lots of cute, local shops and fun places to eat on Magazine St.

Be sure to take a streetcar ride down St. Charles to see the gorgeous homes in the garden district.

Central Grocery is a must for a muffaletta.

Mother's is another favorite for local favorites. You will not regret it.

Have fun and be safe! NOLA is a great place to be!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

We stayed at the Drury in April. Great hotel, and reasonably convenient location. Perks of staying at Drury can't be beat. We took a taxi from the airport. The Drury is close enough to the French Quarter that it is included in the flat rate for taxis between the airport and the French Quarter. I don't remember the price, but you can easily find it by googling. Many of the taxis were mini vans, so that would cover the 5 people. There's a taxi stand right outside baggage claim, and the line moves quickly. Buy a Jazzy Pass once you're in New Orleans for the length of time you will be using the transportation; it'll cover bus and street car. There's a list on the website for Jazzy Pass of where you can buy them. I bought ours at a pharmacy. Don't remember if it was Walgreens or CVS, right in the French Quarter.

Is it the Jazz and Heritage Festival that you're going to? We went to that one and it was AMAZING.

We loved the food at Gumbo Shop. Pat O'Brians is also a lot of fun. The jazz brunch at Court of Two Sisters was excellent. The fried chicken at Brothers really is the best there is (and it's conveniently located on the walk back to the Drury...cheap too). The WWII museum is incredible, and the museums in Jackson Square (Presbytere and Cabildo) are both very well done. Jackson Square is neat to walk around. If you like jazz music you MUST see a show at Preservation Hall. Such a cool experience. Pay the extra for the Bigshot Tickets. It's completely worth it to not have to wait forever in line in whatever crazy weather may pop up. You can also bring drinks in, so don't hesitate to stop by the courtyard bar at Pat O'Brians and get a hurricane. They serve them there in a to-go cup so you can walk anywhere with it. No open container law, at least in that part of the city.

Weather in New Orleans in April can be crazy. We saw 90* and sun. We saw 70s and (normal) rain. We saw torrential downpours that were part of storms that spawned a tornado in another part of the city. Be prepared for EVERY kind of weather. Program the number for a cab company into your cell phone (TA recommended United Cab New Orleans if I'm remembering correctly).

Also, total luck of the draw, we were there during Navy week when several military ships from the US and other countries were in port and open for (free) public tours. We stumbled upon this. Since it was also April, might be worth googling to see if it'll happen while you're there. VERY cool to see and the active duty folks were SO excited to show off their ships.

I liked your post so much I wanted to hit "Like" 3 times over- lol!
Fleet week is amazing, isn't it?!?

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Oh, we are HUGE fans of New Orleans! The food, the music, the architecture, the people, the court yards - it's all so wonderful. The city has so many terrific eateries, particularly the French Quarter.....stay away from the tourist traps though. If you like steakhouses I would recommend Dickey Brennan's, it's fab. Oh! NOLA is home of the brunch - try to fit in a jazz brunch as well.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Shrimp and grits..... Mmmmmm Yum!
Best brunch food!

 

[ajwolfe]

We've been itching to make this trip forever and now you all are making me wish we had one planned for this year!!

 

[arminnie]

I agree with virtually everything so far posted - except for Mulates - it's disgusting. Worst food I've ever had there.

If you ride the St. Charles streetcar (and you should) stop off at The Columns Hotel for a drink. It's consistently rated as one of the best bars in the city. Big porch and usually live music. The movie "Pretty Baby" with Brooke Shields was filmed there. It's used in videos and movies all the time. I have a condo next door so I am very aware of often they film there.

I bought my condo 10 days before Katrina. I have no regrets. It's been a fun ride.

 

[Judique]

There go the Disboards again!

Now I have to plan a return back to New Orleans. It's been too long!

This was not a budget post for me.....lol!