My husband will be there on business next week. He would like to see a few sights if he has time. Any suggestions for the top 5 things to see or do. He will be staying at the Monteleone Hotel and will probably not have a rental car. Any suggestions? Thanks

here's mine:

take the free ferry across the Miss. from the end of Canal St.

Take a trolley ride out to the end thru the Garden Dist. ( more than one trolley now)

Walk thru French Market down Decatur

Have coffee and beignets at Cafe DuMonde at any hour

Have coffee/meal at Madelines on Jackson Sq

Have Muffaletta at Central Grocery on Decatur

Eat at Johnnies or Acme Oyster House for cheap food

Fairhope's suggestions are great. My fave on his/her list and mine are:

Cafe du Monde, anytime of the day or night.

While you're taking the streetcar (don't call it a trolley or they'll peg you as a tourist) up through the Garden District, get off at the end and have lunch at the Camellia Grill, an institution greasy spoon.

Have an oyster poboy at Uglesich's. (have to drive to get there from Quarter)

Cruise up the river on the John James Audubon riverboat to the zoo, then cruise back.

Rent a car and drive along Magazine Street for interesting boutiques, coffee houses and cafes.

Window shop for Antiques along Royal Street. (or actually shop, if you have the means)

Check out the multi-daiquiri options on the food court level of the RIverWalk.

Eat at least one dinner in a famed nawlins restaurant--Bella Luna, Arnaud's, Mr. B, Bayonna, etc.

Get a copy of the book Obituary Cocktails before you leave, and go on a drinking tour of the old mahogany bars of the city.

Stop in at the bookshop called Faulkner House Books just behind St. Louis cathedral in Pirate's Alley for a lovely glimpse at the literary legacy New Orleans has.

Above all, have a great time!

Obviously, more than 5 sights have been suggested; but I would have to say that one place that shouldn't be omitted is the D-Day Museum. Catch the streetcar on St. Charles and you can get to within less than a block.

Other than that, without a car, I would do these things:
-Stroll down the riverfront to the River Walk area.
-Take a taxi to the N.O. Museum of Art and stroll around City Park.
-Ride the Mississippi River ferry.
-Stroll through the Market along the levee.

For some reason, I don't go for the Cafe' du Monde bit (with or without the beignets) but lots of folks like to say they've been there.

Have a Pimm's Cup at the Napoleon House - the perfect summer drink!

Here's Mine
You can't miss Pat O'briens for the famous hurricane.

Cafe DuMonde for beignets is a must.

Take a riverboat ride.

Walk- thur Jackson square, the French Market, and the Riverwalk

Eat the fabulous food, there are so many great restaurants!

You really don't need a car to see the sites of New Orleans.

What? Nobody suggested a walking tour at night to look for ghosts. That was great fun.

Regarding ejcrowe's post, Uglesich's is closed.
Magazine St can be accessed by #11 bus from Canal St.

I'm so sorry to read the Uglesich's is closed--it's been at least 3 years since I stopped in there. Did they go out of business or just close? Every time that I was there they had a full house and we had a long wait for one of the few tables inside.

Uptowngirl Please expand on the #11 bus trip. If I go to Canal on the casino side of the street what will the #11 be labeled going out Magazine? Can I get on and off the bus with the same ticket until I decide to come back. Is that a transfer?.. there were passes (so I never figured out the details!!) but haven't they changed.

The Aquarium near the Hilton Riverwalk-can stay there & take train to Cafe de Monde & rest of French Quarter & ride the Mississipi by going on the zoo cruise-I think they have an Aquarium & Zoo cruise ticket together. Better than the cruise by itself-did not like, better cruising to zoo.

stroll around Jackson Square, listening to the different musicians

ride the free ferry across the Miss., tour the warehouse (don't remember what it's called, where they store, make floats for mardi gras (Some lovely houses on the way to warehouse)

Eat at some wonderful restaurants

Sitting/strolling along RiverWalk

People watching in Jackson Square

I believe I read on chowhound that the owner's of Uglesich's just decided it was time to retire.

We never missed a car when we were there. The Natchez riverboat was nice, lunch and dixieland band, all kinds of walking tours days and night. Go to the visitor's center at Jackson Square they were very helpful. We stayed at the Monteleone also, great place. See my other post "a great vaca in NOLA"

1. Bread pudding and 25 cent martinis at Commander's Palace

2. Beignets at Cafe du Monde

3. Walking on Bourbon Street

4. Walking around the Garden District

5. Breakfast at Mother's

GET A TATTOO!

nah, just kidding -- but anyone people watching will see your fair share of them~

personally, Jackson square is nice and a walk thru French Market!

ENJOY~

Have a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's and see if you can still walk. If so you are a better woman that I am. That WAS the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak. That was 30 years ago and I still have the glasses.