What to do in New Orleans in March when not eating...
Mar 2nd, 2010, 08:10 PM
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What to do in New Orleans in March when not eating...
What are the attractions in New Orleans other than eating (of which we will do plenty)? Dates last week of March. Are there day-trips of interest? Walking tours? Guided tours? Beach? Getting out on the Mississippi?
Mar 2nd, 2010, 09:01 PM
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Some day trips would be plantation tours or swamp tours. For tours, there are walking tours and there are bus tours, which types interest you? You can go on Delta Queen to get out on the Mississippi if you'd like.
Mar 2nd, 2010, 09:23 PM
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Also in city park there is a great art museum, and that is a beauitful park. There is also the zoo and the aquarium. The mardi gras museum, and the Napoleon museum. Contact the convention and visitors bureau they have great brochures. If your interested there is also a casino not far from the french quarter. If you've never been on one I highly recommend a swamp tour, it was a lot of fun and really educational. The swamps and all that goes with it is a part of our country that you cannot see in other parts of the U.S. That was one of my favorite New Orleans attractions.
Mar 2nd, 2010, 11:42 PM
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Visit the Voodoo Museum.
Seriously, explore Vieux Carré by walking. I recommend especially the residential neighbourhood in the northeeastern section, around St. Ursulines. You will find many beautiful houses there. IMO, the architecture is NOLA's main attraction.
Seriously, explore Vieux Carré by walking. I recommend especially the residential neighbourhood in the northeeastern section, around St. Ursulines. You will find many beautiful houses there. IMO, the architecture is NOLA's main attraction.
Mar 3rd, 2010, 04:27 AM
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Agree with all of the above (especially plantation tours, a several hour cruise on the Delta Queen, walking the Quarter, and the St Charles St trolley through the Garden District) and would add the WWII Museum - unexpectedly good and very intersting. Also Audubon Park.
Mar 3rd, 2010, 05:28 AM
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Maybe we'll see you there! I've plotted many restaurants out on a map already!
We'll do a walking tour of the French quarter the day we arrive. Next day, Jazz Brunch at Mr. Bs. Weather permitting, the Audubon Zoo (maybe preceded by a ferry ride to Algiers.) We've also reserved the 2 hour open cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking, and will visit the WWII museum. Time permitting we'll go to the New Orleans Museum of Art, which is near St. Louis Cemetary no. 2. We'll also see the garden district. We have a late flight out, so the last day we'll see the Laura Plantation and, time permitting, Oak Alley.
We'll do a walking tour of the French quarter the day we arrive. Next day, Jazz Brunch at Mr. Bs. Weather permitting, the Audubon Zoo (maybe preceded by a ferry ride to Algiers.) We've also reserved the 2 hour open cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking, and will visit the WWII museum. Time permitting we'll go to the New Orleans Museum of Art, which is near St. Louis Cemetary no. 2. We'll also see the garden district. We have a late flight out, so the last day we'll see the Laura Plantation and, time permitting, Oak Alley.
Mar 3rd, 2010, 07:52 AM
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New Orleans is well covered here, and a board search will be very helpful. Here's my recent and thorough experience, both initial itinerary and trip report, for sightseeing:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...y-184065-2.cfm
For food, here are my recent experiences:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...experience.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...y-184065-2.cfm
For food, here are my recent experiences:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...experience.cfm
Mar 3rd, 2010, 09:12 AM
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In addition to everything mentioned so far (I don't think I am repeating anything)...
Walking tours of the French Quarter and the Garden District - we like the Historic New Orleans Walking Tour Co, but there are others as well.
Mardi Gras World, which is across the river in Algiers - check out some of the floats, learn about the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, etc.
Tours of historic houses - in the FQ you've got the 1850 House, the Gallier House, the Bouregard Keyes House, and the Herman-Grimmer House.
Carriage tour of the FQ - a bit pricey and definitely touristy, but lots of fun. In the evening when the streets are lit by the gas lamps, it can be magical.
Walking tours of the French Quarter and the Garden District - we like the Historic New Orleans Walking Tour Co, but there are others as well.
Mardi Gras World, which is across the river in Algiers - check out some of the floats, learn about the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, etc.
Tours of historic houses - in the FQ you've got the 1850 House, the Gallier House, the Bouregard Keyes House, and the Herman-Grimmer House.
Carriage tour of the FQ - a bit pricey and definitely touristy, but lots of fun. In the evening when the streets are lit by the gas lamps, it can be magical.
Mar 3rd, 2010, 10:49 AM
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Walk up Magazine St for funky shopping, antiques, and bars and restaurants.
If you run or walk for exercise, the loop around Audubon Park is gorgeous, especially the when you go past the small island that is sometimes covered with white herons or snowy egrets- not sure which but there are dozens! A lovely sight!
If you run or walk for exercise, the loop around Audubon Park is gorgeous, especially the when you go past the small island that is sometimes covered with white herons or snowy egrets- not sure which but there are dozens! A lovely sight!
Mar 3rd, 2010, 12:22 PM
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november_moon:
Thanks so much for posting the information about the historic houses in the Quarter! We've been to New Orleans over a dozen times and didn't know anything about them. I've downloaded information for each and will do some more research on the web for reviews. Do you have any suggestions on the homes you liked best?
Thanks so much for posting the information about the historic houses in the Quarter! We've been to New Orleans over a dozen times and didn't know anything about them. I've downloaded information for each and will do some more research on the web for reviews. Do you have any suggestions on the homes you liked best?
Mar 3rd, 2010, 12:49 PM
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ccolor - I've been to all of them except the Bauregard-Keyes house, which was undergoing Katrina-related repairs last time we were there. We did hang out in the garden awhile, which was nice.
I think the Gallier House was my favorite, but I liked all 3 a lot - and they are all different. The 1850 House is special because it is one of the Pontalba building townhouses right on Jackson Square and I think it is just neat to be able to go up into one and see how the people lived in them when they were built - they are such a landmark in New Orleans. The highlight of the Herman-Grimmer house for me was the kitchen facilities.
I think the Gallier House was my favorite, but I liked all 3 a lot - and they are all different. The 1850 House is special because it is one of the Pontalba building townhouses right on Jackson Square and I think it is just neat to be able to go up into one and see how the people lived in them when they were built - they are such a landmark in New Orleans. The highlight of the Herman-Grimmer house for me was the kitchen facilities.
Mar 3rd, 2010, 08:15 PM
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Here's a good site that you can use to narrow your search down to what you might be looking for in New Orleans:
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/shopping/
If you're looking for something along the lines of a big yard sale, try the French Market.
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/shopping/
If you're looking for something along the lines of a big yard sale, try the French Market.
Mar 4th, 2010, 04:27 AM
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november_moom: Thanks for your input - I'm still amazed that we hadn't found them in our wanderings through the Quarter, but it's nice to have yet something else to look forward to when we get to New Orleans.
Mar 4th, 2010, 08:47 PM
#19
Just got back from there last week. Spent 3 full days having fun.
You've been given lots of good ideas.
We did our own walking tour of the garden district and the French Quarter because the guided tours were offered at certain limited times (perhaps cuz it was off season) which didn't meet our schedule.
We can recommend Dr. Waggoner's Honey Island swamp tour out of Sidell, which about a 50 minute drive north of New Orleans. (They, like all the other swamp tour operators, can pick you up at your hotel, but it's a much higher rate.) We drove and paid $21 per person with AAA card - 10% off. We had a lot of fun but it would be even more fun when you're there because we were told the flowers will be in bloom on and along the water and the alligators will be out of hibernation and active. Word to the wise though, our captain said these tours book up early during that period of the year so I'd pre-book one if interested. I think he said they run 4 tours a day then. They were only doing 1 per day last week. If the weather is lousy, I wouldn't go.
We enjoyed the WWII museum. You could spend 3-4 hours there if you read everything. Don't miss the movie.
On each side of the St Louis Cathedral in the Quarter, there are 2 museums, both excellent. One is the history of Louisiana and the other a history of Mardi Gras.
At 627 Royal Street, we found a very friendly, helpful and we think honest jeweler (Currents Fine Jewelry http://tinyurl.com/ydvof9w). It's just a husband and wife shop. If you stop in, tell them the guy who bought his wife the green aquamarine for her b-day (and which is due to be shipped any day now) recommended him. Shipping avoids sales tax.
If you're into antiques and old world stuff, you'll never leave....
On our way out Natchez, we stopped at a couple of plantations about 45-60 minutes outside of New Orleans (Laura and Houmas) and did tours. Lots to choose from. Laura was excellent. We only toured the gardens at Houmas ($10 pp). The home is supposed to be fabulously furnished but we didn't feel like shelling out $20pp. Like houmas, the Oak Alley plantation won't even let you walk the grounds for free but it's along the main road and you can snap pics from a turnout across from the long driveway lined with all those huge, gorgeous live oak trees. The entry fee to all the plantations run between $10-20 per person which can add up. AAA discounts are generally available. Bottom line, these are fun and very educational places to explore but pick one or 2 and that should be enough.
Same deal with the various historic homes in NO. All come with those pesky fees.
You've been given lots of good ideas.
We did our own walking tour of the garden district and the French Quarter because the guided tours were offered at certain limited times (perhaps cuz it was off season) which didn't meet our schedule.
We can recommend Dr. Waggoner's Honey Island swamp tour out of Sidell, which about a 50 minute drive north of New Orleans. (They, like all the other swamp tour operators, can pick you up at your hotel, but it's a much higher rate.) We drove and paid $21 per person with AAA card - 10% off. We had a lot of fun but it would be even more fun when you're there because we were told the flowers will be in bloom on and along the water and the alligators will be out of hibernation and active. Word to the wise though, our captain said these tours book up early during that period of the year so I'd pre-book one if interested. I think he said they run 4 tours a day then. They were only doing 1 per day last week. If the weather is lousy, I wouldn't go.
We enjoyed the WWII museum. You could spend 3-4 hours there if you read everything. Don't miss the movie.
On each side of the St Louis Cathedral in the Quarter, there are 2 museums, both excellent. One is the history of Louisiana and the other a history of Mardi Gras.
At 627 Royal Street, we found a very friendly, helpful and we think honest jeweler (Currents Fine Jewelry http://tinyurl.com/ydvof9w). It's just a husband and wife shop. If you stop in, tell them the guy who bought his wife the green aquamarine for her b-day (and which is due to be shipped any day now) recommended him. Shipping avoids sales tax.
If you're into antiques and old world stuff, you'll never leave....
On our way out Natchez, we stopped at a couple of plantations about 45-60 minutes outside of New Orleans (Laura and Houmas) and did tours. Lots to choose from. Laura was excellent. We only toured the gardens at Houmas ($10 pp). The home is supposed to be fabulously furnished but we didn't feel like shelling out $20pp. Like houmas, the Oak Alley plantation won't even let you walk the grounds for free but it's along the main road and you can snap pics from a turnout across from the long driveway lined with all those huge, gorgeous live oak trees. The entry fee to all the plantations run between $10-20 per person which can add up. AAA discounts are generally available. Bottom line, these are fun and very educational places to explore but pick one or 2 and that should be enough.
Same deal with the various historic homes in NO. All come with those pesky fees.
Mar 5th, 2010, 12:34 AM
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In the evenings, I would try to find wonderful music. In addition to Preservation Hall, http://www.preservationhall.com/ which is so special with its history, there are many small clubs. I'm not an expert on New Orleans, but when we were there, we picked up the free newspapers with jazz listings. We had a great evening of Charmaine Neville http://www.charmainenevilleband.com/, and at the same location the next night, a fascinating performance by and introduction to the Mardi Gras Indians. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras_Indians
I also enjoyed the Voodoo museum, and I wish I had taken a cemetery tour.
I also enjoyed the Voodoo museum, and I wish I had taken a cemetery tour.
