New Orleans - Trip questions

[beemererik]

Hi Guys,

Jennifer and I are thinking about going to New Orleans for two or three days. We have not been there before and are interested in seeing the cool sights. Any recommendations on places to stay/see. We would like to stay at a comfortable hotel and probably not a chain. I know some areas are probably off limits, anything in particular we should avoid? Are there any good beaches in the vicinity.

We also would be interested in shopping for antiques - not so interested in the touristy stores. Any areas we should hit?

Thanks,

[Vance]

Hey Erik...Ahhhh The Big Easy...it is a very cool place. If you have never been there, here is my list of Must Do's....

Visit Bourbon Street....It is dirty and dingy and probably not a place you will "hang out" too long...but hey ya got ta do it??
Horse Drawn Carriage Ride From Jackson Square - Absolute must!
Streetcar to the Garden district - Another must do. Beautiful homes and very "cultural"
Cafe DuMond - If you can get in there...

For a place to stay, I would like to recommend the Holiday Inn Superdome. We have stayed here a couple of times before and after the club cruises we have done. This hotel is NOT in the French Quarter and in fact is west of Canal Street but we have walked to the Quarter and Jackson Square or it is an easy cab ride. They have a nice restaurant and bar and it is close to the train station...should you ride the train down and back....

And that is my last recommendation. for a fun twist, ride the train. You will have to come to Bham to catch it but the noon each day departure is convenient. Book yourself an sleeping birth for the ride and that will get you free meals. You will get lunch and dinner going down. You will get breakfast and lunch coming back. Well worth it and again a different twist to riding around. Once in Nawlins' you will have to pay big money to park the car and I doubt you will want to be driving around...walk or take a cab...it is much easier.

So those are my recommendations and there is MUCH more to see and do there. Call Mari and let her hook you up...she does this for a livin' ya know!! PM me if you want her number!!

[Bikebum]

Erik, I agree with all that Vance said, especially the streetcar ride out St. Charles Avenue through the Garden District. My suggestion would be to do it pretty early in the morning due to the heat.

[Gator]

Eric, Vance and Jamie pretty much covered the "must see" highlites. The River Walk and Jax Brewery shops are nice. There's also the Aquarium in that area of town and if you get a chance try to visit the WW II D-Day Museum. We have not done that yet either but we hear it is nice. Have fun and give us a call when you're down.

Gator

[jdubeemer]

Erik, There are no beaches anywhere around there. You would have to go east to Gulfport to find a beach.

[R90srider]

Erik.

Vance, Jamie, Gator, and Jim gave you excellent suggestions.

I agree that you should take the train out of Birmingham because driving in New Orleans is a nightmare and finding a parking space on the street is nearly impossible. Parking lots are very expensive. Park your car in the public lot across the street from the Birmingham Amtrac Station for a reasonable cost.

You can walk to all of the below recommentations except for Commander's Palace where you must take a cab. A cab ride will also be necessary from the New Orleans train station to and from your hotel.

Here are some additional suggestions:

Maison Dupy Hotel - Quaint hotel in French Quarter, reasonably priced, good location in the Quarter.

http://www.maisondupuy.com/

Prince Conti Hotel - Quaint hotel in French Quarter, reasonably priced, good location in the Quarter.

http://www.princecontihotel.com/

Camellia Grill on the Saint Charles Street Car line, through the Garden District near the Zoo (first stop after making the right dog leg) almost at the end of the line - Great for breakfast and lunch. A most unique eatery with old time bar stools and counter; some of the waiters have been there over 40 years. Depending on traffic, the street car ride could take 45 minutes give or take a few minutes.

https://plus.google.com/109271965851330833017/about?gl=us&hl=en#109271965851330833017/about

Commanders Palace. Perhaps the best restaurant in New Orleans. Fairly expensive, but worth the price. Take a cab from your hotel.

http://www.commanderspalace.com/

Antoine’s – Expensive but worth it.

http://www.antoines.com/

Café Du Monde - At the base of Jackson Square. After your first breakfast there, you may want to go again and again. Do not wear dark cloths, you will know why after your first visit.

http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Felix Oyster Bar. Excellent quality and fresh oysters. Sit at the bar and watch the oyster suckers do their thing.

http://felixs.com/

ACME Oyster Bar. Ditto. Folks say ACME is better than Felixs and vice versa. Try em both and decide for yourself.

http://www.acmeoyster.com/

Royal Street is a good and convenient place to find quality antiques.

[beemererik]

Thanks for the good info guys. Maybe I will wait until the fall and cooler temps to explore New Orleans. A beach trip might be a bit better this time of year.

[R90srider]

Good choice Erik. It is hot and muggy in New Orleans this time of the year. October and November is an excellent time to go.

Hope you and Jenifer have a great time on your getaway.

[jeanne z]

Absolute must is the WW 2 museum.
One resident told us not to venture out until after 10:00 am in the French Quarter, especially in the warmer months. Apparently the street sweepers go through about then. We also really enjoyed a bayou tour through the locks once a long time ago. I was unimpressed with Mothers, a highly recommended local eatery, maybe I am too picky. Not "the best Po'boy I ever" had. Cafe DuMonde, good any time of day. About the dark clothes, I concur.

[BMWWANDRR]

Good recommendations from all. I usually stay at the Hotel Andrew Jackson or the Hotel St. Pierre. Both nice, small intimate inns.

For a good Po boy lunch try Johnnys Po Boy. Nothing fancy, just lunch, since 1950.

How have you been? Say hi to Jennifer. Hope to see you sometime.

[Gator]

Greg, you are right on about the PoBoys at Johnny's. I used to eat there anytime that I had to work at our office when it was on Royal Street. It was just about a 1/2 block from the office. Great food and I didn't even have to use my sidearm to get in and out.

Gator

[Amelia]

I realize I am a little late replying. But, I did see that you might postpone until fall. That is a great idea; New Orleans is miserable in the summer.

Hotel – Mike and I usually stay at the Hampton Inn on Carondelet. It's two blocks off of Canal Street. When you cross Canal, you are on Bourbon. Very quiet hotel yet within easy walking distance of the French Quarter, casino, and aquarium.

Restaurants – All of those suggested are good. Add: Palace Cafe (Canal St.) and Drago's (in the Hilton at the foot of Canal. If you are up for a little drive, go to Middendorf's (Akers – on Lake Maurepas); try the thin catfish.

Antiques – Royal Street in the French Quarter – but very touristy and pricey. Magazine Street in New Orleans would be a better location. However, the best finds are in smaller towns. If you want, I can ask my mother for recommendations. I do know that Ponchatoula has quite a few good shops. (This would work well with lunch at Middendorf's.) If you go to Ponchatoula, be sure to go to The Turquoise Coyote; buy Jennifer some jewelry.

Plantation homes – If you want to take time to see the River Road and Feliciana plantation homes, you are more than welcome to stay with us for a few days. Our house is within an hour of the River Road plantation homes in Ascension and below. Less than an hour from those in the Felicianas.

And, yes, the WWII museum is a must.

We would love to have you stay for a few days. By fall, I should be able to cook again. (Stove died and new one doesn't bake.)

If you want more info or links to websites, just let me know. (amelia.bauman@yahoo.com)