New Orleans - What to do?

[Table 5]

I'm heading down to New Orleans for a few days for the first time, and I realized I have no idea what to do once I get there. I'm going to be there during Jazz Fest, which should be pretty fun, but outside of that, I have no idea.

Anyone have any suggestions on things to do, and where to eat? There's gotta be some good eats in that city. I'm going to be staying pretty close (or maybe even in) the French Quarter.

[Thor]

According to Treme, bourbon street is a commercial souless version of NO, so find locals and ask them where to go, also tip well and be nice to street performers; these people really could use a little money.

[algernon]

ALWAYS take a cab when outside of the french quarter at night (we stayed at the W Hotel, and decided to walk the 4 blocks home from the French Quarter,oops).

Eat a fried oyster po'boy at Mothers, visit Pat O'Briens and have a Hurricane and get a picture. Have a beer at the oldest bar in America (an old Blacksmithing shop in the French Quarter. Visit the market North of the 'Quarter and have too many shooters at Ratatouuie on Bourbon St or whatever it's called...

Pretty much did the soulless 3 day thing while there.lol.

[Kipper is King]

Listen to live jazz. That would be amazing!

[Madman]

Was just there last week and also made a trip down in October. (gotta love business trips)

For sure go to John Lafitte's, (the oldest bar in the US), along with Pat O'Briens, (don't OD on the Hurricanes, they are made with pure evil).

For food this time down I went to Arnaud's, (very cool old restaurant with great food), and the next night I visited August, which was amazing.

If you are looking for a smaller bar visit a very cool place called "Touche" on Royal street. Arnold the bartender will take very good care of you and he makes a mean dirty martini.

[Locke]

Learn to Scuba?

[Sainters7]

Go to Patty O'Brien's on Bourbon St and get yourself a Hurricane, its a scene. Like 5 shots in one drink, and oh so tasty.

Go to Emeril's, its just a few blocks from the Superdome, I think just off of Julia St. Emeril actually cooks there quite a bit, and several prominent Saints(Payton, Bush, Brees) frequent it occasionally.

See if you can take a fan boat tour of the bayou swamps. I didn't do it when I was there because we didn't have time, but its supposed to be good. It's gator infested. Here's a link of a guy a few people I talked to went through: http://www.airboatadventuresllc.com/

I've never left the continent so this is just from a North American perspective, but New Orleans is the coolest city I've ever been to.

[dissentowner]

Go to Johnny's, they are famous for their Po'Boys. Of course Patty O'Brians is a must. You can also get a Hand Grenade at Tropical Isle that comes in a real funky glass you can keep. Go to the Aquarium as well, it is awesome and it is pretty cool to hear about how much of it was destroyed during Katrina and rebuilt. Cafe Du Monde in the french market is a must too if you like coffee! The swamp tour mentioned above is cool, been a couple times but last year was not as fun as Louisiana made a law where you can't feed the gators anymore from the boat, boo! I go there almost every year for a week or two, it is like my home away from home. Have fun and unless you are with a tour stay the hell away from the 9th ward!

[Mad Mel]

Originally Posted by Locke

Learn to Scuba?

I don't wanna swim.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

I don't wanna swim.

My memory is muddy, what's this river that I'm in?

[Pastiche]

Originally Posted by Thor

According to Treme, bourbon street is a commercial souless version of NO, so find locals and ask them where to go, also tip well and be nice to street performers; these people really could use a little money.

LOL, I was going to post the exact same thing.

[Traditional_Ale]

Get down with a Vampire do some V.

[Bunk]

Here's a great phototour of some of the major sites:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=180374

[Jayems]

If you can, go out into the bayous and do some alligator tours. I enjoyed that as well as going on one of them boats with the big fans on the back and you just haul ass around the swamps. The name of the dumb thing escapes me right now.

Mind you, I was there pre-Katrina, so I'm not sure what isn't there any more.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by Redliner

My memory is muddy, what's this river that I'm in?

Bourbon blues on the street loose and complete, under skies all smoky blue-green. I can foresake the dixie dead shake, so we dance the sidewalk clean

[FlamesAddiction]

I know 3 guys who went down to New Orleans and got crabs at Mardi Gras. Not sure what your schedule is like though.

[MoneyGuy]

We were in New Orleans about this time last year. It was great. You'll have a great time. The French Quarter is very walkable, so hoof it all over. I recommend a Katrina tour. They'll take you into the devastated areas. We did a plantation tour. It's nice to get out of the city and see the countryside and visit some old plantations. Get into the jazz clubs, which are all over. Their graves are above ground; go visit at least one of these old cemetaries. I'd do a walking tour of the FQ.

Above all, the Jazz Fest is the best time to be there; we went to lots of events. It's free and the music is great. I fell in love with zydaco (not sure how to spell it) music. I could sit there all day and watch those people do their local dances. We went from stage to stage all day long to enjoy the music.

See if you can find a river boat cruise. We did that, but on a cruise ship because our cruise left NO for the Caribbean. I thought we must be close to the gulf but it took several hours for the ship to get into the gulf.

Ha, funny story: I was watching this local band play at Jazz Fest. They were great musicians. They had this rather large boy (about 17) who was playing a washboard. I was thinking that they had this great band and this no-talent buy playing washboard. I was not impressed. Then he reached behind himself and grabbed his trumpet. Man, that guy could play. The city is filled with talent like that. Enjoy it.

[fundmark19]

Eat alligator jumbalia so good!

[arsenal]

D-Day Museum is good as well. It's on magazine street (south?) of the French Quarter.
Cafe Du Monde is amazing. You have to get a hurricane at pat o'brians and take a picture with the fire fountain. The aquarium is really cool as well. Mind you, i saw all these things a few years before Katrina, so i am not exactly sure what all is left.

Harrah's is pretty fun as well.

[Jayems]

Yeah, I forgot we went to D-Day museum. Nice. I'd recommend that too.