My husband and I have just booked our first trip to NOLA and are looking for some suggestions and possibly guidance. We are staying at the House on Bayou Road (which I know is a few blocks from the quarter. Musts during our trip include guided tour of the cemetary and checking out the local music scene (my husband is a huge jazz and blues fan). We are also considering a cooking class at the NO cooking school and visiting some plantations. Of course food will be a big part of our trip. Places I would like to dine at include Upperline; Coop's Place (for gumbo); Mandina's; Jacques-Imos; Camillia (for desert); Uglesich's (if they are still open); Central Grocery (for muffaletta); and the Cafe Du Monde. Based on where we are staying and some of the things we would like to do would renting a car be a good idea/necessity? ALso, what could we possibly expect for weather?

All of you suggestions and help are greatly appreciated.

JHazel

We stayed a few blocks from the Quarter and never needed a car. Even though we usually walked on the same street and looked in the same shop windows, we enjoyed it and kept seeing something new. We loved the New Orleans School of Cooking. Kevin told great stories and the food was delicious. It was fun to share a table with strangers and compares restaurant recommendations. We took a Gray Line tour to Oak Lawn plantation. It's a long ride and we didn't really have enough time at the plantation although the house tour was very good. If you want to visit more than one plantation, I think you would enjoy it more if you rent a car and don't have to worry about when you have to report back to a bus. We also rode the street car just for something to do but it would have been smarter to have a destination. It was good for resting tired feet. The New Orleans Ghost Tour was excellent. Don't forget to go to the farmers market. It's not far from Cafe Du Monde. I brought home some ingredients from the Cooking School but there were some unusual items at the market that I wish I had purchased. I bought some fresh sugar cane just because I've always wondered what it tasted like. You will love all the street performers. At the last minute we made reservations for the breakfast buffet at Court of 2 Sisters. We all loved it. I realize it might be too tourist oriented but it was our last morning and gave us the opportunity to try some more dishes we don't get at home. I wouldn't have ordered bananas Foster off a menu, for example, but liked that dish so much I served it a Christmas brunch.

FWIW, you are not a FEW blocks from the quarter. Your hotel is 8 blocks north of interstate 10. It's 14 blocks up from the NE corner of the quarter (Esplanade & Rampart - which is not even the best part of the FQ).

I would suggest you try and find something IN the FQ for a first visit. Otherwise, I suggest you take a taxi to and from your hotel when venturing out. DON'T GET A CAR! There is no place to park it in the FQ. If you really want to stay outside the FQ, at least consider a place close to the river.

For your husband, go see Big Al Carlson at the Funky Pirate at 727 Bourbon Street. Big Al is there 5 nights a week starting around 8:00 pm. Your husband will LOVE it.

In addition to the hugely popular dining spots you listed (esp. Upperline) have at least one meal at Marisol (get the daily specials) and Rio Mar (get the Gulf Shrimp and ceviche sampler).

http://www.marisolrestaurant.com/

http://www.riomarseafood.com/

I agree with bardo. You are FAR away from the French Quarter in a rather remote area where (according to fodors) "walking in the area is not encouraged."

Since parking is very difficult to find, you'll need to rely on cabs everytime you leave the property.

If you wanted a peaceful, quiet hideaway, the House of Bayou Road would be a great choice. However, it appears you're really anxious to enjoy some of the things NO is famous for...and for that reason I'd strongly advise you to book elsewhere.

Bardo and Susan your point is well taken. I did not realize that the HOBR was as far away from the quarter as you pointed out. What about the La Maison Marigny or B/W Courtyards? I am also looking at Elysian Fields. Any thoughts or suggestions?

JHazel,

The location of House on Bayou Road is just fine for your trip. It is a beautiful and well-run property. Many of the things you want to do and the places you want to go are outside the Quarter. Cabs are easy to get and cheap.

You can be like all the other tourists and stay in the quarter if you like. You will be surrounded by other tourists, doing touristy things. If you want to experience New Orleans like a local, you are staying in a perfect spot. You will not be sorry.

JHazel - La Maison Marigny and B&W Courtyards are wonderful options. They both get fabulous reviews (some of which you can read by doing a search of this board) and though neither is IN the French Quarter they're only steps away.

La Maison Marigny is on Bourbon Street but at the quiet end (across Esplanade) and B&W Courtyards is in Faubourg Marigny not far away. From either place, you'll be able to walk virtually anyplace you'd like to go with the exception of some of your restaurant options, which will require a cab.

And with all due respect to NO Native, I've been visiting NO for over 40 years, and I still find the French Quarter endlessly fascinating. Sure there are lots of tourists there, but there are also plenty of locals, some of whom I've known.

JHazel,
Your 3 alternates are all fine - especially B/W Courtyards (if it's not already book up).