I was going to ask if it really was worth staying in the Quarter, or if it made more sense to stay on the other side of Canal. That’s what I did last time I was in New Orleans and was happy with the hotel, for the amount of time I was in it anyway.
That’s the thing: How much time do you spend in your hotel? I suppose it all depends on what you’re doing, whether it’s worth it. For me, spending time with friends, being a mile away from the Quarter is no problem. I can get there fast enough when my friends are working. My friends were living on Esplanade at the freeway at a place called The Art House – sort of an little art commune style of thing. So they were on the way to the Quarter. Years ago, this same friend lived on Burgundy, just ‘across the street’ from the Quarter in the Marigny. I stayed there, which was quite handy since it was Mardi Gras time. I have to admit that it’s nice to have a close place to go to with a private bathroom.
Staying in the Quarter does have advantages. Since my friends are now living in South America, I’ll probably stay in the Quarter next time I go to New Orleans. But I had no trouble being a mile away. The cabs are fairly prompt, and the walk is good for a body. Plus you get to see things you wouldn’t if you never got out of the touristy areas. Not that that’s appealing to some people. But I like it.
We’ve done both. Staying in the Downtown/Central Business District (CBD) area can save some money, especially when you book on places like Hotwire. The hotels across Canal are very generic (Hyatt, Sheraton), so if you’re looking for some New Orleans charm, it ain’t there. It can also be a sketchy walk late at night, but a cab easily solves that. We’ve always had a great time staying in the CBD.
Staying in the Quarter puts you right in the action, with plenty of atmosphere, and your hotel often steps away from where you’re partying! IMHO - If you’re just heading down to party, stay where it’s cheaper. If it’s something special like a honeymoon or anniversary, stay in the Quarter.
We had no complaints about the Bourbon Orleans. Had the weather been warmer, their courtyard pool would have been awesome.
My friend said this hotel had the most positive out of the top 4 we picked so that’s why she went with it. Hope you have a great stay too! I’ll have to check out Mother’s.
I’ll have to check out this Erin Rose place then 
I know going in August is gonna be super hot and humid, but it was the only time both of us were free to go. I’m sort of used to vacationing in hot sticky August because for some reason that’s when my family loved to go. I remember going to Savannah and it was 105f and humid as anything. Hopefully i can deal with the stink haha. I’ll for sure check out that Satchmo Fest, looks interesting.
‘These people don’t care if you stink!’ (From Zombie! vs. Mardi Gras)
My first trip to New Orleans was in August. It was hell. Actually, it was hot last time (a year and a half ago) in June.
There are loads of good places to eat. I always go to Clover Grill on Bourbon and Dumaine. Not ‘excellent’ food, but decent breakfasts that won’t break the bank. A little dingy. It was used in that Benjamin Button film. Get a muffaletta at Central Market or Frank’s Restaurant (just a few doors away from CM). Get it hot. There’s a German place at 33 (?) Conti that I like. Checkpoint Charlie’s on… Frenchman? has good burgers and usually a live band. Ralph & Kakoo’s is good for dinner. And of course you have to have cafe au lait and beignets at Café du Monde. Most places serve Community Coffee. I order it six or eight pounds at a time. (Had some this morning, in fact.) For dive bars there’s Hi Ho Lounge, The Saturn Bar, and Buffa’s among others. You must have a beer at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, only because it’s the oldest place in town. But they’re very proud of their domestic beer, and a Miller will set you back five bucks. Not the place to sit and drink. Just have one to say you did, and then go to Checkpoint Charlie’s or someplace. IMO Hurricanes are overrated. I didn’t have one until my fifth trip, and wasn’t impressed.
Buffa’s
Saturn Bar
Checkpoint Charlie’s
Frank’s Restaurant
Central Grocery (not ‘Market’ – sorry)
Hi Hi Lounge
That’s it for now. Roomie and I are going to go play tourist in Seattle.
New Orleans has a certain very distinct smell. I think of as the smell of concentrated fun but some people don’t find it all that pleasant. It is actually cleaner Post-Katrina. The heat in August in no joke though. That is the off tourism season because it is so hot but that just means the crowds are a less crowded. I don’t know where you are coming from but the weird thing about New Orleans in the summer is that it stays quite hot even overnight so you never need many many clothes at all and it usually rains intensely for about 20 minutes during the afternoon and then clears right back up again. The climate is part of why it is exotic for an American city but use sun screen and dress lightly.
Johnny L.A. thanks for all those links, i really appreciate everyone’s suggestions as i’ve never been there before I’ll have to check those places out for sure.
**Shagnasty ** I’m a bit worried about the heat but hopefully I can get over it and try to enjoy myself. I’m not too worried about the stink and am willing to except it as part of New Orleans. I’m from the Cleveland area so I’m not too unfamiliar with humidity. I remember it being like that in Florida when we went to visit, it’d rain really hard in the afternoon and then five minutes later you would’ve never guess it had rained. Thanks for the tips! I’m gonna bring loads of sunscreen because I’m really fair and burn really easy.
Just be warned that Saturn Bar and Buffa’s are real dives. Especially Saturn Bar. If you’re not into that sort of thing, you’ve been told. An interesting thing about Saturn Bar is that the walls are covered with artwork that was done by… the founder’s son? The artist was mentally ill, and I think he’s dead now. I like his art – when I can see it. Saturn Bar is like someone’s ill-lit garage.
Any of the bars are best visited at night. Buffa’s is a dive, but it’s right across the street from the Quarter. There’s a burger place across the street from it. I don’t remember the name, but it has a nautical-sounding name. You can smell the char-broiling. There’s usually a line to get in. As I said, Checkpoint Charlie has local musicians playing in the evenings. It’s also close to some good eateries around the corner from it. I just got out of bed, so I can’t remember their names. 13 is good, and there are a couple of other places I like. Praline Connection (soul food) is on Frenchman.
13 Bar & Restaurant
Praline Connection
Oh, that German place is at 833 Conti (pronounced ‘kont-eye’). It’s called Jäger Haus. They have a website, but I hate all-Flash sites so I linked Yelp.
I was just in NO this past weekend for a conference. I’ll second Central Grocery and add Drago’s, which is in the lobby of the Hilton. Their specialty is charbroiled oysters and they are wonderful. Just beware of oyster shells; the charbroiling seems to make the shells crack more.
Port of Call. Way, way overrated in my opinion. There are better burgers at less crowded places, like Yo Mama’s.
If you’re tempted to eat at Oceana on the corner of Conti and Bourbon, be sure and watch them on Kitchen Nightmares before you go.
Other music places to consider: The Apple Barrel, BMC, The Kerry, The Maple Leaf (uptown), and Vaughan’s on Thursday night for Kermit Ruffins.
I think a lot of popular places are overrated when it comes down to it. I loved Tito’s Tacos when I lived in L.A. Always a line. Best tacos in L.A.? Probably not. But they were tasty and cheap, and Tito’s is very popular. Port of Call (thanks for reminding me) has a tasty burger, and locals seem to agree. But I have to admit that several times I decided not to wait.
Nobody mentionedCooter Brown’s. Ride the St Charles trolley to this bar/restaurant/attraction.
Former native checking in… just to steer you away from Mother’s and Cooter Brown’s.
I know that lots of people like Mother’s and I’m glad they do. I don’t. You can get much much superior po-boys lots at lots of other places and not have to deal with the crowds of tourists who are going to Mother’s based on its reputation from a couple of decades ago.
Domilise’s makes one of the best po-boys in town. Seriously. You’ll get a far superior sandwich and a lot of local flavor. Plus, they’re infinitely nicer than the folks at Mother’s.
Cooter Brown’s is a bar at Riverbend that has almost every beer on the planet. That’s a big plus. Their raw oysters are usually good, and that’s another, but raw oysters and August and New Orleans don’t go together. The ambiance isn’t much since it’s an attraction for the college crowd and tourists. Everything else on their menu is just bar food. The nearby combo of Jaques Imo’s and Maple Leaf bar will get your food and music fix, though Jaques Imo’s is mainly serving folks from out-of-town these days.
A much better destination is Mandina’s at 3800 Canal. Cash only; no reservations (they have an ATM inside). Double up and go a few blocks to Angelo Brocato’s gelato shop afterwards. Both places are New Orleans institutions that don’t get top billing in the guide books but are nearing a century in business for a reason.
These are my opinions. They and $5.00 will get you a coffee at PJ’s (local for Starbucks). YMMV and all that.
Ivorybill treated me to lunch at Herbsaint when I was there. (Thanks again!) I can recommend their shaved beef salad.
That was a fun day! Glad we were able to get together. If you’re ever out in the sticks of Western NC (my new stomping ground) please look me up. Fewer lunch options here, though…
If you ever make it to Seattle, I’m there three days a week. Lots of places to eat there.
Since this has been answered, I’m going to derail for a related topic of my own.
I’m headed to NOLA for a conference at the end of the month. We usually get a group of about 12-15 together for dinner one night. Any suggestions for a spot in the Quarter where they could accommodate us and where it would be quiet enough to talk at our table but noisy enough that we wouldn’t be bothering anyone else? (How’s that for strict criteria?)