New Orleans

[noob]

1) keep in mind, Essence Fest is going on this weekend. so there will be crowds, the hotels are booked.
2) the ghost tours are ok, but it's the summer and HOT. i was sweating like crazy when i went a few years ago during the summer. they just tell you stories about what happened outside the buildings in the Quarter.

 

[Cat]

Thanks guys. Depending on this week it may be postponed.

 

[XD-GEM]

St. Louis Cemetery #1 on Basin street is very interesting. It is the final resting place of Marie LeVeau, the voodoo queen; also mayor Dutch Morial; also Homer Plessy of the "Plessy v. Fergusen" Supreme Court case; also if you go all the way to the back on the left, you will find my ancestors who have been buried there for about 200 years. the rest of their plot is unused because most of the folks in that branch of the family moved away.

Another interesting cemetery is Lakelawn Metairie. It is next to I-10 and is a very safe place in the daytime (at night the vampires come out ). There are many historic figures buried there among some quite elaborate tombs. popeye's founder Al Copelland and international chess champion Paul Morphy are here. Stop at the office and they'll give you a map of historic tombs. This was a horseracing track until the Civil War when it was turned into a cemetery. The back part of it is laid out around the old track which is now part of the road.

If your friend is really into historical photographs, don't miss the Historic New Orleans Collection in the quarter. It's free or low cost and has some amazing old stuff.

Another interesting photo op is the Botanical Gardens in City Park, near the Museum of Art - you can do both in one trip and there is also an outdoor sculpture garden next to the museum. Also the Cabildo museum used to have a huge collection of ball gowns from the various Mardi Gras balls of years past - I'm not sure if they still have this, but you can ask.

 

[Poopshooter]

New Orleans Original Garden District Walking Tour
Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour
New Orleans Cemetery and Gris-Gris Tour
Oak Alley Plantation Tour

If that aint good enough hit me up and I'll take her mud ridding.

 

[LACamper]

add a +1 to the armed escort (unless you're carrying...) to touring the quarter. Its fairly safe, don't get me wrong, but every once in a while someone will decide you look like an easy victim. Sometimes its just a con (where you got dem shoes...). Sometimes a planned purse snatching, sometimes worse. Having a pistol along just makes sense if you're not in a large group.

One other idea. Take the ferry ride across the river from next to Jax Brewery. You can get some incredible long distance photos of the city scape, Jackson Square, etc. from the levees next to the ferry landing. Neat houses along there too. There's a sandwich shop there that's excellent (I can't remember the name but PM Gbundersea and he'll tell you- I think #1bambam probably knows too).
Check out Masperro's also... Good cheap food, nice place to sit, drink and people watch. Its on Decatur just past Jackson Square.

 

[Cat]

I will be carrying in a holster. I always purse carry but I will not there.

 

[gonepecan]

Another +1 on the Historic New Orleans Collection. The exhibit is free, but a tour costs money. That's at 533 Royal if I'm not mistaken.

Maspero's is very good and cheap. Expect a line though. Same thing goes for Port of Call, but on a weekend, you'd probably wait longer.

The Cabildo has a ridiculous amount of old Louisiana artifacts. The Presbytere has all the Mardi Gras costumes and historical info. Both are $5 or $6 a person. You can get a discount if you do more than one museum.

Madame John's Legacy used to be free, but the state just closed it recently for budget cutbacks.

The 1850 House in the Pontalba Apartments offers self guided tours of their Pontalba unit. I think a ticket is $2 or $3.

Not sure if it's still there, but there was a very nice photograph display at the Williams Research Center. This is also free. Upstairs is a research facility where you can research and see almost anything you want as it regards to NOLA history.

Good call on holster carry. They've been snatching purses and iPhones like crazy lately. Have fun!

 

[blackened1313]

Mandina's Rest on Canal street is my personal favorite. No matter where you go, stay on the main streets and you will be fine, dont drink the hurricanes and if the popo asks you to do something, comply.

 

[blackened1313]

Nevermind, Essense festival is this weekend, stay in your house and lock the doors.

 

[Zip7]

Nevermind, Essense festival is this weekend, stay in your house and lock the doors.

My choice for restaurants: Irene's Cuisine in the Quarter, and Jacques Imo's on Oak St. Jacques Imo's is the perfect place to take someone from out of town, but go there as soon as they open.

+1 on Cafe Maspero and Mandina's

 

[gonepecan]

Irene's is awesome. We waited over an hour for a table, but they have, without a doubt, the BEST meatballs ever. Great ambiance and food all around.

The Essence crowds are annoying, but the Bayou Classic crowds are much, much worse.

 

[leVieux]

We live near the Quarter and my Family lived in the Quarter for decades. I lived on Basin St. years ago.
Captain Bunch has given you the best advice here.
Beware "Essence"; the revelers go crazy and are more dangerous than Mardi Gras. I would limit Quarter visits to immediate area around Jackson Square AND go very early in the Morning; be out by 11:00AM. Recommend "Place D'Armes Valentino Hotel on St Anne St.
Magazine St. is OK, but stay on Magazine. Mandina's is good for visitors, but, crowded & noisy unless you go very early (3800 Canal / no credit cards). Leave purses home. Guard cellphones.
Check with Brannon @ "NolaTac".
leVieux
leVieux

 

[XD-GEM]

BTW, Mandina's is cash only.

 

[gonepecan]

BTW, Mandina's is cash only.

As is Cafe Maspero.

 

[jmcrawf1]

A restaurant thats awesome, but never mentioned is Oceana. It's on a side street off bourbon. I think Conti but im not sure.

They have better bar b que shrimp than Pascals Manale

 

[70116]

captainbunch and XD-GEM have given you good advice.

We live in the lower quarter (Gov Nicholls) and my wife NEVER carries a purse. She keeps her stuff in a small fanny pack.

Holster carry, use don't walk while talking on your cell phone, you situational awareness goes away, just like driving while using a cell.

Hotels that have parking include Place D'Arms, which LeVieux recommended and many of our friends have stayed at and recommend as well. I'ts also in a near perfect location. Have a breakfast at the Royal Street Deli, a half block from the hotel.

 

[EJAIII]

You need to take her on a buggy ride in the Quater. Some of the guys who ride you around take you past the historic buildings /homes /bars and will give you some of the history behind the buildings. She'll enjoy the ride in the evening, and it's safe.

 

[XD-GEM]

You need to take her on a buggy ride in the Quater. Some of the guys who ride you around take you past the historic buildings /homes /bars and will give you some of the history behind the buildings. She'll enjoy the ride in the evening, and it's safe.

But it will cost $60.

 

[glimmerman]

But it will cost $60.

NO PROBLEM for Cat!!!!!!! She LOVES HER CASH COW!!!!!!!!

 

[oleheat]

Try and convince her that Natchez is a lot nicer.