<p>We’re thinking about doing a short getaway (I got bumped, so we have airfare) to New Orleans. My understanding is that the French Quarter is safe and fun.
Any hotel recommendations? Places to eat, drink and be merry?</p>
<p>Weirdos pawing at DH to lure us to go into places is not our notion of safe and fun. We marked the Quarter off our to-do list on day one of our 3 day vacation there. But, to each his own. Have fun but be aware.</p>
<p>This is a great place to stay, although not in downtown New Orleans:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.gardendistrictbedandbreakfast.com/[/url]”>http://www.gardendistrictbedandbreakfast.com/</a></p>
<p>There is a nice little neighborhood with restaurants and shops within easy walking distance. </p>
<p>The owner is a New Orleans native.</p>
<p>I’ve stayed at the Soniat House in the French Quater numerous times–haven’t been back since the flood. However, I recommended it to friends who were visiting their D at Tulane last fall and they reported that it was still a wonderful place. The owners are NOLA natives and extremely knowledgeable. </p>
<p><a href=“Soniat House”>Soniat House;
<p>Haven’t stayed here since Katrina, so I don’t know how safe the neighborhood feels, but look at:
[New</a> Orleans Hotels : New Orleans Hotel - French Quarter Hotels - Le Pavillon](<a href=“http://www.lepavillon.com/]New”>http://www.lepavillon.com/)
Beautiful, beautiful building. And as people rolled in from a night out, they had a man in the lobby in a tuxedo making peanut butter sandwiches and milk for a midnight snack. But even BK it was a good idea to take a cab the few blocks from the French Quarter to the hotel late at night.
When are you thinking of going? Mardi Gras is tomorrow, then Lent starts and there is much less revelry (except for tourists).
Hit the Aquarium of the Americas (on the river) and right next to it is a ferry across the river to Algiers. Free for pedestrians - you can get off or just ride back across. Cool, different view of the city.</p>
<p>DO NOT – I repeat, DO NOT–miss a visit to Cafe Du Monde for the most outrageous cafe au lait and beignets ever! </p>
<p>Also, take a trolley ride uptown and eat at Camellia Grill, past Audubon Park, right where the trolley turns. I believe it has re-opened since Katrina. Diner with linen napkins, waitstaff who have been there for a zillion years, and the best omelets you have ever tasted. It’s worth a wait, because there is usually a line.</p>
<p>Four-year regular visitor to NOLA here. (D is graduating in May … sniff.) </p>
<p>We avoid Mardi Gras due to the crowds. So if you’re heading down for those festivities I can’t help you. Otherwise …</p>
<p>NOLA is a wonderful place to visit because the city is compact, and you can get end-to-end using the Trolly system. Our family likes Bourbon street BEFORE eleven, usually after an early dinner on Johnny White’s balcony. Royal Street is worth walking, as is the riverfront. Beignets at Cafe du Monde is a rite of passage (go for the small order!). You can visit the Aquarium (downtown) or the zoo (uptown). Depending on your interests you can tour the cemetaries, visit the WWII museum, ride the riverboat, gamble at the Casino, or take a Ghost Tour. Magazine street is worth spending some time on IMO. Food is great almost everywhere. The ladies in the family love the Emeril’s restaurants. Me I’m a Bud’s Broiler Catfish Sandwich kind of guy. Bottom line: NOLA is much more than Bourbon Street.</p>
<p>fendrock made a good suggestion re: lodging. Our family has been with Maison St. Charles since before Katrina: [Maison</a> St. Charles New Orleans Hotel - New Orleans Garden District](<a href=“http://www.maisonstcharles.com/]Maison”>http://www.maisonstcharles.com/) It’s also in the Garden District, on the Trolly line, about 10 minutes from downtown. (Oh, an Emeril’s is across the street. I’m told the food is good.)</p>
<p>The Camellia Grill reopened? yyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Best burgers evah.<br>
I love the old school Antoines and the new school Nola. I had one of the most memorable meals at Nola 4 days before Katrina. I can still taste those fresh mango daquiries. I havent been back since, but my first big travel splurge after current “troubles” end will be New Orleans.</p>
<p>6 year visitor here. Love the city. I second the recommendation of Le Pavillon. We’ve also stayed at the Embassy Suites in the warehouse district - near the WWII/D Day Museum (both are great). The Camellia Grill is open and as wonderful as ever. We also love Dante’s Grill in the uptown neighborhood and strolling through Magazine Street for the interesting shops. If you take the ferry to Algiers - visit Mardi Gras World - it’s a great tour of the studio where the amazing parade floats are made. If your timing is good you can watch the artists at work. Catch some great music at Tipitinas or the Maple Leaf Bar or Preservation Hall.</p>
<p>We usually avoid Bourbon Street - but I actually like strolling there early in the morning just as the stores are opening (and after the street washers have gone through).</p>
<p>It’s a wonderful, unique city.</p>
<p>I was able to get a very nice hotel in the French Quarter (Marriott) through Priceline.
If you put in for a 4-star hotel in the French Quarter you may do very well.</p>
<p>Dinner at Commander’s Palace in the Garden District was superb–outstanding service and great food, albeit pricey. It was a real treat for my teenaged daughter and me.</p>
<p>I agree with Cafe du Monde - it’s a must.</p>
<p>There are also nice walking tours of the French Quarter available.</p>
<p>Camellia Grill = PECAN PIE!!!</p>
<p>For something completely different (if you have a car)–
<a href=“http://www.honeyislandswamp.com/[/url]”>http://www.honeyislandswamp.com/</a></p>
<p>This month’s Southern Living magazine just arrived, how could I have forgotten to mention Longue Vue house and gardens?
If you have more time and want an even more quitessential antebellum mansion, drive up the river to Oak Alley. When the hoop-skirted guides talk about how the “house boys” were required to whistle while they carried the food up from the detached kitchen, elbow your kids and whisper “so they couldn’t eat any of it”… and think to yourself “or spit in it”… Beautiful, beautiful home. Probably even better now than when built - the oaks are another 150 years old!</p>
<p>Haven’t been back since Katrina, so I don’t know how much is still there that we love, but our must do’s:</p>
<p>Cafe du Monde and beignets
Preservation Hall for jazz (pick a day you haven’t walked much, it’s all standing)
Antoine’s - for an old style New Orleans dinner
Mother’s - for incredible po boys - get the debris
the trolley for a relaxing architectural trip - see all the traditional N.O. house styles
Central Grocery for muffalettas</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go during Mardi Gras for anything, but since the big day’s tomorrow, I’m assuming you’ll miss the mess :-)</p>
<p>My son mentioned last night that he thinks it would be great to go to college in the New Orleans area. Hmmm, maybe a visit is in order.</p>
<p>I love New Orleans for a 2-3 day visit. You HAVE to go to Cafe DuMonte for the beignets every morning (be careful they expand after you’ve eaten them … don’t eat 6 at a time … although it’s a challenge to not eat that many). The free Jazz in the French Quarter is amazing … better than what we pay for in Boston … just walk aournd and pick the band most to your liking. Finally the food is amazing … dives or real restaurents it doesn’t matter … terrific. It does tend to be spicy … after 2-3 days my stomach was estatic but in constant churn. The French quarter is great for walking around and people watching also … I love NO and the French Quarter and I do not drink. A great 2-3 day trip.</p>
<p>N.O. is so cool that even a synagogue has jazz vespers. Yep, Jews gotta play the blues…</p>