Anyone been to New Orleans?

DanieKA

My cousin is graduating from Tulane this weekend, so FI and I decided to hitch a ride with the family and take a long weekend in New Orleans! I've never been, so I'm super excited, but I have no idea what to see and do there besides showing my goodies for beads (kidding! Sort of). I'm definitely interested in trying some authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, and I'm hoping to get to a jazz club, but other than that I'm stumped. Any places I need to see? Any places I need to eat at?

Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated? This is a P&R, but I'll be back later. Thanks in advance!

P.S. Has everyone GBCK because of the kinks? It's been quiet around here. Understandably, since all the changes over on the nest has caused issues here and the issues have pretty much caused a mass exodus on the nest and a pre-emptive mass exodus on the bump. I assume people are still around though. I hope! 

Elle1036

Have I been to New Orleans?  Ha.

I love New Orleans.  Fair warning, though, you're going to feel an urge to shower the whole time you're there.  It's not the cleanest city.

You're going to want to:

Walk around the French Quarter and go into any bar/club/restaurant that looks inviting.  Avoid the ones with the shades drawn on the windows.

Order a Hand Grenade (drink) from a street vendor.  Drink slowly.

Get a Hurricane (also a drink) from Pat Obrien's.

Get a sandwhich from Central Grocery.

Get beignets and a Cafe Au Lait from Cafe du Monde.  Best at 2:00 am.  Don't mind the thick coating of powdered sugar that covers everything.


Ummmm, I have more, I'm sure.  I just woke up and my brain isn't fully engaged yet.  I'll be back.

lennonkdc

I've never been, but am DYING to go. Maybe once BF and I have the new car he'll be more inclined to take a road trip or two. 

So I guess all I had to add to that was that I'm super jealous  

Peaseblossom55

I've never been there either, I'd like to go at some point.  it sounds like a cool place to visit.

doubleSS07

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-been-to-new-orleans?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:bb66806a-bf5e-4fa8-8b9f-fd966b4580d2Post:8e6c4172-96de-47f9-8c30-f9bace4a3f7c">Re: Anyone been to New Orleans?</a>:
[QUOTE]Have I been to New Orleans?  Ha. I love New Orleans.  Fair warning, though, you're going to feel an urge to shower the whole time you're there.  It's not the cleanest city. You're going to want to: Walk around the French Quarter and go into any bar/club/restaurant that looks inviting.  Avoid the ones with the shades drawn on the windows. <strong>Order a Hand Grenade (drink) from a street vendor.  Drink slowly. Get a Hurricane (also a drink) from Pat Obrien's. Get a sandwhich from Central Grocery. Get beignets and a Cafe Au Lait from Cafe du Monde.</strong>  Best at 2:00 am.  Don't mind the thick coating of powdered sugar that covers everything . Ummmm, I have more, I'm sure.  I just woke up and my brain isn't fully engaged yet.  I'll be back.
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

All of this!!  One of my good friends went to Tulane for medical school and we visited for Mardi Gras...OMG it is definitely something you have to experience once.  We checked out the cemetary and also a voodoo shop just for fun.  I loved New Orleans because it was so entrenched in its culture and history which is so completely different from anything else I'd experienced. You'll have a great time!

Lindsay+Chris

I was born and raised in New Orleans and I just moved back here after two years.  Although, I'm from here, I usually eat out at the big franchise places that are available in other parts of the country.

I would, however, recommend Cafe Du Monde.  It's a beignet place and it's yummy.  I don't have any other recommendations other than showing your stuff for beads (jokingly, of course) would be pointless because it's not Mardi Gras season anymore.

Have fun and try a Hand Grenade drink if you come across a place selling them.  They are awesome and yummy.

Congrats to your cousin too!

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_anyone-been-to-new-orleans?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:bb66806a-bf5e-4fa8-8b9f-fd966b4580d2Post:04c3d46c-ff78-42fb-a5aa-15bebb5cd8e7">Anyone been to New Orleans?</a>:
[QUOTE]My cousin is graduating from Tulane this weekend, so FI and I decided to hitch a ride with the family and take a long weekend in New Orleans! I've never been, so I'm super excited, but I have no idea what to see and do there besides showing my goodies for beads (kidding! Sort of). I'm definitely interested in trying some authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, and I'm hoping to get to a jazz club, but other than that I'm stumped. Any places I need to see? Any places I need to eat at? Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated? This is a P&R, but I'll be back later. Thanks in advance! P.S. Has everyone GBCK because of the kinks? It's been quiet around here. Understandably, since all the changes over on the nest has caused issues here and the issues have pretty much caused a mass exodus on the nest and a pre-emptive mass exodus on the bump. I assume people are still around though. I hope! 
Posted by DanieKA[/QUOTE]

kaitlynmichelle

I went there in 2004 with my school band, so I can't recommend anything drink-wise and such since I was in grade 10 :P  But I absolutely loved walking around the French Quarter.  It was great there!

kayakgal

In addition to the other suggestions:

Get a burger at Yo Mama's. The cheddar burger is amazing. Try the peanut butter burger if your feeling adventurous. It's actually really good. 

Walk through St. Louis Cemetery #1. 

Take a street car up to the Garden District to gawk at the giant houses. 

audrewuh

Okay, so, you came to the right place.

Cafe Du Monde. All I have to say. It's open 24 hours. Get beniegts and coffee, or chocolate milk. And whatever you do, don't breath in or out if the beniegt is close to your face.

Drink Hand Grenades quickly! It'll give you more time to enjoy your Hurricane.

And Elle is right, you'll want to shower all the time. 

Enjoy the sights. Don't be afraid to wander. It's a really neat place! Enjoy and congrats to your cousin!

prbright

I agree with everything Elle said! I loved New Orleans, it's a gorgeous city with such a rich history, although it is extremely dirty. 

Funny random story- my Grandpa thought beniegts were pronounce Ben-Gay's. The people at Cafe du Mudne just laughed at him.

cu97tiger

I lived there for six months in 2007. 

Definitely get a hand grenade. There are two 'Tropical Isles' where they sell them, and I always had a ton of fun there.

I don't think you can go wrong with trying out different restaurants... they are all so good! Venture off of Bourbon during the day, especially around Jackson Square. 

Also, if you're up by Tulane, and can go someplace in the Magazine Street area, try D!ck & Jenny's (pricey) or Frankie & Johnny's (noit pricey). YUM!!!

redheadtmk

We did an airboat tour which was fun. They feed the alligators raw chicken so they come up to the boat. Its a little scary but really cool. I am also a huge fan of wandering around cemeteries. Avoid the ghost tours. huge waste of money.