maybe a little Bourbon Street touring

haunted tour

and a little gambling.

am I missing anything or what to avoid?

I am not staying in NO, but outside in Metairie.

thanks in advance

Sir, food and music come to mind--lots of good in both categories to be found in NO. Stay out of the 9th Ward.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

The National World War II Museum

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Compact 9mm Just my $0.02

thanks for the 9th Ward stayaway.

how bout haunted tours.....is there one better than the rest. this is what I found on a website.

Bloody Mary's Tours
144 S. Hennessey St., New Orleans, LA 70119 [Map It]
(504) 523-7684
Bloody Mary's New Orleans Tours, Events, and Spirit Encounters

Cajun Pride Entertainment
110 Frenier Rd. , LaPlace, LA 70068 [Map It]
(504) 467-0758, (800) 467-0758
New Orleans Tours, Cajun Pride Swamp, City, Plantation and Hurricane Tours

Ghost Expeditions
3110 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 582-6991
itunes.apple.com

Good Old Days Tours
1229 St. Thomas St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 523-0804

Gray Line Tours
400 Toulouse St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 569-1401, (800) 233-2628
Gray Line Tours-New Orleans-Premier tour company offering sights and sounds of New Orleans La.!

Haunted History Tours
723 St. Peter St. , New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 861-2727, (888) 644-6787
New Orleans Tours by Haunted History Tours! New Orleans Ghosts, New Orleans Ghost Tours, New Orleans Vampire Tours, New Orleans Cemetery Tour, New Orleans Voodoo Tours, New Orleans Garden District Tours.

Historic New Orleans Walking Tours, Inc
2727 Prytania St. Suite 8, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 947-2120
New Orleans Tours ? Swamp Tour, Cemetery Tour, Voodoo, Garden District, Jazz, Haunted Sites, Oak Alley Plantation & French Quarter (Louisiana, LA)

Le Tour Shop
638 St. Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 581-6815

Magic Tours, LLC
720 St. Louis St., New Orleans, LA 70140 [Map It]
(504) 588-9693
Home | Magic Tours

New Orleans Spirit Tours
621 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 314-0806, (866) 369-1224
New Orleans Spirit Tours: New Orleans Cemetery, Voodoo, Ghost and Vampire Walking Tours

Roland Through New Orleans
3925 Bellview St., Metairie, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 779-6856, (877) 734-4437

Don't get off on any side streets after dark. Don't go anywhere by yourself. Bourbon St. is pretty safe. Lots more police presence than you can see. If you have to park a car in one of the lots take your ticket with you and don't pay for your parking with a credit card or you'll find more on next months bill than you actually spent. Leave the ladies alone unless getting mugged is something you enjoy. Taxi cabs are mostly safe, just don't expect to understand anything the driver says. Be careful who you dance with. Things aren't always what they appear to be.

hahahhahahhahahaa

going with the wife. I was there in 2000 at a narcotics conference. bourbon street smelled like alcohol and vomit.

the wife is into scary stuff (not me) and want to go on a good tour.

good to know about parking....thanks.

Bignets and coffee at Cafe du Monde.

On the walk to Rue Bourbon via Pirate's Alley there used to be a fenced off corner of a building with a small submersable and some cannons I think, been a while since I was there though. After the old Playoy Club closed it became a restaurant called The Baachanal (sp), don't know if it is still there but it used to have decent food. Maybe Caj can provide some better info.

If you venture off to the West Bank stay out of Algiers. Used to be a nice pool hall, I think it was named Hollywood, with regulation size tables and frosty mugs, IIRC somewhere just off 23. Now if the wife is busy and you want to venture a little further out, like down to Houma, there was a rough little spot all of us in the oil patch may, or may not, have enjoyed a cool pony can called the Oil Patch. A real dive.

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Non illegitimae carborundum

There use to be a paddle wheel boat that took you up the river for about a hour's ride and landed at some battlefield. You could get off and wander around for a hour or so and the go back to New Orleans. On the way up they provided a small buffet. Nice ride.

The Confederate Museum behind the WWII Museum.

Regards,

Tam 3

+1 on the 9th Ward. My sister went down there after Katrina and decided to take a tour of that place and she said it looked like a 3rd world country.
At least you're not going down during Mardi Gras because I would tell you to be careful throwing beads to anything wearing a dress and having an Adam's apple. Believe me New Orleans is a very interesting place, but it is like any city, stray off the beaten path and you're likely to meet some wild life. Just keep in mind the city started off as a penal colony.

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Vaya con Dios

Go to the 9th Ward and then cross over into Chalmette. If you visit New Orleans without seeing the devastation wrought by Katrina and the levy breaks then you haven't seen the heart and soul of the area.

Then for some great food head to Mosca's Restaurant in Avondale. Have the Oysters Mosca. You won't be disappointed.

Still does

Google festivals in New Orleans to see what is going on when you are there. Springtime has the French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest. under no circumstances should you come to New Orleans around the 4th of July (the Essence Festival) or on Thanksgiving Weekend (grambling-Southern Bayou Classic) Trust me of these two.
If you are staying in Metairie I suggest using United Cab or Metry Cab to go to the Quarter. If during the day have them drop you off at Jackson Square and you can go just about anywhere-french market, Jax Brewery, the Royal St shops, the Pontabla shops, the Cathederal, it's endless.
By all means see the WWII D Day mueum-it's in the Warehouse district a bit far to walk so I suggest you "cab" it. No reason to go to the West Bank unless for a specific reason (ie to visit family)-nothing over there. Nothing in Metairie either-unless you want to eat at TGIF's. I was never a big tour man myself so I can't help you on that. My experience visiting foreign cities is to do it on my own cause I kinda like the quirkier places that you can only find on your own. That takes care of the day. For night-as Charlie said stay on Bourbon St or around Jackson Square. Plenty of po po (bad for the tourist business if you guys get robbed ) Any of the Brennan family resturants are wonderful dining experiences-not just Brennans. Of course you owe yourself the obligatory visit to Pat O'Briens. For lunch I HIGHLY RECOMEND the Napoleon House-Whatever sandwich you get (the warm Muffalatta-hint hint) you have to have a Pimms Cup-their signature cocktail (google it). If you don't want that than Masperos has a to die for pastrami or corned beef.
And believe me the smell of stale vomit, booze and cigarette smoke that permiates the place isn't all that bad-really-it reminds you that you are in the real thing and not Disney World. Unless it is in the heat of the summer in which case wait untill October to go. In other words If you have not gone by Memorial day-wait until it gets cool again.

Oh and one final thing....if a little black kid comes up to you and bets you $20 he can tell you "Where you gots yo shoes" don't bet him. the correct answer is "You gots yo shoes on yo feet"

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hahahahahah.....I leave tomorrow.

thanks to all for the advice. my wife wants to try turtle soup.......not me!

Do they still have a tent camp jail there? Many years ago I had a close friend that was a booking officer on graveyard at that parish jail. He gave me a tour around. It`s a different experiance! I think that was back in 1983 or 1984.

Good info thus far. I'd add the Cabildo (Louisiana Purchase was signed there) and the Garden District.

And carry spare ammo.


Okie John

yep.....taking my Nina (CS9D)

Did the Good Friends bar survive Katrina OK? It is a gay bar, didn't know that when the wife & I stopped in but we were treated very well and became 'regulars".

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Old paratrooper in NC

I used to go there a good bit when i was young, now im old and dont ever care to see it again! just keep your eyes open, be carefull and have fun!

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

While on Bourbon St. years ago, I learned the native teens have lots of ways to earn money from tourists. One old ploy is to say that they can tell you exactly where you got your shoes (if you promise to give them a dollar). If you say OK, they will tell you that "you got yo' shoes on yo' feet"!

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Quoth the raven:
"Nevermore"

Do visit Pat O'Briens. Do not drink more than 3 "Hurricanes" at Pat O'Briens, ask me how I know. Those big Slurpies will sneak up on you...!

If you like music, you need to seek out some of the small clubs and bars, that have some great live shows. Also, Jazz Fest is an awesome collection of musical artists, and culture, a must-do, before you leave the planet!

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NRA Life Member

Thanks Charlie, think I'll go back to Wyoming.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

I was going to say go to Dos Jefes Cigar Store on Magazine St., but I guess it closed. It's the only place I ever saw Fuente Curly Head Claros. A decent cheap cigar, and New Orleans is a natural humidor.

Natives will pooh pooh it, but I like the barbecued shrimp at Pascal's Manale.

When I'm there, I like to wander through the City of the Dead. If your wife is into the ghost tours, the one that leaves from the voodoo shop has good info but gets very crowded. The groups can get on top of each other. Also there are tours of the city of the dead if she doesn't just want to wander there.

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Soli Deo Gloria

You'll notice that all of the tour carriages are pulled by mules. it's too hot and muggy for horses.

I took my granddaughter (age 17) to the Insectarium. It was much more interesting than I expected.

You can get to the Zoo and the WWII museum via the streetcar.

We hit Emeral's and Prudhomme's restaurants along with Brennan's. All were very good, but Prudhomme's was my favorite.

Buck

Too bad they put the WWII museum there, otherwise I would never go back to New Orleans.

In my opinion, Katrina II would be merciful to the American taxpayer.

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- Change it back -

Doesn't sound like you would want to be on Iberville Street at night. There is great food everywhere just follow your nose. Do not consume or let anyone that you care about consume the hot dogs from the street vendors, be extra careful to avoid the hospitals, you are better waiting until you are anywhere else for medical treatment of any kind. I used to live in Metarie, there is nothing there but chain restaurants and old men's bars, do not bother with Fat City unless you want to see the locals and coillege kids either getting their first beer or professional adult services. It is a good idea to see the bottle that your beer comes out of and put your wallet in your front pocket. Have a good time!

Day 1 in the books....more later.

I spent 2 months at Ft. Polk....during the summer. If I never go to LA ever again, I wouldn't be too upset.

Every time I visit Nola, a trip to Meyer The Hatter is in order. "The South's Largest Hatter", they're on St. Charles near the corner of Canal Street. Been selling some fine haberdashery there since 1894. Stetson, Dobbs, Biltmore: you name it - they have it.
Bring yer wallet, good lids ain't cheap ...

Probably you want to stay out of Algiers after dark..I don't know what ward Algiers is in but can be a interesting trip, unless you are going to the base on the point. I guess it is still there????? Been a long time !!

New Orleans is just a shadow of its former self but it still has more charm, history, great food and music than any 25 other cities in the country combined. I second a lot of the restaurants mentioned and there's nothing in the world like the Garden District and the cemetaries. Forget the West Bank and the 9th Ward..can't comment further as I'd get kicked off the board if I told the truth.

A great lunch not mentioned so far is Mother's on Poydras for the best po boy around. The Ferdi's, an oyster or soft shelled crab do it for me.

Bob

I survived!!!!! The wife and I had a great time. Bourbon Street was quite an experience....again. Got asked about my shoes and the wife answered and the person asking seemed disgusted, hahahhaha.

some big guy (280 lbs my guess) kept eyeballing me in a bar on Bourbon St because he kept bumping into me and my wife. after a while it seemed on purpose and he was pushing me with his butt. I hard knudged him back and said to stop and he got even more irritated. I think alcohol and him just being a hot head was a factor. I just ignored him which seemed to really bother him and he eventually left.

I met Lady Gaga and I did not know she had an adam's apple. The wife and I walked into a bar and when all the men were staring at me....I felt it was like a scene from Police Academy at the Blue Oyster Bar. I walked out unharmed!

They had a food fest going on Royal Street and I ate a lil of what they had to offer...boudin (good stuff), turtle soup, jumbalya, gumbo, alligator on grits (barf), meat pie and washed it down with some brew.

We made a stop at La Bayou Restaurant and were treated with an excellant waiter who lived on in the French Quarter and gave us a boundry line to stay in. Oh and the Shrimp Po Boy was excellant!

We did a mule and buggy ride, Ghost Tour was merely just some history and looking at some buildings....however our tour guide was a comedian and very knowledgeable and made it interesting. Swamp tour....Captain Jaime was our guide and he called a mamma alligator over to the boat and he picked her up from the back side of her neck. She was not a big ally, and the Cap said she only approached the boat because usually that means food. Still was a good venture.

We were told to try the "funnel cakes" by a co worker and got scolded by a NewOrleaner by calling the begnits a funnel cake. got a laugh out of it.

Ate a Bubba Gump's and the wait staff will quiz you on the movie. I got all the questions right except for what did the falling feather mean????? urgggghhh!!! gonna have to watch the movie again.

Went into Harrah's and walked out....not for us.

Overall....had a blast and planning another trip soon.

if there was a negative to this trip....the trip took 8 hrs!!!!!!! ONE WAY!!!!! the wife and I took turns driving.

did not get to do alot posted, but on the future trip....will work some in.

thanks again

I apologize...I should have told you not to waste your time on Harras. It is indeed a monstrosity that should never have been built. The weather must have been perfect! Next time you go, you need to stay in the quarter. Glad you had fun!! BTW isn't that coffe au lait at Cafe du Monde the best thing you ever had??

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(Harrah's) we only walked in, toured it for about 20 minutes and then walked out. our car was parked in the lot across the street.

I hate to disappoint you....but I is not a coffee drinker. since I am trying to minimize my sugar intake, I offset the begnits with Diet Coke....:P

the only time I drink coffee.....it has to be really cold....an I need to stay awake (working nights on the streets) but that hasn't happened in years.

the sun was kicking on saturday but in the late afternoon....it went away. I dont know how far the wife and I walked but two days, we arrived around 3 pm on friday and got to the car at 11pm...so day one 8hrs....day two (saturday) we arrived at 10:30 am and left around midnight (13.5 hrs)

my butt, legs, calves, shins, toes are sore!!!!!! but I want to do it again. the ground (street and sidewalk) was so uneven....I was getting a workout and did not even know it.

The down side of New Orleans is summer heat, panhandlers, and avoiding the unsavory areas of the city. We were there (pre Katrina)in May and it was still muggy in the daytime. On the streets, there's always a few panhandlers, the "shoe" kids, and somebody trying to sell you something. We stayed at the Hotel Monteleone on Royal St, just a block off Bourbon street, and left our car in their parking garage the entire week we were there. Anything we didn't walk to, was by Red line, Green line, or via tour or taxi. Several of the the French Quarter streets are blocked from auto traffic in the evenings and it's pedestrian only. Don't forget to visit some of the outlying sites...The park at the Battle of New Orleans site, Oak Alley plantation( Gone With the Wind), etc. It was a good one time experience that I'm glad we did, but would never repeat...especially given the present condition of New Orleans.