After a 2 year job search, I am flying out to Florida to help move my boyfriend (and his 2 cats) out to California. We are making this trip for the sole purpose of getting his car, clothes, and cats out here. HOWEVER, we have scheduled an evening in two cities that I have never been to: New Orleans and San Antonio.

First: We have very little time. I HAVE to get back to work. We will have hours (literally) in each city. Yes, I know this isn't enough, but we're treating it like a preview for a possible trip in the future.

Second: We have about as much time as we have money at the moment. With the moving expenses/gas/hotels/and so forth, we really not in the position to go to the finest restaurants and whatnot. We are looking to enjoy ourselves without killing ourselves in the process.

Does anybody have an "ideal" night for these two cities? We are staying at the La Quinta in Gretna (right across from the French Quarter area) and La Quinta San Antonio Market Square (right next to Market Square/Riverwalk). Ideally we would have a sit-down dinner at both places. New Orleans has a couple more hours of time built in than San Antonio.
Arrival time for New Orleans: 5:30pm....leaving the next day at 11:00am.
Arrival time for San Antonio: 8:00pm....leaving the next day at 8:30am.

Ideally in New Orleans we would taxi or bus across the river to the French Quarter, get dinner, stroll around, have a few drinks and call it a night. Thought about finding a dinner cruise deal, but afraid of missing time in the quarter and having "eh" food.

My plan for San Antonio was to go across the street to Market Square, have dinner at Mi Tierra (while having margaritas while we wait), then take a stroll down the Riverwalk. Is the food here good? Should I skip it and spend all my time at the Riverwalk?

Any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you,

Arie

First, congratulations on BF's new job! What a struggle that must have been.
Then - I'm sorry, but staying in Gretna will NOT give you a good idea of New Orleans. If you don't stay in or near the French Quarter, you really aren't getting the "jist" of the city. I'm not sure what kind of food you're looking for (seafood, casual, etc.) so I hesitate to suggest anyplace, but definitely agree with you deciding against the dinner cruise. Maybe Muriel's at Jackson Square for a nice place, or if you want less expensive, Maspero's on Decatur is pretty good with a big selection.

Definitely second the idea of staying in the French Quarter.

New Orleans is also one of the best cities in the US for food lovers. I'd recommend a board search here (I've done sightseeing and food reports from a trip I took there last year, for starters) for ideas. There are too many great eateries to settle for something mundane in NOLA.

Your San Antonio plan is perfect. Always enjoy Mi Tierra and it is reasonably priced, the margheritas are fantastic there.

Agree with others on NO, try and stay in the city if you can.

I agree with all 3 of you, but need to stay at a La Quinta with the cats to keep the price down (they don't charge). Was going to stay at the other La Quinta a little closer, but they charge about $30 for parking which we could put toward a dinner. I promise you that the second we get there I will take a dip in the pool, get dressed, and head immediately over to the French Quarter. It's only 3 miles away.

I guess the plan should be to find an authentic yet affordable restaurant for dinner, then stroll around the area. The following morning I'm planning on DuMonde's for beignets for breakfast.

Recommend Brennan's in the FQ...overpriced, but a real NO experience. Also for more basic, hearty fare, the Gumbo Shop at 630 Saint Peter Street, just off Jackson Square. Muriel's is another top spot.

For resturant reccomendations, See littlemans post in this thread . . good info

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...y-213394-2.cfm

3 miles away? I think you're mistaken. It's been years since we've driven between Gretna and the French Quarter, but I remember a longer drive than that. Mapquest shows it to be between 5 and 6 miles - and potentially a 10 or 15 minute drive.

I'm not a huge fan of Deanie's, but it's an inexpensive place to eat in the French Quarter. http://www.deanies.com/

On second thought, I may've been looking at the wrong La Quinta. The one I did directions for was on 50 Terry Parkway in Gretna. Is that the one where you're staying?

That's the one!

Yonkers, that's the one I got directions for from Mapquest. It's apparently between 5 and 6 miles from the French Quarter.

We always head for Acme Oyster House for one of our meals in NO Good food and good prices! http://www.acmeoyster.com/

I hope you do have time for DuMonde's the next morning because they are wonderful! But know that the line, to be served, is long and time consuming.

If the line at Acme Oyster House is too long for you, across the street is Deanies . . a little known gem

this is fun place near the hotel Monteleone in the quarter.

http://www.greengoddessnola.com/

something to keep inmind so you won't be shocked. Parking in the Quarer is rather expensive even at the lots. It can range from 5-10 an hour or so.

Street parking is usually hard to find and the fines for violations are stiff.

While the $30 bucks at the other location is more than "free" in Gretna, you might wind up paying almost that amount.

You might want to try checking out Restaurant.com to see if they have coupons for 70% off for new orleans and San antonio..more bang for your buck. the deal code for 70% off ends today and it's 'deal'