I suggest going to the Cat's Meow for a fun night. Go to http://www.nola.com/karaokecam/
& watch live "performances" from there. It is hysterical. A real party place & I am not a karaoke fan!

Just beware of beautiful Hawaiian women bearing gifts and uses the word "nifty" while telling you "I bet I can tell you where you got them shoes, Mister". :((

I forgot to mention that after about 8 trips to NOLA we finally took the River Boat cruise that takes you downstream and back.
Pretty darn nice. Good bar, great music and the buffett looked and smelled nice.

ANybody been to a place called something like Ugelisch's? Watching Emeril the other night and he recommended the place...

What fantastic suggestions everyone. Thanks a bunch! Our trip is about 3 weeks a way...starting to really get excited and all these suggestions just heat it up even more! Keep'em coming!

The most incredible Sunday Brunch is at Rene` Bistrot, 817 Common Street. Not only is the food outstanding, they serve non stop Champaign and/or Mimosas. One price includes choices from 4(?) courses and the drinks.

Try The Marigny Brasserie, 640 Frenchmen St., in the Faubourg Marigny (www.cafemarigny.com)for dinner. Wonderful food and in a neat neighborhood I had not been to on other visits.

There are 2 for 1 coupons for most of the riverboat trips. Print out a coupon from the Good Times Guide site.

Thanks wnab1q and BudgetQueen. :-)

I presume that would be www.goodtimesguide.com?

I would typically never suggest someone see a zoo when going to a cool city. San Diego is one exception - New Orleans is the other. Especially if you are not native Louisiana and are unfamiliar with the swamp environment. It's right on the streetcar route.

atticus, I've been to Ugelisch's. It's a VERY casual (dumpy might be a better description) place that is on the other side of the tracks from the French Quarter (I notice I recommended it in my missive above). It is plain good food, usually has long lines, people sit on the curb waiting, there's nothing else in this area.

Thanks Tandoori Girl & Bardi. The zoo is a possibility, althoiugh I am generally not a zoo person. Want to take the kids to NO one day and that'd be a place they would like to see.

Ugelisch's sounds out of the way from the French Quarter? We'll be on Royal Street.

So far the plan is for one of the trhee nights there to do one real nice place to eat and a bunch more places of the Ugelisch variety. I think that gives a bit more "authentic" flavor.

Looking hard at the Riverboat ride. None of our group has done that. Is there a better day or time of day?

An airboat ride through the swamp is fun. We got to hold a baby alligator and some other swamp creature (I can't remember the name). We also loved the lively atmosphere at Pat O'Briens.

The Sunday Gospel Brunch at House of Blues is really good. If I went back to NO, I would do this again.

I can't recall how much out of the way Ueglisches is but it's not too far. Cabs are a great way to get around New Orleans. Laws stipulate no more than five in a cab and they are strict about that.

Franky & Johnny's is another place you should check out. It's popular with the locals but I found the food marginal. Maybe I didn't order the right things. Have you checked Chowhound.com for local dives?

Went to New Orleans for the first time in January. It was great. Loved all the food. Definitely do brunch at Commander's Palace. Would also recommend The New Orleans School of Cooking. You learn the history of New Orleans while getting a good meal, too.

The D-Day Museum is a must if you like museums/WWII history at all. We spent two hours there, went to lunch (at Emeril's New Orleans which was great), then went back for another two hours.

Can't wait to go back to New Orleans!

Gotta go with Commander's Palace. Also, horseback riding through Audubon Park. Check out the Maple Leaf (uptown) for some great music. If you're up really, really late and are somewhat adventuresome try Snake and Jake's Christmas Lounge. It's in the Garden District. I honestly have no idea what street it may be on, but the cab drivers can always find it. Been there every time I've visited N.O. and I think I've had a wonderful time...shame I can't actually recall!