New Orleans To Do List
 

Hi everyone! I just booked a 2 night stay at the Maison Dupuy in the French Quarter as a surprise for my boyfriend's 45th birthday. Looking to walk most places (or perhaps take the streetcar) ... With just 2 days ... any suggestions on your top 5 things to do, see, eat, etc.

Karen, back up and do some research on your own. This board has tons of New Orleans information already posted and can be a great resource! You'll find many comments on the casino, aquarium, Bourbon Street, St. Charles Avenue and the Garden District, Faubourg Marigny's neat architecture, and LOTS of restaurant info. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip.

Take a boat cruise of the bayou. Probably the BEST tour I have ever done anywhere. Well worth the time and departs right on the river below Jackson Square.

Here are some obvious suggestions. They may seem "touristy", but they're a great place to start for a couple of days in New Orleans. You'll have a blast. <BR> <BR>• Carriage ride - (from Jackson Sq.) around the FQ - pick out a driver that looks interesting. Great way to take in a crash course in the town's colorful history. <BR> <BR>• Cafe du Monde - Great place to have coffee & beignets (sp) and people watch. Too much sugar & dough, but hey, it's a tradition. Watch out for pigeons. <BR> <BR>• Streetcar - Scoot over to the Garden District to take in some beautiful old homes. A nice break from the FQ. Also check out the Warehouse District. For galleries, check Royale St. <BR> <BR>• Bourbon St. - Go at night, grab a Hurricane and wander. A little bit will go a long way. On Bourbon, the insanity of Mardi Gras goes on year-round, although it's not a total crush of people. <BR> <BR>• Jackson Sq. - Try to catch some group jazz street performances. Summons up the eclectic heart of the city. And luckily the performers aren't too polished. Good stuff. <BR> <BR>• Marie Laveaux's Voodoo Shop - Not a lot to it, but if you read up on this voodoo priestess beforehand you'll better understand the influences of the town, including the voodoo/catholic connection in imagery. <BR> <BR>I could go on and on! It's a great town full of history and a good time.

Thanks for the advice! ... love hearing people's "favorites". I have done several hours of research ... This post is a great source of information.

Hi Karen, <BR> <BR>We just returned a couple of weeks ago for a long weekend in New Orleans. An absoulte must is to make reservations at Commander's Palace for either the jazz dinner or the jazz brunch. One of the best meals I've ever had, and the service is fantastic, not to mention how good the live jazz band is! <BR> <BR>We also had a fun night in the French quarter taking a "Ghost of New Orleans" walking tour. Touristy but still gives an interesting history about some of the buildings and lets you see different parts of the French Quarter. <BR> <BR>On Bourbon Street, Galitores is rated as a great place for a meal, and we loved it as well. <BR> <BR>Also make sure to take the street car to St. Charles Ave, to see some of the pretty homes in the Garden District. <BR> <BR>For museums, we really liked the Louisiana State Museum which is right in the quarter at Jackson Square. <BR>Have a great time!

Top of the Dome restaurant in the Hyatt. It revolves and has a Chocoholics bar (all you can eat deserts for $7.50). Sometimes we just go for coffee and desert instead of going to a coffee house.

This is the first I've heard of the Chocoholics Bar at the Hyatt. We are going to NO next week and I'll be sure to get my chocolate fix there. Thanks for the tip.

Going to New Orleans for the first time next March. Is there a dress code (coat and tie) for most of the nicer restaurants or is casual dress ok (khakis and shirt)? Which restaurants would be more casual with great food? I have reservations to stay at the Quarter House on Chartres. Thanks

Walk down and enjoy a cool ferry ride at the foot of Canal St. See New Orleans from a different viewpoint. Its free!!! Walk down the steps to the lower level of the ferry where the cars are and you will enjoy a beautiful view of the riverfront. The ferry goes over to Algiers and back. Enjoy!