Going to New Orleans next week. What to do?

[Eug]

Hi there. I have a work related thing next week all week long in New Orleans. My days will be mostly full but my evenings will be free. I'll be staying on Canal Street near the aquarium.

What to do / see? I like restaurants. I wouldn't mind splurging on good eats a couple of nights.

Any areas to avoid around there? I'm told it can get quite rough if you venture into the wrong spots.

BTW, I won't have a car.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Don't worry about no car - you're right in the middle of a lot of things. Some notable mentions:

- WW2 museum
- Casino
- Riverwalk is decent - shopping & restaurants
- Stop at Cafe Du Monde for beignets and a coffee in the French Quarter
- Cajun Mike's up canal street is really good - https://www.yelp.com/biz/cajun-mikes-new-orleans
- If you're a music guy, Hard Rock is right there too. They have some decent things on the wall.
- Again, if you like music, 'Famous Door' bar on Bourbon had one of the best bar trio's I've ever seen. Fantastic place. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-famous-door-new-orleans
- The famous 'Acme Oyster house' is a must. Get the char-grilled oysters and some beers.
- Down near the French quarter they usually have a farmers/flea market. Worth a stop.
- Near the flea market is the famous 'Central grocery' that has the NOLA classic Muffuletta Sandwich. It's freakin delicious. https://www.goldbely.com/central-grocery
- Jackson Square is an area with a lot of street shows, artists, etc. Can kill some time walking around and checking that stuff out.

 

[Chaotic42]

As far as areas to avoid, just stay away from BW Cooper and New Orleans East, neither of which you'd happen upon doing normal touristy things. There is always the chance for getting mugged in the Quarter, but just be smart and you'll be fine.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Brunch at Ruby Slipper, boudin at Cochon Butcher, muffaletta at Central Grocery.

Also, a daiquiri at Curbside Daiquiris. This place is off the beaten path, but entirely worth the trek; it's also not gimmicky like the trash on Bourbon. For an extra $2, they'll give you an extra 6 second shot of Everclear. Bonus -- there's a bomb-ass po-boy place next door.

 

[Eug]

Awesome thx. I think I might spend the first night or two just walking around then in that area and then later check out some of the suggestions.

Won't be going to the casino but the other suggestions sound good. And the Po-boy and Daiquiri sounds interesting.

---

BTW, do most of these places take credit cards? Or am I going to carry a lot of cash with me? I'm coming from Canada so if I need a lot of cash I will get it before I leave.

 

[Squisher]

Stop at every bar on Bourbon Street and have a Hurricane. Start early.

I made it about 3/4 of a mile.

 

[Chaotic42]

Awesome thx. I think I might spend the first night or two just walking around then in that area and then later check out some of the suggestions.

Won't be going to the casino but the other suggestions sound good. And the Po-boy and Daiquiri sounds interesting.

---

BTW, do most of these places take credit cards? Or am I going to carry a lot of cash with me? I'm coming from Canada so if I need a lot of cash I will get it before I leave.

You shouldn't need a lot of cash, but do bring some. Po-boys are great. Mother's on Poydras is super popular. Coffee in New Orleans may have chicory added to it, so it will taste different. It was used to stretch coffee supplies back in the day. For bonus points, yell "Who Dat?" really loudly at random folks. Notice the 'D'.

 

[Chaotic42]

You'll get super bonus points if you talk like Deke

 

[evident]

Any John besh restaurant is great

 

[BurnItDwn]

Stop at every bar on Bourbon Street and have a Hurricane. Start early.

I made it about 3/4 of a mile.

Did you wake up in the hospital?
3/4 of a mile on bourbon streat drinking Hurricanes at every bar ... that;s gotta be like 700 hurricanes!

 

[JM Aggie08]

Any John besh restaurant is great

This. Also, K-Paul.

 

[x26]

Hi there. I have a work related thing next week all week long in New Orleans. My days will be mostly full but my evenings will be free. I'll be staying on Canal Street near the aquarium.

What to do / see? I like restaurants. I wouldn't mind splurging on good eats a couple of nights.

Any areas to avoid around there? I'm told it can get quite rough if you venture into the wrong spots.

BTW, I won't have a car.

Staying at the Weston Canal Place??
Great Views/Great Lobby.

* Royal Street is my Favorite Street--Galleries, etc.--From 200 block down to 1400 Block--Stop at my long-time HQ Le Richelieu Hotel 1234 Chartres-use Rest Room-get breakfast by Pool.--not fancy.
Say hello to Major Dad.
Don't walk that stretch after night-beautiful area but Scum likes to rob there.

* Jackson Square--Hang out in Daytime. People Watch-Enjoy the View. Drink a bottle of Wine for me-

* If you get off early--before 3 pm or earlier-Take Saint Charles Streetcar to Riverbend- 1 hour Ride-get off at Maple and south Carrolton-Go to Brigstens-need Reservation -on Dante street. $$$$ but used to be really good--If you want to go cheap go to Cooter Browns for Raw Oysters/nice Beer selection.

* Commanders Palace is worth the $$$$

* Port of Call for really great Hamburger/or steak.-Or their other Place Snug Harbor-my old hangout.

Don't wonder on foot after Dark-Your Hotel Location Weston Canal Place should be as safe as New Orleans gets.

More Questions? Just ask.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Last time I went to new orleans I stayed at Le Richelieu. It was marvelous! I loved that hotel.

Croissant Dior Bakery right near there, amazing place!
http://www.croissantdornola.com/

 

[x26]

Last time I went to new orleans I stayed at Le Richelieu. It was marvelous! I loved that hotel.

Croissant Dior Bakery right near there, amazing place!
http://www.croissantdornola.com/

1234 Chartres--Can't beat Le Richelieu Hotel !

 

[xaeniac]

So many fine places to eat. highly recommend john besh restaurants and croissantdor which was pretty interesting someone else recommended since it's a hole in the wall. cafe du monde beignets are a must. commander's palace is worth the cash.

 

[TwiceOver]

Mother's was pretty good food. I'm not a drinker but I went down to bourbon street just to say I've been there. Good music all over there. It was wet the night I went down there so the place smelled of urine and wet dog. I wasn't impressed.

 

[Leyawiin]

Watch yourself. Everyone I know who's gone there's gotten robbed.

 

[MrChad]

Cochon is one of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans. It's also worth a trip to Frenchmen Street to check out some of the local jazz scene. Three Muses is a good restaurant on Frenchmen Street, but be sure to make reservations.

 

[Eug]

Yes, at Westin Canal Place. It seems I have a lot to take in.

Watch yourself. Everyone I know who's gone there's gotten robbed.

That's disturbing... Where in New Orleans?

 

[x26]

Yes, at Westin Canal Place. It seems I have a lot to take in.


That's disturbing... Where in New Orleans?

Don't be Disturbed--Just be careful--You'll not be dealing with the same Types of "Folks" we all know and love in Canada.

1) Canal Place --Weston is fantastic with Fabulous Views of River/French Quarter--Ask for High Floor with full length Windows with River View. Lobby is on 6th Floor. Really cool Hotel.

2) Don't bother With Bourbon Street after 9 at night.

3) Watch out for Black Males between ages of 14-55.(that aren't working in your Hotel/Restaurant/Doctors/Lawyers) Most Black Folks are Great but when your Murdered as part of a Randome Crime they commit 98% of those types of crimes)--Really important. Don't play: 'I bet I can tell you where you got your Shoes for $10.00--answer=whatever street your standing on!!

Just get back to Hotel by 9 pm and you'll be fine.

I broke up tons of Robberies-Mostly armed Robberies from 1975 to 2000 in the French Quarter.
Just have some situational awareness--don't drink too much/Take cabs at night and you'll have a great Time. Go in Saint Louis Cathedral, burn a Candle and say a prayer for me.

New Orleans is one of America's most Historic and Fabulous Cities--Especially Architecturally. Go in any Catholic Church you pass-they are Phenomenal.

Architectural Styles:
Greek Revival
Italianate
Victorian
Gothic
and many others.

Have Fun!!
Greek Revival
Italionate




Seriously #3?

Stereotyping literally, all adult African American males, into one group of criminal behavior?

Take you bigoted posting and get off of this forum. It is not welcome here. Period.


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[Darwin333]

Stop at every bar on Bourbon Street and have a Hurricane. Start early.

I made it about 3/4 of a mile.

Not possible and living here I am a professional drunk so I would know. Assuming you skipped the gay section that is almost a complete round trip of Bourbon Street.

 

[Darwin333]

Yes, at Westin Canal Place. It seems I have a lot to take in.


That's disturbing... Where in New Orleans?

That's BS. The area you will be in is pretty darn safe as long as you use the smallest bit of common sense like not going down dark alleys. Tourism is a big deal here so whenever something bad happens to a tourist it's the police jump on that shit quick. Heck if you get into a fight on Bourbon Street the cops will be on top of you before you get to throw more than a few punches. The bad areas of town you have zero reason to go to or be brought to. The only one that you could even potentially stumble into is north of the French Quarter and you have to walk through quite a few blocks of residential French Quarter and then cross a major street that's quite obvious that things are getting iffy.

Tons of great suggestions in the thread already, I definitely suggest getting a Ferdi poboy at Mother's and a muffaletta at Central Grocery.

If you are staying near the Aquarium/River Walk there is a trolley that runs along the river that is cheap transportation. You could walk it but trust my you will get tired of walking. Otherwise taxi fare will be cheap as hell to anywhere you want to go. The little bike taxi things aren't bad either and are often quicker during busy times.

It would be helpful if you gave us an idea of what you want to do and your budget. You want to party? See cultural stuff and museums? Just take in the sites? Into cheap/mid price food or the expensive and best food?

 

[Xstatic1]

I was there recently. OP, as long as you stay in the French Quarter (where you'll likely be touring since you won't have a car), it's relatively safe. My own rule of thumb (I'd been there once before) is not walk/visit north of Rampart Street, go beyond Canal Street to the west or go east of Elysian Fields Avenue.

If you're going to do your sightseeing during the day AND be relatively sober, you'll be just fine. It may get dicey at night (after 9pm as someone else mentioned).

My suggestions are:
For Beignets, go to New Orleans Famous Beignets And Coffee. Cafe du Monde is overrated. The 1st time I tried Cafe du Monde (2014), I wasn't impressed. I tried it again recently.... and yep, suckage confirmed. Cafe du Monde is open 24/7. New Orleans Famous Beignets & Coffee is open 7am-2pm daily.

You can eat the beignets on a bench overlooking the Mississippi River (a few minutes walk from either Cafe du Monde or New Orleans Famous Beignets).

Definitely go to Central Grocery for a Muffuletta sandwich, which they sell in whole or half-order. Unless you want leftovers, stick with the half-order size.

Jackson Square has plenty of vendors selling their gorgeous artwork and crafts. Back in 2014, there were street performers across the street (so in between Cafe du Monde and New Orleans Famous Beignets); I didn't see any this time. (Let me know if you wanna see the video clip I took of the street performance).

St. Louis Cathedral (a stone's throw from Jackson Square) is pretty cool to see inside. Hubby and I also visited another church (a 15 minute walk from Jackson Square), the Immaculate Conception Church, which IMHO is waaaay cooler than St Louis Cathedral. Both churches have mass services, so you'll want to avoid going during those times.

If you're interested in hearing live Jazz music, there are two places I highly recommend: 1) New Orleans Musical Legends Park, which is on Bourbon Street. There's also a Beignets shop there, but I didn't try it. The second place is the southern part of Frenchmen Street. You'll hear/see jazz musicians playing outside the restaurants/bars. Walking to/from French Quarter to Frenchmen Street is safe, even during the early evening hours.

 

[Eug]

Thanks. I'm not a big partier (esp. when I'm by myself) and don't want to get in trouble drunk and get mugged, so that's out. I'll probably take in some of the sights and attractions in the touristy areas and take in a few restaurants ranging from diner to high end (latter at least once). Problem is I'm just getting over a sickness at the moment so I'd almost rather just stay in the hotel room and have chicken soup.

Budget is not a big issue. I just got $500 US of cash today so I'm thinking that will be more than sufficient since much of the stuff aside from the taxi and mom-and-pop diners etc. will be on credit card.

I'm curious though, do many places have tap-to-pay yet? It's almost ubiquitous in Canada, but I'm told not so much in the US. However, I'm wondering about tourist areas like where I'll be staying. Up here in Canada, I'm totally addicted to Apple Pay, and I'd say about 75% of my transactions are with that. I won't rely on my phone though for virtual credit cards. I will take a few of my physical credit cards with me.

P.S. I also wonder where I should go on election night.

 

[shortylickens]

Do they have any skinny hookers?