I’m looking for an experience/activity for a mid April afternoon in New Orleans, for 8-10 ppl, many of which are, well, of the entitled kind. Age range is early 40’s to high 50’s
Looking for a cool or unique experience, money is no(t much of an) object.
Sense of humor is present, but not to great extent, think corporate.
Should not involve drugs, hookers or illegal activity. Any suggestions?
I have had good times in Nola as an individual, but those experiences seem unsuitable for this gathering…
There’s a casino…not a great one…but has some novelty value for those that don’t live near one.
Audubon Zoo is really nice.
There’s a great WWII museum I want to see next time I get down that way.
Isn’t there a riverboat casino?
I haven’t been in years, but the aquarium was awesome! The zoo was nice. We went on a swamp tour via boat ride and saw the gators. Dined on a river cruise on one of the paddle boats. Pick any piano bar or pub in the quarter and book it for the night. Get a block of seats at a sporting event at the Superdome. Coffe and beingets at Cafe du Monde. Stroll Jackson Square for the artists and street performers. And there’s probably still need for volunteer groups to help Katrina victims. My guess is you’ll have too much to do and not enough time.
Makes me want to go again! Spring and Fall are the best times to be there.
The main thing we do in New Orleans is eat. But then there is the
Southern Food and Beverage Museum. We liked it since we lived in SW Louisiana and my wife worked for a vegetable cannery. It is in the Riverwalk Mall (near the not very nice casino) and right on the trolley.
Take a tour of Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World! That’s where they store all the floats and it’s totally fascinating. You can even try on some of the headdresses. We loved it and that’s been almost twenty years ago.
All the above recommendations are quite good. Depending on their temperament there’s a lot of historic tourism to do – I heartily endorse the aforementioned WW2 Museum; there is also the Museum of Pharmacy and of course the old Cemeteries.
Check out the St. Charles Streetcar Line…that will also get you away from most of the more obnoxious tourists that think the tacky end of Bourbon Street is the heart of New Orleans.
Acme Oyster House. Yum.
I just got back from there last week. Had a great time!
For your group, I would recommend the New Orleans School of Cooking. It’s 25 or 29 dollars (depending on which class one takes) and last about 2-2 1/2 hours. You get a little history of the cooking styles and then they cook and serve the etouffee, gumbo, pralines, Bananas Foster or bread pudding. http://www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com/
I would also recommend the historic walking tour of New Orleans Graveyards. We took this one, led by a particularly informed and interesting guide named Charles, and enjoyed it very much: http://www.hauntedhistorytours.com/index.php/template-info/cemetery-tour
We walked past the Acme Oyster house several times and the line was long, long, long. Think down the street and wrapped around the corner long, as was Cafe Du Monde. We went to another beignet place nearby. It was just as good and the same price, with with almost no line at all.
The one thing I was not totally prepared for was that so many NO shops don’t take plastic. There are tons of cash machines all around, though, often conveniently located in the shops that don’t take plastic!
Depending on what days you are there, there may be a special event in the French Market the group would like, such as a foodie fest or a band or something. Check their website for a calender of events.
For a group, I would probably have them do one of the activities listed above, then allow them to wander the French Quarter by themselves for a bit with a plan to meet up again in Jackson square at 6 pm (or whatever) for dinner somewhere.
The St Charles Street Car idea is good, too, if only for a rest from walking, and it’s a good way to view the edge of the Garden District.
It’s $1.25 each way (correct change only) or you can buy and all-day pass for $3.00. The car runs from the edge of the Quarter (on Canal Street) to the zoo. Right after the zoo, the track is under construction, so if you want to ride out to the River Bend area (not terribly exciting- just a few shops, not particular good views or anything) you will need to transfer to a bus.
I hear good things about the paddle boat cruise. I wouldn’t know, I just go to eat and drink 
Try not to look too corporate in tourist areas and keep your wallet in your front pocket.
Don’t wear expensive jewelry or carry expensive electronics
Don’t stray more than a few blocks from the tourist areas
If anyone offers to tell you where you got your shoes, the answer is on your feet.
If you ride the streetcar line, ask the driver where to get off for Cooter Browns. Great raw bar.
I’m literally in a car on my way to Nola right now.
There’s a cocktail tour that will take you around to teach you the history of various local cocktails in the Quarter. Of course you get to enjoy the different drinks as you go.
Or do a swamp tour!
Just got back from NOLA on Thursday! Man, I love that city. It’s a walking town, so bring good, comfortable shoes and don’t bother renting a car. You’re going to need to walk off all the food anyway.
Check out a Stray Boots interactive tour/scavenger hunt - you play on your smartphone. http://www.strayboots.com/
We took two days to do it and just bounced from location to location (with cocktails and meals interspersed). No reward at the end, but it was fun and educational.
Skip Acme and go to Felix’s right across the street for oysters. More locals, fewer tourists and almost no line.
Go to the 11th floor of the Westin for drinks at the bar - you can take them into the lobby and enjoy a fantastic view of the French Quarter and the river, watch the boats navigate the curve.
BEST Bloody Mary at Checkpoint Charlie’s on Esplanade at Dumaine. Full of pickled green beans and spice! Don’t expect luxe atmosphere, though, and forget about using the restroom.
Delicious, innovative food and cocktails at Sylvain on Chartres at Wilkinson. Ask bartender Jackie for her version of a “Martinez”.
Free and fun: watch the group of tumblers across the street from Jackson Square on Dumaine - the guys in the red shirts. Very talented and funny.
If you need to check out Bourbon, do it in the daytime. Fewer stumbling drunk morons and mess.
BEST Bloody Mary is actually available at Erin Rose on Conti near Bourbon. A meal in a glass. Dirt cheap during morning happy hour; built by Molly.