# Going to New Orleans for a week! We leave tomorrow, tell me what not to miss. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 12, 2016, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967 "2016-01-12T21:32:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/21 "2016-01-13T01:37:15Z")
_In re_ the St Charles streetcar, I recommend buying a guidebook and walking the route on foot to the end of the line, and then riding back in to town. Some of the architecture you encounter on the way is simply amazing, especially the antebellum stuff. It’s a great way to spend an entire afternoon. You’re lucky to be going now, when the weather is mild. I hear it gets unbelievably hot in the summer. Word of caution: Unless things have changed, avoid McDonald’s. IIRC, the food there is very salty, probably because of the climate. (This is assuming you’d _want_ to go to McD’s, of course. I can’t imagine why anyone would in a city with cuisine like New Orleans’.) ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/22 "2016-01-13T01:41:05Z")
In summer, you get to know what the steamed seafood’s last moments felt like. > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I was underwhelmed by the WWII Museum, but that was awhile ago; maybe it’s better now. If it was more than 5 years ago, it has since been hugely expanded in space, collections and participation activities (expansion continues). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/23 "2016-01-13T01:41:51Z")
Be sure to ask the locals about hurricanes. Everyone in New Orleans seemed to me to have had their roof blown off at one time or another and was mighty proud of it! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/24 "2016-01-13T02:03:53Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > My husband and I are taking our first trip to NOLA. We’re staying in a B&B in Marigny. My best **fiend** used to live in the Marigny, on Burgundy (bur-GUN-dee). We stayed at a hotel (former slave quarters) on Rampart, across from the Quarter, when we went a few years ago. On my solo trips I stayed at the Degas House a mile up Esplanade in Faubourg Tremé. ---
**Author:** ![feppytweed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/feppytweed/32/4280_2.png) [@feppytweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/feppytweed)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/25 "2016-01-13T04:58:31Z")
The Old New Orleans Rum Distillery is my favorite! They show you how they make the spirit (and ginger beer) and then let you sample everything! Tour isn’t very expensive at all, and when I went, there was a complementary shuttle from the French Market (but driving isn’t far at all either). [Link](http://oldneworleansrum.com/tour-the-distillery/?age-verified=5af637070a) ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/26 "2016-01-13T05:04:06Z")
Bayona for a fancyish meal. Coop’s place for good cheap food in a divey bar. Get the crab cakes at Meals from the Heart in the French Market. I second Clover Grill for burgers or omeletes with amazing hash browns. ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/27 "2016-01-13T05:13:08Z")
Shaya on Magazine street, Israeli cuisine Borgne on Loyola, modern Louisiana Cuisine Verdi Marte on Royal, amazing grilled shrimp po boys New Orleans Art Museum at City Park City Park shopping on Magazine wandering the French Quarter ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/28 "2016-01-13T07:17:11Z")
I know the OP already has a place to stay. But for future travelers possibly reading this thread, here is a tip: I have spent most of my trips to New Orleans staying at the Maison DuPuy. It is at 1001 Toulouse St. in the French Quarter and is a \*\*fabulous \*\*joint with oodles of local color. I am not affiliated with it in any way, but I am a huge fan. Just sayin’!!! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/29 "2016-01-13T14:21:02Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > In summer, you get to know what the steamed seafood’s last moments felt like. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/30 "2016-01-13T14:30:37Z")
Bloody Marys at Igor’s Checkpoint Charlie on Esplanade at Decatur. Can do your laundry there too! Dinner at Sylvain on Chartres. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/31 "2016-01-13T16:21:00Z")
Have a Vieux Carre cocktail at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street. Fun atmosphere at the revolving bar. It’s an excellent cocktail and was invented right there in 1938! ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/32 "2016-01-13T16:56:04Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Clover Grill](http://www.clovergrill.com) > > The first time I went to Clover Grill was 1993 or 1994. The staff were _fabulous_ and sang and danced along with the show tunes blaring from the jukebox. It’s been lower-key since then, but the first couple of times I went it was like getting a floor show with your breakfast. > > They’re open 24/7, so you never have to worry about grabbing a bite. They’re known for their breakfasts, and for burgers cooked under hubcaps. (I like a cheeseburger with a side of hashbrowns.) It was neat seeing it in _The Curious Case of Benjamin Button_ and _NCIS: New Orleans_. The diner is on Bourbon and Dumaine. Clover Grill is fantastic. Fun place, good food, and interesting waiters. If you’re in the least bit homophobic, I wouldn’t recommend it though. The Old Coffeepot on St. Peter next to Pat O’Brien’s does a terrific brunch as well. Johnny’s on St. Louis near Decatur has great po-boys as well. Don’t bother with Mother’s on Poydras (in the business district) though; not nearly as good. There are dozens of great places to drink… but I’d avoid Bourbon St. if you want somewhere not obnoxiously touristy or the 24/7 Mardi Gras atmosphere. Arnaud’s French 75 bar is pretty cool in a very classic old-school way. The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone is pretty neat as well, and Mr. B’s across the street is a tasty place to eat. Magazine street is kind of where the newer style restaurants are located, while the French Quarter is where the very old classic ones and the touristy ones are located. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/33 "2016-01-13T17:05:17Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > A trip to Mardi Gras World across the river (you can take the ferry) No need for a ferry to see Mardi Gras World – it changed locations a few years ago, and is now on the same side of the river as the French Quarter, etc. It’s very close to the New Orleans Convention Center, right on the river. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/34 "2016-01-13T17:29:19Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Johnny’s on St. Louis near Decatur has great po-boys as well. **Don’t bother with Mother’s on Poydras (in the business district) though; not nearly as good.** Mother’s is still generally _good_, but not worth the long wait these days. Twenty years ago, it was a lot easier to get in. I get the feeling they coast on reputation a bit nowadays. Talking strictly about po-boys … many, many places in the city will be at or above Mother’s level. Mother’s forte is much more plate lunches than po-boys. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/35 "2016-01-13T17:48:30Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Clover Grill is fantastic. Fun place, good food, and interesting waiters. If you’re in the least bit homophobic, I wouldn’t recommend it though. Maybe it was just the days of the week or the hours we went last time, but I didn’t get a gay vibe at all. I _know_ it’s known for that, and it was on display my first couple of trips; but as of three years ago it was just a diner with good burgers. > [@bump](#): > > There are dozens of great places to drink… but I’d avoid Bourbon St. if you want somewhere not obnoxiously touristy or the 24/7 Mardi Gras atmosphere. When [Now-]Mrs. L.A. and I went, we ended up at Lafitte’s more often than not. We went in the middle of December then, and it wasn’t obnoxiously touristy and didn’t have a Mardi Gras atmosphere. It barely had any people in it. (Note again the time of year.) It was just a nice, historical bar with no electric lights except at the bar, where we could hang out and drink. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/36 "2016-01-13T17:49:31Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Twenty years ago, it was a lot easier to get in. ‘Nobody goes there now. It’s too crowded.’ – Yogi Berra ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/37 "2016-01-13T18:44:48Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Maybe it was just the days of the week or the hours we went last time, but I didn’t get a gay vibe at all. I _know_ it’s known for that, and it was on display my first couple of trips; but as of three years ago it was just a diner with good burgers. Really? When I’ve gone (2002, 2006 and 2009), the restaurant itself was just a restaurant, but the wait staff was very obviously gay. Lafitte’s is probably one of the few Bourbon St. exceptions, and Bourbon St. gets better the farther away from Canal that you get. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/38 "2016-01-13T19:00:47Z")
There is a house in New Orleans that’s called “The Rising Sun.” If you are looking to spend your life in sin and misery that’s the place! ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/39 "2016-01-13T19:18:28Z")
> **[Killer PoBoys](http://www.killerpoboys.com/)** > > Killer Poboys is a sandwich shop located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter. We specialize in internationally inspired, chef crafted, New Orleans style Poboys. Some of the places listed can get very crowded. The line for Cafe Du Monde can be insane, so have a backup plan. Go before you’re starving. The Radiators are reuniting and playing a few nights at Tipitina’s while your there. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967/40 "2016-01-13T19:25:25Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Really? When I’ve gone (2002, 2006 and 2009), the restaurant itself was just a restaurant, but the wait staff was very obviously gay. Could be I wasn’t paying attention. But the last trip I did notice it was missing. Again, could’ve been the time of day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-orleans-for-a-week-we-leave-tomorrow-tell-me-what-not-to-miss/742967.md?page=3)