New Orleans

HI.

I might be going to New Orleans, earlyish in the new year.

Very early stages, and no fixed dates, durations, destinations etc.... but N.O seems a possibility.

Don't really know much about the place other than some friends have spoke highly of it. Just found out Mardi Gras will be early feb, so that seems like a good date to be aiming for

Any and all info/suggestions welcome and appreciated.

Would possibly like to take in some other places too......

Very loose idea so far, so open to ideas.

Cheers

MO

 

Oh, and I don't drive.

 

My best man was thinking of N.O for my stag bash so the more info the better. I'll give you fair warning Mo if we make it over!

 

Go to Bourbon St. It will be full of tourists but you're guaranteed to have a good time. There's a large bar on the left about halfway down (can't remember its name) that has a live "in-house" band on every night.

Probably the best atmosphere of any live music venue I've been, anywhere.
Last time I was there, the band had two singers, one who covered AC/DC and that ilk another who did rap/rock. The latter probably the most mesmerizing front-man I've ever seen in the flesh.

There's also a Blues Brothers theme bar - which is better than it sounds -and a another good night out.

 

take loads of necklaces made from cheap plastic beads

 

God, how could I forget that. Explaining why would ruin the suprise.

 

Fat Tuesday is possibly not the best time to visit NOLA unless booking well ahead.
Everything is much more expensive, the best rooms and restaurants will be booked up solid and there are possibly too many people. New Orleans can be dangerous at the best of times but during Mardi Gras the locals have a penchant for shooting their guns into the air, watch out for falling bullets - they can kill.
I really like Mardi Gras and love New Orleans but it's not for every one.
For a first time visit, stay in the French Quarter ( Vaux Carre ), it's worth paying a little extra to be able to walk ( crawl ) straight back to your hotel. Five good places to try would be Monteleone Hotel, Hampton Inn Downtown FQ, Alexis Hotel on Canal Street, the Omni Royal Orleans or Bienville House. Either of these are really close to Bourbon Street ( one block ) or you could stay a little further down the quiet end of things at Le Richelieu ( Paul & Linda McCartney stayed on the whole top floor with Wings here whilst recording an album ). To give you an idea, outside Mardi Gras week, a double room at Le Richelieu will cost around $59 to $109 depending on season.

You will not need a car, streetcars ( one named Desire of course ), taxis are readily available, or just walk ( take advice first regarding personal safety ).
The bars, stripjoints, lap dancing are abundant, plus you can drink as you walk from bar to bar in plastic Go-Cups as you sample local brews and Dakiri cocktails. Try Pat O' Briens, Crescent City Brewhouse, the jazz halls, hundreds of places worth a look, grab a beer in the starlit carousel spinning bar at Monteleone, watch the world go from a window seat.
Harrahs Casino is close by too, Dedication Hall, the aquarium, if you have time, walk along the riverfront malls, take a free ferry across the Mississippi to Algiers and a free bus will take you to Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. They make the floats for parades here, and for Disney, well worth a few hours.

Take a vampire ( Anne Rice ) tour, haunted trail, visit the cemetaries ( not by yourself, accompanied tour group ), visit the Garden District, so much to see and do.

Best of all, if you like Cajun cuisine New Orleans has a great reputation for food, you won't be disappointed.
Erm, I could go on ....... :band:

 

I haven't been to NO for 13 years but there were a couple of things which may still be valid. Do not stray of the tourist areas at night. Whilst we were there, a tourist was mugged and killed. We were waliking fairly close to this area in the early hours oblivious to the risks. Do not be tempted by the alligator stew, its tastes disgusting. The alligator on a stick kebab is quite tasty. All the bars have a cover charge. Its gets a bit expensive on a bar crawl. The paddle boat evening cruises are a rip off and the food is crap. Do go on a swamp tour. Fantastic scenery and very educational. Alligators jumping out of the water to get the chicken are a hoot.

We are planning to go back in a few years time, once the kids have flown the coup.

Rod

 

There are plenty of bars with no cover charge now, on Bourbon Street and all around. Some places will beckon you to a table with waiter service as you walk in but you may go straight to the bar yourself if you prefer, hence no cover charge and fewer tips to pay.
Yes, the paddle boat evening cruises are disappointing, one tip is not to pay for the dinner buffet, just pay for the jazz cruise instead. It's the same boats either way, the buffet is so dis-organised that any one can help themselves to the food, whether they have a dinner ticket or not. The food is of such poor quality that your conscience will not be troubled by the fact you didn't pay.
There isn't much to see on the daylight cruises either, container ships mostly, but on a sunny day with a nice breeze, a trip up the Mississippi is no hardship.
I would be content with the free Algiers crossing. This will allow camera opportunities of New Orleans skyline from across the water. :JPS: