New Orleans Trip Questions
 

Planning long weekend trip to NOLA, a few questions, please.

1. Best weekend to go, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, or Memorial Day? Mostly, I'm thinking best weather, but are there any events during that time that we'd want to see (or miss)?
2. Best place to stay in French Quarter, maximum $150?
3. Do we need a car for such a short stay? (Presuming we just want dining, shopping, etc.)
4. If the men decide to golf, any favorite courses?
5. Which is better, Commander's Palace for dinner or Sunday brunch?
6. What's your very favorite fine dining establishment in NOLA?

Thanks for responding to any or all questions.

1. We were there mid-May and the weather was really nice. It was starting to get hot and humid, but it wasn't bad at all and we didn't have much rain.

2. We stayed at the Cornstalk Hotel, which had a great location. The hotel itself is an old house and very much feels like staying in someone's house that they inherited - plenty of old furniture, funky decor.

3. No need for a car. We were there for a week and never missed having one. Between walking, streetcars, buses, and cabs, you should be able to get anywhere you want to go. A car would only be a plus if you want to take a side trip out of NO.

4. No opinion - I don't golf

5. No opinion - we didn't eat at Commanders Palace.

6. No opinion - we perfer hole in the wall places to fine dining. The fanciest place we ate in NO was the Red Fish Grill, which is a casual place.

We were very happy with the Chateau Hotel on Chartres. You definitely don't need a car. We had one there as NO was just part of a road trip for us. But the Chateau Hotel offers free storage parking so we were able to leave it in their lot the entire time.

2. For a place to stay, look into Lafitte's Guest House on the quiet end of Bourbon Street.

3. You absolutely do not need a car.

4. Not a fan of Commander's Palace.

5. My new favorite dining establishment is Lilette. My old favorite, and still a big favorite, is Bayona.

It's hard not to have a great time in NOLA!

1. Either President's Day or Memorial Day. MLK Day is too weather risky. Can get cold and rainy in Jan. Memorial Day can get a little warm but usually not rainy.

2. Don't know about under $150 in Quarter but there are plenty of hotels under $150 right outside the quarter in the Central Business District.

3. No, don't get a car. You can walk, take the streetcar or cab. Everything is close by.

4. The newest and best public golf course is the TPC on the west bank. Audubon Golf Club in Audubon Park has just been remade into a very fine executive course. Very inexpensive.

5. I prefer Commander's for dinner but brunch is ok, too.

6. Stella, Herbsaint, Lilette and, of course, Galatoire's. Frankly, I'd do Galatoire's over Commander's for lunch or dinner. Sit downstairs.

Have fun!

We stayed at the Holiday Inn French Quarter 2nd week of Novenber. Excellant location to everything in that area and the Riverfront. We pur*****d a package with airfare and it was priced nicely. We also like the Hotel Montleone across the street. Very nice cafe for breakfast and the carasal (sp) bar was fun.

We didn't need a car. Everything we wanted was within walking distance or the by trolley. We used a cab once to Commander's Palace, only because we didn't want to deal with the trolly in our "nice" clothes.

We did Commander's Palace for brunch, based on several recommendations. The food was "OK". The Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's were excellant. (not included in the brunch price) The atmosphere wonderful. Loved the trio jazz band. Service was very good. It was expensive though and our splurge for the trip. Also heard that the Court of Two Sisters does a very nice brunch (also expensive)

We loved the Acme Oyster House (not "fine" dining), but the food was excellant. We ate there twice it was so good. You have to get there early (11:00 am or there is a long wait outside on the sidewalk for a table)Would have liked to try Antonio's or Mr. B's, but didn't have enough time.

1. Best weekend to go, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, or Memorial Day? Mostly, I'm thinking best weather, but are there any events during that time that we'd want to see (or miss)?

I went in March/April and it was cool but nice. I would think February over May, but it can get very cold in NOLA!

2. Best place to stay in French Quarter, maximum $150?

Don't know about the "best" as I've only been there once, but we stayed at the Holiday Inn French Quarter. Nothing really spectacular, but the price was right and the location was good. Functional and utilitarian and within cost which is what I look for in a hotel. If I spend all my time in my hotel, I'm not enjoying myself so it doesn't matter what the hotel looks like. (Has to be clean, though, which this place was)

3. Do we need a car for such a short stay? (Presuming we just want dining, shopping, etc.)

No, no, and no. I was there for 8 days and never missed a car. In fact, it can be more of a liability than a help. It is very easy to get around in NOLA.

4. If the men decide to golf, any favorite courses?

Don't play golf, so no opinion.

5. Which is better, Commander's Palace for dinner or Sunday brunch?

Didn't go to Commander's Palace, so no opinion.

6. What's your very favorite fine dining establishment in NOLA?

For casual fine dining it would be Tujague's. My boss used to live in NOLA and recommended I go there, and I was so glad I did! It has a set menu for each night, but nothing disappointed. 2nd oldest restaurant in NOLA and located right across the street from the French Market. I would highly recommend this place. Much overlooked by tourists, but the locals seem know this place well - go figure.

Have fun!