Tips about New Orleans?

Date: 5/28/2009 6:25:25 PM
Author: April20
I haven't vacationed there, but I've been a couple times for work.

There are fantastic deals to be had on hotels in the city. I really like the International House. It's on Camp Street. Really nice boutique hotel, walking distance to the French Quarter. It's running $89 night right now and has been at that rate for quite some time. I've stayed there twice and LOVE it. I found that rate thru www.kayak.com Not sure what it is directly thru the hotel, but here's the link: http://www.ihhotel.com/.

Within walking distance of the International House is Luke, which is a John Besh restaurant. The food is fantastic. There are also tons and tons of options for food in the French Quarter, though it does get a bit touristy over there.

I haven't had time to do any of the fun things to do there, so I don't have any input on that, sorry. It's a great city though- you'll have a great time when you go.

Date: 5/28/2009 7:28:58 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Warnings? It'll probably muggy and humid and very hot in the summer. I've only been once for a couple of days for a conference (in May), so the only place I really visited was the French quarter as well as riding through the city on a trolley or whatever it was. There are some beautiful old houses and the French Quarter was okay. But now that I can say I've been there, I'd put it really low on my list of places I'd care to visit again. Sorry I don't have more positive tips!

Date: 5/28/2009 11:01:31 PM
Author: Lexie
I New Orleans!

Before Hurricane Katrina, my family and I would go there just about every year

We would always stay at: Place D'Armes Hotel, which is conveniently located in the heart of the French Quarter, and right by Jackson Square (where the St. Louis Cathedral is). I would highly recommend staying there, and would urge you to get a hotel room by their courtyard

As far as eating is concerned, you've got A TON of options. Here's a pretty thorough list of restaurants in the French Quarter. We would usually try to frequent the following places:

1) The Alpine. It's a cozy bistro that has a great selection of creole/cajun & american cuisine.
2) Brennan's. It's pretty darn pricey, but exemplifies what NOLA cooking is all about. Their Bananas Foster is legendary. Reservations are a must.
3) Cafe Du Monde. A trip to NOLA is not complete without having some beignets and cafe au lait from there. YOU.MUST.GO.THERE!
4) Cafe Maspero. This place is pretty inexpensive and has good muffalettas, french onion soup, red beans and rice, and CHEAP daiquiris ($1-$2). The only negative is that there is sometimes a long line outside.
5) Court of Two Sisters. It's a great place for a leisurely brunch, complete with a jazz band and a beautiful atmosphere. Reservations are a must.
6) Muriel's. They have really wonderful creole food, a nice ambiance, and has the added bonus of being haunted. Their crawfish & goat cheese crepes are divine, and their bread pudding is excellent. Reservations are highly recommended.
7) The Old Coffee Pot. It's a quaint little place with excellent food. They're usually pretty packed for breakfast and brunch, but is worth going to for lunch/dinner as well.

Other restaurants that I've heard are great, but have never been to are: Acme Oyster House, Central Grocery (home of the original muffaletta), Commander's Palace, and NOLA (owned by Emeril Lagasse)... just to name a few.

As far as things to do, the ghost/vampire/cemetery/garden district tours given by Haunted History Tours are very neat and interesting! The French Market is worth a visit. I've also enjoyed going to the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas & IMAX. Don't think I've ever made it to their zoo or insectarium, however, but I would imagine that they're pretty cool. Definitely check out Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral. There are often a lot of interesting street performers, musicians, and psychics/tarot card readers in that area. The riverboat cruises are very relaxing, informative, and have great views. If you want to listen to some truly authentic jazz and blues, you're definitely going to want to go to Preservation Hall. Bourbon Street is also pretty fun If you love to shop, then you and Nawlins are going to get along just fine... particularly if you like antique shops and the like.

As somebody already mentioned, the weather is most likely going to be somewhat hot and humid... so, be prepared! New Orleans has a reputation for having lots of crime and being unsafe, but I personally have never encountered or witnessed anything out of the norm; therefore, there's no need to be overly cautious or anything. Just use common sense! If you're going to be staying in the French Quarter, mostly everything is within walking distance, which makes things very convenient! Also, don't be afraid to ask the locals for recommendations as far as where to go/what to do. They usually know what they're talking about

Nothing else seems to be coming to mind, but if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask

Date: 5/28/2009 11:28:34 PM
Author: Clio
I never stay in hotels (my parents live there), so I can't help you much there. My aunt generally stays at the Windsor Court or the W and likes them both. They're pricey, but you might be able to find good deals. People I know have also like the Hotel St. Pierre, which is a smaller boutique hotel.

Here are some ideas about food:

Verde Mart has good poboys. It's a little market in the Quarter, and you order the poboys in the back. My favorite, though, is R&O's in Bucktown out on the Lakefront. It's just a really good neighborhood type place. No ambiance to speak of, but the roast beef poboys are awesome. Frankie and Johnny's is another similar place. It's Uptown, off Tchoupitoulas.

For breakfast/lunch, the Bluebird Cafe is my favorite. It's on Prytania, so you'll need to drive there, and they close at 3. The happiest 2 or so years of my life were when the Bluebird Cafe had a second location just down the street from my parents' house. BUT, I heard that they're closing, so check before you go. I also love Camellia Grill, but I'd recommend going for a latish supper. Lunch is always crowded with a line out the door.

Also for breakfast/lunch or just a snack, Croissant d'Or in the Quarter is good. They also have a sister store, La Marquise, near the Cathedral, but it's mostly just (very good) pastries (and I think it may not have reopened since the storm). You should also go to Cafe Du Monde for coffeee and beignets. Yes, it's touristy, but you really can't beat just-out-of-the-fryer beignets.

My parents like to go to Taqueria Corona on Magazine. Plum Street Snoballs has opened for the season, so definitely go there. If you're looking for coffee, Rue de la Course is my favorite, though CC's and PJ's are also good.

I would recommend one old New Orleans haute dining experience. Galatoire's is the best for that. There are a lot of excellent newer restaurants as well. Bayona and Brigsten's are excellent, though not really new any more. One of the newer places getting a lot of buzz is Cochon.

As for things to do, just riding the St. Charles streetcar is one of my favorite things. Best $2.50 you'll spend. You'll go past some beautiful old houses. The Audobon Zoo and the Aquarium of the Americas are both really great. There's even a package deal where you can go to the aquarium, then take a boat up the river to the zoo. The zoo is in Audubon Park, which is a great place to hang out (so is City Park, which is where the New Orleans Museum of Art is located; they have quite a Faberge collection).

I've never really taken any tours, other than historic house tours. There are a lot of great ones in the city. The museums at the Cabildo and the Presbytere (on either side of the Cathedral) are also good. If you have the opportunity to tour some River Road plantation houses, there are some wonderful ones. I'm partial to San Francisco, Houmas House, and Laura Plantation (which is a more typical French colonial style house). I'm not sure Oak Alley is really worth it.

As for shopping, I like the antique stores and boutiques on Magazine Street best. They're funkier. In the Quarter, MS Rau is a must-see for any Pricescoper. The antique stores on Royal Street are full of gorgeous things, but very expensive.

The historic part of Savannah does remind me of New Orleans a lot. They have the same climate and plants and similar architecture.

Date: 5/29/2009 12:15:54 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
It's been so long since I've been to Savannah, I really couldn't compare, but it is interesting that they have similarities. I am more fond of Charleston, personally, but it is probably because I have been there more often. (And all of them will be very hot and humid in the summer!)