New Orleans trip

[ChloeTheGreat]

Any New Orleans PSers out there?

I am planning a girls' weekend trip to NOLA in July with my best friend of 10 years. She lives in Baton Rouge, so we are planning to drive from there to New Orleans for a day and spend the night. I'm looking at hotels in walking distance on the French Quarter so we can walk as much as possible (particularly after a Saturday night of hurricanes and hand grenades... ). We've both been to that part of town a few times and casually walked around without a real plan, but I want this weekend trip to be the best it can be!

What are some restaurants, shopping, attractions, etc. in that part of town we MUST check out?!

 

[April20]

I don't live in NO, but I've been there several times for business. When conventions aren't in town, the hotels are CHEAP! I stayed at the Omni Royal Crescent for $70 a couple years ago! I've also stayed at the International House on several occassions and really liked it. They're on opposite corners of Camp & Gravier. They both have smaller rooms, but are in older buildings with character. And the International House has a nice bar. Both are walking distance to the French Quarter, but are not right in the heart of it. Bascially they're down the block, hang a right, down a block hang a left at the casinos and there you are. Like four city blocks maybe? I walked it in the evening alone and didn't feel unsafe.

I've eaten at Luke several times. It's a block and a half from the International House on St Charles- across from the Hilton. It's been a couple years since I've been there, but it was good at the time. It's a John Besh restaurant. I've eaten at a couple one off places in the French Quarter, but I can't remember the specifics on those.

I Kayaked a random July weekend and rates came back very reasonable for hotels. But then again, it depends on what's in town. I'd priceline it you don't mind not having absolute control over which specific hotel you are in. If you're brave and wait until the day of, I bet you could get a 4 star hotel in the French Quarter for $50 if there's nothing going on in town. We do that all the time when we're headed to bigger cities and we haven't been let down with hotel quality yet.

Have fun!

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Thanks for the advice April20! I'll definitely look into the hotel prices. And I'll check out the menu for Luke. I am familiar with Chef Besh and want to try his food.

 

[ilovethiswebsite]

I haven't been yet (dying to go!) but my brother went recently and stayed at the Sonesta Hotel. Says it was amazing!

www.sonesta.com/royalneworleans/

 

[HollyS]

I have stayed at the Royal Sonesta in the heart of the French Quarter. It's been almost 10 years since I've been back, but it was really nice on my last trip in 2002.

It was clean, well decorated, full of amenities, concierge, restaurant downstairs, blah, blah, blah. I was staying as part of a convention, so I'm afraid I do not know the exact price of the room. I suggest a "Pool and Patio Room" instead of one fronting onto Bourbon Street for the noise factor.

I would definitely consider staying there again. It's right smack dab in the heart of everything.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

I found a hotel room on a discount site that looks nice enough and gets good reviews and is just a block or two away from Bourbon St. so we won't need to worry about driving.
The Sonesta looks beautiful, but was more than I wanted to spend for a 1 night trip.

Anyone know of some good shopping???

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

I just came form there! The Courtyard Marriott on St. Charles Ave. is not worth the price.

For one of the best southern meals you'll ever eat, go to Brennan's on Royal.

The New Orleans School of Cooking near Jackson Square is fun - you get a "cooking lesson" that's more like a standup comedy routine (very entertaining) and get to eat a variety of foods. It starts at 1030 am and is over around 1230.

The World War II Museum is fun if you're looking for something other than Bourbon St.

There are several art galleries that you can visit for free along the streets.

Fun Fact: The police department sells T-shirts from a vending machine in the lobby.

 

[Circe]

Stayed at the Four Seasons in the Quarter last autumn, and loved it - their ground floor rooms have little private yards with hot tubs! Drinking champagne in a hot tub in cool weather = must-do life experience.

Shopping-wise: M.S. Rau is on ... Royale St., I think. Definitely worth a visit! There's a whole street full of antique jewelry stores on Royale, actually, that's sort of like PS heaven. If you like vintage-y clothing, I can make some suggestions, but I'll have to look through my notes (I remember it wasn't the Quarter, but a streetcar ride away - St. Charles, maybe?). Ooo, food-wise: visit a place called The Green Goddess in the Quarter - it's run by the husband of one of my favorite writers, and they may serve the best food I've ever eaten in my life. Will wrack my brain and see what else I can remember ....

ETA: Remembered I started a similar thread, and got good tips - worth checking out! https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-orleans-tips.151514/