New Orleans

[erickpl]

I swore I'd never go, but some friends have invited my wife and me to go down there in a few weeks for a long weekend.

Is it safe enough? The state recognizes my CCW, so would likely be bringing it, though if we had drinks someplace, that could be a problem.

What kinds of things are there to do besides drink and eat?

I am sure I'll get responses running the spectrum from Hell, Yeah, to Hell, No but would like to hear what you think of the place and spending time with friends.

[VatorMan]

Go to the local OReillys Auto parts and F with the counter people was always fun.

[Stangkiller]

I've been several times in the last few years, if you're in the French Quarter, just be aware of your surroundings but generally there's quite a few tourists around so it's relatively safe.

[FasterTraffic]

Go to the local OReillys Auto parts and F with the counter people was always fun.

:Jeff '79: :lol:

Certainly you asked them to spell "O'Reilly" without looking at the sign. :D

[beadist]

Aquarium of the Americas and IMAX Theater

Pat O'Briens for a hurricane

Insectarium

Pat O'Briens for a hurricane

D-Day / WWII Museum

Pat O'Briens for a hurricane

Swamp Tours

Walk the Quarter and stop at Pat O'Briens for a hurricane

LOTS of cool shopping

People watching is amazing!

The food is out of this world!

The Super Bowl is Feb 3rd.

Mardi Gras ends on Feb. 12 Parades start to roll 3 weeks ahead. Dozens of parades.

They have been spiffing up the French Quarter for months, new pavement, landscaping etc. leading up to the SB.

You can keep NYC, San Francisco.....played in them for years. My first day in New Orleans replaced them as my top playground.

One tip about walking the Quarter at night. Always walk towards the light.

[Stangkiller]

Aquarium of the Americas and IMAX Theater

Pat O'Briens for a hurricane

Insectarium

Pat O'Briens for a hurricane

D-Day / WWII Museum

Pat O'Briens for a hurricane

Swamp Tours

Walk the Quarter and stop at Pat O'Briens for a hurricane

LOTS of cool shopping

People watching is amazing!

The food is out of this world!

The Super Bowl is Feb 3rd.

Mardi Gras ends on Feb. 12 Parades start to roll 3 weeks ahead. Dozens of parades.

They have been spiffing up the French Quarter for months, new pavement, landscaping etc. leading up to the SB.

You can keep NYC, San Francisco.....played in them for years. My first day in New Orleans replaced them as my top playground.

One tip about walking the Quarter at night. Always walk towards the light.

But but but, don't forget the Lafite's Blacksmith Bar at the very end, they have a killer Hurricane, and it's cheaper than PattyO's

[beadist]

But but but, don't forget the Lafite's Blacksmith Bar at the very end, they have a killer Hurricane, and it's cheaper than PattyO's


I love Pat O'Briens because the bartenders are always really cute :D

[Cybercowboy]

But but but, don't forget the Lafite's Blacksmith Bar at the very end, they have a killer Hurricane, and it's cheaper than PattyO's

Oldest bar on Bourbon St.

Also grab some steamed crawdads and a dozen oysters at ACME Oyster House.

[Flatbush Harry]

It's a great city...for most folks most of the time. My daughter went to med school at Tulane and rode the Charles St. railway from her riverbend apartment to school most days, walked to/from the three (now two) hospitals in the hospital district, hung out in all kinds of places, no troubles. My wife and I visited regularly and used to stay in the French Quarter frequently...no problems. Some of the best food in the US, some really nice folks, lotsa neat history, etc. Oh, and I never carried and never felt the need to.

Happy travels,

rayrH

[erickpl]

Okay, I'll have my wife and our friends with us. I think I can rule out the harassing at O'Reilly's. :)

I'm taking it as a given that I have to have a hurricane. Have they renamed em Katrinas yet? :)

I knew about the aquarium. We have been the the ATL, Chattanooga, and Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (and the Aquarium restaurant at Opry Mills Mall in Nashville). We both dive and LOVE them all. :) The shopping part scares me. Our friends LOVE to shop and they have the income to do it. We wouldn't be able to keep up. We'll have to live vicariously through their purchases. LOL But I'm sure we could find a few things.

I knew about the WW2/D-Day museum and that is DEFINITELY on MY list - even if I have to go alone.

I think the people watching will be some of the most fun. Should I take some beads and get the Mardi Gras stuff going early? :D I'll take a camera - so hopefully I can have some fun stuff to post upon my return.

"Go towards the light." Got it. :)

[Stangkiller]

Okay, I'll have my wife and our friends with us. I think I can rule out the harassing at O'Reilly's. :)

I'm taking it as a given that I have to have a hurricane. Have they renamed em Katrinas yet? :)

I knew about the aquarium. We have been the the ATL, Chattanooga, and Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (and the Aquarium restaurant at Opry Mills Mall in Nashville). We both dive and LOVE them all. :) The shopping part scares me. Our friends LOVE to shop and they have the income to do it. We wouldn't be able to keep up. We'll have to live vicariously through their purchases. LOL But I'm sure we could find a few things.

I knew about the WW2/D-Day museum and that is DEFINITELY on MY list - even if I have to go alone.

I think the people watching will be some of the most fun. Should I take some beads and get the Mardi Gras stuff going early? :D I'll take a camera - so hopefully I can have some fun stuff to post upon my return.

"Go towards the light." Got it. :)

Don't forget Hand Grenades..those too are a staple, and no matter how many you drink you won't be hungover the next day (maybe still drunk), and of course Beignets in the morning, they dont' serve alcohol there, so get a mimosa on the way to breakfast. :yesnod:

[erickpl]

Don't forget Hand Grenades..those too are a staple, and no matter how many you drink you won't be hungover the next day (maybe still drunk), and of course Beignets in the morning, they dont' serve alcohol there, so get a mimosa on the way to breakfast. :yesnod:

Beignets are ON the list. We've had em at a place in Gulf Shores that was incredible and the ones in NO are supposed to be even better.

I'm not a huge drinker, but my wife and friends are, so I'm usually the designated driver. May have to let loose on this one. lol

[beadist]

It may seem obvious because we're used to it, but you can walk the streets with your drink. :datawiz:

Buy your beads when you get to town. There's an endless supply.....and no, that's not why my name is beadist....:D

[Burnt C6]

I swore I'd never go, but some friends have invited my wife and me to go down there in a few weeks for a long weekend.

Is it safe enough? The state recognizes my CCW, so would likely be bringing it, though if we had drinks someplace, that could be a problem.

What kinds of things are there to do besides drink and eat?

I am sure I'll get responses running the spectrum from Hell, Yeah, to Hell, No but would like to hear what you think of the place and spending time with friends.

The Wife and I are going there next weekend for the Krewe of Isis Ball. A good buddy is the King this year I haven’t been there in years. Hoping to have a great time

[aj]

Beignets are ON the list. We've had em at a place in Gulf Shores that was incredible and the ones in NO are supposed to be even better.

I'm not a huge drinker, but my wife and friends are, so I'm usually the designated driver. May have to let loose on this one. lol

Café du Monde. Across the street from the big church and look left.

[81.]

take a spoon to eat from the soup bowl.

[Olustee bus]

Go to the local OReillys Auto parts and F with the counter people was always fun.

Yeah, the real fun one is over near Baton Rouge. You can really get that guy goin!:dance:

[Truck Guy]

Oldest bar on Bourbon St.

Also grab some steamed crawdads and a dozen oysters at ACME Oyster House.If ACME has a line going down the block to get inside, go right across the street to Felix's, just as good without the tourist trap wait. :D

:datawiz:...and try the Andygator Abita doppel bock beer on tap :cert:

[EDIT] Try the BBQ Shrimp and the Shrimp & Grits at Mister B's Bistro on the 200 block of Royal St, outstanding!

[vetteman9368]

Redfish grill I awesome as well.

[lspencer534]

If ACME has a line going down the block to get inside, go right across the street to Felix's, just as good without the tourist trap wait. :D

:datawiz:...and try the Andygator Abita doppel bock beer on tap :cert:

[EDIT] Try the BBQ Shrimp and the Shrimp & Grits at Mister B's Bistro on the 200 block of Royal St, outstanding!

You MUST try the BBQ shrimp. It might look a little greasy and disgusting, but just dive in for a true taste experience. Put a shrimp in your mouth, then dip a big piece of French bread in the juice and let it mingle with the shrimp in your mouth. The piece of bread with the wet juice on it is called a "sop" (also used as a verb: "sopped"), and the juice in the pan or on your plate is called "soppy". Best with cold beer.

If you get served some greens (turnips, collards, etc.) the juice is called "pot likker" or "potlikker", and it's eaten by sopping it up with bread.

[Truck Guy]

You MUST try the BBQ shrimp. It might look a little greasy and disgusting, but just dive in for a true taste experience. Put a shrimp in your mouth, then dip a big piece of French bread in the juice and let it mingle with the shrimp in your mouth. The piece of bread with the wet juice on it is called a "sop" (also used as a verb: "sopped"), and the juice in the pan or on your plate is called "soppy". Best with cold beer.

If you get served some greens (turnips, collards, etc.) the juice is called "pot likker" or "potlikker", and it's eaten by sopping it up with bread.:banghead: STOP!!! Or I'll be flying down there for dinner tomorrow! :drool:

The BBQ shrimp has to be the very best dish I have ever eaten in my life.
I used all of my bread and then stole my wifes to finish sopping up the sauce! :lol:
BTW: The "sauce" is all butter, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. :yesnod:

[EDIT] I had read a review of the Mr. B's BBQ Shrimp on Yelp and the guy said, "If I was in prison on Death Row, my last meal request would be Mr. B's BBQ Shrimp and a BUCKET of that sauce!" :rofl:

[lspencer534]

:banghead: STOP!!! Or I'll be flying down there for dinner tomorrow! :drool:

The BBQ shrimp has to be the very best dish I have ever eaten in my life.
I used all of my bread and then stole my wifes to finish sopping up the sauce! :lol:
BTW: The "sauce" is all butter, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. :yesnod:

[EDIT] I had read a review of the Mr. B's BBQ Shrimp on Yelp and the guy said, "If I was in prison on Death Row, my last meal request would be Mr. B's BBQ Shrimp and a BUCKET of that sauce!" :rofl:

Sorry...but it's just that damned good! :cert:

[Olustee bus]

I like Cafe du Monde, central grocery and a little bakery for breakfast called New Orleans Cake Cafe and Bakery.

http://www.nolacakes.com/

[beadist]

Oh, it will also be King Cake season.......make sure you try several kinds!

[kylebuck]

I swore I'd never go, but some friends have invited my wife and me to go down there in a few weeks for a long weekend.

Is it safe enough? The state recognizes my CCW, so would likely be bringing it, though if we had drinks someplace, that could be a problem.

What kinds of things are there to do besides drink and eat?

I am sure I'll get responses running the spectrum from Hell, Yeah, to Hell, No but would like to hear what you think of the place and spending time with friends.
What kinds of things would you be interested in doing?

[SnowDale]

I just got home a couple of days ago from spending a few days in New Orleans. We have Saints season tickets and try to go to a bunch of games. This time we decided to stay for New Years.

We've got a few places we love to go all the time. Our favorite restaurant is GW Fins on Bienville near Bourbon. Great fresh seafood, wonderful service, 80 wines by the glass, and so on. Drago's in the Hilton Riverside has the char-grilled oysters that are to die for. Mr. B's is always good. Redfish Grill isn't on our list. We've had some mediocre food and service there. We went to Morton's Steakhouse for NYE and had a wonderful meal.

Beignets at Cafe du Monde is a must. My wife says that used to be their place to sober up before driving home.

The French Market is near Cafe du Monde and is an outdoor flea market. There's one place that my wife loves the earrings, and I've picked up a few T-shirts.

One thing I did last year was take a walking tour of the Garden District. It was 2 hours, we started at Lafayette Cemetery and were shown Anne Rice's house, and where Benjamin Button was filmed, and the Mannings house, and so on. Really nice tour. They have similar tours of the FQ.

Oh, the wife was raised in the area, so she was 15, spending time on Bourbon.

[C5SilverBullet]

I could write a book...