What is a must to do in New Orleans LA

[arminnie]

http://www.thecolumns.com/contact.htm

Columns on St. Charles Ave for a bit of romance and history.

I live two doors down from the Columns - LOVE my neighborhood. Right on the streetcar line.

I wouldn't waste any time on Bourbon unless it was to eat at Galatoire's. Best bargain in town is Commander's Palace at lunch M-F. 25 cent Martinis and a couple of other drinks. Royal (1block over) though has some wonderful antique shops to browse thru. Monteleone and Royal Sonesta are my two favorite hotels in quarter. Windsor Court is one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in - though I haven't stayed there recently.

Riding the streetcar is great. I went to Camellia Grill (another long-term institution) for breakfast/lunch today. My sister had pecan waffles, onion rings and a shake! I had burger and fries. It's 5pm and we are both still stuffed. Ate at Pascal's Manales last night (off St. Chas at Napoleon).

We bought a doberge cake (divine) this afternoon which will probably be dinner!

There's a great little book - small like a Zagat guide - that lists all of the streetcar stops and what is near them. I just remembered that I think I left mine in Little Rock which means it is now in one of my 120 boxes in storage.

 

[JLTraveling]

Can't believe I forgot to mention Camellia Grill! Definitely worth the (long) wait in line, and the streetcar ride is fun. I'm glad to hear Rock n Bowl is back in the game. I lived right behind there until the storm, and that place got trashed!

If you like live music, go see the Rebirth Brass Band (every Tuesday night at the Maple Leaf). If you want something that will blow your mind, see if the Zydepunks will be in town. Sort of a cross between Cajun, folk and punk music with heavy violins. Zydepunks.com. Also ask around in the Quarter for Mad Mike the Hippie Bum. He plays local festivals, but mostly on the street. His political comedy music is a bit risque, but definitely all New Orleans.

 

[LBKB]

Man I knew all you guys would come through with some fun things to do. Thanks keep them coming please.

 

[muffyn]

Can't believe I forgot to mention Camellia Grill! Definitely worth the (long) wait in line, and the streetcar ride is fun.

camelias is open??
I thought it shut down after the hurricane
is it in the original place? when did it reopen?

 

[Planogirl]

Is there still that Daquiri place on Bourbon with all the different flavors? That place always fascinated me. One evening a friend and I each got a Daquiri and just sat down and watched the people go by. Fascinating people on Bourbon.

I used to enjoy the brunch at the Court of Two Sisters too. People always called it a tourist trap but this tourist liked it. I have heard mixed reviews since Katrina though.

What about the Old Absinthe House? Is it still there?

I think that Bourbon is best enjoyed in the daytime when the sleazy bars are closed. There are some great hotels and restaurants scattered about and a lot of nice architecture too.

 

[rie'smom]

I LOVE the brunch at The Court of Two Sisters and I grew up in New Orleans. The good thing about the famous restaurants- Antoine's, Galatoire's, Court of Two Sisters, Brennans, Commander's Palace is that even though these restaurants may be thought of as tourist traps, the food is still excellent and the city natives love them too.

 

[stevenpensacola]

We were in NO back in July. We stayed in a beautiful Holiday Inn out in Metairie. Was only about a 10 minute drive to the FQ. Very nice hotel at a good rate. Service/food was excellent.

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g40314-d93078-Reviews-Holiday_Inn_Metairie_New_Orleans_Airport-Metairie_Louisiana.html

http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/metairie/msyme/hoteldetail#Amenities

 

[coneygoil]

Go eat at Adams Catfish House on the Westbank! That's my family's buisness. Best catfish in N.O.!

 

[Acklander]

My favorite things to do in N.O.

Coffee and Beignet at Cafe du Monde

Go to the Jazz museum in the FQ - usually they have a different musician playing there every day who gives a lot of the history/back story to the jazz they're playing. This is the place where DS10 fell in love with Jazz

Karaoke at The Cat's Meow

Drinking Hand Grenades at the Tropical Isle (not sure what's in it, but it's light, crisp, refreshing, yummy, and will knock you on your ***)

Having my cards read

The Ghost tour through the French Quarter

Wandering through and looking at the different houses - stunning!!!

Eating Oysters on the half shell at Felix's

And doing a taste test of everyone's bread pudding

 

[Anjelica]

I LOVE the brunch at The Court of Two Sisters and I grew up in New Orleans. The good thing about the famous restaurants- Antoine's, Galatoire's, Court of Two Sisters, Brennans, Commander's Palace is that even though these restaurants may be thought of as tourist traps, the food is still excellent and the city natives love them too.

I second The Court of Two Sisters - their brunch is awesome!!!

New Orleans School of Cooking is great as well - found my lifelong Bread Pudding recipe there (and I hated bread pudding growing up, etc.).
http://www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com/

Someone also mentioned the Maison Dupuy hotel - very beautiful courtyard and right near Bourbon street.

I spent 3 years down in Marrero (right outside of New Orleans) when my dad was stationed down there. I absolutely have fond memories of going down to the gravel pits/"docks" to pick up live crawfish for dinner that night. My point is - the food in New Orleans is WONDERFUL so definetly give it a whirl!!

Have

 

[perdidobay]

My niece and her husband took us to eat at the Gumbo Shop, and they take all their out of town friends there.
http://www.gumboshop.com/

As so many others have recommended, go to Cafe Du Monde, fun food and great people watching.

We stayed at the New Orleans Marriott as DH was attending a conference there. I found it handy to walk all around town from there.

 

[AndreaDM]

Cat's Meow for karaoke contests, but don't spend all your time there

Oops, we ended up spending 3 of the 4 nights that we were in New Orleans last year! It was sooooooo much fun!

I have to give 2 thumbs up for Commander's Palace, we had my birthday lunch there on a Friday and the food was incredible! The 25 cent martinis weren't too bad either!

 

[wgwtgb]

Everyone's ideas are very similar to what I would suggest. Being 45 minutes away from the city means we don't stay much, but when DH and I do want a night we stay. Some hotels we have stayed at that were nice are:

Hotel St. Marie
http://www.hotelstmarie.com/

Queen and Crescent
http://www.neworleansboutiquehotels.com/queencrescent/

I think you can't go wrong with a nice meal at Dickie Brennan's BOURBON house
http://www.bourbonhouse.com/

 

[JLTraveling]

camelias is open??
I thought it shut down after the hurricane
is it in the original place? when did it reopen?

Yep, it reopened in the original location. I want to say late in 2007, I know it was sometime that year because I was living in a hostel on Canal at the time, and went to the grand reopening with one of the guys from the hostel.

The place looks gorgeous. Very similar to how it was, but pretty much gutted and rebuilt. I know it had taken massive damage in the storm. Lines are long as ever!

 

[dennis99ss]

hotels of diff. levels.

Astor Crown Plaza

Windsor Court

Ritz

Royal Sonesta

(mothers changed after katrina....prices went way up)

restaurants--I think Mr. B's is better than commanders.
but the best is jacque-imo's

 

[cc1013]

Unlike some of the other posters, we LOVED Mother's. We were there over memorial day weekend and thought the food was great!

Cafe du Monde is also a must. We went 2 or 3 times over the long weekend. The beignets are yummy.

I agree that the D Day museum is a must-see. I'm not normally a museum person, but was convinced that we should go and I'm so happy we did. It's just amazing.

We stayed at the Royal Sonesta. Nice hotel in a great location, but nothing fabulous. The noise from Bourbon can make sleeping tough depending on your room location. Our friends stayed at the Roosevelt a bit further away and I actually liked their hotel more. Nicer rooms and overall hotel. I believe they paid less and had a suite. The big difference was location.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Chateau Sonesta is a sister hotel to the Royal Sonesta, but it's off Bourbon by a block, so a lot quieter.

We've usually Pricelined hotels, and have gotten the Intercontinental, W, and JW Marriott at various times. They are all fine properties and I wonldn't hesitate to stay at anyone of them again.

Deanies Seafood on Iberville is the place to get the giant fried seafood platter. We usually get the half platter and it's more than enough food for two.