Deb15July

So...my daughter and I are planning a last minute trip to New Orleans for 3 nights. We will be staying just outside NOLA proper (Harahan) with my mother who is there for a few weeks for work. We've been many times, but always stayed in or near the French Quarter.

Are there any decent restaurants in the area?
We will be there on St. Patrick's Day...does anyone have any information about the various parades?
I was told that we should rent a car because getting into town would require several bus transfers and it isn't safe. Any comments?
Has anyone done a night ghost tour? Several years ago, we went on a cemetary tour that included a visit to a voodoo house, but it was during the day.
I'm also thinking about a swamp tour...any recommendations?

ccolor

The only question you have that I'm comfortable commenting on is the swamp tour. It's been pretty cool in the South and all the critters are probably still in hibernation. Summer tours have gators out all over the place, but they're pretty sleepy in the early spring - maybe you ought to put that on a back burner for another trip to NOLA?

bigtyke

We did a swamp tour around St. Patrick's Day a few years ago. ccolor has it right.

Deb15July

Thanks for that info. The swamp tour wasn't really high on the list but it is something different. We've done so many things in NOLA already and i am trying to think of something new and outside the city.

ccolor

Actually, if you're interested in history there's a Groupon discount for a tour of the Beauregard Keyes House. That's been on our list of things to do in NOLA for a couple years, but it expires before we can use it.

http://www.groupon.com/deals/beauregardkeyes-house

BlueSwimmer

If you Google, you can find this website with information on the parades and events for St Patrick's Day. http://www.stpatricksdayneworleans.com/

We went to the Irish Channel parade a few years ago and it was really fun. People line up with chairs and blankets on either side of the route. It wasn't wall-to-wall people or wild partying like Mardi Gras is reputed to be (I haven't experienced that yet) but more of a family event (no women showing their "assets" to get beads, for example).

The parade includes lots of Irish-American men in tuxes with green bow ties. They kiss all the ladies and give them silk flowers in green and white. The floats aren't anything too fancy but they throw beads, cups, and veggies like carrots and cabbages. We saw a bunch of older ladies collecting them to take home to cook. Apparently it's an old tradition. The overall parade was pretty short- it was a nice few hours in the sun, experiencing the bead-throwing culture in a low-key way. The year we went the weather on March 17th was great- shorts and t-shirts weather at mid-day, light sweater and jeans at night.

Deb15July

cc...my husband and I actually toured the BK house many years ago and did enjoy it. I'm not sure if DD will be interested, but she might be as she's not done any house tours in NOLA.

blue...I actually checked the website you menioned for the parade schedules. We won't arrive in time for the Irish Channel parade, but I was looking at the Irish Club parade There is also an Italian-Irish parade in Metairie on Sunday and we're staying fairly close by so that's an option.

Please keep the ideas coming!

Littleman

Rivershack is a lot of fun and Charlie's is outstanding.

http://www.therivershacktavern.com/

http://www.charliesseafoodrestaurant.com/

Deb15July

Thanks littleman...those both look good and I like that they're both open for lunch and dinner. Do you have any favorite dishes?