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Post by elaine on Jun 25, 2022 2:59:58 GMT
Just for a few days while Dh is there for work. It is one of the few must-see cities in the USA that I have never visited before.
It will be miserably hot - 90s - the whole time I’m there. That said, I plan to see at least some of the city, even if most of it is after the sun has gone down.
Anything that I can’t miss? Food recommendations? (outside of Cafe du Monde - that is a given) We won’t have a car, so I’ll/we’ll just be walking from the Marriott.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 25, 2022 3:13:24 GMT
Our favorite restaurants are Commander’s Palace and Mr B’s Bistro. Be careful and have a beignet for me!
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Post by elaine on Jun 25, 2022 3:18:17 GMT
Our favorite restaurants are Commander’s Palace and Mr B’s Bistro. Be careful and have a beignet for me! Yay! Mr. B’s is .3 mile from the hotel. Thank you! |
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Post by mom2rjcr on Jun 25, 2022 4:04:46 GMT
Mufalatta sandwich from Central Grocery!
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,892 
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Post by samantha25 on Jun 25, 2022 4:34:46 GMT
Not sure if the outdoor market is still around. I went to a conference in 2005 and it was just me and my boss. We went to the market where the knock-off purses were popular. He called his wife and daughters to ask which ones they wanted. We all had some great Kate Spades to flaunt..lol. Many interesting booths and outdoor entertainment.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,461
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Post by casii on Jun 25, 2022 8:40:43 GMT
Mother's, Dookie Chase or acme oyster house for food. Yes share a mufaletta at Central.
Preservation Hall for jazz. The Famous Door used to have a big horn band. Frenchmen's Street has lots of great music.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 25, 2022 10:18:37 GMT
If you can find a tour that goes out to Oak Alley, the plantation is interesting. But the restaurant had the best gumbo I’ve ever had. Someone in our family ordered it and we all had a taste. We ended up ordering another bowl to share. I’ve done done that before or since!
Another tour worth considering was Jean LaFitte National Park. We walked all through the bayou, but I know they also do swamp boat tours. There must be a tour bus that will take you out there.
I loved the interior of the St Louis cathedral. I know that you aren’t Christian, but if you like pretty buildings it’s worth a look.
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 25, 2022 11:20:28 GMT
Walk around the French Quarter. It's kind of dirty and run-down, and it's still an icon of New Orleans. Cafe du Monde will probably have a long line. When we were there some years ago we went to a different place (not in the French Quarter) for beignets, but dd was living there and knew the non-tourist places to go. Be sure to see the St. Louis Cathedral, which is right there near the French Quarter. Also, you probably won't be too surprised at the weather because you live here! You're used to heat and humidity.  |
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Post by simplysharon on Jun 25, 2022 11:32:00 GMT
Since it will be so hot, I would visit the World War II Museum and the aquarium. They are both fabulous!
I would also recommend a debris (roast beef) sandwich from Mother's.
Sharon
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Post by supersoda on Jun 25, 2022 12:00:29 GMT
We love New Orleans—it’s one of our favorite cities!
It’s always fun to visit the French Quarter and Jackson Square to take in the spectacle and people watch. I avoid Bourbon Street, but like to walk down Royal (parallels to Bourbon a block or two over) and visit the shops and galleries.
A Hurricane a Pat O’s is a must! You can get one to-go from the walk up bar, or chill in the courtyard. Note they are STRONG.
I’ll second Preservation Hall. It’s old school jazz, usually two shows a night, and fantastic. It is NOT a luxury venue. The front rows are on the floor and the rest are backless wooden benches. There are lots of more upscale options for good music throughout the city, too.
We also enjoy wandering around and looking at the big old houses in the Garden District. We did an online scavenger hunt once as a family that took us by several famous peoples homes or former homes. I think you can take the trolley from the FQ to the garden district.
Have a great trip!
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Post by cmhs on Jun 25, 2022 12:06:41 GMT
Just a note about the cathedral a few have mentioned seeing, when I was there in April, the inside was filled with scaffolding making it difficult to see the beauty of the interior. Not sure if it's still being worked on.
Cafe du Monde - the line out front is long, but the line at the back of the building moved super fast.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,728
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jun 25, 2022 12:16:22 GMT
The National WWII Museum is great - very well done.
Ride the trolly thru the garden district.
Audubon Zoo
You just can’t go wrong with food there. The bar is set very high and bad restaurants just don’t last.
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Post by craftedbys on Jun 25, 2022 12:18:59 GMT
One of our favorite restaurants in New Orleans is The Royal House. We have never had anything but excellent food and outstanding service there. Down the street is a lovely place for dessert called Sucre. They have gelato and delicious macarons.
The Ruby Slipper is a great place for breakfast/brunch but either get there early or go online and get your name on the list.
Bourbon street is kind of ew. Crowded, smelly and full of drunk people. I would walk a block just to say you did.
My biggest advice for walking around the French Quarter is:
1. Wear sunscreen, especially face and shoulders
2. If you don't have short hair, PUT IT UP! Ponytail, French twist, or just a jaw clip. It is humid as hell and hair on your your neck is just miserable.
3. Function over fashion. Wear comfortable shoes. Sandals are nice but open shoes are iffy (never know what you will step in). If you are wearing white canvas sneakers, don't. Unless they have several applications of scotchguard.
4. There is a catch-22, you need to drink lots of water, but bathrooms (open to the public) are not always easy to find, so don't pass up an opportunity to go.
If you have room to pack a straw hat (like those that fold/roll) definitely take it, or you can buy one in the French Market.
Also take or buy (at the French Market) a folding fan that can go in your purse. Well worth the few $$.
If you have time, you can hop a streetcar and see lots of sights. You can go from the French Quarter out to NOMA. Day passes are very cheap and you can hop on and off.
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Post by mollycoddle on Jun 25, 2022 12:31:39 GMT
Mufalatta sandwich from Central Grocery! I second this. |
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Post by quinlove on Jun 25, 2022 12:35:53 GMT
The Hurricanes at Pat Os are fun. I still have my glass. Just enjoy the whole vibe 😊
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Post by craftedbys on Jun 25, 2022 13:02:56 GMT
Mufalatta sandwich from Central Grocery! I second this. When we were there last month Central Grocery was closed for renovations. Not sure if they are open again yet. Yes, I was v disappointed we couldn't get a vummt muffalatta. Which, BTW, is the only way I will eat olives, LOL. |
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naby64
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,916
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Post by naby64 on Jun 25, 2022 13:19:12 GMT
Make sure to hydrate as you are out and about. I made the mistake when I was there for Fleet Week of not hydrating enough.
Get a walkabout daiquiri.
This may be blasphemy but I like the beignets from Cafe Beignet better.
The French Market is a nice place to walk around. A cemetery tour would be a different thing to do.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,461
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Post by casii on Jun 25, 2022 13:32:03 GMT
When we were there last month Central Grocery was closed for renovations. Not sure if they are open again yet. Yes, I was v disappointed we couldn't get a vummt muffalatta. Which, BTW, is the only way I will eat olives, LOL. Frank's next door also makes a good mufaletta if Central is still closed. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Jun 25, 2022 14:24:47 GMT
I thought Commander's Palace was overrated. And it's really stuffy. And it felt like only white people were welcome there. I don't know. That was the vibe I got when I went. Brennan's is owned by the same people, but I found it more charming and better food. I would check out Cafe Sbisa. One of the best meals I ever had was at Shaya, which is an Israeli/Southern fusion place (https://www.shayarestaurant.com/), but it's a hike from the French Quarter. We took a cab. Worth it. We also ate at Brigtsens, but again, that's over by Tulane. |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,934
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jun 25, 2022 14:30:49 GMT
I can't resist. Stop in one of the novely stores and pick up a few voodoo dolls. May come in handy. 😂
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Post by myboysnme on Jun 25, 2022 14:33:34 GMT
Please visit Aunt Sallies Pralines. I have a nice story about that place. In a nutshell I placed an online order and 2 days later Katrina struck. The place was flooded. I figured my not inexpensive order was a contribution to recovery efforts. 2 months later, up and running, I received my full order!.
Cafe du monde beignets are a must. I have been known to lick the melted sugar from a bag of them
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Post by katiekaty on Jun 26, 2022 15:53:08 GMT
For an old New Orleans flair elegant meal in one of the oldest restaurants in the quarter try Tujaques! Beautiful delicious French food.
and yes to cafe du mondo, but be prepared for long lines so go early!
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jun 26, 2022 16:25:58 GMT
I also suggest the WWII Museum! As well as riding the streetcar down St. Charles. You can hop off along the way and walk down a few streets as they are pretty shaded and when you get back to St. Charles you can get another one back to Canal. Royal is a great street to walk down, we avoid Bourbon.
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Post by elaine on Jun 27, 2022 12:45:37 GMT
Thanks for all the great suggestions!!
My younger son (20 yo) with autism & ID had a complete meltdown with both of us out of town, and his group home had to call the police (they didn’t take him, thank heavens), so I am heading back early. I’m posting from the plane. ☹️
Anyhow, I did cram as much as I could in the 1.5 days I was there. Our hotel was on the corner of Canal and Royal, so we walked a lot in the French Quarter. We had dinner the first night at the Creole House and then lunch at Acme Oyster yesterday, followed by a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s. I was so upset by what was going on at home that I sent my Dh to dinner without me last night (it was a business dinner), but he brought back a muffuletta from the Cochon Butcher because they ate at the restaurant there.
Central Grocery is still closed and they were only selling their cold muffulettas at the liquor store next door, so we passed.
The hotel literally had a Cafe Beignet next door, so we got beignets there instead of Cafe Du Monde because the line was so long. They were yummy, but I can only eat so much these days, so only managed one.
The food was amazing, overall! I hope to get back here someday when younger son is in school (it is summer break), or in a day program.
Thank you again for all your advice. It really helped us choose what to do in such a short period of time. I did get my steps in!
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Post by tyra on Jun 27, 2022 13:13:18 GMT
Commanders Palace is a MUST. Quick trolley ride. If you go on Friday's they have 25¢ martinis at lunch! Though they don't tell you that until after you order your regular drink  Food is amazing. DISREGARD! I just saw that you already went lol Glad you had a good time! |
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Post by silverlining on Jun 27, 2022 13:28:22 GMT
Oh Elaine, I'm so sorry that your son had such a hard time, and that your trip was cut short. Parents of special needs kids/young adults deserve true vacations without stress, and I'm sad that it didn't work out that way.
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 27, 2022 13:45:19 GMT
Thanks for all the great suggestions!! My younger son (20 yo) with autism & ID had a complete meltdown with both of us out of town, and his group home had to call the police (they didn’t take him, thank heavens), so I am heading back early. I’m posting from the plane. ☹️ Anyhow, I did cram as much as I could in the 1.5 days I was there. Our hotel was on the corner of Canal and Royal, so we walked a lot in the French Quarter. We had dinner the first night at the Creole House and then lunch at Acme Oyster yesterday, followed by a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s. I was so upset by what was going on at home that I sent my Dh to dinner without me last night (it was a business dinner), but he brought back a muffuletta from the Cochon Butcher because they ate at the restaurant there. Central Grocery is still closed and they were only selling their cold muffulettas at the liquor store next door, so we passed. The hotel literally had a Cafe Beignet next door, so we got beignets there instead of Cafe Du Monde because the line was so long. They were yummy, but I can only eat so much these days, so only managed one. The food was amazing, overall! I hope to get back here someday when younger son is in school (it is summer break), or in a day program. Thank you again for all your advice. It really helped us choose what to do in such a short period of time. I did get my steps in! I am so very sorry you had to cut your trip short and I hope your son is doing better now that you are home. I hope you get to return to New Orleans someday soon. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 27, 2022 16:13:07 GMT
I'm sorry your trip was cut short. At least you had a taste of NOLA though. Hope the trip home goes smoothly.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jun 27, 2022 16:18:58 GMT
So sorry to hear your trip was cut short. Hope your DS is okay. I'm glad you got a *taste* of NOLA, if only for a short time.  |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 27, 2022 18:38:43 GMT
Hope all is well with your DS....
(((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))
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Food is amazing.
