As I just posted in the NO restaurant thread, we were supposed to visit New Orleans several days after Katrina hit. Everything was booked, including restaurant reservations at Brigtsen's and one or two others (I can't recall now).

We hadn't yet seriously considered re-booking that trip. What is NO really like now to visit? I would like to see NO for our own [selfish] reasons, i.e. my husband has never been there, but we'd also very much like to support the local economy getting back on its feet.

You should definitely go check it out! The French Quarter is up and runnning and there are great deals on hotels. On the drive in from the airport we noticed some abandoned buildings, knocked down street lights, etc, but we had a wonderful time downtown.

Absolutely go! We went in Dec 2006, again in April and are scheduled to go again in Dec. I can't wait. The restaurants in the Fr Qtr (and Brigtsens in Garden District) are definitely open and are loving to see you and serve you fantastic food. A good way to see and experience a lot is to buy a City Pass - it gets you admission to a lot of great venues and now they've added the Katrina Tour. We went on the tour in Dec and it was a very personal and powerful experience - led by local people. Too many great food experiences to detail, great Abita Amber beer, nice silver jewelry at great prices at Sterling Silvia at 41 French Mkt Pl (pick up something with the Fleur de Lis symbol of New Orleans). It is now the symbol of Rebirth, Renew, Rebuild of the city. You will not be sorry that you went!

I am so happy to see these enthusiastic responses! I've already sent an email to my husband, and we're now thinking of going in the spring.

I would not hesitate to go. We went in June for our 5th anniversary and had a terrific time. We didn't go to any of the outlying areas to see the damage - I was there about 3 months after Katrina and saw things then.

all the tourist areas have been fine for over a year as they weren't really hit hard. i was just there in February again. French Quarter and Uptown as lively as always.

Well, for the fall we already have short trips planned to Chicago, Palm Desert and New York (that's on top of Santa Fe, Lake Tahoe and Hawaii, which we did this summer - wow, even I'm impressed!). I'm glad to get all these wonderful responses, as it now gives us someplace new to plan for!