We are looking at planning a trip to New Orleans as we've never been there. Outside of the obvious like Mardi Gras or the French quarter, any recommendations on good things to see and do?
do not miss this. Last year saw the Foo Fighters and Neil Young and Crazy Horse. All types of music. If you can wait til next spring. New Orleans Jazz Festival - ( New Window )
It's a GREAT museum. You'll love it. Get a sundae at the period ice cream shop; they use great local ice cream.
Take a ghost tour. Sounds hokey but it's a cool way to see the quarter. Also the garden district.
Take the ferry from the Hilton to the Point for coffee at Toot Suite or breakfast or lunch at Plume. The ride itself is a fun few minutes; the point is an and coming area with its own cool vibe. Those two places have awesome food (and the divey point vibe). if you like grilled oysters, Dragos in the Hilton is the standard.
Check out the calendar. Huge part of NoLa outside the usual stuff is what's on tap that week.
Of the big name high-end places, my choices would be breakfast at Brennan's (which is basically brunch every day) and Mr.Bs. Mr. Eds for oysters.
It's a GREAT museum. You'll love it. Get a sundae at the period ice cream shop; they use great local ice cream.
Take a ghost tour. Sounds hokey but it's a cool way to see the quarter. Also the garden district.
Take the ferry from the Hilton to the Point for coffee at Toot Suite or breakfast or lunch at Plume. The ride itself is a fun few minutes; the point is an and coming area with its own cool vibe. Those two places have awesome food (and the divey point vibe). if you like grilled oysters, Dragos in the Hilton is the standard.
Check out the calendar. Huge part of NoLa outside the usual stuff is what's on tap that week.
Of the big name high-end places, my choices would be breakfast at Brennan's (which is basically brunch every day) and Mr.Bs. Mr. Eds for oysters.
Hope you're well Jeremy.
Thanks, we saw several ghost tours, any one in particular that you liked more then another?
Lafites Blacksmith Shop is the best one (imo). I forget the name. Also take a tour of the cemeteries. We took a walking tour of the garden district years ago and the Manning house was on the tour.
Go east of the quarter a bit by Frenchman St to hear some great live music.
Leave the quarter and take the street car to the garden district. So many cool sights and places to see there. I would buy the 24 hour jazzy pass and take the street car to the circle and walk to the WW2 museum.
Like others have said that is a can't miss.
Last time we did the WW2 museum, we were there for almost 8 hours. Then we walked down to Cochon for some food. Highly recommend Cochon.
Too many restaurants to list, but if you can brunch at Commanders palace and a dinner at GW Fins
really until a New Orleans trip about 15 years ago. I'm kind of dog-like with my eating habits. Usually, you put a plate of food in front of me and I eat it. All of it. Doesn't matter what it is or how much. lol.
that all changed when I first had char-grilled oysters in New Orleans. I have had them other places in the South since then like Tampa/St. Pete, Savannah, Charleston, and even up north - nowhere does them like New Orleans.
My go-to is Acme Oyster House, but Dragos or just about anywhere will be able to make them just fine.
I once had a business trip in Baton Rouge but I made sure I flew into and out of New Orleans just so I could go to Acme (well and to go out in New Orleans too, but mostly for the food). Etouffe, gumbo, jambalaya, oysters, shrimp, etc. so much more.
the WWII museum is of course excellent, the ghost tours are great (I did a guided one on a bus - definitely touristy but entertaining and well worth it) the vibe and atmosphere of New Orleans is incredible, but I could go just for the food and feel like it was a trip well spent.
Have fun. NOLA is an awesome place. I can only do it for 2-3 days @ a time because the debauchery is out of control, Haha. I've always joked about cops being @ one end of Bourbon Street & the other...in between is a free for all.
Also the New Orleans Jazz Museum, where you can see Louis Armstrong's very first cornet, on which he learned to play, and think about everything that one instrument represents.
NOLA, Sylvain’s and Acme Oyster House in the Quarter; Commander’s Palace is out in the Garden District and is worth the trip, especially if the still have 25 cent martini specials; a little off the beaten path, but if you like whiskey, Barrel Proof is amazing! Just west of Rt 90 in the Lower Garden district. One last rec - Frenchman St in the Marigny district (just east of the Quarter) has lots of great little music venues. Have fun!
about 2 years ago, after about 40 years. Our first time we did the classic places-breakfast at Brennan's, Commanders Palace, KPauls. It seemed that they're not what they used to be when I researched this trip. By far the best dinner we had, and the only place I'd recommend in the French Qtr, was GW Fins. It's a fish place. We had a lovely lunch next to the zoo at Ralph's on the Park. It's in a tree lined setting and a place that sort of takes you back in time. At a nearby table was what I would call a Southern Gentleman with his family all dressed up for lunch. We spent a morning walking through Garden District and were disappointed. I'll second Preservation Hall, which is unexpectedly tiny. And a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's. If you can, go there late afternoon or evening when they have the Deuling Pianos. A lot of fun. An aside, the French Qtr is a dump, we never felt comfortable walking around there. Our hotel was there and we heard gunshots one night. Have a great time :)
It's a GREAT museum. You'll love it. Get a sundae at the period ice cream shop; they use great local ice cream.
Take a ghost tour. Sounds hokey but it's a cool way to see the quarter. Also the garden district.
Take the ferry from the Hilton to the Point for coffee at Toot Suite or breakfast or lunch at Plume. The ride itself is a fun few minutes; the point is an and coming area with its own cool vibe. Those two places have awesome food (and the divey point vibe). if you like grilled oysters, Dragos in the Hilton is the standard.
Check out the calendar. Huge part of NoLa outside the usual stuff is what's on tap that week.
Of the big name high-end places, my choices would be breakfast at Brennan's (which is basically brunch every day) and Mr.Bs. Mr. Eds for oysters.
Hope you're well Jeremy.
Thanks, we saw several ghost tours, any one in particular that you liked more then another?
I think we just looked at Yelp or TripAdvisor reviews.
If you are here on a Thursday and like music, go to Vaughn’s and see Corey Henry. It starts late (around 10) but well worth it.
Snug Harbor on Frenchmen. They have a small Jazz room in the back can’t miss no matter who is playing.
Best Neighborhood Restaurants outside the Q
Katies (Mid-City)
Medina’s (mid-City)
Jacques-Imo's (Oak St. also Maple Leaf next door usually has music every night)
Clancy’s (Uptown)
Pascal’s Manale (uptown)
Gris-Gris (Garden District)
Best High end in the Q
Restaurant Revolution
Doris Metropolitan (going there tonight)
Galatoire's (great Friday lunch spot but no reservations)
Best High end outside the Q
Commanders Palace
Herbsaint
Emeril’s
Most Overrated IMO
Antione’s
GW Finns
Brennans
Po-Boys
Parkway Tavern
Parasol’s
I can go on and on. Let me know if you have questions.
If you are here on a Thursday and like music, go to Vaughn’s and see Corey Henry. It starts late (around 10) but well worth it.
Snug Harbor on Frenchmen. They have a small Jazz room in the back can’t miss no matter who is playing.
Best Neighborhood Restaurants outside the Q
Katies (Mid-City)
Medina’s (mid-City)
Jacques-Imo's (Oak St. also Maple Leaf next door usually has music every night)
Clancy’s (Uptown)
Pascal’s Manale (uptown)
Gris-Gris (Garden District)
Best High end in the Q
Restaurant Revolution
Doris Metropolitan (going there tonight)
Galatoire's (great Friday lunch spot but no reservations)
Best High end outside the Q
Commanders Palace
Herbsaint
Emeril’s
Most Overrated IMO
Antione’s
GW Finns
Brennans
Po-Boys
Parkway Tavern
Parasol’s
I can go on and on. Let me know if you have questions.
Been so many times now and a lot of the tops have been listed.
Great music and great food!
Frenchman st is a must.
If you have kids, one of the best zoos I have been to and the aquarium is good as well.
Food: Dat Dog on Frenchman is excellent, Killer po boys, acme—touristy but the Oysters are amazing (I like the raw), I like hearts cafe in the French quarter, there is some really good Vietnamese food in New Orleans, cafe du monde is another touristy place but still worth it—go at off hours and avoid the lines, Shayla—best pita bread I have had, johnnys po boys is cheap but I loved catfish and egg breakfast, get some food in treme, and there is so many more places that you can’t go wrong.
If you are here on a Thursday and like music, go to Vaughn’s and see Corey Henry. It starts late (around 10) but well worth it.
Snug Harbor on Frenchmen. They have a small Jazz room in the back can’t miss no matter who is playing.
Best Neighborhood Restaurants outside the Q
Katies (Mid-City)
Medina’s (mid-City)
Jacques-Imo's (Oak St. also Maple Leaf next door usually has music every night)
Clancy’s (Uptown)
Pascal’s Manale (uptown)
Gris-Gris (Garden District)
Best High end in the Q
Restaurant Revolution
Doris Metropolitan (going there tonight)
Galatoire's (great Friday lunch spot but no reservations)
Best High end outside the Q
Commanders Palace
Herbsaint
Emeril’s
Most Overrated IMO
Antione’s
GW Finns
Brennans
Po-Boys
Parkway Tavern
Parasol’s
I can go on and on. Let me know if you have questions.
I would say this is a great referenc. Granted Antoine’s has its Rockefeller and baked Alaskan, Brennan’s can be fun for brunch and gw Finn is pot on for fish and desserts
Incredibly unique use of the human form. It's well worth a 20 minute stop.
+1
Lots of great galleries on Royal St
My wife and I spent a few days there in May…if you’re traveling with your lady and want to treat her, we found a women’s shop named Hemline on Royal, the staff plied her and some other women with champagne while they tried on dresses for an hour, while me (and 2 other husbands) sat in their comfy lounge chairs talking football. Managed to escape with only 2 purchased, but she loved it
I’ve been there many times too - I agree that while touristy, the ghost/voodoo tours are a lot of fun, and a good walking tour of the Quarter. Always great to hear all the spooky/macabre history of the city. The Garden District tour is a good one too, to see more than just the FQ.
Won’t add to the restaurant recs, many great ones mentioned already, hard to find a bad meal
For nightlife, avoid Bourbon (unless being surrounded by staggering drunks is your thing) and find your way to Frenchman street at least one night. We posted up at the Blue Nile early one night and listened to live jazz for a few hours, had a ball
One other rec, if you’re a cigar smoker - Cuban Creations Cigar Bar in the French Quarter between Chartres and Decatur is one of the best cigar lounges I’ve ever found, I stop there for a stick every time I’m in town
New Orleans Jazz Festival - ( New Window )
Take a ghost tour. Sounds hokey but it's a cool way to see the quarter. Also the garden district.
Take the ferry from the Hilton to the Point for coffee at Toot Suite or breakfast or lunch at Plume. The ride itself is a fun few minutes; the point is an and coming area with its own cool vibe. Those two places have awesome food (and the divey point vibe). if you like grilled oysters, Dragos in the Hilton is the standard.
Check out the calendar. Huge part of NoLa outside the usual stuff is what's on tap that week.
Of the big name high-end places, my choices would be breakfast at Brennan's (which is basically brunch every day) and Mr.Bs. Mr. Eds for oysters.
Hope you're well Jeremy.
Take a ghost tour. Sounds hokey but it's a cool way to see the quarter. Also the garden district.
Take the ferry from the Hilton to the Point for coffee at Toot Suite or breakfast or lunch at Plume. The ride itself is a fun few minutes; the point is an and coming area with its own cool vibe. Those two places have awesome food (and the divey point vibe). if you like grilled oysters, Dragos in the Hilton is the standard.
Check out the calendar. Huge part of NoLa outside the usual stuff is what's on tap that week.
Of the big name high-end places, my choices would be breakfast at Brennan's (which is basically brunch every day) and Mr.Bs. Mr. Eds for oysters.
Hope you're well Jeremy.
Thanks, we saw several ghost tours, any one in particular that you liked more then another?
Go east of the quarter a bit by Frenchman St to hear some great live music.
Like others have said that is a can't miss.
Last time we did the WW2 museum, we were there for almost 8 hours. Then we walked down to Cochon for some food. Highly recommend Cochon.
Too many restaurants to list, but if you can brunch at Commanders palace and a dinner at GW Fins
that all changed when I first had char-grilled oysters in New Orleans. I have had them other places in the South since then like Tampa/St. Pete, Savannah, Charleston, and even up north - nowhere does them like New Orleans.
My go-to is Acme Oyster House, but Dragos or just about anywhere will be able to make them just fine.
I once had a business trip in Baton Rouge but I made sure I flew into and out of New Orleans just so I could go to Acme (well and to go out in New Orleans too, but mostly for the food). Etouffe, gumbo, jambalaya, oysters, shrimp, etc. so much more.
the WWII museum is of course excellent, the ghost tours are great (I did a guided one on a bus - definitely touristy but entertaining and well worth it) the vibe and atmosphere of New Orleans is incredible, but I could go just for the food and feel like it was a trip well spent.
Have fun. NOLA is an awesome place. I can only do it for 2-3 days @ a time because the debauchery is out of control, Haha. I've always joked about cops being @ one end of Bourbon Street & the other...in between is a free for all.
Even better, breakfast.
NOLA, Sylvain’s and Acme Oyster House in the Quarter; Commander’s Palace is out in the Garden District and is worth the trip, especially if the still have 25 cent martini specials; a little off the beaten path, but if you like whiskey, Barrel Proof is amazing! Just west of Rt 90 in the Lower Garden district. One last rec - Frenchman St in the Marigny district (just east of the Quarter) has lots of great little music venues. Have fun!
Lonk to very important website - ( New Window )
Quote:
It's a GREAT museum. You'll love it. Get a sundae at the period ice cream shop; they use great local ice cream.
Take a ghost tour. Sounds hokey but it's a cool way to see the quarter. Also the garden district.
Take the ferry from the Hilton to the Point for coffee at Toot Suite or breakfast or lunch at Plume. The ride itself is a fun few minutes; the point is an and coming area with its own cool vibe. Those two places have awesome food (and the divey point vibe). if you like grilled oysters, Dragos in the Hilton is the standard.
Check out the calendar. Huge part of NoLa outside the usual stuff is what's on tap that week.
Of the big name high-end places, my choices would be breakfast at Brennan's (which is basically brunch every day) and Mr.Bs. Mr. Eds for oysters.
Hope you're well Jeremy.
Thanks, we saw several ghost tours, any one in particular that you liked more then another?
I think we just looked at Yelp or TripAdvisor reviews.
+1 Commanders
I second the Carousel Bar!! Go early and hope you can sit at the bar. pretty cool.
If you are here on a Thursday and like music, go to Vaughn’s and see Corey Henry. It starts late (around 10) but well worth it.
Snug Harbor on Frenchmen. They have a small Jazz room in the back can’t miss no matter who is playing.
Best Neighborhood Restaurants outside the Q
Katies (Mid-City)
Medina’s (mid-City)
Jacques-Imo's (Oak St. also Maple Leaf next door usually has music every night)
Clancy’s (Uptown)
Pascal’s Manale (uptown)
Gris-Gris (Garden District)
Best High end in the Q
Restaurant Revolution
Doris Metropolitan (going there tonight)
Galatoire's (great Friday lunch spot but no reservations)
Best High end outside the Q
Commanders Palace
Herbsaint
Emeril’s
Most Overrated IMO
Antione’s
GW Finns
Brennans
Po-Boys
Parkway Tavern
Parasol’s
I can go on and on. Let me know if you have questions.
Quote:
Rotating bar. Lonk to very important website - ( New Window )
I second the Carousel Bar!! Go early and hope you can sit at the bar. pretty cool.
I am like 1 for 500 getting a spot at the bar
If you are here on a Thursday and like music, go to Vaughn’s and see Corey Henry. It starts late (around 10) but well worth it.
Snug Harbor on Frenchmen. They have a small Jazz room in the back can’t miss no matter who is playing.
Best Neighborhood Restaurants outside the Q
Katies (Mid-City)
Medina’s (mid-City)
Jacques-Imo's (Oak St. also Maple Leaf next door usually has music every night)
Clancy’s (Uptown)
Pascal’s Manale (uptown)
Gris-Gris (Garden District)
Best High end in the Q
Restaurant Revolution
Doris Metropolitan (going there tonight)
Galatoire's (great Friday lunch spot but no reservations)
Best High end outside the Q
Commanders Palace
Herbsaint
Emeril’s
Most Overrated IMO
Antione’s
GW Finns
Brennans
Po-Boys
Parkway Tavern
Parasol’s
I can go on and on. Let me know if you have questions.
Probably within the next month or so.
We bought an acrylic painting at SP Kezic Gallery on Royal
Great music and great food!
Frenchman st is a must.
If you have kids, one of the best zoos I have been to and the aquarium is good as well.
Food: Dat Dog on Frenchman is excellent, Killer po boys, acme—touristy but the Oysters are amazing (I like the raw), I like hearts cafe in the French quarter, there is some really good Vietnamese food in New Orleans, cafe du monde is another touristy place but still worth it—go at off hours and avoid the lines, Shayla—best pita bread I have had, johnnys po boys is cheap but I loved catfish and egg breakfast, get some food in treme, and there is so many more places that you can’t go wrong.
If you are here on a Thursday and like music, go to Vaughn’s and see Corey Henry. It starts late (around 10) but well worth it.
Snug Harbor on Frenchmen. They have a small Jazz room in the back can’t miss no matter who is playing.
Best Neighborhood Restaurants outside the Q
Katies (Mid-City)
Medina’s (mid-City)
Jacques-Imo's (Oak St. also Maple Leaf next door usually has music every night)
Clancy’s (Uptown)
Pascal’s Manale (uptown)
Gris-Gris (Garden District)
Best High end in the Q
Restaurant Revolution
Doris Metropolitan (going there tonight)
Galatoire's (great Friday lunch spot but no reservations)
Best High end outside the Q
Commanders Palace
Herbsaint
Emeril’s
Most Overrated IMO
Antione’s
GW Finns
Brennans
Po-Boys
Parkway Tavern
Parasol’s
I can go on and on. Let me know if you have questions.
I would say this is a great referenc. Granted Antoine’s has its Rockefeller and baked Alaskan, Brennan’s can be fun for brunch and gw Finn is pot on for fish and desserts
Commanders Palace .25 Martini lunch
Along w their praline ice cream sorbet
Parkway tavern on a Wed/Thursday for best fried oyster poboy on planet
St Charles ave street car ride (if not 90+ out)
French market for souvenirs
Camellia Grill for Nostalgic Diner omelet
Haydels Bakery for treats
Kingcake hub Jan -march
Any grocery store for a mufellata
The brewery district
Vincent’s Italian near st Charles ave
+1
Lots of great galleries on Royal St
My wife and I spent a few days there in May…if you’re traveling with your lady and want to treat her, we found a women’s shop named Hemline on Royal, the staff plied her and some other women with champagne while they tried on dresses for an hour, while me (and 2 other husbands) sat in their comfy lounge chairs talking football. Managed to escape with only 2 purchased, but she loved it
I’ve been there many times too - I agree that while touristy, the ghost/voodoo tours are a lot of fun, and a good walking tour of the Quarter. Always great to hear all the spooky/macabre history of the city. The Garden District tour is a good one too, to see more than just the FQ.
Won’t add to the restaurant recs, many great ones mentioned already, hard to find a bad meal
For nightlife, avoid Bourbon (unless being surrounded by staggering drunks is your thing) and find your way to Frenchman street at least one night. We posted up at the Blue Nile early one night and listened to live jazz for a few hours, had a ball
One other rec, if you’re a cigar smoker - Cuban Creations Cigar Bar in the French Quarter between Chartres and Decatur is one of the best cigar lounges I’ve ever found, I stop there for a stick every time I’m in town