New Orleans. Locals and Regulars Edit: What to wear?

LoadedRound · May 30, 2015

Going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks. We'll be staying in the Quarter.

Looking for advice from the NOLA experts on the board. What to do / where to eat. Areas around the quarter to avoid? We're not much on being out late. We'll be tucked in by 11:00 or so.

Thanks for any help.

427mach1 · May 30, 2015

Stay on the main streets such as Bourbon or Canal or on the Riverwalk - don't wander off; even a block or two in the wrong direction can put you in a bad area. There are too many good restaurants to mention, just look for a long line getting in and you will know it is good. Try Cafe du Monde for coffee and beignets in the morning. The D-day Museum is fantastic. Ride the street car down St. Charles and see the Garden District. Take a river/dinner cruise. Drive up the river road and tour some of the old plantations.

CAJUNLAWYER · May 30, 2015

What hotel? I hope it's the Monteleon.
Summer time will be HOT. You will probably want to see the D Day Museum-it's just a short cab ride away.
As far as resturants, my favorite haunts are in no particular order Napoleon House, Masperos, Galitoirs Tujaques Central Grocery home of the original Muffalatta. Cafe Du Mond(best is to get there around 5:30 in the morning to watch the "night" quarter transition to the "day" quarter if you're into that kind of thing. Any Brennan owned resturant will be good. Bars....Old Absenthe House-Napoleon House ( I hate Pat O'Briens - BIG tourist trap) Johnny White's (across the stret from Pat O'Briens) should be berable since they passed the no smoking ordinance. The afternoon is a nice time to go through the French Market by the river . In New Orleans you can stop by a bar and get a drink in a "go cup" to sip as you stroll along. As far as a nice light summertime drink there is absolutely NONE BETTER than the Pimms Cup at the Napoleon House-trust me on this one

Wear good walking shoes imerse yourself in it and enjoy. Stay ON te beaten path and you'll be ok during the summer most of the gangstas are killing each other in the projects rather than roaming the quarter.

LoadedRound · May 30, 2015

Hey guys. Thanks for the replies.

CAYJUNLAWYER. We've rented a condo. It's on St. Ann just off Bourbon. We may be getting more the Quarter than we'll want.

Stevie · May 30, 2015

I spent some time in New Orleans last summer...was a fun stay.

Holed-up in the Sheraton which is on Canal Street...close enough that we could walk most anywhere we needed to go or see

Went in July..hot and humid..pick a hotel/motel with good airconditioning...the Sheraton's AC was barely adequate(at least on the 29th floor)....Lots of stuff to see and do..can party like a wild beast in NOLA

The USS Kidd is not too far away in Baton Rouge..worth the journey to tour a cool historic fletcher class destroyer and has indoor exhibits and some aircraft as well.

Last summer there was LEO everywhere!...NOLA police...Sheriff's department...large quanities of State Police...like the place was under some sort of 'crack-down' on crime or something. We never had any issues and walked miles and miles daily and partied much in the evenings(just as hot and humid at night in July). Locals were all quite friendly and helpful although there were/are many pan-handlers....We had a great time..spent lots of money!

federali · May 30, 2015

Just Got Back

My wife is out at the moment but she has a list of restaurants worth going to. So, I'll post again. Yes, you cannot go through New Orleans without have some beignets.

We stayed at the Royal Sonesta, on Bourbon Street. We were told to book a room high in the building and facing inside rather than Bourbon Street. We were there for St. Patty's Day. You needed hearing protectors on the street but we heard nothing in our room.

If you're into guns, be sure to stop at:
James H. Cohen and Sons Inc: Rare Antiques & Collectibles ...
shop.cohenantiques.com/
Cohen Antiques, 437 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA
437 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-3305

Royal Street is one block off Bourbon Street and parallel to it.

You might also want to take in the Hurricane Katrina Museum in the French Quarter and the WWII Museum is a must. Across from that museum is a small Civil War museum that's also worth seeing if you have time.

Directly across from the Royal Sonesta, on Bourbon Street,a is an outdoor jazz cafe where you may order really delicious beignets without waiting an hour in line as will happen at the Cafe Du Monde.

I thought the muffaletta sandwiches were over-rated. It's nothing more than an Italian hero or hoagie with crushed olive dressing and all flash-fried on a griddle. They're good but not worth standing in line for, as we did.

Stevens · May 30, 2015

Try the Charbroiled Oysters at Dragos, The BBQ Shrmp at Pascal's Manale were excellent last time I was there but it has been a few years so ask around, they aren't really BBq'ed but in a great butter garlic sauce. Ditto WWII Museum

federali · May 30, 2015

New Orleans Restaurants

Make reservations, if possible at all of the restaurants.

Commanders Palace 25cent Martinis
Muriel’s Jackson Square 801 Chartres St. (504) 568-1885
Palace Café 605 Canal St (504) 523-1661
Bourbon House 144 Bourbon St (504) 522-0111
Brunch at the Court of Two Sisters
Lunch at Commander's Restaurant

Ask where to go for a good muffaletta sandwich. We went for lunch, at Johnny's PoBoys - 511 St Louis St, New Orleans, the first day we arrived. We waited for an hour and found out later that that was not the best place to have one.

We ate dinner, at Antoine's - 713 Saint Louis St PH: (504) 581-4422
The food was all right, pricey for dinner. Go for lunch, make sure you see all of the rooms. There is a lot of historical memorabilia.

EMERIL'S DELMONICO 1300 St. Charles Ave. Noisy back room. Across from the streetcar.
There also is Emeril's at 800 Tchoupitoulas St PH: 504 525 4937

peterthefish · May 30, 2015

New Orleans. Locals and Regulars

Camellia Grill uptown on Carrollton is great for breakfast but outside the quarter. I haven't been back to NO since the flooding, and I believe they may have relocated but it was an old favorite.

sigp220.45 · May 30, 2015

Betsy's Pancakes at Canal and Dorgenois.

charlie sherrill · May 30, 2015

All of the above. For a free river boat ride go to the end of Canal St. and get on the ferry. Walk on traffic is free. Ride across the Mississippi River and stay on board and ride back. It's a good platform to take pictures of the city from the river. It takes about 15-20 minutes. Take the St. Charles Ave. street car ride through the Garden District. Lots of old mansions and you can get off at the Audubon Zoo for a while if you want. We're going back to the WWII museum tomorrow. If you go be sure to watch the movie. Eat anywhere.

Cyrano · May 30, 2015

No recommendations as the last time we were there was for the King Tut exhibit (1990s?), ad I don't remember anything (too much to drink?). We had a wonderful time, however, just walking down Bourbon Sreet and going into a occasional bar. Gotta go back and see the WW II Museum sometime.

HOUSTON RICK · May 31, 2015

Don't go past St. Peter Street (on Bourbon Street) after dark or people are not what they try to appear. Almost all the restaurants that look good - are good. If they can afford a solid building in the quarter, they are making money. Only go down Iberville street if you left the wife back in your room. Do not even try the street vendors for food or drink. Pat O"Briens is a tourist trap, but a required one. Their most potent drink is the Skylab Fallout although everyone drinks the obligatory Hurricane in the fragile glass. Most of the Po'Boy shops around town are good. Have fun, put your wallet in your front pocket and don't put anything in your wife's purse that you would mind losing too much.

hoosierone · May 31, 2015

Sister in law has been there a few times. Her comment was "don't forget your gun ".

CAJUNLAWYER · May 31, 2015

federali said:
I thought the muffaletta sandwiches were over-rated. It's nothing more than an Italian hero or hoagie with crushed olive dressing and all flash-fried on a griddle. They're good but not worth standing in line for, as we did.

The original muffaletta was NEVER grilled. Probably why you didn't like it I can't imagine a more greasier tasting sandwich than a HOT muffaletta. Central Grocery for the original Muff and then you make the call. I had a hot muffaletto once and it was pretty nasty. They were never meant to be cooked. And unless you like the olive salid and italian meats/cheeses it probably isn't going to be one of your favorites-my wife can't stand them.
I was about 15 at the time and one of my most memorable means was going down to central Grocery dirubg Mardi Gras (this was about the time Easy Rider and the quarter was packed with hippies-my dad would have killed me if he knew I was down there). A girl and I got a whole sandwich and a bottle od Boons Farm Strawberry Hill and sat on the levee by Jackson square for lunch. Sweet

Fred_G · May 31, 2015

If you're into guns, be sure to stop at:
James H. Cohen and Sons Inc: Rare Antiques & Collectibles ...
shop.cohenantiques.com/
Cohen Antiques, 437 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA
437 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-3305

Wow, have not been there since the '80s, was wondering if they were still around.

I second going to this place just to look around!

OP, be careful, travel in groups. Listen to the experts on what parts of town to stay away from.

LoadedRound · Jun 2, 2015

Thanks so much Gentlemen. I'm researching all your suggestions. Very much looking forward to the trip.

Thanks Again!

DWalt · Jun 2, 2015

Pack half the clothes you think you need, and twice the money.

jackvs1 · Jun 2, 2015

CAJUNLAWYER said:
The original muffaletta was NEVER grilled. Probably why you didn't like it I can't imagine a more greasier tasting sandwich than a HOT muffaletta. Central Grocery for the original Muff and then you make the call.

You are 100% correct, when I heard a grilled muffaletto I almost puked. At Central Grocery the original meat, cheese, and bread are fresh. Go to Central Grocery about 45 minutes before noon.

Try K-Pauls restaurant - getting to be one of my favorites on the French Quarter, New Orleans Cajun & Creole Dining?K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen. They have no seasoning at the table; why because the food is so good.

I also like the Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter, Gumbo Shop | Award Winning New Orleans Restaurant

LoadedRound · Jun 5, 2015

Thanks Guys. I do appreciate your help.

New Orleans. Locals and Regulars Edit: What to wear?

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Absent Comrade

Member

Absent Comrade

Member

US Veteran

SWCA Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads