New Orleans - eats and sights
 

I am heading to New Orleans for three days in October.<BR><BR>What are the must sees and must eats? <BR><BR>Does anyone know anything about the Gumbo Festival?<BR><BR>Any restaurant suggestions? (I have already made lunch reservations at Commandor's Palace.)

For 3 days, this is what I would suggest:<BR><BR>Day 1: French Quarter<BR>Take a walking tour of the quarter in the morning - The Historic New Orleans Walking Tour Company is probably the best. We really enjoyed their tours. Have lunch at the Court of Two Sisters (buffet brunch served until 3). The food is good, the atmosphere is outstanding - dining in an old courtyard with a fountain and tons of plants while a jazz band plays. Spend the afternoon wandering around Jackson Square, the riverfront, looking into antique shops on Royal Street, check out the French Market for good deals on souveniers. Dinner at Red Fish Grill on Bourbon - casual but great food and service. Walk down Bourbon Street in the evenning for the experience, maybe take a carriage ride. <BR><BR>Day 2: The Garden District - <BR>Commanders Palace is in the Garden Dist, so do this what ever day you have lunch reservations. Take the St Charles Streetcar and ride through the Garden District - getting off to walk around where ever looks interesting. Take a walking tour or go on your own. A stoll through Audobon Park is nice. <BR><BR>Day 3: Plantation Tour <BR>I would go with Spinato Tours or Tours by Isabelle - both are very good and I believe they both offer a plantation tour-riverboat cruise combination which is what I would suggest. <BR><BR>A couple must eats - don't forget to stop at Cafe Du Monde for some Cafe Au Lait. Mother's Cafe in the CBD has excellent Po Boy Sandwiches.

For lunch, hit Maspero's on Chartres. Try the muffaleta. For the best food in town, Antoine's. It'll run you near $40 a person. Have souffleed potatoes, Oysters Bienville, and a steak tournedo. Not to be confused with a steak tornado. I would do Antoine's in place of Commandor's any day, though many people would disagree. Enjoy.

We just got back from there. I loved the Gumbo Poopa at the Acme Oyster House! We didn't get too far off Bourbon St at night. The band we kept coming back to was at the Utopia. Nathan Hemmens was the lead singer. Awesome.

Isn't Cafe Mesphero on Decatur?

Find out if Big Al Carson is playing anywhere on Bourbon Street and GO!!!

Yes, Maspero's is on Decatur St. They also don't take credit cards but I do seem to remember an ATM machine inside there. October is usually a good time to visit. Have a great visit.

Cafe Maspero is on Decatur. Maspero's Slave Exchange is on Chartres at St. Louis.

Must try "Mother's" for breakfast. Huge servings & great atmosphere. <BR><BR>Also, I forgot his name (it was during Mardi Gras)one of the gentlemen that works there will sing Elvis tunes while you wait to be seated. Give the man some beads!!

Christina: I hope you tipped the Elvis singer more than just beads - living in New Orleans I'd assume he'd rather have money than plastic 2-$1.00 beads. No wonder tourists get bad raps......

I did Commander's Palace for dinner, it was great! I would suggest taking the cemetery and homes tour while you are in the garden district. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot too!

Don't be caught on Bourbon Street late Sunday night. You might spend the night in the New Orleans Prison. Locals say they pay the taxes this way, especially if you are from out of town.

We were on Bourbon Street on a Sunday night and didn't see any problems anywhere.

Peggy, what the heck are you talking about? As a local, I'm amazed that someone would even suggest such a thing. If you don't break the law, you'll be just fine. Trust me on this one!