New Orleans-things you MUST see/do
 

I will be going to New Orleans for the first time in April and I only have two days, we are staying at the Ramada Inn near the Superdome, can anyone tell me if this is an ok place to stay? Also I wanted to know if there is something that you have to absolutely do, buy or see while in New Orleans. Any info, would be greatly appreciated!!!

Go to Pat O'Brien's and have a hurricane!

Hi Kim,<BR><BR>New Orleans is a great place to visit! I'm not at all familiar with the hotel you mention. Some areas of town are rather "seedy" so be careful. From the Superdome area you will need to take a cab to Bourbon Street. Driving is not really an option as parking is hard to find. <BR><BR>If this is your first time in NO just enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes! The entire French Quarter is great to walk around and Bourbon Street can't be missed - especially at night!!!!

Lily, thanks for your reply, the hotel is at 1315 Gravier St between LaSalle and Loyola, or I can stay at the Courtyard on Julia St too, so I am not sure which would be better, I am concerned about safety since I hear so much about it.

Kim, I think you are safest if you are staying within the French Quarter. If you are only staying for two days I wouldn't want to stay out by the Superdome. <BR><BR>My two favorite things we did in NO were hearing some great jazz music and touring the cemetery. Oh, and eating gumbo every day and walking around with go cups. And the antique stores and most especially the people. Be sure to find Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, the oldest bar in the US. Have fun!

Check out Jackson Square, and the French Market. Pick up some beads for souveniers (cheap, easy to pack and DEFINITELY New 'Awlins!). Eat at Cafe duMonde, try a po'boy and if you're REALLY brave, a Lucky Dog! A city tour is good and take a ride on the St. Charles streetcar. How's that?

Oh yes.....I forgot about that one! You MUST have a beneit (sp?) and coffee at Cafe du Monde.

We enjoyed a carriage ride through French Quarter which included a stop at the St. Louis Cementary No. 1. We also enjoyed Bananas Foster at Brennan's, dinner at Nola's and jazz brunch at Commander's Palace. Just walking around Jackson Square and watching and listening to the street performers is fun. If you were staying in the French Quarter, you could walk to everything. Have fun.

There is a little hole-in-the-wall on St. Charles called Michaul's. They serve red beans and rice and have live cajun/zydeco music. Every evening, between 5p.m. and 7p.m., they give two-step dance lessons. It's a blast!<BR>You geaux girl! <BR>

I just want to thank everyone for all their responses! this will help a great deal

Given your location, one of the things that you MUST do in New Orleans is go to Uglesich's for lunch!! It's very near your hotel location, and the neighborhood, while a little dull is very near lots of interesting galleries. Altho the galleries are not the best part!! The thing to do is go to Uglesich's and simply ask the proprietor to "feed you",,,,he'll ask what you like generally, and then make up a lunch that will truly be great!! My wife and I took a cooking class while we were there, and this was the recommendation to us, and boy, am I glad I took it!!! Have fun and remember to leave room for the shrimp. Dave

Kim: If your only two choices are Ramada Inn on Gravier and Courtyard Inn on Julia, I would go with the Courtyard. It is fairly new. The Courtyard is in the Warehouse District. YOu would have easy access to the Riverwalk shopping area and also to Harrah's if you are into casino gambling. If you like to walk, you can walk to the Quarter but would not do so at night. (Ironically though, in latest crime stats the Warehouse District had the lowest crime rate of any district in New Orleans, possibly because few people live there). The Ramada Inn on Gravier is in a much seedier part of town. Day time will be o.k. but will not leave you with great first impression of New Orleans. Just keep in mind "when in doubt take a cab". Any place you will want to visit will be an inexpensive cab trip and the peace of mind will be priceless. Also, Emeril's if located just off Julia Street, so it can't be that bad.

Okay so the superdome isnt bad. We have excellent public transport. Since you only have two days I would highly recommend taking advantage of the trolley system. There are special passes for visitors I believe that allow unlimited rides (if you dont get one of these you have to do as the hometowners do and pay 1.25 exact change and .25 for transfers). Depending on where around the Superdome you are actually staying you may make a point of picking up the trolley somewhere around Poydras St./Carondelet St. This will take you down to the French Quarter which you MUST see. If you are the party type you will enjoy Burbon street (though it really doesnt pick up until later in the evening). If you want some great local hangouts give me a line and Ill send you some. Other things you cant miss out on are the following:<BR>Jackson Square, Pat O'Brians( go to the piano room!)Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, Jelly Roll Morton House (if you like jazz/ragtime), Flora's Coffeehouse, Cafe du Monde for some beignets a an iced cafe au lait.<BR><BR>There is so much more, if you give me an idea of what your interests are I can give you a more personal list of things to see. Hope this helps!<BR>Merritt

My boyfriend and I decided to stay at the Courtyard, we definitely want to go out and enjoy the music/dancing. I want to go to Michauls and see the Garden District. Does anyone recommend any tour companies to do Cemetary tours or the Garden district tour? We really just want to make the most of our two days in New Orleans! A cooking class sounds like fun, who would you recommend?

Gray Line Tours has a really nice city tour that stops at a cemetery (you can combine 2-for-one with that). We've gone to New Orleans 6 or 7 times and think we'll try the New Orleans School of Cooking on St. Louis St. (search for their website) - if you want some local color for a meal, try Deja Vu on Dauphine St. They're open 24 hours a day and have great food!

Does anyone recommend a cemetary tour? which company and would you recommend the night tour over the day tour?

cemetary tours don't run at night.

The New Orleans School of Cooking is clearly the best choice on St Louis! The cooks are great, and the history lesson that goes with it is as good as a personal tour of the area.....Enjoy!

any recommendations on ghost tours? are they worth the bother???

all those tours are cheesy cheesy cheesy