peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,992 
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 25, 2024 14:16:51 GMT
Dh and I are considering going to New Orleans in September. How many days would you go? Any advice on things to do?
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,263
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Jul 25, 2024 14:26:29 GMT
Watching because we're thinking of going in October.
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Post by librarylady on Jul 25, 2024 14:36:23 GMT
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jul 25, 2024 14:37:47 GMT
Have you been before? I usually go for a weekend, but I grew up an hour away and have been there many, many times. For a first and only visit, you could easily fill up a week with great meals alone!
There are lots of touristy things - just walking around the French Quarter and French Market can take a couple of days. There are lots of tours - ghost tours, cemetery tours (which are really interesting), alligator tours, swamp tours, etc. If you are there over a weekend, you might be able to catch a Saints game or you could head up to Baton Rouge for an LSU game. The aquarium, insectarium, and zoo are all good - we enjoy them as adults.
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Post by Linda on Jul 25, 2024 14:53:01 GMT
the World War Two museum is amazing. We spent a whole day there and wished for a second
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jul 25, 2024 15:31:57 GMT
Dh and I are considering going to New Orleans in September. How many days would you go? Any advice on things to do? I've lived in NOLA twice (DD was born there). What is the main reason you want to visit NOLA? Is it the food, the culture, or the bars/casinos? Start there and then work on a list. Several things have been listed that are worth a visit in town as well as some in the surrounding area, such as swamp tours and plantation tours. So many excellent restaurants to explore as well. Having lived all over the world, I can say hands down NOLA has some of the best food out there. One thing to consider is that September is still going to be hot and humid, so plan your days (and wardrobe) accordingly. It is also in prime hurricane season so I would make sure to either have travel insurance that would cover your trip or reservations that are refundable. |
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Post by GamGam on Jul 25, 2024 15:34:20 GMT
the World War Two museum is amazing. We spent a whole day there and wished for a second YES! Don’t miss it. |
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Post by smasonnc on Jul 25, 2024 19:15:18 GMT
We go every year for Jazzfest. Bourbon Street is just gross. We go for music, usually Frenchmen's Street. We like a lot of the local cuisine and the Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise. The cemeteries are interesting and we like to go to Commander's Palace for Brunch.
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Post by monicad on Jul 25, 2024 19:17:38 GMT
We went for three nights, four days and felt that was more than enough time for sightseeing.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jul 25, 2024 20:44:25 GMT
Too funny, we are going in October! DH has not been, but I have. I can't wait to show him around.
We are going Tues - Friday.
Cafe De Monde is a must
Deanie's Restaurant (a must for us)
Bourbon St. - bars (not that we are big on bars) just to say we been there
Royal St. - cool antique stores
12 Oaks Plantation (or any one, they are cool)
A cemetery
A swamp tour
Garden District (on the trolley)
I would like to see other suggestions too!
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Post by epeanymous on Jul 25, 2024 21:34:03 GMT
I've been a bunch because I litigated a case there. My vote is three days.
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Post by mom on Jul 25, 2024 21:42:17 GMT
3 days is my recommendation. To me, it's like Vegas - a little goes a long way.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,318
Member is Online
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Post by iowgirl on Jul 26, 2024 14:54:06 GMT
he World War Two museum is amazing. We spent a whole day there and wished for a second Another vote for this museum! Nearby is the Confederate War Museum. I would also encourage a visit here. My great grandfather was a Union solider in the Civil War, so I found it very interesting to see 'the other side' of things. To me, it was not political in any way - just showed what the Confederate side used, uniforms, etc. It if was political, it zoomed right over my head, or I took it in with consideration of location. What I remember most was the size of uniforms. People were WAY smaller back then! We stayed in the Garden District. Maison St. Charles. Location was nice, quiet, and right on the Streetcar line. I highly recommend using the streetcars to get around. Cheap and a great way to get around. I think you can buy a day pass. Super cheap. It has been 10 years, and the Maison St. Charles was getting a bit in need of a re-set, which I think has happened. But very affordable and charming. We took the streetcar to get to the river to do a riverboat ride, to the cemeteries (I actually have family buried there that died from the black plague in the mid 1800's). That is also how we got to the French Quarter. The only taxi we took was from/to the airport. Otherwise we walk or took the streetcars. You might have to change lines to get to your destination, but it is super easy to figure out. We went right after Mardi-Gras, because we were looking for a more family friendly time. We did walk through French Quarter/Bourbon Street with the kids (teens), but not later in the evening. Ooofff. Saw some sad things, even earlier in the day. We also took a carriage ride and that was terrific. DH was chatting with a fellow driving the team/carriage. Somehow he bargained for a half price ride (farmers - they are always wheeling/dealing!) It ended up being a real highlight. He showed us things we would have missed, or at least had great stories for things like LaFitte's blacksmith shop. I would do it again for full price! LOL Enjoyed all the food and loved Cafe Du Monde. |
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Post by gillyp on Jul 26, 2024 15:23:16 GMT
We were there for a couple of nights some years ago. We were on a driving tour and stopping where ever took our fancy. It rained almost all the time so we spent a lot of it just taking cover but it hasn't stopped me wanting to go back to see more.
We had to go down Bourbon Street just to say we were there but we walked down about 9 p.m. and I admit I found it a bit intimidating at that time. Many people in your face and SO many topless females! I didn't think I was a prude but I was certainly surprised.
We stayed in the French Quarter and enjoyed Jackson Square and The Cabildo and took a Steamboat cruise. Iirc the captain had an open fire in his wheelhouse for warmth which really surprised me.
And, of course, BEIGNETS!
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,992
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 26, 2024 18:18:31 GMT
We were thinking of being down there for 6 days but the first day is when we get there and the last is the day we leave so 4 full days. I haven't bought the tickets yet so I can always change it.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jul 26, 2024 18:38:41 GMT
We were thinking of being down there for 6 days but the first day is when we get there and the last is the day we leave so 4 full days. I haven't bought the tickets yet so I can always change it. I think four days is a good stay. You won't have to rush if you want to see a lot. I would rather have an extra day just so that I don't feel like I'm in a rat race to see everything. There is so much to do and just having a little down time is nice. |
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Post by smasonnc on Jul 26, 2024 18:55:06 GMT
Too funny, we are going in October! DH has not been, but I have. I can't wait to show him around. We are going Tues - Friday. Cafe De Monde is a must Deanie's Restaurant (a must for us) Bourbon St. - bars (not that we are big on bars) just to say we been there Royal St. - cool antique stores 12 Oaks Plantation (or any one, they are cool) A cemetery A swamp tour Garden District (on the trolley) I would like to see other suggestions too! Bourbon Street isn't so bad in the daytime. We're guilty of downing an uber-touristy Pat O'Brian's Hurricane on their patio or grilled oysters at Acme Oyster House. We like Maison Bourbon for Jazz, LaFitte's Blacksmith Shop at the very end for the Piano Bar at night, and Fritzell's for live music. Preservation Hall Jazz band is good, but the experience is kind of stilted. They let you in, play for one hour, then usher you out, no pictures or video while the band is playing. I'd rather go to a bar, but that's me. |
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Post by supersoda on Jul 26, 2024 21:35:31 GMT
We were just there over July 4. We got in late Wednesday and left early Saturday and that was perfect.
We always hit Preservation Hall for some old school jazz. The actual Hall is being renovated right now and it’s in a much nicer location, but same music.
Pat O’s for a very strong hurricane in the courtyard.
Cafe du Monde is a staple, but cafe beignet is just as good.
There’s a new (to us, but we’ve been to Nola several times) .
You can easily spend a day in the garden district. We did a phone app scavenger hunt a few years ago and had a great time.
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