Top TEN Things to do In NOLA.

[josephml1]

I will be there for 3 nights before my cruise in March...

Please let me know your opinions...
Also If you like you can add attractions, food and Jazz bars.

Thank you all.:):)

[steamboats]

1. Make a harbor cruise on the steamboat Natchez www.steamboatnatchez.com

attractions...

DDay Museum, Aquarium of the Americas + Zoo, Mardi Gras World, Katrina Tour, street car trip to the Garden District...

food, food, food,...

Muffaletta at Central Grocery, Beignets at Café Du Monde, Pralines at Aunt Sally, cooking class at New Orleans School of Cooking, gumbo/jambalya at Gumbo Shop, Pile of Debris at Mothers, Fried Oysters at Acme Oyster House

music...

step in and listen!

or simply: Laisser les bons temps ruler!

steamboats

[jgmpuma]

And after you have worked your way through Steamboats' list:

Spend an evening (or all night) bar-hopping at the music clubs on Frenchmen Street (just north of the French Quarter). Great local musicians. Small, if any, cover charge. Club listings are at www.offbeat.com

Take a tour of the St. Louis Cemeteries, the oldest in New Orleans. Close to the French Quarter, but not in the best part of the city, so it's not a good idea to take the tour alone. Many of the founding fathers of New Orleans are there. So is Marie Laveau. Scratch an "x" on her tomb for good luck.

The St. Charles streetcar is now open all the way to Carrollton. Get off at the end and have lunch at Camellia Grill, a local institution.

Ride the Canal Street ferry to Algiers. At the Algiers landing, look to the right and you will see Dry Dock Cafe, another nice place for lunch. Mardi Gras World is clase by, and has a shuttle from the Algiers landing.

If you like art, take the Canal Street streetcar down Canal to Carrollton and to the end of the Carrollton line. The New Orleans Museum Of Art is about a four-block walk from there.

Walk through Harrah's Casino. Even if you don't gamble, it is an interesting sight, with a Mardi Gras theme.

Read the thread about muffeletta sandwiches.

I don't care much for Bourbon Street, but it is something you have to see. Watch for pickpockets.

Or, as Steamboats suggests, just wing it.

[josephml1]

And after you have worked your way through Steamboats' list:

Spend an evening (or all night) bar-hopping at the music clubs on Frenchmen Street (just north of the French Quarter). Great local musicians. Small, if any, cover charge. Club listings are at www.offbeat.com (http://www.offbeat.com)

Take a tour of the St. Louis Cemeteries, the oldest in New Orleans. Close to the French Quarter, but not in the best part of the city, so it's not a good idea to take the tour alone. Many of the founding fathers of New Orleans are there. So is Marie Laveau. Scratch an "x" on her tomb for good luck.

The St. Charles streetcar is now open all the way to Carrollton. Get off at the end and have lunch at Camellia Grill, a local institution.

Ride the Canal Street ferry to Algiers. At the Algiers landing, look to the right and you will see Dry Dock Cafe, another nice place for lunch. Mardi Gras World is clase by, and has a shuttle from the Algiers landing.

If you like art, take the Canal Street streetcar down Canal to Carrollton and to the end of the Carrollton line. The New Orleans Museum Of Art is about a four-block walk from there.

Walk through Harrah's Casino. Even if you don't gamble, it is an interesting sight, with a Mardi Gras theme.

Read the thread about muffeletta sandwiches.

I don't care much for Bourbon Street, but it is something you have to see. Watch for pickpockets.

Or, as Steamboats suggests, just wing it.

Thank you that info is going to be very useful. :)

[josephml1]

Any other opinions???

[tessie40]

You can take the tour down to the plantations. A swamp tour is fun if you have never done that. The Aquarium is nice and it's on the edge of the quarter. Go to the IMAX and see Hurricane of the Bayou. That is part of the Aquarium. It's a must see to understand this region and hurriances and how they affect this area. Coastal erosion is a hugh problem of us and if corrected it can stop storms like Katrina from hurting us. I would see that then take the Katrina tour. It will give you perspective. I don't know if Chalmette Battlefield is open agian yet. Where Andrew Jackson fought the last battle of the Revolutionary War and there is a military cemetery there. Also the Ursiline Convent is in the quarter. These nuns are one of the oldest in the States. They have a garden and raise herbs for local resturants. Jackson Square has serveral museums in in. The Cabildo, the Presbytre and the 1850 house. Much history on the city and the state. One of the oldest apartement complexes surrounds the square, The Pontalba.

[josephml1]

:) [quote=tessie40;12831166]You can take the tour down to the plantations. A swamp tour is fun if you have never done that. quote]


About the swamp tour, do you know where i can get info about it and how much it cost?

Thank You Very Much.:)

[dpomes]

You can try this company: http://www.cajunprideswamptours.com/

[steamboats]

Gray Line New Orleans is offering several kind of tours

http://www.graylineneworleans.com/

Swamp tours, Katrina City Tours, Plantation Tours and more.

steamboats

[josephml1]

Excellent info about the tours...

Thank you for mention it:)

[map70065]

And after you have worked your way through Steamboats' list:

Take a tour of the St. Louis Cemeteries, the oldest in New Orleans. Close to the French Quarter, but not in the best part of the city, so it's not a good idea to take the tour alone. Many of the founding fathers of New Orleans are there. So is Marie Laveau. Scratch an "x" on her tomb for good luck.


I agree with everything except this - please don't deface the tomb. Marking the x's is an old wive's tale, and something that many organizations in New Orleans (including Save Our Cemeteries and the Tour Guide Association of New Orleans) have been fighting. This IS the Glapion family tomb and there are still family members around.

That being said. I'd encourage a cemetery tour - either St. Louis I (my favorite) close to the French Quarter or Lafayette in the Garden District. I'd also encourage a walking tour of the French Quarter - many different ones are offered. To get the feel of Mardi Gras (unless you're coming during Mardi Gras) I'd say either go to Mardi Gras World or the museum at the Presbytere (on Jackson Square)

The Mint is now open and has an exhibit about gold. The old Ursuline Convent is closed, but you can walk by it (it's the oldest building in the Mississippi River valley). The Chalmette battlefield is open, but was damaged by Katrina - only temporary building are open. The WWII museum is excellent - but be prepared to spend at least a couple hours, possibly more.

Best free things -
- the ferry ride across the river has already been mentioned. You can see Mardi Gras World while you're there if that's in your plans - you can get a bite to eat - or you can just ride the ferry over and back. No charge to walk on passengers and a great view of the riverside of the Quarter.
- tour of the Cathedral. Thurs & Fri afternoons between 1:30 - 3:30 guides are available to tell about the Cathedral - interesting even if you aren't religious because of the historical significance.
- wandering around the Quarter watching people, listening to music and enjoying life

I'd also second the swamp tour and/or plantation tour idea and seeing the IMAX show "Hurricane on the Bayou".

[josephml1]

I agree with everything except this - please don't deface the tomb. Marking the x's is an old wive's tale, and something that many organizations in New Orleans (including Save Our Cemeteries and the Tour Guide Association of New Orleans) have been fighting. This IS the Glapion family tomb and there are still family members around.

That being said. I'd encourage a cemetery tour - either St. Louis I (my favorite) close to the French Quarter or Lafayette in the Garden District. I'd also encourage a walking tour of the French Quarter - many different ones are offered. To get the feel of Mardi Gras (unless you're coming during Mardi Gras) I'd say either go to Mardi Gras World or the museum at the Presbytere (on Jackson Square)

The Mint is now open and has an exhibit about gold. The old Ursuline Convent is closed, but you can walk by it (it's the oldest building in the Mississippi River valley). The Chalmette battlefield is open, but was damaged by Katrina - only temporary building are open. The WWII museum is excellent - but be prepared to spend at least a couple hours, possibly more.

Best free things -
- the ferry ride across the river has already been mentioned. You can see Mardi Gras World while you're there if that's in your plans - you can get a bite to eat - or you can just ride the ferry over and back. No charge to walk on passengers and a great view of the riverside of the Quarter.
- tour of the Cathedral. Thurs & Fri afternoons between 1:30 - 3:30 guides are available to tell about the Cathedral - interesting even if you aren't religious because of the historical significance.
- wandering around the Quarter watching people, listening to music and enjoying life

I'd also second the swamp tour and/or plantation tour idea and seeing the IMAX show "Hurricane on the Bayou".

Thank you very much for a lot of good info I am taking notes. :)

[josephml1]

Please let me know your opinions about a good jazz bar and also a happy hour with good apetizers.

Thanks.

[MellowMel]

We did a walking ghost tour at night. It was fabulous and not at all campy. Here's the link: http://www.neworleanstours.net/cemetery-voodoo-ghost-vampire-tours/

We also like to hear jazz played in the famous Preservation Hall http://www.preservationhall.com/hall/index.htm .

Enjoy New Orleans!

[josephml1]

How hard is the parking on the street In downtown New orleans around the W hotel on poydras st???

Thank you all

[shunga]

Pretty difficult on a week day. Still not easy on a weekend. I'd look on the uptown side of Poydras, be patient, and have a fall-back plan.

[josephml1]

Pretty difficult on a week day. Still not easy on a weekend. I'd look on the uptown side of Poydras, be patient, and have a fall-back plan.

How about the parking lots, are they expensive?

One more question do you have pay to park in downtown NO?

[steamboats]

Joseph,

The answer to both questions is "yes"!

steamboats

[josephml1]

Joseph,

The answer to both questions is "yes"!

steamboats

I read something about you can park on the st on saturday and sunday free. But not sure. Any one have info about it?

[jgmpuma]

True, but good spots can be hard to find. Be careful of driveways, loading zones, fire hydrants, etc.

We park in the Harrah's Casino parking garages on Convention Center Boulevard, bum around all day, play the penny slots for 30 minutes and parking is free. Wins/losses pretty well average out.

[josephml1]

True, but good spots can be hard to find. Be careful of driveways, loading zones, fire hydrants, etc.

We park in the Harrah's Casino parking garages on Convention Center Boulevard, bum around all day, play the penny slots for 30 minutes and parking is free. Wins/losses pretty well average out.

For playing at the harrahs the parking will be free for the entire day??? Or just a few hours? Thanks.

[jgmpuma]

24 hours. It is covered and protected.

[josephml1]

24 hours. It is covered and protected.

Excellent. Definitive I wil park at the harrahs, I am not a big gammbler but half hour is not so much for free parking.:)

[jgmpuma]

You have to join their Player's Club and play on the card for the 30 minutes. We play the penny slots near the Canal Street entrance. There is a little kiosk at the other end near the tunnel between the garage and the casino where they stamp your parking ticket.

[map70065]

For some reason when I go to Harrah's for the free parking I end up paying more than I would in a lot - and I always loose a few hours. I guess I just need more self control :o

[jgmpuma]

Us too. I guess that's how they pay for the garage.

[rhecker]

you can park free on the weekends but I beleive it is only after 6 p.m. Almost impossible to find a spot on Saturdays

[swscruiser]

Try a horse drawn carriage ride at night. We did this and it was awesome.

Keith

[spleenstomper]

My Dh and DS just did a walking Ghost Tour of the French Quarter. They both really enjoyed it!

[1frayfan]

Thanks for the great links....we may look into the swamp tours a little more!

[shilynn]

Make sure to visit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. It is an amazing building built sometime before 1772. They say it was once owned by Jean Lafitte the pirate. It’s a small structure but big on atmosphere. Nice place to stop on a hot afternoon for a cold drink.

[nowfe3]

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is located across the street from the Dday Museum and the port terminal. There are awesome exhibits and every Thursday Night there is a musical performance with fantastic musicians, bars, and the exhibits are open during the performance. You will have a blast and get a taste of what the south is all about! Check out www.ogdenmuseum.org (http://www.ogdenmuseum.org) to see what's going on!

[S&Skruzers]

www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com (http://www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com) Make reservations! Great food, great entertainment :) Kevin Belton was our chef and we're def. going back again :)

[Northern Bear]

I read you can catch the Steetcar at Canal St and ride it through the Garden District to the end of the line, then get off at Washington on the way back to see the Garden district.

If doing this, when you get to the end of the line do you have to get off and pay again?

Does the driver just move from one end to the other or does the car spin around?

Thx!

[jgmpuma]

After about 70 blocks from Canal Street, the streetcar makes a right turn onto Carrollton Avenue. and there isn't a whole lot to see after this. You can ride a few blocks more, get off, and board the next streetcar going back towards Canal.

If you ride all the way to the end, everyone gets off and the operator flips the seat backs in the other direction, reattaches the electrical supply hook and goes back the other way.

[Katink]

Thanks to Northern Bear for the "bump" of this thread. We'll be in New Orleans for 5 days prior to our 2/24/13 cruise on the Star. I can already see we won't have enough time to do everything.

Just a question - is a swamp/bayou tour do-able in February or are all the critters hibernating and the foliage dormant? Or would our $$$ be better spent elsewhere?

TIA.
Katink

[smurfm69]

1. eat
2. drink
3. eat
4. drink
5. eat
6. drink
7. eat
8. drink
9. eat
10. drink
Lots of amazingly great food down here and lots of places offering yummy alcoholic beverages. :D

[smurfm69]

All joking aside, all of the suggestions on here are spot on as things not to be missed. You will find the people down here to be very down to Earth and friendly. Eat, drink, have fun and come back again.

[lsu2fan]

[quote=map70065;12958383] The Chalmette battlefield is open, but was damaged by Katrina - only temporary building are open.

The temporary center is gone as it has been replaced with a new visitor center. We visited the battlefield this past 4th of July and the new exhibits are impressive. For all visitors and locals alike, it's a great attraction.

Jorge