Going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras...Need advice!

[zunie75]

A group of 6 of us are going to New Orleans on Saturday for 5 days. We are going specifically for Mardi Gras.

Ive read alot of reviews on the city and one thing that alot of them have in common is people talking about how "dangerous" the city can be.

Now im not a fool, ive been all over Europe and places like Egypt. So I know if we stay in the tourist areas and such we should be ok...despite the pick pocketers.

So if you have been to Mardi Gras or New Orleans in general what should my friends and I actually expect to see.

Where are some of the places and attractions we should go to? What should we avoid? Whats the weather like? How are the locals? Any great restaurants you would recommend?

Please keep in mind that my friends and I are all 25, so although I consider my self culturally superior to them, Museums are probably not going to make it on our agenda.

We are staying on St Charles ave which I understand to be about 5 blocks from the French Quarter, does anyone have any bar/restaurant suggestions for this area as well?

Thanks in advance!

[Montana Moe]

Well, I know plenty about New Orleans. I've lived there for a bit, and visit as often as I can. Been to 5 Mardi Gras, but since I'm from the U.S., my opinions/suggestions are apparently of no use to you.

Have a great time!

[TylerSVT]

Penicillin

[zunie75]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Well, I know plenty about New Orleans. I've lived there for a bit, and visit as often as I can. Been to 5 Mardi Gras, but since I'm from the U.S., my opinions/suggestions are apparently of no use to you.

Have a great time!

Damn, I guess I should delete that part in my original post. Point taken.

By the way, I didnt say American opinions were of no use, I simply said that most of the ones ive read from Americans/American tourist review sites say alot of negative things and seem to try to make you fear New Orleans.

I was trying to be humourous, sorry if I offended.

[FlamesAddiction]

Here's some advice courtesy of Dave Attell:

No one has freckles on their ass, use a condom.

[Cheese]

Have a great time and make sure your wife wears a velcro fastened top!

[WilsonFourTwo]

If you have boobs, show them.

If you want to see boobs, ask politely.

Enjoy.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

If you have boobs, show them.

If you want to see boobs, ask politely.

Enjoy.

So basically like being at home then?

[troutman]

Jazz, Jazz and more Jazz:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/newo...jazzclubs.html

Jazz Funeral:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_funeral

[East Coast Flame]

I was there for Halloween, and it is so incredibly awesome. You're going to have an amazing time.

Bourbon Street is insane. 100's of bars you can just walk into grab a drink and walk out on the street and keep going. There is all kind of different places to check out on Bourbon, lots of dance clubs and a ton of live cover bands. If you're on Bourbon, don't stay in one place too long. There is so much to check out. The Beach and Pat O'Brians were the two places I remember on Bourbon that are definitely worth checking out.

If you're looking for an awesome club, go to Club Ampersand. Its not on Bourbon, but its great. They usually throw huge parties. Make sure you get a ticket in advance though, the lineups are usually brutal.

If you want to get into the local music scene the place to go to is Tipitinas. Its kind of in the middle of nowhere, but they always have great music. If Trombone Shorty is playing anywhere try and go see him, he is amazing.

Best part about New Orleans: bars don't close. Don't get too loaded too quick. I don't think we even started hitting the bars until about midnight.

The food is great. Make sure you try a Po Boy somewhere. We never went to any nice food places really, mostly just pubs and street vendors, but the food was still awesome. Crawfish, cajun food, Creole...it's all great.

As for sketchy/dangerous...yeah its pretty bad. Remember its one of the poorest cities in North America. Try and stay together as much as possible and avoid side streets and alley ways. If you're smart about it, you should be fine. On Bourbon Street and the touristy areas the worst thing you have to worry about is pick pockets. Once you get outside of the touristy areas it gets real sketchy real quick. But if you're smart about it, you shouldn't have any problems.

Have fun!

[Hammertime]

bring beads. lots of em.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by zunie75

Damn, I guess I should delete that part in my original post. Point taken.

By the way, I didnt say American opinions were of no use, I simply said that most of the ones ive read from Americans/American tourist review sites say alot of negative things and seem to try to make you fear New Orleans.

I was trying to be humourous, sorry if I offended.

No biggie, just giving you a hard time.

If you stay in the touristy areas, and don't wander out alone at night, you'll be fine. For the most part, the violent crime is concentrated in a few areas, if you aren't out trying to score drugs, you should be OK. Typical big city awareness stuff...

The French Quarter is a great time, there are some great restaurants in the neighborhood. Some require a jacket, so if you are planning on a nicer dinner, be prepared. Rules are usually more relaxed during lunch hours.

If you want a more local experience, take a cab down to Frenchmen St. This is where a lot of Blues/Funk/Jazz clubs reside. You never know who will show up to play at DBA or Blue Nile, etc. during Mardi Gras. Tipitina's is a great place to watch a show, as well.

As far as good food, it really depends what you are looking for. Too many to list, really. If you need more info, shoot me a PM.

Oh, and the people are great! Very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. The accent may give you some trouble, there are many neighborhood dialects that can take a bit to decipher.

Most people that bag on New Orleans have spent very little, if no time there.

[arsenal]

Get a hurricane from Pat O'Brians, have Beignet's from Cafe du Monde, sing Karaoke at Cats Meow, and always always take a to go cup.

[CaptainCrunch]

Put your wallet in your front pocket, buy a ton of condoms, and check for adams apples and big hairy knuckles.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Get a hurricane from Pat O'Brians, have Beignet's from Cafe du Monde, sing Karaoke at Cats Meow, and always always take a to go cup.

I suggest having 3 - it sure made me feel better.

I've been down there twice, (neither during Mardi Gras), but I echo the statement to stay in the tourist area within the French Quarter. It doesn't take long to realize you've gone a block too far and should really turn back.

A stop at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar is a must.
www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com

[oxygen]

I'm heading to New Orleans for March Madness the week of the 21, so this thread is very useful. For those who've been and/or lived there can you give your opinion on The Bonton Cafe, Antoines, Acme and Cochon? There is 12 of us and we want to have at least 2 "nice" dinners. Are there any other places that you would recommend? No restrictions on type of cuisine. Anyone been to Willie Mae's Scotch House? We definitely will be hitting up some live music venues. Are any of the numerous tours worth checking out?

This thread is great, keep the suggestions coming! Thanks all.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by oxygen

I'm heading to New Orleans for March Madness the week of the 21, so this thread is very useful. For those who've been and/or lived there can you give your opinion on The Bonton Cafe, Antoines, Acme and Cochon? There is 12 of us and we want to have at least 2 "nice" dinners. Are there any other places that you would recommend? No restrictions on type of cuisine. Anyone been to Willie Mae's Scotch House? We definitely will be hitting up some live music venues. Are any of the numerous tours worth checking out?

This thread is great, keep the suggestions coming! Thanks all.

Went to John Besh's August last time I was there and it was amazing.

www.restaurantaugust.com

[Montana Moe]

Cochon is excellent, Antoine's is classic New Orleans, and Acme is more touristy. Not sure about Bonton, though I've heard good things.

I second Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, great place.

Captain Crunch speaks the truth. It's the San Francisco of the South, so be prepared, some of the gentlemen aren't forthcoming with their secrets...

[Sainters7]

I've been there once, but pretty much every suggestion I was going to make has already been mentioned, so I'll just leave it as have a great time.

I've been all over Canada/US(22 states so far) but I've never left the continent, so this is strictly speaking from a North American perspective. But New Orleans is the coolest city I've ever been to.

[zunie75]

Thanks guys, this has definatly been helpful.