I totally agree. Warning though, you have to make reservations if you expect to eat there. It’s a big buffet with tons of yummy food. I forgot how I did it, but I’m on there mailing list now and they send me tasty recipes from time to time.
New Orleans has got to be my most favorite city of all! I even wrote a recap about it in my Livejournal. The only thing I will say is to try and avoid Bourbon street as much as possible.
oh! If you go to New Orleans you HAVE to go to Petunia’s. Mmmmm GREAT GREAT food. You can get a crepe the size of a LARGE baby stuffed with all manner of good things.
You know it! Petunias was awesome!
OK, here’s where I am so far…
I’m surfing around, looking for a hotel in New Orleans. I’m having a hard time finding an affordable hotel that actually has rooms available the weekend I want to go (Feb 21-24). If anyone who has Nawlins experience would be willing to whip through these links and let me know if any of these look good/bad, I’d be much obliged? I’m not familiar enough with the neighborhoods to know yet, and I don’t want to wind up in a flophouse.
They’re all in the French Quarter with the exception of The Ponchartrain, which is in the Garden District.
Chateau Hotel ← approx $114/night
http://www.frenchmenhotel.com/ ← looks nice, $109/night
ibervillesuites.com - new orleans hotel french quarter hotel discount hotel lesbian Resources and Information. ← near Canal St, $139/night
http://www.lamothehouse.com/reservations.html ← $119/night
http://lerichelieuhotel.com/ ← AAA & Fodor approved, not sure of rates
http://www.pontchartrainhotel.com/ ← Garden District, $139/night available
My aunt and uncle stayed at the Iverville Suites for the wedding, and they seemed really happy with it. It’s a bit of a hike from a lot of stuff, but just 2 blocks from the Acme Oyster House, which has utterly fabulous food.
Mandina’s is one of my favorite restaurants in N.O.:
I have had the shrimp po boy.
For lodging, check with the engines like Expedia, Travelocity, etc. Here is one specifically for N.O.:
http://new-orleans.hotelscheap.org/
If you have a car, you can stay a little bit away from the Quarter for a lesser price.
Hey! Laissez les bon temps rouler! 
AVOID BOURBON STREET ??? Why come to New Olreans ? What can you brag to your friends about ? Goodness, get loose, have fun, enjoy the local fun ! That is if you arent weak of heart and shock easy. We are called " The Big Easy " ya know lol
If you’re having trouble finding hotels, you might try a bed and breakfast. It depends on whether they consider themselves “in season” or “out of season” how expensive they are. In general, Mr. Furthur and I travel out of season, and they’re dead cheap then. We got accommodations for oh, I think somewhere around 60-70 a night at a B&B in NO, and that included a nice breakfast. Can’t remember the name of the place we stayed, but it was a former brothel not far from Port of Call.
Mrs. Furthur
I don’t like Bourbon Street, but avoiding it would be like going to Vegas and avoiding the strip. It’s simply something you’ve got to do, and you’d be able to easily check out the aforementioned Port Of Call (a block off of Bourbon) for the best burgers on the planet and a couple of Monsoons. They’ve actually got a site if you wanted more info.
I’ve recommended this on previous NOLA threads, but gotta do it again: My fine friend Pableaux has written a swell Lonely Planet Guide World Food of New Orleans: http://www.bayoudog.com. He’s born and bred Lusianne, and has a great sense of humor. His site has some nice essays and photos to whet your appetite.
You can also listen to some great New Orleans music online at http://wwoz.com.
I really miss my previous 5 hour straight shot drive down I-55 to the Crescent City. It’s one of the best places on earth.
I was able to find a really good rate in a first class hotel on Canal just across from the French Quarter using www.expedia.com. The prices listed in the guide books were around $350 a night but I got one for $87 plus $25 for parking. This was right after Christmas.
As has already been mentioned there are an almost limitless number of great places to eat but at most it is probably a good idea to make reservations.
Have a great trip. I think you can safely assume that you won’t get bored.
Not only is Preservation Hall worth it, but get in line a little early and head directly for the seating which is on a pad in the floor directly in front of the musicians. Heaven! These guys are the real thing!
For a B & B, as per furthur’s suggestion, I’ve stayed at the Lafitte Guest House before, and it’s a good deal, in the Quarter. Go for Room #40.
If your version of fun is being flashed by homeless people for beads (mostly guys) and hanging around a street that smells of urine, feces and vomit, then knock yourself out. That is not my version of “fun” however. You want to know what I bragged about? Look at my Livejournal. I had a much better time walking Royal, Chartres, and Decatur St at midnight. And no, I am not “weak of heart” nor do I “shock easily”.
Were you really flashed by homeless people? I’ve been going down to Bourbon since I was 15 years old and not once have I seen that. The flashers are all drunken college students or middle-agers. And very few of them are males. It’s all in the spirit of fun and letting go.
I will concede to your point about the smell, though. It hits you about a block and a half before you reach Bourbon. Believe it or not, a lot of it is from the police horses. They put out quite a bit of manure. The vomit and urine…well, that’s gross. But the smell fades after a few minutes, and the faint scent that lingers is a good reminder to watch your step. 
As to the OP, I put in another vote for the Audubon Zoo. It’s lovely. One of my favorite places on Earth. Try and go. As a matter of fact, ride a streetcar there. It’s an interesting experience and you get to see a lot of beautiful architecture and the way people live around here.
Indeed. There was one particular toothless guy who kept pestering people to give him beads in exchange for exposing himself. Thankfully, noone took him up on his offer.
Bourbon Street is fine if you are going to be drunk of your gourd most of time anyways. I already did that 6 years ago. During this most recent trip to New Orleans, I realized that the French Quarter is far more than just Bourbon St.
Since Brian is promoting his LIVE JOURNAL.I went to read it. Well, Thank you for ranking New Orleans as you have. However prudish “some people” might be, I’ve never been flashed by a “homeless” person and I am native to New Orleans!! I might add, I am an attorney here and have been know to let my hair down a few times in the quarter. As you will note from most of the comments, everyone has different tastes and New Orleans certainly has that to offer. From food, fun, history and beauty, it is certainly a place to experience, no matter what your taste is. I might add, the Jazz Fest is an awesome experience and is held the last week in April thru the 1st week in May. However, the Jazz Fest has grown to epic proportions and is nearly as good as Mardi Gras. Again, depends on your taste. I do want to add that Southern manners would preclude me from insulting someone’s home, and never would I presume to that everyone has the same likes and dislikes ! So in closing, Have fun enjoy the city and Bon Appetite !
I’m not saying anything bad about New Orleans. Far from it. I love that place and I can’t wait to go back again, and would recommend it highly.
Bourbon Street, however, I would still not recommend. Of course, like you say, everyone has different tastes, so your mileage may vary.
Le Meridian? (spelling?) It’s a japanese buisness hotel chain. Quite upscale. Since they do so much buisness traveler usually the rooms on the weekend on much cheaper.
It’s highly modern and very nice. It’s 2 and a half blocks from the top end of bourbon street.