Last week my wife asked me what we were going to do over Memorial Day weekend. We usually go away on a mini vacation.
I suggest we go to New Orleans. We bought a package: round trip, non-stop, hotel, and a rental car: $590 total including taxes. Not too shabby. We fly down thursday night (22nd) and come back monday afternoon (26th). We planned to just go to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street and “bum around”. But is there anything we should do in particular? I don’t want to drive a whole lot out of the area. The only thing we are absolutely committed to is driving over to Mississippi, briefly, as my wife has never been there and wants to be able to say she has been. Other than that were open to suggestions. We’ve heard there is a wine festival going on that weekend, which appeals to both of us.
Well, the aquarium and zoo are great choices, as are a lot of the walking tours of the Quarter. I’d definitely try to hit the ghost tour that leaves from Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (Bourbon and St. Philip, I think.) You’ll probably also want to hit the French Market and Cafe Dumond one morning.
I could kill 4 days just bumming around the Quarter, people watching, shopping, and stuffing my face. Johnny’s Poboys is great for lunch, and Port of Call makes some of the best drinks I’ve ever had (the Monsoon is the nectar of the gods.) Ooh, and you should try to get into the Acme Oyster House sometime. We had our wedding reception there, and the food is just fabulous and reasonably priced.
WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING
Lady Chance and I did this exact same thing in mid-late 1999.
You have been warned.
But seriously…there are many cool things to do within a day trip of New Orleans. Mansions to see, swamps and alligators to inspect.
Hey, if you’re up to it look for a guy named ‘Charles’ who does a creepy midnight ghost tour and bar hop in the French quarter. He tries to maim himself, too. Very cool in a weird sort of way. When we were there the tour started at that burnt our blacksmith shop bar. Well worth the trouble.
There’s the D-day museum
4 1/2 days, huh?
Arrive
Eat
Go to Bourbon Street
Drink heavily while listening to great bands
Stagger to Hotel at 3:00 a.m.
Sleep
Eat
Go to Bourbon Street
Drink heavily while listening to great bands
Stagger to Hotel at 3:00 a.m.
Clumsily attempt to get nookie while drunk
Sleep
Eat
Go to Bourbon Street
Drink heavily while listening to great bands
Stagger to Hotel at 3:00 a.m.
Sleep
Eat
Go to Bourbon Street
Drink heavily while listening to great bands
Decide it’d be a ‘hoot’ to go to Miss Talula’s Tranny Show
Stagger to Hotel at 3:00 a.m.
Sleep
Eat
Shower & Shave
Leave
Enjoy yourself!
MeanJoe
Number one priority should be keeping yourself safe. You can easily walk throughout the entire French Quarter without seeing one policeman. Expect to be hit on by panhandlers and two bit con men and questionable charity solicitors. The Louisiana State Museum is real nice, definitely go to the D-Day Museum, and the St. Louis Cathedral is a must see, especially if you’re Catholic. Other than that, you can have it. It’s main attraction seems to be that there are virtually no liquor laws and it’s socially acceptable to get drunk as a skunk.
**WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING
Lady Chance and I did this exact same thing in mid-late 1999.**This was the result
Hea. My baby making days were ended 3 years ago with a snip-snip-snip.
It’s main attraction seems to be that there are virtually no liquor laws and it’s socially acceptable to get drunk as a skunk.
You mean it’s just like Summerfest or the Wisconsin State Fair?
Arrive
Eat
Go to Bourbon Street
Drink heavily while listening to great bands
Stagger to Hotel at 3:00 a.m.
Sleep
Eat
Go to Bourbon Street
Drink heavily while listening to great bands
Stagger to Hotel at 3:00 a.m.
Clumsily attempt to get nookie while drunk
Sleep
Eat
Go to Bourbon Street
Drink heavily while listening to great bands
Stagger to Hotel at 3:00 a.m.
Sleep
Eat
Go to Bourbon Street
Drink heavily while listening to great bands
Decide it’d be a ‘hoot’ to go to Miss Talula’s Tranny Show
Stagger to Hotel at 3:00 a.m.
Sleep
Eat
Shower & Shave
Leave
Enjoy yourself!
That was our basic plan! Thanks for the responses guys!
If you wanted to spend a day in a non-drunken state, you could go to the zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas, and the River Walk if it’s still there.(I heard something a while back about a boat crashing into it.) I haven’t been in a couple of years but I had fun. There’s a McDonald’s in the zoo that has frozen lemonade and an Imax theater at the aquarium. Plus, you would only have to park once since the aquarium and River Walk are in walking distance and when you’re through there, you can take a boat ride to the zoo.
Yes, I know it sounds like a school field trip but it can be fun for growed ups too.
Here are some places I suggest you visit: the Court of Two Sisters, Pat O’Briens, Cafe du Monde, Kraus Co., Storyville area, St. Louis Cemetery, and Ralph & Kacoo’s. If you have time, take a steamboat ride in the evening - you can purchase a package that includes the ride, evening meal, and drinks. Don’t know if the floating casinos are still operating, but if they are, that’s good for a few hours one evening. The thing that I was amazed at was the fact that every third establishment in the French Quarter was a “daquiri bar,” and drinking on the streets was allowed. You can bump from one bar to the next without missing a gulp. Are you a parrot head? There is a Margaritaville Bar there, too - in “the Quarter.”
My 40th birthday is coming up in mid-May and maybe I can coax the husband to take me to New Orleans. I went for the first time 2 years ago on business and spent every free minute in the French Quarter soaking it all up. Would love to do it again.
Can you give me more info about the package (i.e. travel agent, on-line?)
Thanks
If you don’t go to the Central Grocery and have a mufaletta, then you will have failed at your mission.
It will feed two. This is heaven. Refuse it at your peril.
A lot of this depends upon your interests. Be sure and get off Bourbon and explore the rest of the city. There is every kind of bar and every type of music you could possibly want. The antique shops on Royal are interesting, and you should take the St Charles’ streetcar into the Garden District to look at the houses (if you’re a fan, you can check out the homes of Ann Rice & Trent Reznor). Unfortunately there is no more Streetcar named Desire…but you can ride a Bus named Desire!
If you like a more alternative crowd, check out the Hideout on Decatur (which I believe will be having their anniversary party that weekend), or the Shim Sham Club. Also check out the Marigny area (across Esplanade) for Cafe’ Brasil and a few other cool clubs.
Good food is everywhere, but be sure and try some of the smaller bars for some decent, low-priced meals. A good homey place with plastic checkered table cloths is Frankie & Johnnies on Arabella near Tchoupitoulas (uptown).
There is the Wine & Food Experience, plus the Greek Festival taking place that weekend.
Remember:
>You can pretty much drink anywhere, anytime. Just ask for a “go cup.”
>While the French Quarter is pretty safe, you’re close to some rather bad areas, so know where you’re going.
>If anyone wants you to make any kind of bet, especially involving shoes or your last name, just walk away.
>Lucky Dogs cure hangovers.
>Your trip is not complete unless you get a drink from Angie at The Erin Rose on Conti.
I don’t have any pictures from our trip to New Orleans … probably for the best. (-:
We didn’t go for drunken debauchery, we went for great food (plenty of that around), seeing the sights (also plenty of that), and to get away from cold winter weather (not an issue in May, I guess!).
I would second the comment about keeping safe. If someone says to you, “I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes”, smile and walk away. We don’t want to scare you, no one would hurt you, or mug you, but the con men do make a good living on the streets of the French Quarter.
Another area not to be missed is the Garden District, Audobon Park, and other points west of downtown. Good walking, or good driving, seeing as you have a rental car. We took the streetcar, which is an experience too.
Restaurants that we would recommend if you’re looking for a really, really nice meal - Broussards, Palace Cafe, Louis XVI.
Restaurants if you’re looking for a little less expensive meal - Court of the Two Sisters (great buffet brunch), and Remoulade’s are great.
But you MUST have a po’boy while you’re there. We ate a Po’boy at the Mall down by the Riverwalk every other day we were there (some will say that’s wrong, eating po’boys at a mall - maybe, but what are you gonna do?)
The Fairmont Hotel has some really good bars with great jazz bands, that made for a nice evening when we were there. I also liked the Daquiri huts that had banks of frozen drinks - looked like a soft-serve ice cream place!
Enjoy, I’m so jealous!
Oh man! Look out for those New Orleans trips! You and your wife go there to celebrate your anniversary. You’re having a grand time, breakfast at Community Coffee house in Jackson Square, lunch at Cafe Royal, dinner at Christian’s, drinks everywhere. Dancing until all hours of the night. Repeat for 4 days. Go back home, tired but happy, and what do you get? Nine Months later? Any guesses?? Your third kid!!! And he’s a blessing and the love of my life, but jeez, now I have to buy a bigger house and postpone retirement again.
Or smile and say “On my feet.” Then walk away.
If you like beaches and don’t mind drving an hour or two, head over to Waveland, Mississippi. Waveland is also a good place to go crabbing so watch out for people with nets. You wouldn’t want to step on a crab.
Please accept these suggestions from a native.
- Have fun in the FQ. I recommend Luigi’s Fine Foods over Central Grocery for your muffelatta sandwich. Luigi’s makes each sandwich fresh; Central makes theirs ahead of time when they expect to be busy. Luigi’s is in the 900 block of Decatur street, across the street and downriver from Cafe du Monde. Get a big bag of Zap’s chips, your favorite beverage, and picnic in Jackson Square or up on the levee. Fun. I don’t spend a great deal of time in the FQ, but if you want a good meal there, get reservations at the Bistro as Maison de Ville, particularly if you like wine. G.W. Fins is also highly recommended. Preservation Hall is worth a visit, and you can get a great, FREE tour of the FQ from the National Park Service at their Jean Lafitte FQ HQ.
The ferry that runs from the foot of Canal Street to Algiers Point and back is free for pedestrians. It leaves NO on the hour and half hour; return from Algiers at 15 after and 15 before the hour. You get a great view of the FQ from the ferry. The Riverwalk is just a big mall; it is still there; the boat caused some damage but that was repaired quickly.
The Louisiana State museum in the Cabildo is great. So is the Mardi Gras museum at the Presbytere. Go. The D-Day museum is good, but I find it to be overwhelming for a short visit - - the urge to see it all can be hard to resist. The aqarium is worth a visit if you like that sort of thing. If you like live music, be sure to get a copy of the Gambit (the hotel should have some) and see who is playing.
I disagree with the person who said that you can walk end to end and not see police. They’re there. As tourisim keeps this town’s economy going, keeping tourists safe is a top priority. What you don’t want to do is wander away from well-lighted and well-populated sections of the FQ, particularly at night. Like any city there are panhandlers and con-artists - - just keep your wits about you - - don’t allow yourself to be an easy mark and don’t talk to people who are overly friendly. You got your shoes on your feet and there are always 12 letters in YOUR LAST NAME.
- Staying in the FQ for 4.5 days would wear me out, and leave you with the impression that all of New Orleans was one big, foul-smelling frat party. Take the streetcar Uptown for brunch at Commander’s Palace or breakfast at Camellia Grill at the Riverbend. Take a morning stroll through Audubon Park. Go to the zoo. Cross Esplanade Avenue and check out some of the funky places in the Faubourg Marigny.
Use your car. Drive up Magazine Street to go antiquing - - better stuff, better prices than Royal Street. Eat at Dick and Jenny’s for great Creole-fusion food - - it’s in an old house near the corner of Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue. Or, eat at Mandina’s - - 3900 Canal Street; cash only, no reservations - - for an authentic N.O. neighborhood experience. Top this off by having dessert at Angelo Brocato’s gelato and pastry shop on N. Carrollton Avenue. Drive up Canal Street to City Park and go to the botanical garden or N.O. Museum of Art.
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Beads. You’ll buy some. That’s great. Wearing them is fun. Wearing them any time of year other than Mardi Gras marks you as a tourist who has bought beads. Come back during Mardi Gras and catch your own.
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Sun. If you burn easily, you can burn FAST here.
Have fun. If you can’t be safe, be careful. 
My 3rd kid is almost 18. I wish he’d go away and not come back for 9 months. It’s called college.
I had a vasectomy a couple years ago. Won’t be no surprises for us.
I believe my wife got the package through Price Line. Only one thing though: I found that our return flight home is not non-stop. We have to change planes in St. Louis.
My husband and I spent a few hours in NO on our honeymoon cruise (it was our last port). We did a little walking in the FQ, saw Bourbon Street (I’ve never seen so much vomit in my life!), checked out Loius Armstrong Park (I can take my own picture, thank you!), wandered around a cemetery and came upon Marie Laveau’s (sp?) tomb completely by accident. We purchased day passes for the street car and went out WAY past the Garden District by accident, so we saw Audobon Park. Hopped back on the streetcar to the Garden District.
FYI: If you’re interested in seeing Ann Rice’s house without paying for the tour, go to her book store (don’t remember where it is - I’m sure someone here can tell you). We picked up the brocure describing the tour, then bought the 3 postcards with pictures of her houses on them. Matched up one photo from the brochure with the picture (and address) on the postcard and voila! Her limo was parked out front when we got there.
I can’t tell you anything about food, though. It was filet mignon night on the cruise ship!!
Have fun, and post pictures when you get back.
Or you can just look in the phone book. She’s always had her address and number listed. She lives on Third Street in the Garden District.
It was mentioned in passing above, but deserves reinforcement. Have breakfast at Cafe du Monde. Make sure you don’t sneeze into the emptied beignet plate, though. A sugar-coated lynch mob is still a lynch mob. 