Things to do in New Orleans

OK, so it's time to visit the Big Easy. Only there for 4 nites...what do y'all consider to be the essentials.

reply to post by JohnnyCanuck


Hey Johnny,
I am from NOLA. Lived in Mandeville, north of Lake Pontchartrain "the lake".
First off, don't say "neworleens" say "nawlins"

Were to go:
If you like great music in a great club go to Ruby's Roadhouse (my old hangout)
Tell Fred and Dianne I said hi from Abu Dhabi!! (they're the owners)

check out: www.rubysroadhouse.com...

Or you can stay in the Quarter and there are so many places go to:

www.nola.com...

Must eat at Pascal's Manale. Get the BBQ'd Shrimp.

Food to eat:
Roast beef Poboy, "dressed"
Muffalleta from "Central Grocery" on Decatur: www.rachelleb.com...
Bignet and Coffee at "Cafe Du Monde" www.cafedumonde.com...


Anyway there is so much to do. Just check out the links and have fun!!

Bon Temps Roulle!!

73's,
Tom (KC5ILU)

reply to post by tomdham


Thanks for that...exactly what I'm looking for. While I will be watching out for myself, I'd also like to get out of the tourist traps. I hear the bicycle tours are a great way to see the French Quarter, where I'm staying, Any comments on that?

reply to post by JohnnyCanuck

Johnny,
I guess a bike tour would be ok? Never did that. They also have the "handsome" cabs with the horses at St. Louis Cathedral.
But also there is the "Riverwalk" mall nice view of the river by the Hilton.
Also the P/W Creole Queen. I commissioned that boat for the World's Fair in 1984. Great ride, good food and music. I know the owner of New Orleans Paddlewheels. I have known him for over 20 years.
So if you can call NO Paddlewheels ask for him and tell him you know me and you probably could get a free dinner cruise. U2U me, if you are interested, and I'll give you some more info.

Let me know, 73's,
Tom

You have to have a fresh beignet from one of the local places in the French Quarter.


-TheAssoc.

Originally posted by TheAssociate
You have to have a fresh beignet from one of the local places in the French Quarter.

-TheAssoc.

I appreciate the heads-up. Any further comments?

If you've been to New Orleans...or if it's part of your turf, what are the singular experiences that define the place? I've booked a dinner cruise on the Creole Queen, bike tour with Confederacy of Cruisers, a ghost/vampire tour with Lord Chaz...ok, a little touristy but really, how do you get the feel of a place in 4 nights? Looking at a plantation tour but eschewing the Katrina tour...just don't think the folks down there wanna get gawked at and I don't want to exploit the misery. Tips are greatly appreciated, and I'm happy to return the favour if you're coming to Ontario.

Originally posted by tomdham
Muffalleta from "Central Grocery" on Decatur: www.rachelleb.com...
Bignet and Coffee at "Cafe Du Monde" www.cafedumonde.com...

Absolutely those two, and trust me - order the 1/2 muffalata.

You have to go have a drink and listen to some music at Tipitina's

Have brunch at Court of Two Sisters

Have a poboy at Parkway Bakery or Mother's


Anyway, here's what locals think:

www.bestofneworleans.com...

Ride the street cars in to the Garden district!

Wander in to Pat O'Briens,don't stay to long or you'll not leave.

There are a lot of good off the wall places to eat cajun/creole food.

A lot of little places to listen to jazz too.

Lived in Gulfport,Miss. back when it was a backwater town and drove in to New Orleans almost nightly.

I have a faint memory of being chased down Bourbon Street about 2 AM by bouncers from a strip joint because of a "misunderstanding".

Good times and good people.

Tipitinas for some live music - check to see who's playing.

you might consider sending niteboy a u2u. he lives there and will be up on the best places to hit.

Sadly, my knowledge dates back about 20 years ago, when I went to school there.

reply to post by Crakeur


I'll be looking at all of your suggestions. We're there for four nights so it's tough to get the measure of the place and still 'plan to be spontaneous'...(a concept my kids doesn't get, but I tell him he'll understand later).
Thanks again to all of you, your ideas are greatly appreciated. You only get to see the Big Easy for the first time once, so we want to do it right.

reply to post by JohnnyCanuck


some good, low priced food can be had at Port o' Call. Best burgers in the state and the drinks are insane. Huma Huma or the Monsoon will knock you for a loop so drink with caution. Actually, most places that serve mixed drink specialties add grain alcohol so be wary of the delayed hit from the alcohol.

Check out Pat O'Brien's because it's a tourist spot but don't drink there.

Mother's for breakfast and/or lunch. Get the Ferdie for lunch.

Domilice's, if it's still there, has some of the best po boys around (oyster and shrip rock) but it's in a questionable neighborhood so take a cab there, have them call you a cab when you want to leave.


Arnaud's is a staple. Been there forever. It's a bit on the fancy side although they have a cafe that serves the same food and the atmosphere is a bit more casual. Oyster stuffed filet is the meal to get but it's all good there.

tipitinas.com...

that's the calendar for tips (all of them). see if you can't catch a local band in the original, uptown location. great scene but, be forewarned, the place gets crowded and they often fill up early. tip - get your hand stamped early, leave, have dinner and head back for show time.

Great steak at the Embers. My wife still talks about it and our first trip there together was over 20 years ago. If you go to Arnaud's (and I recommend it) get the oyster stew, if they're serving it. Even if you think you don't like oysters. I promise.

Pat O'Brien's for sure. Yes, at least get a Hurricane. Hang out in the open air courtyard. There's a flaming fountain that's pretty awesome at night.

If you have a chance and don't mind waiting in line, Paul Prudhomme's restaurant is worth it. K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen. When I was there last, no reservations were accepted so a line was always evident. It was a small place, and they'd typically double you up with other people. It wasn't a problem for us, we ended up sitting with a nice couple from Houston and had a great time. You might check, that may have changed. Get blackened anything. It isn't overpoweringly spicy when done right, and Paul originated it.

You'll have a great time. New Orleans is definitely one of my all-time favorite cities, and this is a great time of year to go. I could spend a fortune there, just hitting the great restaurants.

reply to post by yeahright


the key to K-Paul's is to find out when they stop seating and head over there about 30 minutes (or less) before that time. It'll be late (10 I think) but the food is outstanding.

The hurricanes at Pat O's are watered down junk. Get a 57 Chevy or a Skylab. Far better and, if you get the right waiter, when you ask about the 57 Chevy they give you some silly story about how, after 2 you'll think you can drive, 3 you'll be able to see the car etc.

Originally posted by Crakeur
The hurricanes at Pat O's are watered down junk.

Dump it out. I bought one for the glass, although I did drink it. It's a tourist thing. You gotta have a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's at least once

Oh yeah, oysters on the half shell at Acme Oyster House.

Now that Absinthe's legal again, if I was going back I'd probably seek out a place that serves it. There no doubt has to be one.

reply to post by yeahright


you know, you can buy the glass without the drink, save yourself the stomach ache.

acme house is great. Frankie and Johnnies too (if it's still around).

If they're available, crawfish are a must.

Absinthe is legal but it isn't the same as the old kind, made with wormwood or whatever.

Old Absinthe House will, most definitely, have it tho.

One of my favorite haunts, when hitting the Quarter, was always Tropical Isle for the hand grenades. Decent drink but the real fun of the bar, for me, is that I always wind up so drunk there that I steal the cable remote before leaving.

reply to post by Crakeur


I think it's still wormwood, but in the US it has to be thujone free. Or something.

Jax Brewery was pretty cool (if it's still there). My first trip, it was still a working brewery. At some point, it was converted to a shopping/dining mall sort of deal.

Check out Riverwalk. It's another neat shopping/dining destination.

Had some awesome blackened redfish at the Gumbo Shop in the french Quarter.

It's coming back to me a little at a time.

I stay in Hotel Bramante. So i would like to go beach and casino which is near in hotel Bramante.For Current activity and news for New Orleans then ou can visit FYIfly.com.


Things to do in New Orleans