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Expert
Posts: 1561
  
Location: North of where I want to be | My SO has never flown nor been out side the PA/OH area other than Ocean City. He decided he wants to go to New Orleans.
Any advise on:
-Areas to stay
-When to go...not going for Mardi Gras!
-Places to see & things to do.
We are both huge music fans!
Thanks in advance.
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
  
| If you like the music, go during the Jazz festival. Not sure when it is but can find out from my cousin. She goes. |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Internet says Apr 25-28 and Weekend of May 5 |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | best piece of advice.
Try not to get dead
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 Popped
Posts: 20421
Location: LuluLand~along I64 Indiana | dont go during southern decadence... usually labor day weekend.
Take the trolly ride
Go see the cathedral
Enjoy the eats.
We stayed at hotel monteleone. it was really neat hotel with a great spa service. it has a carosel bar inside and a rooftop pool. We used the spa service instead of the pool because tropical storm lee came through the same weekend as southern decadence. We had a great time and I never felt like staying alive was going to be a problem.
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SHOOT IT
Posts: 1170
Location: TEXAS | The only advice that was given to me when I went was 'watch where you step'. If it looks wet, don't assume it's rain water.
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 Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
Location: LA Lower Alabama | Go see the plantation houses with the mini shows/ skits |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| Steamboat Cruise is very cool, we did the Creole Queen, but there is also the Natchez
The Aquarium is very nice and a good way to spend some time
Try the cafe du monde beignets (hint: get them from the to-go window on the far side and eat them in the park, the line is shorter)
Pat OBriens to try the hurricanes (the front bar isn't near as crowded as the main area) Also the "rainstorm" drink is better 
I really enjoyed just walking around during the day seeing all the bars... the bourbon street night scene is NOT my thing.
EAT ALL THE GOOD FOODS! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| Def do a plantation tour. Check out the french quarter. So much history to take in. You'll truly feel like you are in another country. Just be aware of your surroundings especially in late evenings and at night. The aquarium is cool too and I hear the zoo is good! |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
Location: North of where I want to be | "don't get dead' LMAO
That's the exact advise a friend gave me.
Anyone Air B& B while there?
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 974
Location: USA | A lot of big cities have crime - it’s par for the score. With that being said, where are y’all planning on staying? The French Quarter has several nice hotels - the closer you are to Canal St. and the river, the better you are. How long are y’all going for? What are some things that you definitely want to see?
Regarding restaurants, tell me what you like and don’t like - I can tell you which places to eat at.
There aren’t any plantation homes in the city - they’re on the outskirts. Some close ones are in Destrehan, LA which is about 20 minutes from the city. There’s Ormond Plantation and Destrehan Plantation, and I think Destrehan Plantation is where some scenes from Interview with a Vampire were filmed. The guided tours are a lot of fun as are the carriage rides. Bourbon isn’t for everyone and it’s way more tame during the day. August is a good time to go because it’s no longer tourist season so it’s not crowded.
Preservation Hall is a jazz venue that’s been around for over 50 years. Pat O’s has live music in their courtyard - careful if you drink a hurricane.... they’re more potent than they taste.
Let me know if you have any questions, and seriously, I’ll tell you all the good places to eat.
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | I grew up in Louisiana. NewOrleans is a dangerous dump. Bourbon street is a filthy nasty urine drenched dump for sure. I would travel to a safer cleaner place if I were you. You are wasting your money! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 974
Location: USA | angelica - 2018-12-23 10:56 AM I grew up in Louisiana. NewOrleans is a dangerous dump. Bourbon street is a filthy nasty urine drenched dump for sure. I would travel to a safer cleaner place if I were you. You are wasting your money!
Hmm... that must be why it’s always in the top 20 cities to visit in the US.
By the way, where in LA are you from? |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
Location: North of where I want to be | I think we are planning for May or June, we can't confirm until after Jan 1 due to vacation approvals. We plan to stay a week. We would like to see the plantations and the old cemetaries. We are both music & history buffs. Neither of us care for the crazy club scenes that's why Mardi Gras is out. |
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Veteran
Posts: 160
| GO TO THE ZOO AND AQUARIUM!
Eat in the Business or Garden Districts
The French Quarter and Jackson Square can be a bit of a tourist trap as far as shopping and food go, if you don't know where to look, but if you've never been, still go.
Oak Alley Plantation is about 45 minutes outside of NOLA and is probably my favorite place on earth.
I'm no help as to where to stay since we usually just drive in. I know the Mandeville area is very nice and an easy drive to the city.
Lock your doors, watch your back, and stand up for yourself and you'll be fine! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | KRJ1791 - 2018-12-22 11:22 AM "don't get dead' LMAO
That's the exact advise a friend gave me.
Anyone Air B& B while there?
I was just there during Halloween for 5 days & we stayed in an Air BNB which was great! I can PM the info if you'd like! It was a bit away from the quarter maybe 15 minutes. Closer to Tulane University.
For partying-Bourban St (be careful not to wonder too far on random lonely streets. We had zero issues & did wonder off, but still)
For music partying-Frenchmans St
Shopping-Magazine St-it's newer up & coming also Canal St right next to the quarter.
you HAVE to go to Ruby Slippers for breakfast
Do a tour of the Bayou! We got to see a few alligators and even hold a jouvenile gator. |
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Expert
Posts: 1956
Location: Ky | It's been almost 7 years since we went to NO for the SEC tourney and then back for the FF. We loved it. Stayed close to Bourbon St the first time. Right on Bourbon St the second time.
Yeah, it's dirty and it has a distinctive odor but it was fun. Breakfast at Mom's every morning. Cafe Dumonde every night before bed. Food was great everywhere. Don't miss having a Hand Grenade on Bourbon St. Try to have only one per day. They will kick ass!!
We have a group of 10 that we attend the SEC with every year. We pretty much stick together so that makes it more safe.
But I was never concerned for safety either time in NO. We will go back one day.
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | horseshorseshorses - 2018-12-24 9:28 AM
GO TO THE ZOO AND AQUARIUM!
Eat in the Business or Garden Districts
The French Quarter and Jackson Square can be a bit of a tourist trap as far as shopping and food go, if you don't know where to look, but if you've never been, still go.
Oak Alley Plantation is about 45 minutes outside of NOLA and is probably my favorite place on earth.
I'm no help as to where to stay since we usually just drive in. I know the Mandeville area is very nice and an easy drive to the city.
Lock your doors, watch your back, and stand up for yourself and you'll be fine!
Was just looking at Oak Alley Plantation in an antebellum garden book of Chan's---what a gorgeous place. I'd love to visit there |
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 boon
Posts: 3
Location: Louisiana | I live in La. and we visit New Orleans 3-4 times a year to shop and enjoy all that New Orleans has to offer. As mentioned: Monteleone Hotel is where we always stay. Visit Aquarium, Café du Monde, Pat O'Brien's, the Ghost tour is great (they have many tours, your hotel can help you find them). Someone mentioned Halloween...that is our favorite time to go! Food will be good anywhere you go. Antoine's Restaurant is great opened in the 1840's. If you love antiques and art...you will LOVE it! |
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Veteran
Posts: 160
| Chandler's Mom - 2018-12-24 9:23 PM
horseshorseshorses - 2018-12-24 9:28 AM
GO TO THE ZOO AND AQUARIUM!
Eat in the Business or Garden Districts
The French Quarter and Jackson Square can be a bit of a tourist trap as far as shopping and food go, if you don't know where to look, but if you've never been, still go.
Oak Alley Plantation is about 45 minutes outside of NOLA and is probably my favorite place on earth.
I'm no help as to where to stay since we usually just drive in. I know the Mandeville area is very nice and an easy drive to the city.
Lock your doors, watch your back, and stand up for yourself and you'll be fine!
Was just looking at Oak Alley Plantation in an antebellum garden book of Chan's---what a gorgeous place. I'd love to visit there
It's even more beautiful in person! |
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Veteran
Posts: 160
| Cafe Du Monde tip: It's self seating! You don't have to wait in line to be sat, if you see an empty table, snag it! |
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 Expert
Posts: 3104
Location: Arkansas | The zoo and aquarium |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| Dreamingofcans - 2018-12-23 5:25 AM
A lot of big cities have crime - it’s par for the score. With that being said, where are y’all planning on staying? The French Quarter has several nice hotels - the closer you are to Canal St. and the river, the better you are. How long are y’all going for? What are some things that you definitely want to see?
Regarding restaurants, tell me what you like and don’t like - I can tell you which places to eat at.
There aren’t any plantation homes in the city - they’re on the outskirts. Some close ones are in Destrehan, LA which is about 20 minutes from the city. There’s Ormond Plantation and Destrehan Plantation, and I think Destrehan Plantation is where some scenes from Interview with a Vampire were filmed. The guided tours are a lot of fun as are the carriage rides. Bourbon isn’t for everyone and it’s way more tame during the day. August is a good time to go because it’s no longer tourist season so it’s not crowded.
Preservation Hall is a jazz venue that’s been around for over 50 years. Pat O’s has live music in their courtyard - careful if you drink a hurricane.... they’re more potent than they taste.
Let me know if you have any questions, and seriously, I’ll tell you all the good places to eat.
Oak Alley was where scenes from Interview with a vampire were shot, as well as scenes from Beyoncés Formation video. Destrehan is super cool to visit also. I loved the tour I took there. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 974
Location: USA | scwebster - 2018-12-26 1:17 PM Dreamingofcans - 2018-12-23 5:25 AM A lot of big cities have crime - it’s par for the score. With that being said, where are y’all planning on staying? The French Quarter has several nice hotels - the closer you are to Canal St. and the river, the better you are. How long are y’all going for? What are some things that you definitely want to see? Regarding restaurants, tell me what you like and don’t like - I can tell you which places to eat at. There aren’t any plantation homes in the city - they’re on the outskirts. Some close ones are in Destrehan, LA which is about 20 minutes from the city. There’s Ormond Plantation and Destrehan Plantation, and I think Destrehan Plantation is where some scenes from Interview with a Vampire were filmed. The guided tours are a lot of fun as are the carriage rides. Bourbon isn’t for everyone and it’s way more tame during the day. August is a good time to go because it’s no longer tourist season so it’s not crowded. Preservation Hall is a jazz venue that’s been around for over 50 years. Pat O’s has live music in their courtyard - careful if you drink a hurricane.... they’re more potent than they taste. Let me know if you have any questions, and seriously, I’ll tell you all the good places to eat. Oak Alley was where scenes from Interview with a vampire were shot, as well as scenes from Beyoncés Formation video. Destrehan is super cool to visit also. I loved the tour I took there.
Yeah it was either Ormond or Destrehan where some scenes were also shot ... I can’t remember. It’s been too long. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | horseshorseshorses - 2018-12-26 9:14 AM
Chandler's Mom - 2018-12-24 9:23 PM
horseshorseshorses - 2018-12-24 9:28 AM
GO TO THE ZOO AND AQUARIUM!
Eat in the Business or Garden Districts
The French Quarter and Jackson Square can be a bit of a tourist trap as far as shopping and food go, if you don't know where to look, but if you've never been, still go.
Oak Alley Plantation is about 45 minutes outside of NOLA and is probably my favorite place on earth.
I'm no help as to where to stay since we usually just drive in. I know the Mandeville area is very nice and an easy drive to the city.
Lock your doors, watch your back, and stand up for yourself and you'll be fine!
Was just looking at Oak Alley Plantation in an antebellum garden book of Chan's---what a gorgeous place. I'd love to visit there
It's even more beautiful in person!
Do you know if they do weddings? Guess I could Google it, but I'm being lazy!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| Chandler's Mom - 2018-12-26 2:52 PM
horseshorseshorses - 2018-12-26 9:14 AM
Chandler's Mom - 2018-12-24 9:23 PM
horseshorseshorses - 2018-12-24 9:28 AM
GO TO THE ZOO AND AQUARIUM!
Eat in the Business or Garden Districts
The French Quarter and Jackson Square can be a bit of a tourist trap as far as shopping and food go, if you don't know where to look, but if you've never been, still go.
Oak Alley Plantation is about 45 minutes outside of NOLA and is probably my favorite place on earth.
I'm no help as to where to stay since we usually just drive in. I know the Mandeville area is very nice and an easy drive to the city.
Lock your doors, watch your back, and stand up for yourself and you'll be fine!
Was just looking at Oak Alley Plantation in an antebellum garden book of Chan's---what a gorgeous place. I'd love to visit there
It's even more beautiful in person!
Do you know if they do weddings? Guess I could Google it, but I'm being lazy!!!
They do :) |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | scwebster - 2018-12-26 2:54 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2018-12-26 2:52 PM
horseshorseshorses - 2018-12-26 9:14 AM
Chandler's Mom - 2018-12-24 9:23 PM
horseshorseshorses - 2018-12-24 9:28 AM
GO TO THE ZOO AND AQUARIUM!
Eat in the Business or Garden Districts
The French Quarter and Jackson Square can be a bit of a tourist trap as far as shopping and food go, if you don't know where to look, but if you've never been, still go.
Oak Alley Plantation is about 45 minutes outside of NOLA and is probably my favorite place on earth.
I'm no help as to where to stay since we usually just drive in. I know the Mandeville area is very nice and an easy drive to the city.
Lock your doors, watch your back, and stand up for yourself and you'll be fine!
Was just looking at Oak Alley Plantation in an antebellum garden book of Chan's---what a gorgeous place. I'd love to visit there
It's even more beautiful in person!
Do you know if they do weddings? Guess I could Google it, but I'm being lazy!!!
They do : )
Thank you! My child is a Civil War nut, and he and Lula Bell have talked about a wedding at one of the grand old plantations. . . .I believe this is one of his favorites. I'll pass this along to him 
Seems as tho I'm behind---he just told me "we already plan to get married there". . . Mommas are the last to know
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2018-12-26 4:31 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1561
Location: North of where I want to be | It is kinda our "if we ever" spot as well
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