Chilepepper

My husband and I are big fans of New Orleans, and have been there quite a few times -- usually once a year. Last time was Easter '05. We put it off this year, and planned other trips, because we keep hearing on the news that it is so dangerous now. From reading all the Fodorite postings, I now think we may have been misled! Those of you who have been recently, or who live there . . . thank you for your candid honesty. We will definitely have to plan a return trip soon. Is it your impression that only the French Quarter area is safe? I mean, you always have to be careful when visiting a big tourist place, and take all the normal precautions anyway... which we do. Are there any EXTRA precautions you would take?
When we were there in '04 we discovered Uglesich's, and fell in love with the place. I realize they closed their restaurant and retired, but I did manage to get a cookbook! Do you recommend any restaurant that comes close to that quality, while keeping a relaxed atmosphere?

Also, is the Armstrong Park area safe to stay in? Appreciate the advice!

JR

Come on down! Other than this past weekend (Bayou Classic, a black college event) I've not read a single post-K negative review of New Orleans. The French Quarter, Garden District, Uptown, Marigny/Bywater, etc are all back to a relatively "pre-Katrina" condition while the rest of the city will be slower to catch up, obviously.

pepper131

I don't think Armstrong Park area is a good place to stay at all. My husband - a native - locked the doors as we turned onto Rampart last week. He never, ever locks the car doors...maybe he's just used to how things have tradtionally been in that area. Have you stayed on Rampart in the past?

Have looked at Hotwire? I've been seeing a 4 1/2 star for $89/night. I'm positive it's Le Pavillion - a friend of mine got it a couple of weeks ago.

J_Correa

I didn't care for the Armstrong Park, Rampart St area when we were there several years ago - it just seemed seedy and not so nice. I don't know what it is like now, but for our upcoming trip, we are planning to stay closer Jackson Square. I figure that since things aren't as busy as they were pre-Katrina, we will stay more in the center of things. That way walking back to the hotel at night, we are less likely to be walking away from where the other people are.

Dan

Armstrong Park? No way. Bad area indeed. Stay closer to the river and definitely across Rampart from the park.

Chilepepper

Thanks for your help, everyone. Yes, once I stayed at a really nice hotel right across from Armstrong Park. The hotel was great, but we did not like walking to it at night! We've stayed at Bourbon Orleans and loved the location (as well as the wine bar right across the street!); stayed at a small hotel right on Jackson Square once (I think it is the only one on JS) that was okay, and stayed at another really beautiful one right by Harrah's (didn't care for the location much, but the room was the best).

We have seen EVERYTHING on Bourbon Street, been to Lafitte's Swamp Tour, shopped in the Garden District, and basically ate our way through a few dozen oysters. We are looking for something different to do this time. Maybe more where locals hang out, not on bourbon, for good but inexpensive food and drinks. This time we also want to go to Preservation Hall and House of Blues. I guess we're looking to get a little of the "touristy path" for once. What DO the locals do for fun? We do want some good dancing lessons with zydeco.

pepper131

I was thinking about doing a trip report...I like to go out and about in New Orleans while my husband kicks-back with friends.

Anyway...we had great breakfasts at the Bluebird on Prytania. Not much else in the area to do other than walk around. They are closed a couple of days - Mon and Tues, I think.
Slim Goodies was another great breakfast spot with free wi-fi on Magazine near Louisiana (I think?). Lots of shops to peek into on Magazine.

I had a great drink at Bayona - a Side Car, which I never ever would have ordered, but the fresh lemon juice sold me - now...it's my favorite drink; replacing the Pimm's Cup at Napolean House.

Good shrimp po-boys at Parasol's on Constance. Much more reasonable than Mother's, which was a total rip-off, but DH HAS to have the Ferdie.

If you are there on a Thursday night - Vaughn's is a must for Kermit Ruffins. I always thought the area was the ninth ward, but maybe it's actually the Bywater.

J_Correa

What about staying along Esplanade or in the Faubourg Marigny? We visited that neighborhood - my cousin used to live there - and we liked it a lot.

Dan

JCorrea has a good idea. I moved from the Lower Garden District to the Marigny last year and love it. Great area to eat, drink and listen to superb music. Definitely worth a look, especially if you're an "independent" traveler who likes neighborhoods as opposed to tourist zones.

SAnParis

Rampart is still pretty much the dividing line between 'good & evil', stay in the Quarter or F-M.

jgarvey

My husband and I or both natives of New Orleans and both of our families still live there. We just returned from my stepdaughter's wedding and have lots of old and updated information. I have some good tips on where to stay and where to eat--can tell you what not to miss and what to forget about. Fire away with any of your questions!

Chilepepper

You all have excellent ideas -- thank you very much! You know, we feel like we are going through "cajun withdrawal" if we don't get down there once a year!
I have never been to the Faubourg Marigny area, but it sounds great. What type of transportation do you use to get to the French Quarter from there? Or is it walking distance? We walk a lot when we are there!
jgarvey -- you sound familiar to me. . . you wouldn't happen to be an ex-employee of Compuware, would you????

Dan

Faubourg Marigny is just across Esplanade from the Quarter so you can definitely walk to it. Alternatively, you can take the riverfront streetcar to Esplanade (French Market) and then walk down Elysian Fields or Esplanade.

jgarvey

I can't believe this. I just lost a gigantic email I started to send with all sorts of great info. I will try to duplicate it, but now now. It was SO chock full of great stuff. About my sounding familiar--my husband is Tom Garvey and is a telecommunications consultant in Oak Park, IL. Perhaps you know him. If you did, this would really be a kick. Write back and tell me if we have this connection. I will try to rewrite the long last message I sent to you.

jgarvey

Dear Chilepepper:

Happy to see that you have had so many responses about New Orleans. Any more questions?

Jo from New Orleans

SusanCS

I have a great suggestion for you: La Maison Marigny! I haven't stayed there yet, but the owner was very helpful to me a couple of years ago when I was trying to plan a party in New Orleans. His B&B gets fabulous reviews and is on the quiet end of Bourbon Street. Sorry to say I can't remember which side of Esplanade it's on. Please, please check out the website! I've never heard anything but rave reviews of this place!

Chilepepper

Thanks again to all of you! You totally gave me new options I had not thought of, even as often as I have been to NO. I will definitely check out La Maison Marigny!

JGarvey, thanks for your help. Your husband is not the J Garvey I was thinking of from Wisconsin, but that would have been a hoot!

Recommendations for learning the Cajun Zydeco dancing???