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Post by TXRangersFan on Aug 21, 2014 18:30:50 GMT
Dh and I are going to New Orleans in the fall for our 20th Anniversary and I'd love to hear input/tips from Refu-Peas who live there/have been there.
I've never been and Dh has only been there for a short visit for work. We'll be staying about 2 blocks from the French Quarter since that is where we can use our hotel points for the room. We'll be there Thursday morning -Tuesday morning. We won't have a car, we're planning on getting around by walking, public transportation, and cabs.
I love to just walk around and take pictures, we both love jazz, we drink but aren't huge fans of the drunken bar scene for longer than an hour or so. I'd love to hear about any can't miss places.
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naby64
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Jun 25, 2014 21:44:13 GMT
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Post by naby64 on Aug 21, 2014 19:06:24 GMT
Hop on the trolley and ride to the Garden District. Go to Café Du Monde for beignets and coffee. I think I went to the zoo there and it was nice but that was YEARS ago. Walk down by the river. I think it is called the Riverwalk. Get a muffaletta and a po boy from a real community place. Will try to get some names.
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StephDRebel
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Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Aug 21, 2014 19:10:53 GMT
The only thing I enjoy on Bourbon Street is a restaurant called Desire. They have the worlds best BBQ Shrimp. Lordhavemercy! You'll definitely want to spend some time in the French Quarter, the little galleries and shops are fantastic. There is a ton of art and funk in the warehouse district. Cemeteries are cool and they each have great stories, they offer tours through them- very interesting. The zoo and aquarium are fabulous, we love them so much we got a season pass. You can't miss Jackson square- local art, performers, shops, mediums and you can't do New Orleans without beignets from Cafe DuMonde. While you're at Jackson Square do a carriage ride, our driver was hysterical and it stops for hurricanes. I'm a fan Breakfast you HAVE to go to Camellia Grill- it's near Carrollton and St Charles st intersection. The food is tasty and it's a fun place. For lunch/dinner we also love The Gumbo Shop in the quarter. Antoines is great for a nice night out together, it's huge and the food is classic. Don't necessarily plan on 3 meals a day, we usually do breakfast and dinner, New orleans doesn't play when it comes to food. Oh yeah, MOTHERS. Just do it. Lord have mercy, i'm certain I gain 10 lbs from mothers alone while i'm in NOLA but it's worth every single calorie. Get the debris.
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StephDRebel
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Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Aug 21, 2014 19:16:31 GMT
....and.....ha! The garden district is fantastic for pictures- mansions and magnolias, heaven! go down to the french market, it's a giant flea market now but there are still some local charms that set up shop. Get the New Orleans themed wax melt things- I buy enough to last until our next trip each time we go. at night go to Frenchmen Street-- there is a little art alley and tons of little jazz clubs, you'll see musicians on the street, people dancing down the middle and you'll get more of 'New Orleans' aside from the drunken trashy mess on Bourbon-- Frenchmen has the charm! Try to find a poet for hire, you can give them a word and they'll write you a personalized poem. Our word for each trip is 'Ostrich' We're up to 6 Ostrich poems so far
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Post by kmcginn on Aug 21, 2014 19:23:02 GMT
Take a River Boat Cruise - the embarkation point is right in the French Quarter by Jax Brewery at the Moon Walk. You can take it to the Audubon zoo and get out and walk around the zoo or Audubon Park if the weather is nice, or you can just ride it back to the same place.
If you like Jazz, take in Preservation Hall one evening.
Have dinner at Muriel's, Mr B's, Irene's, breakfast at Stanley's - all in the Quarter. If you take the street car to the Garden District (I would recommend it), get off at Washington Ave and have lunch at Commander's Palace (my personal favorite). Then ride the street car the rest of the route and ride it back downtown. The homes along St. CHarles Ave are gorgeous - worth the view.
Stroll the French Quarter on a nice day. Go to the French Market. Take in the Aquarium of the Americas. Lots of art galleries and such on Royal Street.
Take a cab or bus to the World War II Museum if you are history buffs. Even if you aren't, it's worth the trip to see it. You could walk to it if you are walkers, but it's a little bit of a distance. You could spend all day if so inclinded - there's that much to see htere!
There is a cemetery tour that might be worth it as well. I've never done it, but our cemeteries are quite different and you would probably enjoy the tour. There's also a walking tour of the quarter. I think there is a ghost tour in the Quarter at night, but I've never done it.
There are several swamp tours in the surrounding areas if you want to view the local wild life.
You'll find lots to do in the city I love! Hope you have fun!
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Deleted
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Oct 10, 2024 10:22:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2014 19:27:56 GMT
Oh I'm glad you asked this question! I don't have anything to offer, but I'm going there for two days in September so great timing!!
Enjoy your trip!
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smartypants71
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Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Aug 21, 2014 19:28:50 GMT
Beignets and Cafe Ole at Cafe Du Monde French Market Audubon Zoo - you could go either by streetcar or take the Natchez riverboat Eat Sno Balls Aquarium Eat a real muffaletta
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Post by pjynx on Aug 21, 2014 19:30:05 GMT
DH & I were just there in June for our 20th Anniversary too! Do a food tour. There are several to choose from. We did one that showcased restaurants in the French Quarter. We also did a Garden District walking tour, including one of the cemeteries. Very neat history! Buy a trolley day-pass. I think they were $3/day. They are so quick & easy to grab a ride. We walked a lot too because there's so much to see within walking distance. We checked out Bourbon Street our first night. Nice to say that we've done it, but it's really not our thing. Yes, we like to drink, and being able to walk around town with drinks in hand is convenient, but don't like the real out-of-control atmosphere of Bourbon St. If you want decent shops, restaurants and drinks, stick closer to Decatur Street. Or really any of the side streets near Bourbon. We found a really good burger place called Yo-Mamas. Looks like a dive, rough looking customers. I think I was the only non-tattooed person in the place. But very good food Go to Mother's for breakfast. Get a beignet somewhere (I know, everyone recommends Café DuMonde, but we actually liked them better at Café Beignet). We ate the charbroiled oysters at Drago's. OMG, fantastic! I was a little leary of eating oysters because the texture scared me. But there's so much garlic butter with these....mmmm. Frenchmen Street is the place to go in the evenings if you want to walk along and listen to all types of music. You can usually hear what kind of music is playing when you walk by and most places don't have a cover charge....they just ask that you buy at least 1 drink per person.
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 21, 2014 20:37:04 GMT
Looks like most have the city covered! There is a big WWII museum right down by the river that DH said was well done. And we took a tour of St. Louis Cathedral, which was interesting. And we really liked the French Market. And just wandering around the streets looking at all the balconies and courtyards.
There are several plantations nearby. We did Oak Alley, which were the front views for Twelve Oaks in Gone With The Wind. (Not the house itself, just the trees.) There are several plantations in the area and you could easily do two in one day. I know one had reconstructed slave quarters. Outside Oak Alley is the Mississippi River--right there. It was interesting to just look over the berm and there it was. The plantation itself has been extensively restored. At one time, it housed cows. The restaurant is really good there-yum!
We also did a hike through Jean LaFitte National Park. It was so interesting and there are alligators all along the bayou. Best of all, there is a big path and I stayed RIGHT in the middle the entire time. There were a few overlooks that looked right into nests of snakes. No thank you! But the kids loved it. I know you can take air boats out in the bayou. We didn't do that, but it would have been interesting.
Chalmette battlefield is right outside the city as well. DH did that while I stayed in the van and napped with the kids. Darn! But he's really into that and it was a hot muggy day so I was happy to make the "sacrifice" and stay in the van with the kids.
And I know it's a chain, but we ate at Bubba Gumps one night and I think it was the best food I've ever eaten.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 21, 2014 20:44:35 GMT
Most of what I would've suggested has been covered. I would also go to Commander's Palace for brunch/lunch. If it's not too crowded go to Pat O'Brien's and sit in the piano bar. I haven't been in 30 years but some of my fondest memories from my NOLA days were spent there. I have heard that the WWII museum is a must visit! If you can get there, visit a plantation home on the river road. If the Saints or Tulane are playing in NOLA the weekend you're there, things will get a tad crazy.
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Post by eebud on Aug 21, 2014 20:57:18 GMT
For the most awesome poboy, go to: Domilese's 5240 Annunciation St.
It is not far off of St. Charles so you could take the street car uptown and then walk to Domilese. It is a hole in the wall with not many tables. The Oyster Poboy is to die for!! I had a half shrimp/half oyster last time I was there. While the shrimp was good, the oyster was melt in your mouth.
Cafe du Monde - Helpful Hint for Cafe du Monde - there are mutiple entrances for Cafe du Monde. One is on the street side by Jackson Square and the other is around the back on the river side. You might see a line of people waiting to get to go orders at another window that is also on the river side. The locals walk over to the river side and walk in the door where there is never a line. The tourists stay on the Jackson Square side and wait in line. Regardless of the entrance you walk in, you will stand in the middle and wait for a table to open up assuming it is packed.
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Post by eebud on Aug 21, 2014 21:01:12 GMT
You also might want to check out Mardi Gras World where you can see all the floats and learn more about Mardi Gras.
I see that Mother's was suggested. I would go to Domilese's over Mother's but Mother's might be more convenient. If you go to Mother's, order a roast beef poboy with debris. This will be a roast beef poboy with all the drippings. Yum!!
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peabay
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 21, 2014 21:08:39 GMT
We just got back last week (and I think I've finally stopped sweating.)
Beyond what's already been mentioned, I would have a drink at the Carousel bar in the Hotel Monteleone. We stayed there (great hotel, btw) and the bar is really amazing.
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Post by TXRangersFan on Aug 21, 2014 21:51:24 GMT
Wow! You guys are making me sorry I will have to wait until fall to go! Thank you for all the tips and ideas, feel free to keep them coming!
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Post by honeyb on Aug 21, 2014 22:19:59 GMT
Much of what we did while visiting have been mentioned. Beignets at Café du Monde, Swamp Tour (Airboat Adventures), Pat O'Brien's (loved, loved, loved the dueling piano show), River Boat Cruise (Steamboat Natchez). One thing I haven't seen that we really enjoyed was taking a cooking class at the NOLA school of cooking. We learned to make gumbo, etouffe, and prailines. All delicious.
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Post by mztfied on Aug 21, 2014 23:28:03 GMT
I agree with all of the above. New Orleans is a wonderful place to visit. There is so much to do and see. Just the people watching is so amazing. Having said that let me caution you to take care with your personal safety. New Orleans can be a dangerous place after dark in some sections. If you are walking after dark be cautious. Have your dh carry his wallet in his front pocket. You make sure your purse is secure.
I have a family member who has lived in the French Quarter for 30 years. Dh and I visited lots of times and my family member would always remind us of the safety factor. Best to stay in areas with lots of people.
Chances are you will have no problems at all. Millions visit that fabulous city yearly and have a wonderful time. Just be mindful of your surroundings.
I love love love that city. It was always the most fun place we visited. So much history. Be sure you get a guide book. Enjoy!!!!
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Post by hollymolly on Aug 21, 2014 23:46:38 GMT
You won't be sorry you waited til fall. The heat and humidity is brutal. I went the week before Thanksgiving last year and I got hot a couple of times. My hair was a curly mess the whole week.
My favorite thing from that trip was the Penguin Encounter at the Audubon Aquarium. I would never have thought to do that, but my friend suggested it and we had so much fun! You get to hold penguins, and feed them, and hang out in their habitat for a while. I want to go back just for that. I follow Kohl the penguin on twitter because he re-tweeted my picture of one of his brothers on my penguin playdate.
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J u l e e
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Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Aug 22, 2014 0:00:51 GMT
I follow Kohl the penguin on twitter because he re-tweeted my picture of one of his brothers on my penguin playdate. THIS made me smile! It's the most favorite thing I've read all day!
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Post by monicad on Aug 22, 2014 0:46:15 GMT
I just went in April and I LOVED it...such a great city! Here are my recommendations: -Red Fish Grill (make sure you get the bread pudding!) -Cafe Du Monde...multiple times -We did a walking tour that was really interesting and is a good way to learn a lot about the history of the city and the people -Go to a performance at Preservation Hall (we saw the All Stars)...it's a small venue and a step back in time -Take the ferry to Algiers Point and walk around -Swamp tour -Plantation tour (we did Oak Alley and Laura) -Go to Mulate's for dinner...they have live music and fried alligator! Have a great time...I'd go back in a heartbeat! The food is to die for and it's a great city with a ton of character! ETA: The Ruby Slipper is another good breakfast/lunch place...I believe there are two locations.
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peabay
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 22, 2014 0:51:16 GMT
Ooh, big reminder: wear closed toe shoes when walking on Bourbon Street.
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Post by withapea on Aug 22, 2014 0:54:41 GMT
You're going to have so much fun. My favorite was the cemetery tour we took, but I've enjoyed so much of my time there it's difficult to pare it down.
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Post by monicad on Aug 22, 2014 0:57:44 GMT
Ooh, big reminder: wear closed toe shoes when walking on Bourbon Street. And be careful where you walk in general. I guess they spent a ton of money on these cute looking pavers years ago which are all uneven now (probably due to the fact that it's built on top of a swamp). Our tour guide said it's common for people to injure themselves while walking around...especially when you're intoxicated.
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Post by hollymolly on Aug 22, 2014 0:58:12 GMT
J u l e e This is the picture I tweeted. His name is Pee Wee. ETA: I wish I could make that bigger without making it giant! Too late to try again tonight though.
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Post by bingcherry on Aug 22, 2014 1:39:16 GMT
My DH and I try to get to NO at least once a year. Our primary goal is to eat, drink, and listen to jazz.
Food recommendations:
Killer Po'Boys (in the back of Erin Rose Bar on Conti) Cochon Butcher (go during lunch time. It's usually very crowded but the mac n cheese with pancetta is worth the wait) Irene's (go for dinner / make a reservation) Domenica (in the Roosevelt hotel. Go during happy hour and make a reservation. One of my favorites) La Petite Grocery (high end / gourmet) Central Grocery (muffallettas) Mr. B's (great for lunch) Yo Ma-Ma's (DH and I split a burger) Sucre on Magazine St. (great for macaroons and desserts) District (also on Magazine, awesome doughnuts)
Bars:
Carousel Bar in the Monteleone The Bar in the Royal Sonesta Hotel LaFitte's Blacksmith (The original at the end of Bourbon)
For music, I definitely recommend Frenchman St.
Have Fun!
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Post by peano on Aug 22, 2014 2:53:15 GMT
Wow! You guys are making me sorry I will have to wait until fall to go! Thank you for all the tips and ideas, feel free to keep them coming! Believe me, you don't want to be there now. Fall is a beautiful time in New Orleans.
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StephDRebel
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Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Aug 22, 2014 2:58:36 GMT
Ooh, big reminder: wear closed toe shoes when walking on Bourbon Street. ...and if it rains look out! I usually bring muck boots, it floods EVERY time we're there!
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Post by supersoda on Aug 22, 2014 3:15:54 GMT
Preservation Hall for old school jazz. It's a tiny, dumpy place with mats on the floor and trombone spit flying, but the music is fantastic. We also enjoyed the Irvin Mayfield Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta hotel, which is pretty much the swanky opposite of Preservation Hall.
We did the Stray Boots (it's an app) tour of the Garden District, and it was a great way to explore that area.
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smartypants71
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Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Aug 22, 2014 3:35:09 GMT
Beignets and Cafe Ole at Cafe Du Monde I don't think I've ever tried the Cafe Ole there before! The Cafe au Lait is wonderful though! (That's one of the better autocorrects I've seen lately!) In regards to Cafe du Monde, try to hit it at an off time. We were back there in April for a wedding (we used to live there) and the lines down the sidewalk to get a table were unbelievable. I've never seen them so long ever before. That is hilarious! I was using my speech to text! I thought I made all my corrections but apparently I missed one. As a native New Orleanian, I hang my head in shame LOL!
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Post by megop on Aug 22, 2014 3:54:02 GMT
Two Sisters Sunday brunch in the French Quarter, was amazing!
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Post by megop on Aug 22, 2014 3:55:32 GMT
Actually, I enjoyed NOLA so much, it truly became one of the places on the "I could live there" list.
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