geith

Going soon. Would love to hear your faves.

howAbout

Drink. Eat. Look at other people eating and drinking.
Repeat as needed. And a text search may not be a bad idea either.

nance

Geith, there are many fun things to do in New Orleans. Go see the Christmas lights in City Park. You can drive or walk through, but my favorite is to take the horse drawn carriage through, and carry a bottle of bubbly. We did this a few years ago and it was wonderful. Go see the giant Jazz tree in the lobby of the Saks store. It plays every 15 or 20 minutes. I love going to the Aquarium of the Americas and usually catch an Imax when I go. Save lots of time to wonder through the French Quarter and look at all the unsual shops. One little shop sells nothing but kalaidescopes (sp?)!! Have fun.

thiri

looking for great new and vintage clothes? no trip to n.o. is complete without a stop at the funky monky (3127 magazine street)

thiri

new orleans coffee??? you havent tasted new orleans untill you've sampled one of the dark roasted coffees at rue de la course (219 north peters-downtown)

sj

Take a tour between Baton Rouge & New Orleans of the antebellum homes / old plantations. Some are just outside New Orleans. Tourism centres will give you all the advice you need once there.

Also - take a swamp tour. Just outside town. Fun & informative.

Ryan

My wife and I have always had a great time at Laffitte's (sp.?) Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon Street. It's one of the oldest bars in the country and has a piano bar in the back. Johnny, the piano player, is a blast. It's on Bourbon, a couple of blocks past the gay bars.

Speaking of Bourbon St., at least one drink at Pat O'Briens, while touristy, is worth it.

Cafe Du Monde is also a must.

lippincottfarm

I just came back from NO. Went to the Laura and Oaks Alley plantations; beautiful and both very different. Went to see the Christmas lights in City Park. Took a Nachez boat ride along the river. Walked Burbon Street and the French quarter and looked at all of the lights. Rode the St. Charles streetcar to the Garden District. Went to the NO cooking school for the three hour class. Drank coffee and ate beignets at Cafe Dumond (to die for). Ate at Muriels, Cuvee, Brigtsens, and the original Ruth Cris. I can't say I had a bad meal. All were good. Had a great time.

geith

thanks to those who had something constructive to say!

amber

geith, welcome to our city!

Here are a few activities that we do with our family when they come down to visit us. There are children involved. You don't say if you will do this solo or with a family. Here goes...

Jazzland, theme park
Audubon Zoo
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Nature Center
Ride the Streetcar up and down historic St. Charles Avenue
The Cabildo, one of America's most important museums, and site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803
The National D-Day Museum, America's newest and finest World War II museum
The Riverboat Cruises on the Mississippi River
The portrait artists at Jackson Square, who provide a lasting memory of anyones trip to New Orleans
Louisiana Children's Museum
The Carousel at City Park, one of America's oldest and most beautifully restored carousels

You will enjoy the city no matter what you do!
Amber

S

We were in New Orleans this summer. One morning we stopped at Cafe DuMonde for beignets. My husband went to the restroom while there. He later told me he was grossed out/repulsed/etc. by the cleanliness of their facilities.

cw

Haven't seen mention of the cemetary tours - very interesting. Years ago we were walking to one of the cemetaries (where they didn't have tours) but were stopped by the city police and told to leave because the walled cemetaries are very dangerous for tourists. When we went last year, we paid and went on the walking tour and thoroughly enjoyed it.

xxx

S, your husband was right about the restroom at the Cafe Du Monde. The odd thing about New Orleans is that MOST of the restrooms are that bad! I know because I spent one vacation there while 7 months pregnant and had the chance to check out half the bathrooms in the city! LOL. Even in very nice restarants I found filth, very dim lights, and frequently had to walk through the KITCHEN to get into the bathroom. UGGGHHH.

Kim

In the French Quarter, most of the buildings are over 100 years old. Stands to reason that the bathrooms, which weren't designed by today's standards, won't be as spiffy as those in newer bldgs.

E.

If you have access to a car, take a swamp tour, by all means! My favorite is the Honey Island Swamp Tour, because it eschews cheesy music, drinks, etc. in favor of these fascintaing guides who just know everything about the swamps. One caveat: not much gator activity on a cold day, and don't bother going at all if it isn't sunny.

geith

thanks all.

had a great time. managed to squeeze in quite a bit, highlights including:

Cafe Du Monde
St. Charles Streetcar
Garden District
Lights in City Park (carraige-ride!)
French Quarter side streets
Preservation Hall!
The Moonwalk

Great restaraunts:
Uglesich's
Commander's Palace Jazz Brunch
Clancy's
Acme Oyster House
Central Grocery

The hotel Omni Royal Crescent was a great choice. Close enough to the action (French Quarter two blocks away, Streetcar two blocks away), but far enough away for peace and quiet. The service was a little spotty and the walls were a wee-bit thin, but overall quite nice. I even forgot one of my bags which they shipped to me gratis!

Pam

Oh what a city. Here are some of the things we loved:
LaFitte's Blacksmith Shop when Miss Lilly was alive.

Having the cab waiting while we stopped at Cafe Du Mond each night for beignets.

Bourbon Street on Halloween

Late night/very early morning breakfast at the Clover Grill

Buying Pralines at the Convent in the garden district(Sister Claire's(?).."they speak for themselves")

Open gallery evenings on Julia Street

Marking an"x" on Marie La Veau's grave

A night at Maison de Ville with champagne delivered to the room

Pam

And..a hamburger at Port O Call

Red beans and rice Mondays at Mothers

Oysters anything at Acme Oyster Bar

Going and sitting in St Louis Cathedral

Shopping for perfume,soap and vetiver at Hovier on Royal Street

Pam

Realizing "A Streetcar named Deisre" is now a city bus.