New Orleans

Here are some things I've been able to come up with, pretty much at random:

Spend some time sitting in the courtyard at Pat O's. Drink either hurricanes or - one of my favorites from those days - a French 75. There is this fountain with a big flame in the middle of it that is pretty wild so if you have anything interesting to smoke, do so beforehand.

The Moonwalk at night can be pretty romantic.

The Voodoo Museum or, even better, visit some cemeteries.

Ride the St. Charles streetcar from where it starts downtown all the way to the end of the line at Carrollton & Claiborne Avenues (four blocks from the house I grew up in.) There's also another streetcar line but I've never ridden it (it's new since I've last lived there) so I can't personally vouch for it.

If you have a car, you could probably do a Katrina tour of the ninth ward or the Lakefront area but that would be a huge downer.

But above all, eat. I won't bother recommending particular places because everyone else will do that and it doesn't really matter. It's hard to get a bad meal there so you're set no matter what.

 

New Orleans is a great walking city. Visit the Garden and Warehouse Districts. Walk along Canal Street. Visit Jackson Square and the Saint Louis Cathedral.

 

If you know anyone local or know anyone that used to live there, get some pointers from them. Tourist New Orleans is fun, but there's some awesome stuff off of the tourist routes too.

 

I used to live not far from New Orleans, and would visit several times a year.

Vaughn's is in Bywater which is the upper 9th ward (lower 9th is on the other side of the Industrial canal). There are some good spots mixed into that area, but I would probably take a cab after dark (way too far to walk anyway, and not sure I would want to drive and park either as it has some high crime pockets as well), plus it's not far from the French Quarter and fare would be reasonable. Faubourg Marigny, between French Quarter and Bywater, is an interesting neighborhood too.

Wandering the French Quarter for a day is certainly a must if you haven't visited, as is the streetcar through the Garden district.

I am also a fan of the cemetery tours, seems morbid, but they have very elaborate tombs and you learn about some city historical figures. I've never been to it myself, but some friends told me the World War II museum is interesting, if that subject interests you.

 

You absolutely must see the Rebirth Brass Band on Tuesday night at the Maple Leaf Bar.

http://mapleleafbar.com/

Just take the St. Charles street car to Oak Street, and it's about 3 blocks walk.

I agree that there are too many good restaurants to choose from, but if you can still get oysters (a big if ) go to Drago's for the charbroiled oysters. You'll thank me later!

Catch me at a tailgate, we can talk some more.

 

Ooh, the Maple Leaf - excellent suggestion. Oak Street is part of my old stomping grounds because I spent 9 years at Mater Dolorosa.

 

I'm going to be in New Orleans for four nights in about two weeks. It's my first time there and I'm going alone and I"m a bit lost. Where are good places to go for a single guy looking to fill in the hours during the day and at night?

 

I've only eaten at an Applebee's in Slidell, LA, a suburb. That's my brush with Louisiana civilization.

 

I want to have his babies.

 

According to the travel channel:

You could try going to Mothers for the shrimp and oyster Po'Boy or the Acme Oyster House for half shell Heaven. http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/http:// www.acmeoyster.com/

Question for those in the know about New Orleans, is the A.O.H. all that it's cracked up to be or is it just hype?

 

i dont know but that oyster rockefeller soup sounds legit. Hell i may go there tonight. Also Coffee and Beignets after a meal is a must IMO.

 

We don't have HBO so I haven't seen it yet. I'm campaigning to get HBO but I imagine by then I'll have missed a few episodes. I'll probably download them. I'm definitely buying the DVDs when they come out.

On the other hand, I'm afraid that it might be upsetting.

 

I don't eat raw oysters so I don't really know. But really, anywhere in the Quarter where you can sit, have a drink and watch people go by is lots of fun. Outstanding people-watching. Only Vegas can rival it for that.

 

If you are a history buff, the WWII/D-Day museum is very, very good. And I believe their new eatery is run by John Besh. Never been to the AOH, but oysters are oysters and I can't see you going wrong there. I remember my father telling me about going there when he got off work and getting a dozen oysters for a nickel (that would have been the 1930's - really showing my age here!).

From what I read seafood prices are all over the place, and some places are just not offering oysters and shrimp rather than charge astronomical prices. Crawfish are "fresh" water critters, so unaffected by the Big Prick spill. Definitely tuck into a mountain of mudbugs someplace.

And I reiterate about going to Drago's for the charbroiled oysters. Parade magazine (the wife reads it, not me) just quoted Drew Brees as saying it's his favorite NOLA food, so there's another vote. Pretty sure their new location is in the Hilton at the foot of Canal Street (on the river). The people at the hotel will know. Great choice with the Monteleone, by the way. The bar spins around even before you start to drink!

 

Any place that has been on Treme is busy now. Prepare for a line. But most of the places are worth it anyway, or they would not have made it on the show!

 

Bourbon is Bourbon. But if you are thinking about a night on Bourbon, go Uptown sir.