go_laura

Hi all,

We'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary in NOLA the first week in February, first time there for both of us.

I've been having fun reading trip reports and while we don't usually make an exact itinerary, we do go armed with highlighted printouts from Fodors tr's and then see which we feel like doing when.

However, we arrive on Sat. Feb. 1 and the next day, Sun. the 2nd, is our anniversary. Wondering if anyone has any special things to do or places to eat that you'd suggest would be particularly memorable for our anniversary day/eve? Btw this is a second marriage for both of us so although it's a 10th anniversary, we're both in our fifties.

Doesn't have to be, tho' can be, expensive or romantic. For example, we're hoping at some point while there to take a cooking class, and that might be just plain old fun to do on our anniversary if any of the classes are on a Sunday, I haven't looked into that yet.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

spirobulldog

Commanders Palace Jazz Brunch.
Be sure and visit Cafe Du Monde sometime during your visit.

We really like the Plantation Homes. These are about an hour outside of NO. Oak Alley and The Nottoway are our favorites.

spirobulldog

Commanders does their brunch on both Sat and Sun, so you could go either day.

DebitNM

Brigtsen's for a dinner! Muriels too.

go_laura

Just reserved for the jazz brunch, thank you!

Welcoming all other ideas....

(DebitNM, not sure about doing a big dinner same day as the big brunch, will have to look into menus and think on it...)

oliolin

For a nice meal, look at Tableau as well. They are relatively new, nice upscale atmosphere and everything our party of 4 ordered was delicious.

TC

We spent a week in NOLA recently. Our favorite restaurant was Bayona. Bayona is small and romantic with amazing food. Commanders brunch is also a great choice.

If you've never been to NOLA before, do the touristy things....a Garden District walking tour, a plantation tour, a cemetery tour, antiques on Royal Street, music at The Blue Nile or Tipitina's. It's all part of the experience and should be done at least once.

cd

You didn't ask for hotel recommendations, but if you do not have one yet, let me recommend Hotel Monteleone: http://hotelmonteleone.com/accommoda...FYZi7AodKA8Azw Ask for a room on the upper floors with views of the Mississippi River. We just returned from NO where we celebrated an anniversary. This was our 4th trip to NO but the best hotel we have had! I loved having the chandelier over our bed on low, watching the traffic on the Mississippi with wine in hand!

go_laura

Thanks, all, for the ideas, I'll be looking into them (and reporting back, as always when I get advice here).

cd, Monteleone was the very first hotel I looked into on the advice of my sister in law, but they didn't and still don't have availability for our dates (I was surprised, since I started looking at least a few months ahead and there's no festival/parade that I'm aware of, the week we're there. I think I remember a sporting event the weekend we leave tho', so maybe that's it). After research here and elsewhere, we've booked at Hotel Provincial, but it's cancellable if we should change our minds, so I'm still keeping my eyes and ears open.

cd

go-laura, I checked their calendar and it's the 6th of Feb that is closed to new reservations, the rest of the week is available. Did you try calling to confirm that?

go_laura

cd, we'll be checking in on the 1st, checking out on the 8th, and want to be at just one place the whole time. still, you have a point, it can't hurt for me to call!

cd

Of course, I wouldn't want to move mid week either but I just thought if they knew you would be spending the whole week if maybe they would give it to you! Even if you don't stay there have a drink at the carousel bar: https://www.google.com/search?q=caro...w=1010&bih=600 If you do end up staying there, tell them you are celebrating an anniversary and they have a card and two free drink coupons waiting for you when you arrive.
Also, one of our favorite places for oysters is the Acme Oyster house.