Stephanie

A group of us, about six gen-x-ers, are going to drive from Chicago to New Orleans in August and we want to know if we HAVE to reserve a hotel room...if so where...we hear most places are reasonable that time of year, but what does that mean..None of us have ever been.

Also, where can we go for some fun that's not touristy...and what are the must dos..

We'll be there for three full days...
HELP! thanks, stephanie

JoAnn

Try these sites for info-and check the "create your own trip" on fodor's main page. We will be in NO in Sept. with some friends and have been searching for sites to send to one another. We are all timeshare owners, so our rooms are set.
www.neworleans.tgn.com
www.nawlins.com
Have fun

Kid Creole

August may be the only time when hotels aren't sold out. If you do not want to be stuck somewhere expensive, go ahead and reserve a room. For Gen Xers who don't want to spend a ton, I'd recommend Hotel Le Richelieu, in a pretty part of the French Quarter close to the very happening scene in bohemian Faubourg Marigny (walking distance, both). Go to Tipitina's, Cafe Brasil, the Rock n'Bowl and Checkpoint Charlie's for music. Atmospheric bars are Napolean House, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, Port of Call and the Columns. Go to Pat O'Brien's and Cafe du Monde for the requisite tourist pilgrimmages (relax, locals like 'em too). Eat at Mother's, Dooky Chase's, Pascal's Manale, Uglesich's. If you're in a campy mood, try Lucky Cheng's. For nice dinners, go to Gautreau's or the Upperline or Mike's on the Avenue. If you go to the Cities of the Dead (cemeteries), go on a tour -- it's the only safe way. Best museum is the US Mint. Zoo is very good. Ride the streetcar down to Camellia Grill for breakfast. Good after hours place is the Dungeon. Go to Blaine Kern's if you want to see Mardi Gras floats. Funky shopping on Magazine street uptown. Barrow's Shady Inn has the best fried catfish in town. Enjoy it -- but be ready for the heat! And "cheap" hotels here aren't real "cheap" -- expect to spend 100 a night unless you're in a suburban MOtel 6.

Kid Creole

One more thing, Stephanie. If you want to see what kind of "summer deals" you can get for lodging, surf to http://www.neworleanscvb.com/summer.html It lists summer discounts & code words for most of the cities' hotels and B&Bs. Discounts are supposed to be good through end of August. Also, if you want to see where the good music is, pick up a copy of the local mag, Offbeat (they're also online).

Tom

Depending on the days you are in NOLA and your inclination to use your car, I'd recommend Rock-n-Bowl for great music and bowling. The Funky Butt and Donna's on Rampart St for jazz. A muffuletta at the Napoleon House in the Quarter. If your budget minded, grab a few bottles of wine and head to Mona Lisa (Royal Street) or Lola's (Esplanade). For a interesting social scenes, try Caldi's coffee house and the Clover Grill (especially at 3 a.m.)(both are in the Quarter). Other music venues for the twenty-something set: The Dragon's Den, Cafe Brazil, and Jimmy's. Get the local paper on Friday (or the weekly Gambit) for listings and events.

Kitty

I also recommend the Dungeon for after hours. Although it had been a couple of years since I have been there....
I liked Mike Anderson's ( in the French Quarter) for dinner.
The cemetery tour is cool, but I don't remember what tour we went with.
Have fun!!!

gary

Stop in Memphis to see Elvis stuff and Beale Street. The best show in town in the Rev.Al Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle Church on Hale St sundays(look up full gospel tabernacle in phone book. They like visitors). And you must drive down the famous Highway 61 south of Memphis thru the upper mississippi delta. The cotton will be high in august. Get off those interstates!

Chip Brandt

Ok first off bars. Get away from the tourist traps in the french quater, go uptown take a taxi or streetcar it is not that long of a drive. 1. The Columns-right on St. Charles great atmosphere. 2. Cooter Browns-good to go for a beer during the day while you check out the River Bend area. 3. Bulldogs and Balcony Bar- on Magazine right across the street from each other. Food 1. Lola's- Dinner on Esplanade cheap Spanish food great atmosphere BYOB small so expect a wait outside, but you can drink while you wait so it is worth it. 2. Port-a-Call- Lunch on Esplanade Great burgers good bar on edge of french quarter. 3. Taquera Corona -Mexicangreat for Lunch. Several locations. Uptown and in the warehouse district inexpesive. 4. Santa Fe - Mexican with a european flare. Just outside of the french quater- great place to go for dinner. Good atmosphere great food and the most wicked marquiritas in the city. I max out at two, and I can drink. 5. Acme Oyster House- lunch- seafood-french quarter. 6. NOLA's-dinner and more formal and more expensive than the others, but it is not stuffy and the food is classic creole-cajun with a twist, and it is well worth the money. Located in the French Quarter. Ask some locals where you are staying where to get a good po-boy sandwich and get one. the seafood is usually the best.

marian

My husband and I went there for the first time last February for Mardi Gras and had a blast. You and your friends will have a great time guaranteed. We stayed in a little bed & breakfast called the Fairchild House. I recommend it. Beatrice, the manager is so helpfull and is good at recommending restaurants and things to do. Restaurants I recommend would be Acme's,NOLA's(one of Chef Emeril's restaurants),K-Paul's,and Mr. B's. Must go to Cafe du Monde for Beignets and Cafe au lait. Also Pat O'briens for the hurricaines. Go on a Cemetary tour. Do not go out on your own at night. Very dangerous.Also take a garden district tour. The Parks & Rec department has free tours. Hope you have a great trip. We sure did.