My wife and I are planning a trip to New Orleans next month. We plan to stay in the French Quarter. Other than the normal touristy things, does anyone have any suggestions as to what else we should do? Any recommendations on places to avoid?

Volunteer for a day with Habitat for Humanity and build a house.

Avoid any dark alley. Seriously.

Haven't been there post Katrina so I can't tell you where to go. There are some members from there, I am sure they will pop in.

"Any recommendations on places to avoid?"

Yea.. the City of Ner Orleans

Get hammered show your tits, get some beads, and wake up the next mornin in Lock-Up... LOL

J/K

sounds like a good trip have fun!

Hog

The first thing you will notice is that there are parts of the city that are still in shambles from the hurricane. They have done a good job of resurrecting the tourist traps, but there is clearly still a pall over the city. It's not the same old New Orleans. You will still have fun, but there is an underlying, depression may be the word, that is palpable.

That being said, the same rules still apply. Stick to the touristy areas, don't get to far off the beaten path, be safe and have fun.

And no trip to New Orleans is complete without a trip to the Funky Pirate to see Big Al Carson. He will blow you away. Avoid the Hand Grenades. You'll thank me later.

As big a fan as I am of New Orleans, I would avoid the French Quarter altogether. Something about the smell of urine and garbage just turns me off. But, some people think stepping over the sidewalk-sleeping winos at 9 am is like a special workout.

That said, you should try the Camellia Grill.

http://www.camelliagrill.net/ 

There was once a hole-in-the-wall place called Ruby Lama's that had a pretty good Po' Boy, too.

Daytime, try streetcar down St Charles. Maybe the paddle wheeler ride. Eat in little grills. Try the Cafe Aulait for good coffee and bigneits. (Excuse sp throughout) Go into the Quarter at night if you've not seen it. Listen to free music and buy drinks cheap at the Bucket O' Beer. Find the shpo that rolls their own. Don't step in puddles unless it's raining. Hang out at Jackson Sq. Befriend a local. hahahaha

Eat at the Gumbo Shop and avoid the crescent city brewhouse been there 4 times and every time it seems like they don't clean there lines.

If you like beer and are there on a Saturday go to the Abita Brewery on Saturday for the FREE tour and FREE tasting.

The Cemetarry Tour,Morning coffee at Cafe Dumonde.Tour the Garden district.

But,

New Orleans sucks since the Hurricane.LOTS of crime,

Beggars,junkies and drunks every where ...

We were there 2 years ago.

We wont be back...

wheel,,

Thanks for the ideas. We will definitely tour the brewery! I'm very lucky to have a wife who likes beer & cigars!

Crescent City Cigar Shop

And say Hi to Armando

What #2 says...and don't stray outside the French Quarters. You'll know if you've strayed too far. 🙂

Bunch of people (hundreds) from our church are headed there Saturday and all next week to rebuild, restore, and reNew Orleans. Gonna be HOT!

The aquarium is pretty cool.....

Try Casemento's on Magazine street for Oysters.

DON'T STRAY!!!!

Bring a gas mask..........

I'd stay in the Garden District......

Sorry I missed this. It takes too much time just to keep up with the other boards!

#1 Next month! You'll barely miss NOLAHerf V!

http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/forum/forum.cfm?action=list&forumID=7&messageDisplay=0000000287746 

Gimme a call anyway. I'll take any opportunity to meet a BOTL.

[email protected]

#3 Definitely avoid dark alleys. Prolly good advice for anyone in any city.

#5 Actually you probably WON'T notice any parts of the city still in shambles. You can find'em, but you have to go looking. There's no underlying depression that I've noticed. If anything, I feel an optimism- a phoenix from the ashes thing.

Yep Big Al is always a fun time if you're into loud blues.

#6 DON'T avoid the French Quarter. It is the highest point in the city and was virtually untouched. That's where all the action is. It's why people visit. I do notice a distinctive smell (you left out manure from the carriage rides), but to me it's very familiar, sentimental and comforting. Maybe I'm just too used to it.

Camellia Grill is fun and very "New Orleansy."

#7 Yes! All great ideas. Except that I don't like the cigars out of the New Orleans Cigar Factory. Bleech!

#9 This may have been true 3-4 months after Katrina. It's not the case now. You can get into trouble if you're lookin' for it, but I'm in the city/french quarter 5-6times a week and I love it! Ya oughta come back.

#11 A super great down-to-earth guy who'll make you feel like you've been best friends all your life!

http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/forum/forum.cfm?action=list&forumID=7&messageDisplay=0000000272065 

#12 If you don't get in touch, I'll be very offended!

I don't know where you currently live but if you want to take her to a nice place that she can talk about later... Make reservations and take her to NOLA's (Emeril's place). I loved the food, not as expensive as Delmonico's.

Food is a hobby of mine. I don't want to say "fine dining", because it implies I have money.

I am sure Big Bear will tell you there are better places to eat, I don't doubt that. But after you leave and people ask you where you went, they will recognize the name.

No offense Big Bear, I would go to where you tell me to eat and the "big name" places. ACME was good for oysters. I "eat my souvenirs" when I travel.

Enjoy.

Gringo

Take an air boat ride through the swamps. I did this years ago and had a blast! We had a great guide though, and that can make a difference.

Cafe du Mont(or however it is speeled) for breakfast....this is very New Orleans

Eat a Muffalata for lunch!!!! Best sandwich made!

If you like the club life at night check our Pat O'Brians. A super fun piano bar

There are lots of ghost tours and other tours that are found around the quarter. I've never done one, but I've heard they are entertaining.

Gringo

It's tough (impossible?) to get bad food at Emeril's, but it's a little steep.

Next time you're down lemme know.

ar15rifle,

whenerya comin' down?

here is a link for you...............

http://www.neworleanstours.net/?gclid=CK2GxdTB5JsCFU1M5QodHgObAw 

Charlie

Go see the D-Day Museum. Go to the House of Blues. Go sample the hot sauces and bring back some for your friends. Shop at the big mall on the water (I forget the name of the place). Find a good cigar shop.

Get drunk and have a good time.