I am going to New Orleans with a group of 12 high school students. They will be learning about the history and culture of the area. We will be on a VERY limited budget - especially for food. We are staying in the Garden Distrist and plan to get a trolley pass for transportation. Any suggestions for activities and FOOD would be helpful. (We have 2 vegetarians in the group) I would really like for them to have the whole experience. Thanks to those who know.

As far as food options near the streetcar line, there is a Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro very close to the garden district ($9-$15 per entree). Further away on the streetcar line (if you take it past Tulane U and around Carrolton) is O'Henry's (a burger joint), Camelia Grill (a great place, but very, very small - so may not work for 12 people), and a Thai and Greek/Lebanese place (sorry - I do not know their names).

Also, on Magazine Street near the Garden District (Magazine and Louisiana St - ask someone at the hotel if it is close to you) there are lots of food options - Pizza, Greek, coffee shops, etc.

There are also cemetary tours and historic home tours near the Garden distict.

Hope this helps

Be prepared to split up as far as touring. A group of 13 getting on an off the trolley might not happen so easily.

And remember to call them "streetcars". Locals don't really appreciate having their transportation named incorrectly. Enjoy the city - hope you and your group have a great time!

In the Quarter you may want to try Cafe Maspero's....it is inexpensive and the food is good. It's on Decatuer Street across from the river.

I second Maspero's - also Acme Oyster House if you have some time in the Quarter.

Cheap food (in addition to already suggested)

In the Quarter
Cafe du Monde
Croissant d'Or
Central Grocery
Louisiana Pizza Kitchen

In/near Garden District
Magazine Po-Boy Shop
Joey K's
Slice
Cafe Rani
Gott Gourment Cafe
Juan's Flying Burrito

Local supermarkets are good too. There is a Whole Foods on Magazine St not far from Audubon Park.

There is a 1.7 mile loop (Magazine St to St Charles Ave) that is a beautiful walk in Audubon Park and you can bring bread to feed the ducks.

If you are Louisiana residents, some museums are free everyday or Friday only, etc.

If not, the New Orleans Jazz Park has free performances www.nps.gov/jazz
and the National Park Service did free walking tours of the French Quarter. (check if they still do)

The sculpture garden at NOMA in City Park is free. You can make a small donation.

Bring some kites and fly them at Woldenberg Park on the Mississippi River.

Free concerts at Lafayette Square start April 1st every Wednesday 5-7pm thru June.

I don't know if your schedule is fixed or not, but if it is flexible, try going in the summer to really save money.

If you go in summer, you'll be able to take advantage of extremely cheap hotel rates (like $99 for a Ritz Carlton, even cheaper for less caliber hotels). Otherwise Spring is the most expensive time, so coordinate to not go during French Quarter Fest (April 16th to 18th I believe) or Jazz Fest (last weekend of April/first weekend of May), because hotel rates are extremely high.

We found Johnny's Po-boys on accident but it was a lucky one!

Pretty blue skies when we left the hotel room... shortly after that, an absolute down pour! We decided to change our lunch plans and just duck in the first place we found to escape the rain.

Luckily for us, Johnny's was the first restaurant we saw when the deluge hit! Rain or no rain, I'd definitely go back!

The po-boys are so large that two kids could easily split one with some chips. If still hungry, order another.

Johnny's Po-Boys
511 Saint Louis St
New Orleans, LA 70130-2117
Phone: (504) 524-8129

I definitely recommend Johnny's Po-Boys. And 2 kids can definitely split 1 sandwich.

Lots of helpful tips. Thanks!