Going to New Orleans / French Quarter

I have been to NOLA about 500+ times. Used to live in Thibadeaux. Worked for numerous companies with satellite offices there. Used to have relatives in the area. Still have lots of friends in area.

Watch your wallet. Pickpocketing is big in the city. Put it in your front pocket and keep your hand over it. Watch out for hustlers too.

Unless you are "alternative lifestyle" don't go too far down Bourbon Street. There are some scary parts down there.

There are tons of good restaurants. Emrils is a city classic and he has a couple other restaurants in the city. The tasting menu at Emril's main restaurant is excellent. Commanders, Court of 2 Sisters, Brennan's, Arnaud's, Redfish Grill ... all NOLA institutions. I think a bunch of them are over-rated. Commanders' Palace does have a great brunch.

I like more of the "off the beaten path" places. One of my favorites to go to is down canal towards the park called Mandina's. It is a neighborhood restaurant with just good food. IT IS CASH ONLY.

There are places out around Kenner that are really good too. There is a place called Fisherman's cove that is off Power about a block or two north of 10. They have great fried seafood like oysters and soft shell crabs and shrimp.

A friend of mine who lives in NOLA says The Gallery in Old Metarie is the best boiled seafood.

You have to go to Cafe Du Monde down in the quarter near the riverfront. You have to have Chickory Coffee and Bengiets or however you spell that. It is messy but those powdered sugar things taste pretty good. And its cheap.

Irene's, Stellas, Clancy's, Lilette - recommended by a friend of mine in the city THIS MORNING.

Parkway Bakery and Domilese have the best Po Boys.

As for bars, no matter where you go on the trip, you have to stop by Pat O'Brian's. I don't like the Hurricanes. But the ambience out by the flaming fountains is kind of cool.

Strip joints - there are lots on Bourbon street. I dont care for them. There is a bar with some fake legs swinging out through a window. Those were there when I was like 4 (nearly 50 years ago).

Chris Owen's is still out there performing every night. She has to be 300 years old now. I saw her 20 or so years ago. She was 280 then.

Absinte house has been around forever. Nothing special about it but being old.

My friend who recommended Irene's says Maple LEaf and Tipitnas have the best live music.

Swamp boat tours, a ride on the mississippi on a paddle wheel, a trip up to the old plantations... all interesting - though long.

I am not much on antiques, but there are tons of places in the quarter that have old stuff, including a place with old military stuff that is always fun to browse through.

Just my 2c.

I have been there like 500+++ times. Maybe many more. I know the town by heart.

watery bottoms sounds like a digestive issue.

Definitely, definitely... Pat O'Briens - home of the Hurricane and incredibly talented and entertaining dualing piano bar. This is a great time especially for musicians!!

You'll find some incredible musicians on the street corners playing saxophone, etc. or just walking by a no-name club and hearing some incredible band...

Oh, and eat at Mother's - home of the original Po' Boy sandwich. And as Space Cowboy mentioned, Cafe Du Monde is also a must for the Bengiets (sp?)

If you're not on a tight budget, eat at NOLA's (Emeril's restaurant) - not cheap but worth it!! But you can also get some awesome gumbo, crawfish, etc, at some of the hole-in-the-wall places.

I've been a few times, but it's been a while (pre-Katrina) - so I'll add the disclaimer that I'm not sure all of these places have re-opened. Man, this is making me want to go back!

And a word of advice from experience - don't urinate on the street. They don't like that...

Dave

www.soundclick.com/steakbone

Space_cowboy -

Someone warned about the "I bet I know where you got your shoes" con? Do they really do that? (I've been there several times, but never had anyone try it.)

[After you agree to the bet they say "You got your shoes on your feet on Bourbon street."

The best reply I can think of is to say "These aren't my shoes."

Anyway, don't take that bet.]

Thanks space and everyone! Appreciate the tips. Keep 'em coming!

Cheers,
Ed

you are right. should have done a smell check.

ORIGINAL: Geokauf

I have been there like 500+++ times. Maybe many more. I know the town by heart.

Hello,

But you don't know how to spell "Biegnets."

GK

I won't necessarily claim it to be a must-see (and depending on your age), but the old cemetery where Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper had their acid-trip with the hookers in the movie "Easy Rider". Or was this cemetery a casualty of the Katrina flood?

20+ years since I been there. One highlight for me was the little bar that served a dozen oysters and a Budweiser for $1.50. Went there everyday during my trip. Probably long gone by now.