New Orleans in One Day, what should I do?
Sep 29th, 2004, 10:42 AM
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New Orleans in One Day, what should I do?
I'm taking a business trip to New Orleans at the end of Oct., a week before Halloween, but decided to leave a day earlier to do some sightseeing. So what are some recommendations? I'll be staying about 3 miles from the French Quarters and won't be renting a car so transportation will be limited to taxis, street cars and walking.
Sep 29th, 2004, 10:55 AM
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If you're staying near the street car line (it runs along St. Charles and elsewhere) you could use it to get into the French Quarter. However you get there, I recommend you spend your one day in the Quarter. That's where everything is, with the exception of clubs which you might want to go to at night. Pick a few places to eat based on recommendations -- lunch & dinner will probably be the highlight of your trip if you're a foodie like me. And what day will you be there? The French market is nice for walking around. Be sure to have some beignets at Cafe du monde. You can find a good spot and enjoy the people watching. There are often mimes and other entertainers in this area which is across from the park.
Anybody know if there's anything going on that week? Isn't that the time of the French Quarter Festival, or no?
Anybody know if there's anything going on that week? Isn't that the time of the French Quarter Festival, or no?
Sep 29th, 2004, 11:16 AM
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I think the FQ festival is in April, but I am not sure. Halloween is big in NO though, so there is bound to be something going on.
I definitely agree with spending your time in the Quarter. If you are interested in the history and culture of the area, take a walking tour. We took one with the Historic New Orleans Walking Tour Co and it was great. These generally take a couple hours and you will get a good overview of the Quarter and learn some interesting things about NO. If you take a tour in the morning, you can have lunch afterwards and then revisit whatever caught your interest.
I definitely agree with spending your time in the Quarter. If you are interested in the history and culture of the area, take a walking tour. We took one with the Historic New Orleans Walking Tour Co and it was great. These generally take a couple hours and you will get a good overview of the Quarter and learn some interesting things about NO. If you take a tour in the morning, you can have lunch afterwards and then revisit whatever caught your interest.
Sep 29th, 2004, 04:08 PM
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If I only had one day to spend in New Orleans, I would definitely spend most of it in the French Quarter. You don't need a formal tour to fall in love with this wonderful city. Just spend some time walking Chartres and Royal Streets and prowling in the shops, visit Jackson Square and tour the museums in the Cabildo and the Presbytere, have a snack at Cafe du Monde or grab a muffaletta at Central Grocery and eat it on the Moonwalk, stock up on tacky, but fun souvenirs at the flea market in the French Market area...if you need to sit down for a bit, walk to the edge of the Quarter and get on the St. Charles streetcar and ride it up into the Garden District and admire all the beautiful homes. If you ride the streetcar out to the Carrollton area, you can get off at the Camellia Grill and enjoy a piece of chocolate-pecan pie, heated on the griddle and served with ice cream. Ride the streetcar back to the Quarter and pick somewhere great for dinner. After dinner, listen to some music. I love Preservation Hall and its family oriented atmosphere. You could also check the different venues and see who is playing at Snug Harbor or one of the other clubs in the Faubourg Marigny. Just a few suggestions, and while it may sound like a lot for one day, I've done it before!
Sep 30th, 2004, 05:44 AM
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Thanks! I'll actually be there Oct. 24-27, but Sunday the 24 is the day I'll have all to myself. I was also wondering about safety. I'm a single woman so I'll be doing the sightseeing alone. Aside from all the regular safety precautions, (don't be alone at dark, be aware of my surrounding, etc...) is there any thing else I should be aware of?
Sep 30th, 2004, 06:48 AM
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ccr, don't look like a tourist, for one. Don't wear jewelry. Try to stay within the confines of the French Quarter, know where it ends and begins.
As for taxis, I've had problems with them during Jazz Fest -- they wouldn't come! If you're going to have to wait for a cab then be sure you're in a safe spot. New Orleans is funny -- you'll be in a great location then turn the corner and it's a whole different place. But the Quarter is fine, lots of people walking the streets, you'll have a great time.
As for taxis, I've had problems with them during Jazz Fest -- they wouldn't come! If you're going to have to wait for a cab then be sure you're in a safe spot. New Orleans is funny -- you'll be in a great location then turn the corner and it's a whole different place. But the Quarter is fine, lots of people walking the streets, you'll have a great time.
Sep 30th, 2004, 07:28 AM
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Try to get to the Quarter early on Sunday morning. Have beignets and coffee at the Cafe du Monde, then stroll along the riverfront and watch the ships go by. Walk around Jackson Square and make forays into the side streets of the Quarter just to window-shop--Royal Street has many eclectic shops for art and antiques. Check out the "Blue Dog" gallery and there's another gallery-I can't think of the name-but they specialize in weiner dog art! It's a great way to pass some time. Around 11:00 the French Market should be coming to life, so you should go there to browse the farmer's market side and the flea market side. Have lunch at Franks's or Johnny's or Maspero's--anywhere but Papa Joe's After lunch head towards Canal Street and Bourbon to catch the St.Charles streetcar for a scenic ride through the Garden District. Camellia Grill is an excellent idea for dessert. When you get back to the Quarter there's still lots of walking around to do, just observing. For dinner, if you want seafood in a casual setting I would suggest Deanie's on Iberville Street or Mike Anderson's or Felix's on Bourbon. All are single friendly. As far as safety goes, just don't wander past Bourbon or Dumaine and don't go into any cemetaries unless you're with a tour. Keep people in sight and you'll be fine. Have a great time.
Sep 30th, 2004, 10:50 AM
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Wear comfortable shoes & expandable clothes because walking & eating are 2 NO essentials. I grew up there & still live nearby & am trying to eat my way through town. Thank goodness the weight limit for flying is on luggage, not people because I would weigh a ton from all the food I'd try to eat before leaving.
Sep 30th, 2004, 12:31 PM
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Eat Beignets at Cafe DuMonde
Eat Gumbo at the Gumbo Shop
Eat Oysters at Acme Oyster Co.
Drink Hurricanes on Bourbon Street!
Cocktails at the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel.
Fun non-consumption based activities would be...voodoo cemetery tour, St. Charles Street Car ride, People watching in Jackson Square, Antique browsing on Royal Street, Bead shopping at Mardi Gras World...
Eat Gumbo at the Gumbo Shop
Eat Oysters at Acme Oyster Co.
Drink Hurricanes on Bourbon Street!
Cocktails at the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel.
Fun non-consumption based activities would be...voodoo cemetery tour, St. Charles Street Car ride, People watching in Jackson Square, Antique browsing on Royal Street, Bead shopping at Mardi Gras World...
