Thanksgiving in New Orleans and Tulane Visit
 

Hi all - we are headed to New Orleans over Thanksgiving. We are taking our daughter to look at Tulane and staying for the weekend. I have a few questions -

We are planning on taking the St. Charles trolley over to Tulane in the morning, doing the tour and then we are open after that. Are there any neighborhoods close to Tulane that are fun to explore? We love funky, indie shops and cool restaurants. Any lunch places near Tulane that would be can have lunch?

I have a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner at Red Fish Grill. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions?

As far as things to do, we were planning on visiting the WWII museum, Preservation Hall and doing a bicycle tour. It has been a while since my husband and I have been to New Orleans and I am not as familiar with the new areas to explore. Any areas that we should definitely explore with a 17 year old girl?

For lunch - Camellia Grill at the end of the streetcar line (not far from Tulane). Or, if your daughter wants to have pretty good food at a Tulane bar-hangout, Cooter Brown's (great muffaletta).

As for shops and neighborhood, the Garden District and Magazine Street.

All of the above are near Tulane.

Thank you! Our flight gets in around 7 pm. We will be staying at the Loews. Are there any dinner/live music places to go not far from the hotel?

From what you describe, I think your best bet is to head straight to Magazine Street after your Tulane visit. That appear to be a very close match to your description of what you are looking for. Wide variety of food, from Colombian, Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern and the usual New Orleans fare all concentrated within a few blocks. Its also one of the few areas that you can relatively walk along safely in the early evening. Im sure that you're well versed on the crime issue, but just give your daughter a heads up about St Charles Ave. Good during the day but be wary in the evening. Try to always be with friends. Its very deceiving with all the beautiful homes, but it is adjacent to high crime areas which spills over.

As for Thanksgiving....I dont know if Red Fish Grill is the best for TG dinner if you want a truly NO experience. I'd rather steer you to the Rib Room, Commanders Palace, Antoine's, Arnaud's, Muriels.

All of these are within the same price range as Red Fish and are in my opinion superior in quality and ambiance. If you were wanting to go there for overwhelmingly fish menu, then I would definitely choose GW Fins over Red Fish.

Now if you want a truly exceptional experience, then its hard to beat Restaurant August. Think gourmet Thanksgiving....the portions are not large, but you will feel comfortable....but it is expensive....but the kind where you leave and you feel at least the bill was worth the experience. Best restaurant in the city hands down.

I agree with Dave0099 about Magazine Street. Here's a link you can check out -
https://www.magazinestreet.com/

You are also right by Freret Street, which has become quite popular. This is new from my days of hanging out in Uptown New Orleans - but I hear there are a lot of interesting places.
http://thenewfreret.com/

Camillia Grill is great - but can get very crowded.

Cooter Brown's is also good - but I don't think anyone under 21 can go inside (other than to order). The last time we went when our sons were under 21, we ordered food and ate at the tables outside. Just something to keep in mind.

Go to Camilla on a Fri or Sat near midnight, thats when it gets real interesting, and you never know who you might get seated near....ie celebs. Mexican Omelette is my favorite there! Many times after fundraisers we would head over for a snack on the way hope late Sat night....its a lot of fun.