First trip to New Orleans in late March. Staying @ the International House. I'd like to make the most of my time there, so what is over-rated? What places should we avoid? This is a boys weekend away, so we're not really interested in family stuff, or high-brow dining.

Why avoid anything? And "overrated" will vary from person to person. Just enjoy N.O., the perfect city for a "Boys Weekend."

Don't get sucked into paying to see the female mudwrestling on Bourbon st. Ripoff.

Don't know your age nor interests - but the only thing we always avoid is Bourbon Street in the Quarter (hate it).
Otherwise, enjoy! (We've been there 6 times.)

I loved Bourbon Street but hated the expensive Daquiri I got from one of those Daquiri shops...the ones with a row of frozen drink machines, Yuck! Stick to drinks from real bars. Pat O'Brian's Hurricane was fantastic and worth every penny.

Don't avoid Pat O's for cheap "fun" drinks & atmosphere. Expect to stand though, it's hard to get a table, this place is very popular & always packed! Enjoy my hometown & contribute to our economy!!!

Both the locals and the guidebooks will tell you to avoid Louis Armstrong Park after dark, but other than that, and anything sold around Jackson Square, I can't think of anything else you'd want to avoid.

Bourbon Street is great for a boy's night out. There's no better city for bar hopping. Follow your ears for the music you like, and when you get bored with one bar, pour your drink into one of the plastic cups that they keep by the cash register, and move along. On second thought, there is another thing to avoid - those nasty neon-colored frozen drinks. I make it a rule never to drink anything that I can't see through.

The lower the address numbers are on Bourbon St. means you're closer to the "white, heterosexual, trailer-trash area." Give it a try to see if you like it. (To me it was like a carnival where everybody is trying to make a buck off of you - not really rip you off, but you'll spend more for less than you expected.)

Then go further down Bourbon to a more laid-back area - some are gay establishments - and it's really all right. In fact, OZ is about 75% gay but one of the most popular bars in the quarter - and there is not always a cover charge. Unless you're looking for real sleaze, you'll probably feel more comfortable here even if you're all straight as hell. (And they are not all gay, just a more relaxed atmosphere.)

Another place to avoid are the above ground cemetaties if you are exploring alone - they have tours - it's best to go escourted.

Which areas of the FQ are the "roughest"? We are staying just off of Canal in the CBD. Is that a safe, waklable distance?

Avoid (well be prepared for...)the people who walk up to you with a smile and put a NO baseball cap on your head and ask for money for the cause.

Gail: Yep, you're right, but the funny part is - my husband just plain doesn't look good in baseball hats, but when they dropped one on his head it was good! So ok, we plopped down $5 for that one and still spent less than most hats in the tourist traps would have cost us. Who can figure!?!

Steve, Yes its definitely walkable. That location will be closer to the more touristy, honky tonk part of the French Quarter. The quieter and more residential areas of the French Quarter are on the other side of the Quarter from Canal Street. I think its worth checking out this quieter part of town, say between Esplanade and St. Ann Street, to get a feel for the neighborhood. The CBD does get quiet at night, but since you are all grown men, I doubt you will feel unsafe. I am male and in my 30s and have some street smarts and have never felt threatened in the French Quarter.

And as for the post about Oz, its my opinion that it is much more than 75% gay - more like 99%. Unless you are extremely comfortable hanging around gay men, I wouldnt suggest it.

Anything get out of hand on Fat Tuesday?

Fat Tuesday was very fun and everything went well, as far as I know. We stayed at the new Alexa hotel and had a great time. Will be back in February '03!

Avoid the "jazz brunch" at a Court Of Two Sisters. It was expensive, but more importantly, the food was marginal. The cost wouldn't bother me if I thought it was worth it. IMHO, it is not. (A nice casual breakfast at the Quarter Scene restaurant is fine as you get plenty of food.)

Definately avoid the "chain" restaurants like Planet Hollywood, Jimmy Buffet's and the "Bubba Gump Shrimp Company." In Orlando, sure go. They have no place in New Orleans.

Aviod the craps tables at Harrah's. Unless you want to explain to your wife why you blew $500 in 30 minutes. (Or so my "friend" tells me.)

Avoid the Strippers on Bourbon Street. They be the Devil!

Steve -

N.O. is one of the greatest places in the world ... love the food... love the atmosphere. We've walked from one end of the city to the other at one time or another. Just like other cities, when you are walking late at night on side streets just don't "look like a victim"... just look folks straight in the eye and say "Hi, how ya'll doin" gt;)

One thing not to "bite" on (besides the Lucky Dogs), when the inevitable question/statement comes at you while your're walking down Bourbon Street.."Hey man, bet I can tell you where you got them shoes!" (Lost $10.00 on that one first time I heard it 10 years ago... thought there was no way in the world he knew I got my shoes at Macy's in Atlanta!)... nope, the proper answer is "On Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana"..... cause that IS where you GOT them shoes at that moment in time!

Enjoy a great city!

Barry

Avoid ATM's in and around the FQ... $3.75 service charge!!

Anyone that tells you you're OK walking anywhere in the quarter is either uninformed or not playing with a full deck. The media here in NO downplays to the HILT crime in the quarter. I personally know one 20 yr old who was beated so badly a block off bourbon at about 9 pm (with many people standing nearby) that he's had to drop out of college because of all the surgeries he's facing (almost every bone in his face was broken)and he may lose sight in one eye. Another tourist was stabbed to death. Was this reported? Of course not! I've lived here all my life and the only time you'll catch me in the quarter after dark is at a restaurant that valet parks.

Sorry about your friend, Gus! How terrible. I have been in the Quarter on and off for 25 years and (knock wood perhaps) have found it to be a delightful place to visit. We even bought a condo 3 years ago.

Watch your wallet and stay with a group. Otherwise, have a great time.