iceeu2 - Napolean House was on our list for places to stop for a drink so maybe we can try the hot muffaletta, though I have no idea how I am going to eat all this amazing food I have planned. I may feel "fooded out" like sf7307 experienced. I can definitely see it happening though we managed to eat our way through Paris so lots of walking on the agenda too.

Thanks Blue Swimmer for the suggestions and I like your description of the city. Bloody Mary's are not for me but I have read some great write ups on cocktails and will of course try a hurricane and maybe a sazerac, but I generally prefer whiskey neat. As for cocktail stops we are looking at Carousel Bar, Cure, Columns Hotel, Napolean House and maybe Pat O'Brien's for that Hurricane. This isn't my strong suit but I understand New Orleans knows a little something about drinking.

Southeastern - thanks for the NOMA suggestion. We have some unscheduled time on our travel days that may be perfect for a museum trip.

Hey Deb15July - just added Brennan's, we had a breakfast at hotel planned one morning but Brennan's is just down the street (a few blocks). So bananas foster for breakfast - yum. We will definitely go to Audobon Park. I picked Lafayette because it was across the street (or close to) Commander's Palace, and for the Anne Rice connections. I've read elsewhere that St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 was the top choice. I'll need to take another look. I like to organize my days around an area to avoid traipsing back and forth, but as other have counseled I like to have a certain amount of unscheduled, whatever comes, time. Thank you all for your suggestions. I am having so much fun and learning alot about the city as I go along.

another question - would you recommend Muriel's over Eat for lunch? I have some shopping planned on Chartres Street and could do either.

POlson, I'm not familiar with Eat, but maybe someone else will chime in. And I just realized that you didn't mention Bayona...might want to consider that if you like sweetbreads!

You will get fooded out! HEEHEE!!!

We once took the train from Atlanta to NOLA just to eat there for three days! Plus we wanted to try to train...until we crossed Lake Pontchatrain in the dark on that tiny little track!!!

Too early for reservations at Bayona but I am still tracking it and may swap Bayona for Emeril's NOLA. I thought about Emeril's too, but I really just want to try the banana cream pie I've heard so much about. Has anyone just stopped in for the pie?

I haven't, but the pie is so good, I'd have dinner there just to have the pie for dessert. Bayona is good, but we liked Emeril's more.

POIson, we ate at both EAT and Muriel's on our recent trip. We enjoyed both places, but for my preference, and if I had to choose, I would select Muriel's.

Also, if you just want to taste the muffaletta at Napoleon House, you can order a quarter. That's what we did and just shared the few bites since it was middle of the day and we just needed something to knock the edge off.

And, at Pat O'Briens if you don't want the souvenir glass, just turn it in to the bartender when you leave and get your $3 back. They will also put it in a to go cup. I think it's a law that you can't walk down Bourbon Street without a drink in your hand!

Muriel's it is and it is right in the the midst of the shopping trip I had planned for Chartres Street. Still trying to decide on dinner for the last night but I am going to let the decision sit for a few weeks though already beginning to dream of banana cream pie.

Has anyone tried the VIP tickets for Preservation Hall? Any other music musts or should we just wing it when we get there?

You trip sounds fabulous! I am planning a long weekend beginning of December with 2 other couples. We are going to do the confederacy
bike tours which Yelp reviews say are fabulous! You might want to take a look! Also, I like your idea of cooking school while guys go to ww11 museum. When you come back I would love to hear what you thought of cooking school and Emerils if you go. What is the St Louis cemetary? Is it a tour? Thanks for your help. Lori

God!! Please keep New Orleans and its people safe.

First my thoughts are with everyone in the south impacted by Isaac. I hope all is well and recovery is quick.

Updates on my trip plans:

Dining: I now have breakfast, lunch or dinner planned at the following places (though not all take reservations): Breakfast or brunch at Red Gravy, Brennan's, Camellia's Grill, Commander's Palace, Mr. B's; lunch at Muriel's and Cochon; Dinner at Restaurant August, R'Evolution, Galatoire's (hoping to join the friday afternoon madness) and Emeril's, and Bayona (only reservation available was at 9pm or on the early side. I went with on the early side to leave more time for music after, right?).

Planning to try Muffaletta at Central Grocery, Beignets at Cafe du Monde and probably a Hurricane at Mr. B's though mostly just to say I tried each of them. I am much more serious about the restaurants experiences.

We have scheduled cemetery tours through Save our Cemetery's at St. Louis #1 and Lafayette #1 (though we might just walk around Garden District instead). Added NOMA for our cultural/art stop and Audobon Park (to walk off all of this yummy food). DH is going to visit the WWII Museum while I am at my cooking class. I am still trying to get info re New Orleans Artworks regarding making your own christmas ornament. We are also exploring walking tours, a carriage ride and definitely riding the streetcar. I loved the suggestion of taking a riverboat back to the French Quarter from one of our days of exploration. Oh, and lots of shopping!

Music is on the after dinner schedule but no solid plans yet. Frenchman Street, Bourbon Street, Mayfield Jazz Room, Bombay Club and Preservation Hall.

I am prepared for things to drop off the plans as we settle into a slower pace and enjoy such a wonderful place but....I am but feeling pretty good about the plans so far.

Sounds great. When are you going?

Have a wonderful time! What are they cooking the day you are going to the cooking school?

If you ask me there is nothing better than the Cafe DuMonde experience.

Regarding music, it seemed to me that you can get just duck into whatever night club is emitting interesting sounds as you wander down Bourbon Street. And a big plus, if you get bored, just take your drink and keep wandering...

Thank you all for your advice and happy wishes for a great trip.

sf7307 We will be in New Orleans late October. Hopefully the weather cooperates but if not we'll make do and have a good time anyway.

iceeu2 We are making Gumbo, Jambalaya and Pralines - seems like a classic NOLA menu, sure to impress friends and family back home when I reproduce what I learn. At least that's the hope - if not, they can be happy with beads, masks and other New Orleans souvenirs!

jayne1973 ok - I will make sure not to miss Cafe DuMonde - I don't drink coffee but I am somewhat partial to beignets and that's without ever trying the original version.

My DH and sons were a little perplexed that I signed us up for a cooking class, given that I grew up in NO and we consider it "home." But we all loved it! Very entertaining and good food. The boys were just annoyed that they were still too young for the Abita beer they provided with the meal. And it was just funny to watch my sons be the first ones up when they said there was enough for second helpings!

Oh - and I don't drink coffee either, but the hot chocolate at Cafe Du Monde is one of my special treats.

You can find some pretty good music on and around Bourbon St., but you will have to wade through the strip clubs and the "Huge-A** Beers" to get to them. You really should go over to Frenchman Street for music. I always walk from Bourbon to Frenchman but it is a bit of a hike. If you grab a taxi, you're looking at three to five minutes.

New Orleans is an awesome place to visit. I was just there a couple of weeks ago. I am into Street Photography so here is a Youtube video of some shots I got, accompanies by a great song sung by Louis Armstrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39hMm0WGvQQ

I hope you have a good time.

We also will be spending a long weekend in NOLA in October.

Central Grocery muffelata for take out, dinner at Muriels, Mr B Bistro, Bayona.

Lunch at the WWII museum cafe, one of the plantation restaurants and Commanders Palace Brunch.

Walk Jackson Square, Voodoo Bone Lady Tour, WWII museum, music at either Pat Obriens or the Spotted Cat, antique window shopping, Plantation tour, Mass at St. Louis, and a walking tour of the Garden District.