Beignets are best described as puffed donuts without a hole and covered in powdered sugar. The best place to get them is at the original Cafe du Monde at the French Market along the river in the French Quarter.

You should also go across the street and get a Muffaletta from Central Grocery. BBQ shrimp is a NOLA mainstay and many think the best place to get that dish is Mr. B's Bistro. You should also try red beans and rice somewhere.

Preservation Hall has been around for many many years and you can stand outside and hear the music for free...inside seating is limited and some is on the floor. I highly recommend a cemetery tour...preferably St. Louis #1. It's also fun to ride the St. Charles streetcar thru the garden district to view all the grand old homes. You will also pass Tulane and Loyola Universities as well as Audobon Park where you can stop at the zoo if you so desire.

Yes, beignet is the word for donut in French. As touristy as it is, you must have them at Cafe du Monde with a cup of their coffee; you can purchase cans of it up here in NYC if you get hooked but don't want to lug it around! They also sell beignets in the airport, for that last decadent taste before heading north...

Muffalettas are large sandwiches stuffed with all sorts of yummy stuff. Another local sandwich is the po'boy; catfish or shrimp are popular. Get them "fully dressed" - all the fixings.

Classic dinner items include gumbo and jambalaya, both of which have seafood and usually spicy andouille sausage. For something sweet, look for sugary pralines (pronounced prah-leens) and pecan pie...

Mmm. Now I'm hungry! And I think I've changed my mind for dinner tonight - am going to head out for the local facsimile here in NYC!

For inexpensive local breakfasts, try Johnny's PoBoy (a greasy spoon with very good food) in the French Quarter and Camelia Grill at the end of the streetcar line in the Garden District (counter seating only, servers have probably been working there for 30 years, great omelettes and milkshakes).

Snug Harbor is just outside the French Quarter but is a great place to hear music. Used to see Harry Connick, Jr play there when he was still in high school. For something a little different - stop into Mulates or Tipitina's for some cajun music.

And you have to have some beignets! But if Cafe du Monde is too crowded, try Cafe Beignet (on Royal Street). Just as good but generally less crowded.

I agree that you should definitely do a cemetery tour, and St. Louis #1 is fascinating.

Where will you be staying?

The National D-Day Musuem is worth a half day or more.

For some really good seagood without the crowds of other places try Deanies on Iberville. I like it better than Mr. B's around the corner.

The Gumbo HOuse is also good for cajun foods (beans & rice is excellent )

The Quarter is full of small shops and stores . . We usually get out early in the morning and just walk the streets and alleys

I'm a New Orleans native.

Beignets are a must, I wouldn't go anywhere but du Monde, the experience just isn't the same. Besides, November is not a major tourist month, so it won't be that crowded.

If staying in the Quarter, Drago's or Acme Oyster house - if you like or want to try oysters. I definitely recommend the charbroiled oysters from Drago's, they will knock your socks off! The rest of their menu is "ok" by New Orleans standards, I typically don't waste time there on anything but the charbroiled oysters.

Someone recommended Deanies over Mr. B's, definitely good advice there. Deanies is a local place that happens to be in the Quarter, whereas Mr B's was put there as a high-end restaurant for tourists.

For drinks: Hurricane at Pat O Brians or any of the other specialty drinks. Check out the piano bar there, too. Fun times.

I agree that Cafe du Monde is the ideal place - but it was too crowded when we were there in December and Cage Beignet was surprisingly good.

mikebrad0927 - how is the Deanie's in the FQ? I grew up going to the one in Bucktown and just can't imagine going anywhere else. Feel the same about Camellia Grill.

If Acme Oyster House is too crowded - go across the street to Felix's.

And the piano bar in Pat O's is great fun. Many (somewhat fuzzy) memories of times there! But I also enjoy having a drink at the Napoleon House.

Grcxx3 we have booked Quality Inn & Suites in O'Keefe St which is a short walk to the French Quarter from what I have read.

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. In regard to the beignets having never had one before, how do we know it it is going to be up to the New Orleans standard. We might have to do a taste test between the two places recommended!!!!

Can't recommend the National WWII Museum highly enough. It's a fantastic museum, especially if you have the slightest interest in WWII history.

We also took a drive through the ninth ward (especially hard hit by Hurricane Katrina). We were with friends in a car (not on a tour), and we're initially wary of visiting the area as we though we might be invading the privacy of those who live there. Well, it has been two years since we were there, but in 2010, there were still precious few houses occupied, and it was a most interesting area to see, the abandoned houses, the condemned houses, the newly-built houses, everything.

Lastly, we took a walking tour in the French Quarter with Friends of the Cabildo that was very informative.

Oh - I definitely recommend the D-day museum. My step-father was a huge supporter of the museum and we donated a lot of his memorabilia when he passed away.

And I would also recommend a Katrina tour. I have not been on one (drove around myself) but from what I have heard - the tours are quite good.

Another vote for the WWII museum. You might also enjoy Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World which will give you some history around the event and also show you some floats.

I wasn't familiar with O'Keefe, as we usually stay in the FQ, but I just looked it up and that location should be fine. My only warning is to avoid walking past Rampart (going away from the river). That area is dicey.