May Trip to New Orleans
 

Hi! My hubby and I are planning a trip to NOLA in May. We will be there 4 days. This isn't our first trip to NOLA, but this time we are determined not to miss anything! Any suggestions for food, tours, activities, etc?

Thanks,
KayKay

KayKay,

Tell us a little more about yourself and what you like to do and we'll be able to help you better. For instance, do you like good food, museums, architecture, etc... Then we can help you.

Hi BK! On past trips we've done the river cruise, gone to the Imax/ Aquarium, visited Mardi Gras world, rode the street cars, toured Oak Alley, took the cooking class, and strolled around the FQ. This trip, however, we want to check out more of the tours. I've already booked a swamp tour with Cajun Style tours. Any ideas for ghost/ vampire/ cemetery/ or history tours? Which ones are best? We would like to stay mostly in the FQ, only because on the previous trips we felt like we were spending too much time in a car. The stress about getting from point a to b when we really wanted to be relaxing and enjoying our time seemed to be a problem. However, small trips out for dinner or whatever is fine.

We love good food. I've heard good things about Brigsten's. What are your opinions? Of course, we will be visiting Cafe Du Monde again. I am thinking about checking out Praline Connection for lunch one day, anyone been? I don't know if we've always gotten bad recommendations or what, but on our past trips I feel like we've mostly missed the boat on the great meals we expected. This time I am determined not to eat a bad meal! One side note, my husband isn't the jacket to dinner type, so that's an issue. Business casual dress is no biggie, but formal attire is out for me... :(! Thanks for any help!

One more thing...any opinions on the Holiday Inn French Quarter on Royal? I know its not the most historical hotel to stay in, but I've found a great deal, it is worth the savings?

Can't remember the name, but take the Ghost Tour that starts at the Voodo Shop. We also did the walking tour of the Garden District and really liked it.

If you've never been to Brennen's for breakfast, it's one of those things you have to experience at least once. Also, dinner at The Commander's Palace is a treat not to miss either...we go there every time we visit NO.

We also enjoyed the D-Day Museum.

Brightsen's is one of my favorite places. To be fair - I haven't been there in many years, but I remember taking my DH there for his birthday back when we were dating....20+ years ago! We went frequently after that and often recommended it to friends visiting. It's far from the FQ - but quite lovely.

If you're looking at tours, I would recommend the Katrina tour. I have not done it (drove myself around the past 2 summers), but people who have taken it have very favorable opinions of it.

And as stated - the D-Day Museum is quite good.

We were supposed to be in NOLA, and had a reservation at Brigtsen's, two days after Katrina hit. If you do go, please post back your thoughts, because I do think we'll go this spring or fall. Thanks, and have a great time.

DMLOVE, I know how that feels. We had reservations for the weekend after Katrina hit! This will be our first trip since....

BW, does Brennans & Commanders Palace require a jacket? GRC, how about Brigstens? As I posted above, hubby says no on the jacket thing... I will look later this evening to find the ghost tour that you mentioned, BW.

Check out Emeril's. No jacket required. Excellent meal.

NOLA is another great choice - it is Emeril's more casual "funky" restaurant and definitely does not require formal dress of any kind, but the food is fabulous.

kaykay,

Thanks for the extra info.

I'd also recommend going to the Audubon Zoo - it's one of my favorite zoos in the country.

I've stayed at Holiday Inn French Quarter on Royal before. It is in a great location, but the rooms are more or less just standard Holiday Inn style, if that's okay with you.

I wouldn't recommend the Praline Connection. Their food is buffet style and sits under heat lamps (at least at the one in the Warehouse District).

Personally I'd recommend NOLA's or K-Paul's to fit your dining desires of great food with no formal attire required.

No coat required at Brightsen's. And NOLA is another favorite.

Any rec's for lunch? We will def. hit Brigsten's and probably Emeril's for dinner.

Help...please???

I'm just going to jump onto your thread here 'cause I plan on coming to New Orleans in May as well.
Although, I haven't planned a damn thing and have done very little research. I like to cram at the last minute. X(

KayKay,

For lunch in NO, we usually have something (relatively) light, such as poboys at the Acme Oyster Bar, Desire Oyster Bar, or Crescent City Brew Pub, since dinner will likely be a more elaborate meal.

However, if you want to reverse that plan, have lunch (especially on Friday) at Galatoire's.

Don't plan anything for the rest of the afternoon, except maybe a nap!

Byrd

We are planning on light lunches. We've been to Mothers twice (and love it!), but want to try something else this trip.

Has anyone tried Acme for boiled crawfish or is there a better place to have it? Preferrably somewhere with other options, as I am not as big of fan of the creatures as my husband is...haha!

I'm sure some of the New Orleans residents here can help you with the crawfish question.

I don't remember ever having them at the Acme, but several years ago (pre-Katrina) we did have some at one of the small restaurants on Jackson Square.

For years there has been a restaurant on Decatur, more or less across the street from Cafe du Monde, that has a big pot of boiling crawfish in the window.

That about exhausts my knowledge of crawfish!

Have a great trip!

Byrd

On our last trip, we had lunch at Johnny's PoBoys on St Louis - they give Mother's a run for their money - excellent po-boys. If you want a light meal, get one and share it.

We had a really great lunch at Napoleon House as well - corner of St Louis and Chatres, I believe.