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Post by peano on Nov 29, 2016 14:58:00 GMT
We're thinking about going to New Orleans the week between Christmas and New Years. Anybody got any recommendations of things to do, especially related to music? Besides Preservation Hall? In doing some research on liquor laws, minors can enter bars/nightclubs as long as they are accompanied by people over 21, but wondering if anyone has anecdotal experience with this.
Any fun, offbeat tours? Cool day trips? Recommendations for lodging in the Quarter?
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Post by pjynx on Nov 29, 2016 16:25:08 GMT
There is so much to do, even with a teen! We've been there once with our teen. We're going again this Christmas (fly in Christmas day, flying back that Thursday). She loved it the first time and has been asking to go back. She's also 17.
I highly recommend getting a Power Pass. You choose the number of days and you get admission to 25+ attractions.
Go on a city bus tour. It's about 2.5 hours long. It'll go through several major neighborhoods and you'll learn very interesting history bits about each one. The guide will also point out good places to eat and other attractions. We've done this 2x and loved it both times. Even if you don't buy the Power Pass, take a city bus tour. Take it early in the trip, so you can use some of the info to plan the rest of your days.
There are at least a couple war museums: WWII and Civil War, Swamp Tours, Aquarium. Stroll through a cemetery (during the day - seriously, some are not safe at night). The detail of the tombs is amazing! Do a tour of the Mardi Gras museum. You get to walk through the actual area where they work on floats and hear the history of several. Do a walking haunted tour (they are usually more morbid history rather than seeing an actual ghost) or a walking food tour of the French quarter. Enjoy some street performers around Jackson Square.
Bourbon street (at least with a teen) is better off during the day. Less crowded and less, ummmm, risqué? Plenty of other areas in the French Quarter to spend your time. We did the obligatory walk down Bourbon St during the day and spent the rest of our time mostly on Decatur. Lots of shops and restaurants. There's an outdoor market on the NE end of Decatur where the street splits between Decatur & N Peters St.
Frenchmen St is where most of the music clubs are. Walk along and you can hear the music coming out of each. Pop in and listen to whatever style suits you. Most have no cover charge, they only ask that you buy a drink. Kids under 18 are allowed as long as there are no gaming machines on premises (some bars have table-top slot machine type games - no minors allowed). But they will usually have a sign near the entrance.
All bars & restaurants can serve your drink in to-go cups because you CAN take it with you to enjoy as you are walking around outside.
I think that's a good "quick" overview, LOL! Let me know if you have any questions. |
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Post by pjynx on Nov 29, 2016 16:29:04 GMT
I forgot to mention in my reply above....we don't rent a car when we go. We take a cab (or bus - much cheaper) from the airport to our hotel, and we either walk everywhere are take a trolley or bus. The day passes are super cheap and you can get pretty much everywhere in the French Quarter, Garden District, Warehouse & Convention Districts.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Nov 29, 2016 16:41:34 GMT
I forgot to mention in my reply above....we don't rent a car when we go. We take a cab (or bus - much cheaper) from the airport to our hotel, and we either walk everywhere are take a trolley or bus. The day passes are super cheap and you can get pretty much everywhere in the French Quarter, Garden District, Warehouse & Convention Districts. gave you some great suggestions and advice. Except for calling the streetcars trolleys.  You can get a Jazzy pass to ride on the streetcars. In April we stayed on St. Charles outside of the French Quarter and never used our rental car. (We rented it because we were going to Baton Rouge after our 4 days in NOLA.) The WWII Museum is a must see. ETA: Not sure how close to NYE you were thinking of going but be aware that the Sugar Bowl will draw a crowd. |
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marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282 
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Post by marimoose on Nov 29, 2016 17:36:04 GMT
My daughter was 19, too young for most NOLA activities, so when she went last year I arranged for her to do a walking haunted tour that I found on Tripadvisor. I looked at reviews and picked one, can't remember which but I know it was highly rated and my daughter loved it. We thought it might be dorky but it turned out to be one of her favorite things.
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Post by Yoki on Nov 29, 2016 17:46:21 GMT
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Post by beebee on Nov 29, 2016 18:07:03 GMT
One of my favorite bands is Ingrid Lucia and the Flying Neutrinos. I know they are from New Orleans and occasionally play around town. Maybe see if he likes their music and then see if they have any performances coming up. We got lucky one year and happened to be in NO and just walking around and came upon them playing in the street. It was so weird and yet so neat. Pete Fountain is another great one, but I just looked him up to see if he was still performing and he has passed. I guess that did not make the news where I am from. He was amazing.
One other thing to do non-music related is Mardi Gras World. This is a tour through a big warehouse where they build the floats. It was just the neatest thing!! We loved this!!
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Post by caspad on Nov 29, 2016 19:52:52 GMT
The World War II Museum in New Orleans is just wonderful. Definitely spend a few hours there.
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Post by bearmom on Nov 29, 2016 21:18:27 GMT
We went with our teens last year. One of everyone's favorite things was walking up and down Royal Street during the day and just enjoying the music. So many great performers.
We also did the WWII museum and a Segway tour. Both were worth it. We also rode the streetcars and went to City Park.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
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Post by Rhondito on Nov 29, 2016 22:29:05 GMT
We're thinking about going to New Orleans the week between Christmas and New Years. Anybody got any recommendations of things to do, especially related to music? Besides Preservation Hall? In doing some research on liquor laws, minors can enter bars/nightclubs as long as they are accompanied by people over 21, but wondering if anyone has anecdotal experience with this. Any fun, offbeat tours? Cool day trips? Recommendations for lodging in the Quarter? Some places still won't let them in. I was going to take my daughter to see one of our favorite bands play at a bar and they wouldn't let her in even with a parent. I guess the venues can still have their own rules. Save |
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Post by kitkath on Nov 29, 2016 23:20:11 GMT
We stayed at the at the French Market, on Decatur. Very nice, small boutique hotel. Just a couple of blocks from Cafe du Monde,
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StephDRebel
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Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Nov 30, 2016 14:12:35 GMT
We did the Nashville one this year. So much fun! |
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You can get a Jazzy pass to ride on the streetcars. In April we stayed on St. Charles outside of the French Quarter and never used our rental car. (We rented it because we were going to Baton Rouge after our 4 days in NOLA.) The WWII Museum is a must see. 
