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NFT: vacation in New Orleans

Rick5 : 1/15/2020 7:46 pm
Hey BBIers - I am leaning toward a vacation in New Orleans for my kidss spring break in April. They are 15 (twins). We would probably fly there in a Saturday and Sunday and stay at least 4 days (maybe even 5). I have only been there twice for work and loved it both times. Is the French Quarter the best place to stay? Last time I was there I stayed at Hotel Monteleone and liked it a lot. The only issue is that I snore like crazy after a couple of drinks (which I will be having) and may need two rooms. My son can handle the snoring, but it kills my daughter and wife whenever we are in hotels. Any ideas about a bed and breakfast or something? I have never tried AirBNB. The idea kind of freaks me out, but I may consider it.
My only recommendation which myself and other BBI'rs  
CRinCA : 1/15/2020 9:41 pm : link
Have mentioned over the years is regarding food. I've had the good fortune of eating around the country/world to a lesser degree but I'd put K-Pauls restuarant in NO in the top of the list. Paul Prudhomme knew his shit.

http://www.kpauls.com/
re: AirBnBs  
Existenz : 1/16/2020 12:25 am : link
The last 6 or so years, every trip I've taken with the wife, we've stayed at an AirBNB and the only negative thing I could say is that once (out of 12+ times) we had a host who was a little late getting us in and she was also unresponsive once we checked in. The place was still great with a great location in Porto, Portugal so I truly have no complaints. Generally, the experience is great cause we have our own 'home', tends to be cheaper than hotels, and sometimes have a much better location than where the hotels are typically.
That being said, in NOLA I think most of the hotels are in/near Bourbon so they are centrally located. However, you'll also be able to find AirBnb's that are very near by and outside the noise of Bourbon. A spot close to Bourbon in Bywater area would keep you very close and the homes provide a unique experience.
I have a previous NOLA restaurants thread from BBI saved somewhere if you wanted me to send it to you.
It may just be me  
montanagiant : 1/16/2020 1:31 am : link
But I don't view NO as a family destination. I love the food there but IMO it's an extremely overrated vacation spot
Maybe  
mdthedream : 1/16/2020 8:03 am : link
he is like Hank the tank type of dad and is going streaking through the quad.
You may want to look into an AirBnB,  
Section331 : 1/16/2020 8:37 am : link
a 2 or 3 BR would likely be much cheaper than 2 hotel rooms. French Qtr is fine, but I wouldn't stay too close to Bourbon St, noisy and can get dirty. I prefer to stay in the Marigny area, just east of the Quarter. Frenchman St is a great area, with a ton of restaurants and clubs.
Cool.  
Rick5 : 1/16/2020 9:04 am : link
Thanks all. My kids are jazz musicians and also love to tour historic homes, so it will be great for us. The whole trip was my son's idea. Definitely will check out Airbnb now.
If you want something high end  
jpkmets : 1/16/2020 9:07 am : link
Sonia House is fabulous. Otherwise Air B and B has always served me well.

WWII museum is one of the best museums that I have ever visited. Big recommendation for that.
Just back from New Orleans  
dannysection 313 : 1/16/2020 9:15 am : link
My wife and I just had a fun four days in NO, plenty for your kids to do. But...

Don't stay in the FQ..pretty seedy, loud, commercial, etc. We stayed in the Garden District and I am so glad we were advised to stay away from the FQ!

We stayed at the Pontrachrain Hotel and it was excellent. Perhaps a bit pricey if you're bringing children, but right on St. Charles Avenue where the Street Car runs and an easy ride to Canal Street and the FQ.

Advice, download the Street Car app and buy a three day pass for $9.00. Unlimited rides on the Streetcar and busses and you don't have to bother with correct change, which is required.

We went on a Swamp tour, which your kins may like and visited one of the sugar plantations (which was pricey but interesting).

Oh, and we found Eli's house and we saw Olivia pull in-she seemed so uninterested in me...go figure.

My only food recommendation is the Camellia Grill, on the far end of town, for breakfast-get the pecan waffles! Usually a line, but well worth it!

Enjoy, it''s a wonderful city!
Great info!  
Rick5 : 1/16/2020 10:08 am : link
Thanks, all!
Check out Frenchmen Orleans 519  
Mayhap : 1/16/2020 10:41 am : link
They have 1 and 2 bedroom suites with living rooms and full kitchens, and it's located right on Frenchmen Street across from several live music spots and about a block from Snug Harbor, which is a great place for jazz.
Frenchman...  
JB_in_DC : 1/16/2020 11:16 am : link
for music is great. People in town raved about the WW2 museum when I was there last summer, which would be kid-friendly, but to be honest I spent 95% of my waking hours inside of various bars.
Sounds great.  
Rick5 : 1/16/2020 11:57 am : link
I know that snug harbor is a top jazz club and plan on going there. Does Frenchman street get really loud at night? I am going to look at Frenchman street and the garden district. Thanks for the recs!
RE: Sounds great.  
Mayhap : 1/16/2020 12:04 pm : link
In comment 14781698 Rick5 said:
Quote:
I know that snug harbor is a top jazz club and plan on going there. Does Frenchman street get really loud at night? I am going to look at Frenchman street and the garden district. Thanks for the recs!


It can definitely get loud, but not as raucous as Bourbon Street. I've never been able to hear the street noise from the rooms at Frenchmen Orleans, but I've always gotten rooms in the back of the building away from Frenchmen. I've also stayed at the R&B Bed and Breakfast a couple of blocks further up Frenchmen, which is a much quieter part of the street.
Cochon or Peche  
Jan in DC : 1/16/2020 1:32 pm : link
for food recommendations. Also really dig Brigtsen's.

The Graveyard tours, though a tad morbid, are pretty beautiful.
Cochon is so delicious... - ( New Window )
RE: RE: Sounds great.  
Rick5 : 1/16/2020 2:56 pm : link
In comment 14781724 Mayhap said:
Quote:
In comment 14781698 Rick5 said:


Quote:


I know that snug harbor is a top jazz club and plan on going there. Does Frenchman street get really loud at night? I am going to look at Frenchman street and the garden district. Thanks for the recs!



It can definitely get loud, but not as raucous as Bourbon Street. I've never been able to hear the street noise from the rooms at Frenchmen Orleans, but I've always gotten rooms in the back of the building away from Frenchmen. I've also stayed at the R&B Bed and Breakfast a couple of blocks further up Frenchmen, which is a much quieter part of the street.


Thanks!!!!!
Another thought-  
Rick5 : 1/16/2020 3:00 pm : link
Rent a car - Yay or nay?
thanks for all the  
Rick5 : 1/18/2020 12:05 pm : link
info, guys. We decided to go with AirBNB in the Garden District. The place is one block from the streetcar. Really looking forward to this!
RE: Frenchman...  
Section331 : 1/18/2020 12:08 pm : link
In comment 14781631 JB_in_DC said:
Quote:
for music is great. People in town raved about the WW2 museum when I was there last summer, which would be kid-friendly, but to be honest I spent 95% of my waking hours inside of various bars.


Good call on the WW2 museum, it is fantastic. Plan to spend a half a day there, a lot to see.

And the streetcar app is a good idea as well. Easy and inexpensive.
An amazing place to go with kids  
Giantimistic : 1/19/2020 12:25 pm : link
I am about to plan another trip with my young kids. Great Zoo, Aquarium, insect museum. You may luck out with your timing in April with Jazz Fest. http://www.nojazzfest.com/music/#/ . I enjoyed it last time I went even with my 2 year old who had a great time as well.

No car needed at all to get around.

French man street is amazing and the must for Jazz. Almost every night around 930 or 10 a young street band comes out to play that is amazing. Get a hot dog at dat dog and sit on the balancing listening to the music.

Bourbon street is what it is, but I do enjoy Fritzels for Jazz.

Although touristy, Preservation Jazz Hall is worth it in my opinion.

We did the Jazz riverboat lunch which I enjoyed as well—touristy but hay I was visiting.

I can’t wait to go back and eat and eat and eat as well.

My favorites are Killer Pooh Boys, oysters at acme, Frankie and Johnny’s I believe was my crawfish choice in the garden district. I liked the food at jazz fest.

One of my favorite places to go and I was surprised how great it was for my family.
RE: An amazing place to go with kids  
Rick5 : 1/19/2020 7:58 pm : link
In comment 14785536 Giantimistic said:
Quote:
I am about to plan another trip with my young kids. Great Zoo, Aquarium, insect museum. You may luck out with your timing in April with Jazz Fest. http://www.nojazzfest.com/music/#/ . I enjoyed it last time I went even with my 2 year old who had a great time as well.

No car needed at all to get around.

French man street is amazing and the must for Jazz. Almost every night around 930 or 10 a young street band comes out to play that is amazing. Get a hot dog at dat dog and sit on the balancing listening to the music.

Bourbon street is what it is, but I do enjoy Fritzels for Jazz.

Although touristy, Preservation Jazz Hall is worth it in my opinion.

We did the Jazz riverboat lunch which I enjoyed as well—touristy but hay I was visiting.

I can’t wait to go back and eat and eat and eat as well.

My favorites are Killer Pooh Boys, oysters at acme, Frankie and Johnny’s I believe was my crawfish choice in the garden district. I liked the food at jazz fest.

One of my favorite places to go and I was surprised how great it was for my family.

Thanks! I have been there twice for work. It will be great to go on an actual vacation.
My mom grew up in N.O., I've been there probably 12 times in my life  
Leg of Theismann : 1/19/2020 8:20 pm : link
You have to do Cafe Du Monde, as cliche as that sounds. The Beignets and coffee are just so delicious (just don't breathe in as you're taking a bite of your beignet or you will literally inhale powdered sugar). You will never have a better doughnut (nor donut) in your life. Any person or restaurant I've known to try to recreate what they do just cannot get it right, it's a special experience. You can also go over to the side of the building and watch them make the beignets through a giant glass window, it's pretty cool.

The National WWII museum is also a must-see, IMO, even for those who museums aren't usually their thing. It's probably my favorite museum in the entire country (aside from perhaps the NYC Natural History museum).

I know you've gotten (and will get) a ton of other recommendations, so I'll leave you with just those 2 since they're among my personal favorites.
RE: My mom grew up in N.O., I've been there probably 12 times in my life  
Rick5 : 1/19/2020 10:23 pm : link
In comment 14786239 Leg of Theismann said:
Quote:
You have to do Cafe Du Monde, as cliche as that sounds. The Beignets and coffee are just so delicious (just don't breathe in as you're taking a bite of your beignet or you will literally inhale powdered sugar). You will never have a better doughnut (nor donut) in your life. Any person or restaurant I've known to try to recreate what they do just cannot get it right, it's a special experience. You can also go over to the side of the building and watch them make the beignets through a giant glass window, it's pretty cool.

The National WWII museum is also a must-see, IMO, even for those who museums aren't usually their thing. It's probably my favorite museum in the entire country (aside from perhaps the NYC Natural History museum).

I know you've gotten (and will get) a ton of other recommendations, so I'll leave you with just those 2 since they're among my personal favorites.

Cool. Thanks!
There are only a few places on Bourbon worth your time  
redbeard : 1/19/2020 10:31 pm : link
Fritz’s Jazz Bar
Patty O’Brien’s (get a hurricane and go for the dueling pianos)
Preservation Jazz hall


Otherwise it’s frat boy douche baggery. Get to bourbon and then keep walking until you get to Frenchman Street
Check out the WWII museum.  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 1/20/2020 9:46 am : link
It's worth the price of admission. I second Cafe du Monde. Also, perhaps do a ghost/spirits tour. That was fun.
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