New Orleans Weekend - Ideas Needed
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greystone98 · 08-25-2004, 07:53 PM

A group of about 15 or so of us are going down in November for an extended weekend. Having been a few times and claiming N'awlins as one of our favorite places to visit, I just wondered if those of you fortunate enough to visit the Big Easy had any "do not miss" ideas you'd like to share.

You can list restaurants (so many great ones to choose from), tours, bars, activities, whatever!

Jitterjet · 08-25-2004, 10:28 PM

Hi Debbi,
We love the Zoo, the Aquarium, and the IMAX theater. We have 2 tickets to the Ghosts & Spirits Walking Tour in New Orleans, sponsored by Gray Line Tours. They are good until December 31st, but we can't use them as we are going to WDW in November instead! The two tickets are valued at $36.00 and I would sell them both for $25.00 if you're interested. If you're interested, send me an email. The date is open, and you call and reserve a date and time. It's a 2-hour walking tour of "the most haunted city in America," and starts from the Jax Brewery in the French Quarter. Sounds like fun.
I hope it's ok for me to post this here.

greystone98 · 08-29-2004, 10:52 PM

Thanks. I just sent you a PM.

disneypro57 · 09-02-2004, 08:55 PM

Are you going with or without kids? We lived there for 3 years. Have lots to tell you but need to know if kids are in tow?

greystone98 · 09-02-2004, 10:18 PM

No kids this trip - all adults. Most of us staying at Maison Dupuy and a few staying in a house 1/2 block off Bourbon.

Looking forward to your thoughts and ideas!

disneypro57 · 09-03-2004, 08:52 AM

Debbi

Just leaving for our weekend in Gatlinburg, but wanted to put a few thoughts in your head.....You are going at a great time of year. We used to tell friends never to come between May and September. It is too hot! A New Orleans trip wouldn't be complete without a morning trip to Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee! We like to go fairly early and get a seat by the rails to see the sights, so to speak! They will have a musician come by around 10:00 a.m. to do some street performing. It is always interesting to see the people coming through there; definitely a melting pot! from there, when you exit turn right and you can stop at the stores like Aunt Sally's and watch them make pralines. If you keep walking in that same direction, it will take you to the French Market, an open air flea type market. They have just about everything your heart desires, and you can bargain with them too! I wonder if Oscar is still there? He makes the most amazing pins! Later in the day, there will be street vendors all around the park across from Du Monde. Some of them are hysterical.

Restaurants of choice for us are Commanders Palace (ask for the front room! For some reason whenever we ate in the back of the restaurant, it didn't seem as good) Emerils is great. You need to make reservations now if you want to eat there. It is fun to sit at the chef's bar to watch them cook, but not conducive to good group conversation. We always loved going to Arnauds for dinner too! Make sure you get bananas foster. Yumm! Lunch outside of the "quarter" would always lead us to Mother's. It is close to the Riverwalk mall, also a great place to visit. On the second floor of the mall, they have a candy maker who has the entire staff singing songs. The riverboat outside of Riverwalk is a great trip. New Orleans has a fantastic Aquarium. My mother dragged us to it several times.

Nightlife leads you to Bourbon Street and all the sights there. Be careful after 11:00p.m. on Bourbon....more to come after our beautiful weekend in the Smokies.

Courtney · 09-03-2004, 12:03 PM

Just wanted to add that if you are interested in seeing the cemeteries in New Orleans (they are a big attraction), ONLY visit them if you are on a guided tour. Trying to explore them on your own is asking for trouble, as cemeteries are definitely not the safest place in the world to be.

Frankie and Johnny's on Arabella has the best po-boys in town, IMO. Cafe du Monde is a must, as is watching the street performers in and across from Jackson Square.

Have a great time!!

discoverytoysinLa · 09-05-2004, 06:20 PM

I am a New Orleanian...

There are many great restaurants located outside of the "french Quarter" If you have access to a car, then there is a lot out there.

The Aquarium is one the best in the Country. The Zoo is a must see also. There is a great Ghost tour and Vampire tours too!

If you PM I can send you some information that is more non tourist and some offical tourist things...

Hanners · 09-05-2004, 11:19 PM

My favorite thing to do in New Orleans is to have an original Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's. The best Hurricane you'll ever have - plus you get to take the glass home!
I'm envious - I haven't been in 3 years. Love that place!!

MontiMouse · 09-06-2004, 08:51 PM

We love New Orleans too! We live two hours West and visit several times a year. I will be there in November for the International Jewelry Show with some girlfriends. I think it is the weekend of the 20th. We enjoy shopping on Royal Street in the Quarter. There are so many unusual shops and things to see. I would also recommend stopping in at the Monteleone Hotel which is on Royal Street for a drink in their carousel bar. It is a real carousel that turns. We also can't go to New Orleans without stopping in for breakfast or burgers at Clover Grill on Bourbon Street. The place does not look like much but the food is good. For nice dinners, some of our favorites are Red Fish Grill on Bourbon, Muriels in Jackson Square, 201 Resturant (located at 201 Decatur Street) and the Rib Room in the Omni Hotel. Also, someone mentioned having Hurricanes at Pat O'Briens. Pat's now has a second location in Jax Brewery which has wonderful views of the Mississippi River. Our last few trips have included sipping Hurricanes while sitting on their patio watching the the Sunset and the river traffic. I have also heard great things about the guided cemetary tours. We have yet to take one but I know others who have and said it was really interesting.

greystone98 · 09-07-2004, 12:43 PM

Thanks to you all - you've given me some great new ideas as well as reminders of things we've done in the past and enjoyed greatly.

Still a couple of months to go so if you think of anything else, please post or PM me.

arielrocks · 09-07-2004, 01:45 PM

We will have a 3 hour layover in New Orleans by Amtrak. Amtrak told us we were about a mile from the French Quarter. We were told a nice brunch place is the Court Of Two Sisters. Thats what we plan to frequent for brunch before we head to Chicago. A Hurricane? O, I've always wanted to try one of those. Have fun!

greystone98 · 09-07-2004, 02:23 PM

The Court of Two Sisters provides a most delightful jazz brunch with a spread unmatched by most. I think you've made an excellent choice.

arielrocks · 09-07-2004, 10:42 PM

Sounds like you have been to New Orleans a few times.
So, is Amtrak correct? We are only a mile or so from the French Quarter and is this place expensive? We just want something quaint and not getting dressed up would help too. Amtrak also holds our luggage so we don't have to tote it around. Sounds like this restruant is a favorite of yours.

greystone98 · 09-07-2004, 10:54 PM

New Orleans is one of our favorite places to visit, especially with a group of friends. Last year, six of us took the Amtrak for a three day, extended weekend.

The Court of Two Sisters is one of those places everyone should experience at least once, but yes, it is rather expensive. It's been several years since we took in brunch there and at that time, it was around $24 per person. Then of course, we added mimosas and our bill with tip was around $80, but well worth the experience.

The food is unbelievable and what a buffet spread! Every type of breakfast food, seafood plus a chef that prepares your omelet at your request. Add to that the jazz ensemble playing in the courtyard and service par none, and you'll wish you could do this every day.

It is a bit upscale although since most of the patrons are tourists, you may dress comfortably, even in shorts. Just view it as one of those once in a lifetime events and enjoy!