Hi- Goingto NO for the first time, will only be there for the weekend, so whats the best of the best? Best eats, bars, music, shopping, hotel for a first timer, We are staying at the ritz carlton. Any and all info would be appreciated.thx

Just got back yesterday from NO. Commander's Palace in the Garden District is a must. We went for lunch, were treated wonderfully and the food was FANTASTIC! No argument it has been rated the best in USA and top five in the world. Jacque-Imo's Uptown on Oak Street was also great. Funky, casual atmosphere but food is top notch. Many other chefs eat there. Irene's on St. Phillip is very good if you are not leaving the Quarter. Grab a muffaletta at Central Grocery on Decatur for lunch. Uglesich's at Baronne and Erato (two block's off St. Charles)is great for lunch too. Great shopping all around the Quarter mostly on Canal. Magazine Street in the Garden District has many, many antique stores. Just walk around the quarter and you will find whatever music you enjoy. If you are interested go on the New Orleans Ghost Tour that starts at the Morgue Bar, try to get Chaz as your guide! He has a trick where he stops his pulse and starts it again! Bourbon St. is crowded, noisy and boisterous but an experience you need to have. Enjoy.

All good suggestions. Type "New Orleans" in the Fodor's "text search" and stand back for more good ideas.

In my opinion, flex has great ideas on everything but the New Orleans Ghost Tour. We found it a tourist trap of the worst sort...primarily intended as a means of hawking drinks at the Morgue, which is a very dingy bar. The tour guides are more clown/actor than informative. You can walk down Bourbon Street and be just as entertained by other tourists!

Just got back from another successful trip to NOLA Tuesday night.

Ditto Jacques-Imo!
Next time we're waiting for the back of the truck! (You have to go there to understand that comment).
The Maple Leaf Bar a few doors down is also a very interesting place.

Here's a site that was suggested here and we've used before that is pretty helpful: http://neworleans.citysearch.com/

Have funnnnn,
Kal

Kal: Sounds like you saw a lot......how was the BourboCam?

SR: Most questions you might have about New Orleans, Kal will have good answers for you - they have fantastic times on vacations and are always willing to help with inquiries.

Cin,
Not this trip...Can't remember a darn thing!
Got "Purpled Voodooed" the first night at Lafitte's B/S Shop and never got our "legs" back under us!
I think I wrote a trip report.

Screwed up on the Bourbo-webcams...long story but the term ".12" may explain it... and the line at Acme for the Oystercam was almost up to Bourbon St.!

BTW, I think Jacques Imo will only take reservations for parties of 6 or more. Ours were for 9:00pm and we were finally seated around 9:30-45...We got out around 11:30 and they were still seating people.

About a $15/20 cab ride from the FQ. Tell the cabbie to take the St Charles route. We went the hi-way around on the way out but took the Garden Distr. route on the way back. About the same amt.
Let the goood times rollll,
Kal

I agree with previous suggestions, especially James. Avoid the New Orleans Ghost Tour (pay $18 and spend more time in the bar than on the tour). If you are interested in a ghost tour try Gray Line or Magic Tours.

Just got back from NOLA. Disappointed with Commander's Palace. The service was great, but the food was only average. We tried many things on the menu including the turtle soup and the bread pudding. The entrees were very salty and not particularly interesting. For $100 lunch, I expected a lot more.

I would recommend Red Fish. The servers were not the friendliest, but the fish was delish. Also the po' boys at Acme Oyster Co. were really good and the servers were nice.

We also had a bad experience with a name restaurant in New Orleans - we went to Emeril's NOLA for lunch one day and were SO disappointed! Maybe it was just a bad day, but we won't go back next year (Kal - hint: end of September?) Try Petunia's and Acme Oyster Grill for good eats in the Quarter and for souvenier shopping the French Market can't be beat (take home beads - easy to pack and always identified as "Bourbon Street"). Have a great time!

Bayona, Bayona, Bayona!!! My husband and I stayed at the Ritz for our anniversary last year. Bayona is two blocks from the hotel. It was by far our favorite meal. It was excellent and was not a tourist trap like Commanders Palace and some of the other places you hear about so often. While at the ritz, go to the spa... it's awesome!

Hand Grenades at Tropical Isle!

Just got back yesterday from my first trip there.
Love Pat Obriens Bar, Howl at the Moon. Hubby loved Mike Andersons for seafood. Gotta get there early it was crowded! Wow N.O. has got to be seen to be believed