One great, but informal place that should not be missed is Mothers!
@lizardly - check out their menus online and see what you can see. I was at Brennan’s last spring and it was excellent. I haven’t been to Galatoire’s in forever so I can’t help you there.
@deb922 I tagged along with my H on a 3 day long business trip and had pretty much all days on my own (we’d meet up for dinner at night). I have to say I had the best time ever exploring on my own! I did a bit of reading on tripadvisor dot com to find some dining recommendations (nothing expensive but everything delicious) and did a bit of research on what I wanted to see/do. Enjoy your trip!
@deb922 I really enjoyed the walking tour of the French Quarter that the National Park Service conducts. You can find information online. I also went on an architectural tour where we went to see Longue Vue house/gardens and St. Louis Cemetery. Did another tour of a planation outside of NOLA called Oak Alley Plantation. Don’t remember the tour company names–I arranged it through the hotel where we stayed (Windsor Court). All of the tours were great–tour guides were knowledgeable and personable.
Do get a day pass for the bus/streetcar. I did this to go to a function at the Hilton Riverside after I had parked downtown. Best thing to do is ride the streetcar down St. Charles Avenue. Beautiful homes, and the decorations should be up. Definitely go to The Roosevelt for the decorations. Gorgeous! The St. Louis Cathedral is on Jackson Square, so be sure to enjoy that area as well. The Cabildo is nearby, too, gorgeous architecture. Stroll from Jackson Square to Royal Street, where you can window shop the art galleries and antique stores. You will enjoy some wonderful street musicians. Keep an eye out for the Japanese violinist and African-American guitarist. They are awesome, talented young ladies! I have seen them by the Omni Royal Orleans, corner of St. Louis and Royal. Got to K-Paul’s to eat. So delicious! Sadly, we lost him this year, but the restaurant is fantastic. Antoines and Brennans are nearby as well, if you can get a reservation. Mid City is a great area, and you will pass through it on the way tot he cemeteries. Parkway Bakery is a great po-boy place. Katie’s in Mid-City, just off the Canal Street streetcar is awesome! Enjoy your stay!
I just got back from New Orleans last night. Had a great time but I picked up a cold and lost my voice! I always like to come back and report how things went and I appreciate every person who offered advice.
Firstly, I am not a partier (I’m more of a one cocktail person). And secondly I was by myself most of the time. My H saw the hotel and the office he was working at. We ate late dinners together but he saw very little of the city.
Tours I took: Plantation tour by gray line tours. This was an all day tour and they go to 3 plantations, Whitney, Laura and Oak Alley. You have to pick 2 and I picked Whitney and Oak Alley (there is a restaurant at Oak Alley, no restaurant facilities at the other 2). Whitney plantation is by guided tour only and they say it is the only museum dedicated to American slavery in the US. It was powerful and the best thing I did. I had a great tour guide who really brought slavery to light. Oak Alley was nice and beautiful but in the end it was a beautiful house where they have shot many movies, including Forest Gump. But Whitney was great and a highlight. The other thing was that I had a nice tour group, I’m not sure if it was because Whitney was so powerful and moving but everyone on the tour connected.
I did a food tour, it was nice. I was not feeling well this day so I don’t know what it was but things were a bit off. The tour guide was good. The group included younger couples who decided to drink a lot and they got pretty disruptive. Also I hadn’t had much to eat and was still hungry after the tour. It said that it would be a heavy lunch but to me it wasn’t. I am not a big eater.
I also did the free tour put on by the park service. Very nice and it was free. I did not tip the guide and maybe should have but we have a national park near us and they won’t take tips so I assumed the same. One tip, they accept 25 on this tour, they give tickets out at 9 am and the tour starts at 9:30. I showed up at 8:50 and there were 10 people in line already. This was a Tuesday in the middle of December. Just FYI.
Boy this is getting long, sorry.
Went to the world war 2 museum. I might be on museum overload so it might be me but it was just ok. After the museum, I took the green streetcar to the garden district and that was a highlight. Oh my, I just walked around and looked at the beautiful houses that were decorated for Christmas. Loved it.
Went to church Sunday morning at the St. Louis cathedral. Very nice, beautiful church, it was actually a nice thing to do. I took the canal streetcar to the cemetery, the streetcar were a great cheap thing to do.
Places I ate, and I was mostly alone and it was not a problem. Cafe du monde, because you have to. Hermes bar at Antoine’s, you can order off the menu in the bar. Drago’s because it in the hotel, I had the lobster Mac and cheese. Commanders Palace, really really nice. I wore gray jeans and I was fine and saw other tourists in jeans. I was put in a dining room and the other diners were locals and they were dressed up. But I was not treated any different. Had the bread pudding for dessert, you must order this if you like bread pudding. I also ate at Emeril’s. Best meal, best service of the entire trip. Wow is all I can say. They sat me at the food bar looking over the kitchen. Fun
One tip for eating at the nicer restaurants is to go for lunch. Emeril’s had a 3 course lunch special for 22.50. It was too much food but a really good value. Most restaurants had lunch specials like this, they were a great deal.
So if you are still with me lol, I just want to say one thing. The people of New Orleans were the best. Everyone was polite and friendly. Loved my visit.
Oh, I am so happy you enjoyed your visit! And thank you so much for the tips. I would love to do the plantation tours. Also would love to eat at Emerils. So glad you did the streetcar and enjoyed it. Thank you for posting and sharing with us, and I’m glad you were treated to some Southern hospitality!
Lunch specials are pretty common and a good way to try some of the more upscale spots.
I’ve never been to Emeril’s. Went to Nola (another of Emeril’s restaurants) last time I was there and it was wonderful.
Whitney Plantation is definitely on my list. I know a number of people who have gone and all were impressed.
What is the best way to the city from the airport?
Cab is the best deal for more than one person. It’s $36 fixed rate for 1-2 people. 3 or more people are $15 each. The shuttle is $24/person.
Uber isn’t allowed to pick up at the airport.
My D and I will be in New Orleans for an audition at Loyola next weekend (end of January). Any recommendations for the best Parades and contemporary (Pop/R&B/Neo-Soul) music at venues that allow teenagers? Great tips for lunch at the more well known restaurants in this thread! Had dinner years and years ago at NOLA and fell in love with it. Also any tips on specific music spots on Frenchman Street? Bourbon Street might be cool to walk down for a few blocks but don’t want that to be the only happening spot we visit while in town. Thanks for any suggestions!