Was at a convention first week in July 2003 at the New Orleans Marriott.....

Great hotel located conveniently to the French Quarter and the Morial Convention Center. If you can get it on Priceline for $50-60 I would highly recommend it. Don't pay much more as others probably would be better for ambiance etc. The rooms were clean but quite small.

New Orleans is probably the most unique place in the U.S. as far as general culture goes. You can find interesting neighborhoods in many big cities but New Orleans is totally an experience no matter where you go. The people, the climate and the foods are always a learning experience.

oops somehow logged out before done,

Anyway, New Orleans is a great place for the more adventurous, especially with foods and nightlife. One bar may include an irish tenor telling his life story to a bar full of young dudes looking to express their musical style, to a aging jazz group where the singer is missing most of his front teeth...

You gotta love spicey to really enjoy the foods and restaurants are typically all good, I think if they aren't they close quickly with all the competition. One of my favorites is Brigtsen's in the River Bend area, be sure to take the trolley there. Cheap and a tour in itself as you see the old antebellum homes that surround the area.

One must explore various areas as the cemeteries, the garden district and the swamps.

Always had a great time at each visit, and everyone should go once.....

I'm sorry to say that a couple of friends and I had the worst vacation experience possible in New Orleans.

We found the "Big Easy" to be the "Big Sleazy" -- thug-like police standing around in groups around Bourbon Street literally picking off tourists for minor or made-up infractions and literally hauling them away to jail. Our cab driver told us "how do you think the city makes its money?"

Unlike the rest of the south, we also found that southern hospitality doesn't exist in New Orleans. The people were much colder and distant, whether it be in restaurants, main tourist attractions or bars.

Lovely architecture and two great dinners out of six restaurants visited did not make for a good trip. You want friendly people and good time? Go to Chicago!

biffers,

I think you just had bad luck. I have been to New Orleans many times and found the people to be incredibly friendly (and I am from the South), the food excellent, and the police helpful. Give it another chance. I agree with 4khansen, New Orleans is one of the most unique places in the US. I can't wait to go back (going this November).

biff, if you choose to visit New Orleans again please make sure you visit the Garden District, the aquarium, the D-Day museum, the state museums, the French Market, Frenchmen Street, City Park, etc. There's so much more to the city than Bourbon Street.

May I ask which restaurants you liked/didn't like?

Was recently in NO for 5 days (1st time). NO is s
econd only to SF & NY for cities in North America IMHO. Stayed in the quarter . I also loved the riverbend area - Cooter Browns is a must for beer lovers. Also loved the garden district, the zoo (2nd only to San Diego's), the parks, cemetaries, museums, and of course the food. Had my best seafood ever at RioMar in the warehouse district, also made pilgramage ti Commander's Palace. The fact is, stay away from high tourist areas and it's about impossible to have a bad meal. Heard great jazz on Rampart St (The Funky Butt). The only thing I didn't care for was Bourban St (although it's okay early in the day after a hard, long cleansing rain), the best bars/clubs/music were usually elsewhere (Dan - you might give NO another shot but avoid the tourist trap bars on Bourbon St altogether).

Biffers - I, too, would like to know where you stayed and ate that disappointed you. I've been going to NO for 40 years and haven't had anything but good experiences. Yes, there are parts of Bourbon Street that are tacky and dirty, but most folks know that before they get there.

As for your comment about the police - unlike you, I'm comforted by their presence and have seen them show remarkable restraint while being taunted by drunken tourists.

By the way, I like Chicago, too. Also, NY, San Francisco, etc. etc...

I found the NO police to be pretty laid back and helpful. I saw a couple arrests on Bourbon while we were there, but the people who were getting arrested had either been fighting or were REALLY drunk.