Anybody live in New Orleans?

[tjclem]

My wife and I are taking a trip there in early April. We have never been there and would like to get some inside information about the area. Where to stay. What to do etc.etc. Really looking forward to it.Thanks ....tom

[tjclem]

Nobody?

[MJ5150]

I don't think you've reached the level fo coolness around TB to have people answer your thread. Give it time.

-Mike

[banre]

I'm from North LA originally and live in Mobile, AL, about 2 hours from NOLA, now. My wife grew up in Laplace, just a hop skip and jump outside of the city. Actually we were just in town for the day weekend before last.

As for where to stay, I know on priceline a year or so ago you could specify the "Downtown" area, only include "4 star" hotels, and get the Hilton for about 50 bucks a night. Great hotel, great location. YMMV.

Places of Interest:
Port of Call - on Esplanade Ave on the far east side of the quarter. Hole in the wall joint with great burgers.

Cafe Du Monde - You have to have some beignets.

Lots of neat boutique shops up and down Magazine St. The missus would enjoy it, I'm sure.

If you want to try some strange beers, go all the way down St Charles (can ride the street car) and I mean ALL the way down St Charles, and you'll see Cooter Browns. Every wall in the joint is a cooler containing beers you've never heard of.

Good down home Seafood, Mulates, near the Hilton, not sure the street. Might be Tchipatoulas (sp?).

More up scale seafood, we went to Brenans once, it was great! It's in the quarter, not sure the st. Have to have bananas foster!

Any more questions, just ask.

[Kyon`]

I went with the band and a few friends while on a break from our road schedulde around Christmas. Horrible timing, wasn't the season for seafood and nothing was open XD. But that was our own fault. I will say beignets are amazing, but Cafe Du Monde coffee was blekkkk. Wish I had more to say but it was only a day there before we headed to Houston.

[banre]

Originally Posted by Kyon`

I went with the band and a few friends while on a break from our road schedulde around Christmas. Horrible timing, wasn't the season for seafood and nothing was open XD. But that was our own fault. I will say beignets are amazing, but Cafe Du Monde coffee was blekkkk. Wish I had more to say but it was only a day there before we headed to Houston.

The coffee at Cafe Du Monde is chicory based. Love or hate thing, pretty much. It's pretty unique to NOLA/south louisiana.

[tjclem]

Thanks for the info I am really looking forward to the trip.I will show the thread to the wife when she gets home I am sure we will have more questions. Chickery is not for me.

[tjclem]

Checked priceline the hiltons price has more than doubled. Any suggestions for hotels? Thanks

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by tjclem

Checked priceline the hiltons price has more than doubled. Any suggestions for hotels? Thanks

JW Marriot or Sheraton, both on Canal St.

Mike

[tjclem]

There are 2 Sheratons but they are 5 and 8 miles from the 1/4 is that what you were talking about?

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by tjclem

There are 2 Sheratons but they are 5 and 8 miles from the 1/4 is that what you were talking about?

Neither.

www.sheratonneworleans.com

500 Canal St.

Mike

[tjclem]

"not availiable"

The dates are check in 4/2 check out 4/7
Thanks for trying to help we are open to all help.

[SoComSurfing]

I just spent a week in the Royal St. Charles for around $60/night. I just checked your dates and its back up to about $100/night.
The Crowne Astor is right on the corner of Canal and Bourbon. That's the preferred location when I head down there for a weekend w/ friends. It looks like its up around $170/night right now.
The Royal Sonesta is my favorite hotel in the Quarter, but its up around $170/night right now, too.

[jmarcus2]

Originally Posted by tjclem

My wife and I are taking a trip there in early April. We have never been there and would like to get some inside information about the area. Where to stay. What to do etc.etc. Really looking forward to it.Thanks ....tom

Yes.

But I need more info on your budget, how long you're staying, and interests (do like the touristy stuff during the day, or late night music?)

Looks like you're coming a week or so BEFORE the French Quarter Festival (starting April 17). It's the festival most locals go to. Consider waiting if you can.

Everyone thinks they want to stay in the Quarter. However, non-stop noise may not be what you want. Consider larger hotels on Canal or Poydras Sts

Anyway, here are a few resources:

www.bbnola.com - If you're more adventurous you might consider staying at a b&b instead of the standard hotel. They're good b&bs in the Quarter, the Marigny, and Uptown (accesible by streetcar to the Quarter)

www.offbeat.com Find out who's gigging where. Look up these great Clubs:

Maple Leaf (Uptown)
Tipitinas

Snug Harbor (Frenchman St)
d.b.a

Rock and Bowl (MidCity)

Howling Wolf (Warehouse Dist)

Tropic Isle Beach Club on Bourbon for(Cajun/Zydeco)

Then, there's where to eat!

Take a look at www.nomenu.com
This is the site run by well known food critic Tom Fitzmorris. You'll see recommendations for everything from New Orleans' version of fast food to fine dining. Cheap to very expensive.

[jmarcus2]

Oh yeah,

A couple of pre-emptive recommendations:

I may be in the minority, but please don't stand in line for Port-o-Call; avoid Court of Two Sisters, and the Gumbo Shop.

+1
Bacco (10 cent martinis at lunch - no kidding!)
Mr Bs
ACME Oyster House
Mothers - (I know its a bit touristy, but it was my first introduction to Po'Boys)

I'll stop now...

[tjclem]

Originally Posted by jmarcus2

Yes.

But I need more info on your budget, how long you're staying, and interests (do like the touristy stuff during the day, or late night music?)

Looks like you're coming a week or so BEFORE the French Quarter Festival (starting April 17). It's the festival most locals go to. Consider waiting if you can.

Everyone thinks they want to stay in the Quarter. However, non-stop noise may not be what you want. Consider larger hotels on Canal or Poydras Sts

Anyway, here are a few resources:

www.bbnola.com - If you're more adventurous you might consider staying at a b&b instead of the standard hotel. They're good b&bs in the Quarter, the Marigny, and Uptown (accesible by streetcar to the Quarter)

www.offbeat.com Find out who's gigging where. Look up these great Clubs:

Maple Leaf (Uptown)
Tipitinas

Snug Harbor (Frenchman St)
d.b.a

Rock and Bowl (MidCity)

Howling Wolf (Warehouse Dist)

Tropic Isle Beach Club on Bourbon for(Cajun/Zydeco)

Then, there's where to eat!

Take a look at www.nomenu.com
This is the site run by well known food critic Tom Fitzmorris. You'll see recommendations for everything from New Orleans' version of fast food to fine dining. Cheap to very expensive.

We are more into exploring and sampling the local flavors, foods and drinks. Not into the LATE night a bit of the night life will be cool though. We will be meeting up with my daughter and son-in-law and staying 5 nights. I guess you may be right about not staying right in the 1/4 but we do want easy access and hopefully something interesting right near the hotel to check out. I will check out the links you gave us thanks.....tom

[jmarcus2]

Anytime! Specific questions welcome too.
We want to make sure y'all have a good time... we need the money!

[banre]

Originally Posted by jmarcus2

Anytime! Specific questions welcome too.
We want to make sure y'all have a good time... we need the money!

Exactly! Every time anyone around here mentions wanting to go away for the weekend, I immediately tell them to go to NOLA. So far I've gotten two couples to spend a great weekend there this way!

[tjclem]

Thanks our dates are set, plane tickets and time off already done. Just need to narrow down the hotel. Several are already booked. We are trying to stay under $1300 total for all the rooms that is for 2 rooms at 5 nights per room..t

[tjclem]

Hey you 2 either of you know anything about these to places to stay?


http://www.stannmarieantoinette.com/index.html


http://www.stlouishotel.com/