I'm planning to go to the "Big Easy" (New Orleans) on the 6 thru the 11 and I want to get responses from travelers who visited New Orleans up to at least one year!!! Tell me the do's and dont's of what to expect from the Big Easy. If you are an adventurous eater like myself what are the best places for example (alligator, raw oysters and boudin noir) as well as the Po-boys (and where to go to get the best ones). Also, I promise some people where do I get the most of my money on souvenirs ie (t-shirts, shot glasses and etc). If I have more questions I will definitely respond before I leave on the 6th of this month. Thanks and so ready to go on the road the "Hollywood of the South"!!!

It's hard to get a bad meal in N.O. Try the muffuletta sandwich at Central Grocery on Decatur Street.

I will and that is one of the places that I WILL go to in getting that particular Sicilian sandwich!!! Thanks for your response Ms. Carolyn!!!

I agree that you'll have to make an effort to get a bad meal in New Orleans. Just go and explore - you really don't need recommendations from others.

I like the poboys at Johnny's on St Louis. I had some good alligator sausage at Praline Connection on Frenchman. I don't care for just eating alligator or oysters though, so can't help with that. Yelp is a good source though.

Poboys are generally overrated. They're just subs (aka hoagie, hero, grinder, Dagwood) but in New Orleans they'll have fried oysters or shrimp or similar.

Be careful about oysters - this is not a month with an R, which means whatever is on offer will be either commercially farmed or flown in from the north Atlantic or Pacific. They likely won't be free range (if that's the term) Gulf oysters.

If you have a sweet tooth, go here: http://www.southerncandymakers.com/locations. Their pralines are WAY better than Aunt Sally's and the company that makes Aunt Sally's makes most of the other pralines on offer.

And if you really want good sausage, go to Jacob's Andouille in La Place - it's on the highway road past the airport. No, I don't get a cut for recommending it . . . which is my loss.

It is going to be hellishly hot and humid. Take breaks to get out of the heat. Stay hydrated. Use a parasol, or big rimmed hat. Have a package of wet wipes in your purse or pocket to wipe the sweat off you.

We have really enjoyed Tableau for dinner on our two trips, right on Jackson Square. Excellent, and try the turtle soup. Also always enjoy Bourbon House.

Go to the WWII Museum, it's very good and has good AC, which you will need.

Don't use a parasol if you're a man. Don't use it if you're a woman. Good gosh. New Orleans is crowded with tourists at most times and you're a tourist going to tourist areas. The last thing the city needs is people taking extra space with unnecessary accoutrements.

That said, it's more likely you'll need an umbrella this week. . .