Okay, so I’ve mentioned this before: in about 6 weeks I’ll be headed down to New Orleans on a business trip. I am spending a total of 4 full days there as my work trip. Then I am adding 3 vacation days (1 day is travel though) to the end of the trip so that I will have enough time to explore and see the sights!
New Orleans isn’t a destination I’d actively seek to travel to on my own, so I am really excited for this opportunity to take in the culture of such a wonderful city. My mom was originally going to come with me, but work has gotten crazy for her, which I can completely understand. So this will be my first solo trip to a brand new city in a really long time.
For those who have been to New Orleans, what do you recommend for a first-time visitor?
I will be staying in the French Quarter. I will have 2 full days to explore the area, as well as whatever random free time I will have during my 4 days of work there. I love eating good food, but I am not much of a partier these days. :) I was told that the easiest way to see the city is to go on tours. It might not be the cheapest way to go, but as a young, single traveler in a strange city, I think it might be for the best.
From Amber’s blog (she also recently went to New Orleans), I know to go to Cafe du Monde and to bring cash and not rely on my credit card. Other than that, I know that I should be trying out a lot of the restaurants, but I don’t really know which ones. Wasn’t there a Man vs. Food episode in New Orleans? :)
Whatever insight you can send my way would be much appreciated.
36 Responses to “Headed to New Orleans”
Author comments are in a darker gray color for you to easily identify the posts in the comments
Leave a Reply
As seen in…
Recent Comments
Categories
- annual goals (24)
- banking (27)
- blog (192)
- budget (96)
- car (41)
- contest (26)
- credit card (20)
- credit score (10)
- debt (28)
- design business (37)
- down payment (28)
- education (15)
- EI (16)
- emergency fund (18)
- entertainment (194)
- fitness (165)
- guest post (19)
- health care (56)
- housing (59)
- investing (43)
- job (301)
- making money (55)
- miscellaneous (308)
- monthly challenge (52)
- monthly goals (118)
- motivation (38)
- property (43)
- recipes and food (27)
- relationship (121)
- retirement (30)
- saving money (179)
- scooter (24)
- spending (447)
- sponsored post (10)
- tax refund (23)
- travel (313)
- vlog (2)
- weekly spending recap (93)
I highly recommend going on a bike tour – the one I did last fall as with Confederacy of Cruisers and it was a great time. A little pricey (I think it was about $50), but worth it to get to parts of the city you wouldn't venture to on your own (Treme, the upper 9th, etc.). Also, I got a 'Rough Guide' to the city from the library a week or so before my trip and found a lot of great restaurant recommendations in there. Avoid Bourbon street (apart from a walk or two to witness how disgusting people can be); try to visit one of the cemeteries (I didn't get to this on my trip but it's something that was recommended to me a lot). If you're there on a Thursday, go see Kermit Ruffins at Vaughn's! You'll need to take a cab, it's pretty far outside the downtown area (it's about $10 each way). For more jazz, just walk around Frenchman street at night, there are tons of venues and you can just walk in and out, or watch from the street.
You really can't go wrong with whatever you wind up doing. Just have fun – New Orleans is a really different city from anywhere I've ever been, and it was a really cool experience to visit.
I highly recommend going on a bike tour – the one I did last fall as with Confederacy of Cruisers and it was a great time. A little pricey (I think it was about $50), but worth it to get to parts of the city you wouldn't venture to on your own (Treme, the upper 9th, etc.). Also, I got a 'Rough Guide' to the city from the library a week or so before my trip and found a lot of great restaurant recommendations in there. Avoid Bourbon street (apart from a walk or two to witness how disgusting people can be); try to visit one of the cemeteries (I didn't get to this on my trip but it's something that was recommended to me a lot). If you're there on a Thursday, go see Kermit Ruffins at Vaughn's! You'll need to take a cab, it's pretty far outside the downtown area (it's about $10 each way). For more jazz, just walk around Frenchman street at night, there are tons of venues and you can just walk in and out, or watch from the street.
You really can't go wrong with whatever you wind up doing. Just have fun – New Orleans is a really different city from anywhere I've ever been, and it was a really cool experience to visit.
Good call about getting the Rough Guide to the city. I'll check out my local library next week sometime. Thanks for all of the tips – I'll be sure to do some research on all of those things! :)
Try Mother's Restaurant – great Southern/Cajun food. The jambalaya was excellent. Expect lines out the door though :) http://mothersrestaurant.net/index.html
Try Mother's Restaurant – great Southern/Cajun food. The jambalaya was excellent. Expect lines out the door though :) http://mothersrestaurant.net/index.html
The Haunted History tours are great. You walk through the streets at night and get to hear some cool and spooky tales. And the number 1 thing I'd recommend is a cemetery tour. I found out so much fascinating stuff.
The riverboat cruise I took was really boring, so I'd skip that. Have at least one Hurricane while you're there. They're delicious, and it's like Philly cheesesteaks: they taste different outside of the city. And stuff yourself with beignets.
The Haunted History tours are great. You walk through the streets at night and get to hear some cool and spooky tales. And the number 1 thing I'd recommend is a cemetery tour. I found out so much fascinating stuff.
The riverboat cruise I took was really boring, so I'd skip that. Have at least one Hurricane while you're there. They're delicious, and it's like Philly cheesesteaks: they taste different outside of the city. And stuff yourself with beignets.
Eat a fresh beignet!
My recent post Vlogging Terrifying
Eat a fresh beignet!
My recent post Vlogging Terrifying
I went in 1999. I desperately want to go again.
Cafe du Monde was amazing and delicious. You have to have a hurricane if you are are wandering the Bars of the French Quarter. Just one though. powerful lil drinks. Brad Pitts house is in the French Quarter too. mmmm Brad Pitt.
I stopped by the hotel quay where the big chase scene was for The Pelican Brief.
The Aquarium of the Americas was amazing too.
I didn't get to do any of the Cemetary tours though.
My recent post 2011 – first unexpected expense
I went in 1999. I desperately want to go again.
Cafe du Monde was amazing and delicious. You have to have a hurricane if you are are wandering the Bars of the French Quarter. Just one though. powerful lil drinks. Brad Pitts house is in the French Quarter too. mmmm Brad Pitt.
I stopped by the hotel quay where the big chase scene was for The Pelican Brief.
The Aquarium of the Americas was amazing too.
I didn't get to do any of the Cemetary tours though.
My recent post 2011 – first unexpected expense
I really enjoyed the walking tour that I did. It was through the Historical Society. I think it's nice to support the folks who are maintaining the history of such a cool town. How much do you want to spend on food? There's always Emeril's place. Always a good conversation piece. Galatoire's is amazing. You can expect to spend over $70 per person there. If you're smart you'll just let the server make recommendations. That's the true experience. You'll need reservations for sure. Iris is a must go! This was by far my favorite place. http://www.irisneworleans.com/ I'd recommend skipping lunch the day you go! You will want dessert!
I really enjoyed the walking tour that I did. It was through the Historical Society. I think it's nice to support the folks who are maintaining the history of such a cool town. How much do you want to spend on food? There's always Emeril's place. Always a good conversation piece. Galatoire's is amazing. You can expect to spend over $70 per person there. If you're smart you'll just let the server make recommendations. That's the true experience. You'll need reservations for sure. Iris is a must go! This was by far my favorite place. http://www.irisneworleans.com/ I'd recommend skipping lunch the day you go! You will want dessert!
I recently spent three weeks in New Orleans for work, so I have lots of tips.
Cafe du Monde is overrated. Whatever you do, don't order the coffee. It's milky and mass-produced. The beignets are also extremely mass-produced, but they are fried and surgary so will always taste good. :)
Make sure to spend some time outside the French Quarter. It's the only part of the city that didn't flood during Hurricane Katrina, so you need to leave to see how the city is recovering. The Grey Line Hurricane Katrina tour is excellent and worth every penny. There is also a good exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum in the French Quarter.
Audubon Park is a wonderful place to run. Nearby you can walk along the Mississippi River. Also check out City Park and the art museum (free on Wednesdays).
Frenchman street is a good alternative to Bourbon street for seeing music. You'll also find a lot better prices on food and drink. Frenchman street is in the Marigny neighborhood, east of the French Quarter. Beautiful little neighborhood with Creole architecture. Not to be missed! Check out the Satsuma Cafe. If you're a little wary of being alone in a new city, drive around during the day. People are very friendly.
You'll probably like Magazine Street in Uptown. It's a cute shopping street sprinkled with antique stores and independent boutiques (and American Apparel, haha).
I recently spent three weeks in New Orleans for work, so I have lots of tips.
Cafe du Monde is overrated. Whatever you do, don't order the coffee. It's milky and mass-produced. The beignets are also extremely mass-produced, but they are fried and surgary so will always taste good. :)
Make sure to spend some time outside the French Quarter. It's the only part of the city that didn't flood during Hurricane Katrina, so you need to leave to see how the city is recovering. The Grey Line Hurricane Katrina tour is excellent and worth every penny. There is also a good exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum in the French Quarter.
Audubon Park is a wonderful place to run. Nearby you can walk along the Mississippi River. Also check out City Park and the art museum (free on Wednesdays).
Frenchman street is a good alternative to Bourbon street for seeing music. You'll also find a lot better prices on food and drink. Frenchman street is in the Marigny neighborhood, east of the French Quarter. Beautiful little neighborhood with Creole architecture. Not to be missed! Check out the Satsuma Cafe. If you're a little wary of being alone in a new city, drive around during the day. People are very friendly.
You'll probably like Magazine Street in Uptown. It's a cute shopping street sprinkled with antique stores and independent boutiques (and American Apparel, haha).
Have a good time! I have never been before, but I have heard nothing but good things. :)
My recent post Ricki’s Canada – Buy 1- Get 1 Half Price In-Store & 25 Off Clearance Online
Have a good time! I have never been before, but I have heard nothing but good things. :)
My recent post Ricki’s Canada – Buy 1- Get 1 Half Price In-Store & 25 Off Clearance Online
I'm looking at my calendar – I wasn't sure what "about 6 weeks" means, but my Krewe (Krewe du Vieux) parades on Saturday February 19th and we are one of the first Mardi Gras krewes to parade during the 2 week season. I highly recommend catching as many parades (and throws! BEADS!) as you can. There are usually parades every night. The biggest and best and awesomest are Endymion and Bacchus (check any NOLA.com Mardi Gras calendar).
Do you have an eating allowance? If not, Commander's Palace baby!!!!!!!! Court of the Two Sisters, or any of Emeril's restaurants if you are into him. (Commander's is the local/favorite).
If you have to pay for food yourself, my favorite burrito place on Magazine is Juan's Flying Burrito.
Bourbon street for the ambiance/big ass beers, gorgeous wrought iron.
Taking the street car from one end to the other and back again is a 2-ish max event – that will let you see all of the big NOLA homes on St. Charles and will give you a feel for the city.
I don't know how you feel about museums (I can't stand them), but NOLA has the best WWII museum some say in country. It is staffed by volunteers…who fought in the war, so they are a living part of the museum themselves.
Any of the cemetery tours and ghost tours are positively fun – the VooDoo tour rocks – especially if you have been to Pat O's piano bar for Hurricanes before the tour. They have coupons at most hotels for 1/2 off. The cemetery tours will you usually take you to Marie LaVeaux's resting place (she is numero uno in voodoo priestesses).
Anyway, if you want more info, please email me – I went to law school there, so I can answer your questions if you have any. Just be careful…keep your wallet zipped up. You should be fine.
I'm looking at my calendar – I wasn't sure what “about 6 weeks” means, but my Krewe (Krewe du Vieux) parades on Saturday February 19th and we are one of the first Mardi Gras krewes to parade during the 2 week season. I highly recommend catching as many parades (and throws! BEADS!) as you can. There are usually parades every night. The biggest and best and awesomest are Endymion and Bacchus (check any NOLA.com Mardi Gras calendar).
Do you have an eating allowance? If not, Commander's Palace baby!!!!!!!! Court of the Two Sisters, or any of Emeril's restaurants if you are into him. (Commander's is the local/favorite).
If you have to pay for food yourself, my favorite burrito place on Magazine is Juan's Flying Burrito.
Bourbon street for the ambiance/big ass beers, gorgeous wrought iron.
Taking the street car from one end to the other and back again is a 2-ish max event – that will let you see all of the big NOLA homes on St. Charles and will give you a feel for the city.
I don't know how you feel about museums (I can't stand them), but NOLA has the best WWII museum some say in country. It is staffed by volunteers…who fought in the war, so they are a living part of the museum themselves.
Any of the cemetery tours and ghost tours are positively fun – the VooDoo tour rocks – especially if you have been to Pat O's piano bar for Hurricanes before the tour. They have coupons at most hotels for 1/2 off. The cemetery tours will you usually take you to Marie LaVeaux's resting place (she is numero uno in voodoo priestesses).
Anyway, if you want more info, please email me – I went to law school there, so I can answer your questions if you have any. Just be careful…keep your wallet zipped up. You should be fine.
Wow thanks for all of the info! Now I'm getting really excited for my trip. I'll be there until around Feb 23 or 24, so I am excited to know that I will catch a bit of the Mardi Gras action. :)
All of my meals will be paid for while I'm working for the first 5 days, but the last 2 days will be just me footing the bill! I will definitely check out some of those restaurants you recommended.
Also I am excited to take the street car to take a look at the town, and a cemetery/ghost tour sounds awesome. I'll probably also check out the WWII museum if I have time just because it's there.
I would agree with the comments posted above, but Cafe du Monde is a well known, must see spot that you have to try while in town. It over looks Jackson Square and is beautiful for pictures! If you are in the French Quarter for dinner, I would suggest Tujague's as it is one of the oldest restaurants in the city and quite good. I would also suggest heading out of the city to see a cemetery tour and seeing the affects of Katrina on the city. Emm is correct that the French Quarter barely got flooded, so if you leave the city you will see why it is in such distress!
Also, I would highly recommend that if you are walking around Bourbon Street after dark that you have someone with you. It can get dicey down there and people are looking for tourists to approach. Be careful!
My recent post Get to know your local LIBRARY!
I would agree with the comments posted above, but Cafe du Monde is a well known, must see spot that you have to try while in town. It over looks Jackson Square and is beautiful for pictures! If you are in the French Quarter for dinner, I would suggest Tujague's as it is one of the oldest restaurants in the city and quite good. I would also suggest heading out of the city to see a cemetery tour and seeing the affects of Katrina on the city. Emm is correct that the French Quarter barely got flooded, so if you leave the city you will see why it is in such distress!
Also, I would highly recommend that if you are walking around Bourbon Street after dark that you have someone with you. It can get dicey down there and people are looking for tourists to approach. Be careful!
My recent post Get to know your local LIBRARY!
I've never been but New Orleans *is* somewhere I want to travel so I'm dying to read your post-trip blog post!
I second visiting the New Orleans Museum of Art. The museums on Jackson Square, like the Cabildo, are also interesting for local history. For restaurants, try EAT on Dumaine Street in the French Quarter.
I haven't been to New Orleans but it sound so nice :)
I like your new header for your blog a lot!!! It's so nice and succinct.
My recent post 3 Easy Financial Resolutions Every Gen Y should follow
Thanks!!! :)
I was in New Orleans over the Christmas break and was shocked at how… touristy the French Quarter is. Everywhere people recommended had at least a 45 minute line up (even Cafe Du Monde–to get take out!) so… be prepared to wait! (Though, you can try Cafe Du Monde's other location in the River Walk Marketplace, where there are no lines and it's the exact same product, and also walking distance from French Quarter.)
I definitely agree on the tours–a good way to see the city, and it's hard to avoid tour groups, New Orleans may as well be Rome, it's so tourist-busy! Because we drove into NOLA from Texas, we stopped at some of the Louisiana plantations on our way in–but I think it's very worth it to pay for a tour that drives down and lets you tour them at length, a good way to spend an afternoon and AHHHHH they're so so pretty. See: http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/
However, back in New Orleans you can get a map of the Garden District and research some must-see homes and do a walking tour on your own–no need to pay anyone to lead you through, and the architecture is STUNNING.
I would also avoid eating in the French Quarter and try restaurants in the Warehouse District–I had an amazing rustic southern meal at Cochon (http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/)” target=”_blank”> http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/)” target=”_blank”>(http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/)
Hope this helps!
My recent post Christmas in Houston- TX
Make sure you try some deep fried something! (I had catfish before and it was great).
My recent post Super C Grocery Flyer Deals – From January 6th to January 12th- 2011
Not sure about Man vs Food, but i guess food network had a best fried chicken episode, and this restaurant (http://www.yelp.com/biz/willie-maes-scotch-house-new-orleans)” target=”_blank”> http://www.yelp.com/biz/willie-maes-scotch-house-new-orleans)” target=”_blank”>(http://www.yelp.com/biz/willie-maes-scotch-house-new-orleans) featured in it. You might want to try it while you are there :)
I like the new header on your blog – pretty cool.
My recent post Never be shy to ask !
Cafe du Monde sells beignets – fried doughnut squares topped with powdered sugar that goes all over your clothes if you accidentally exhale while taking a bite. A plate of 3 costs like $2 or something. Cafe du Monde also sells coffee with chicory, a local NOLA thing – when times were tough in the Civil War, folks would stretch their coffee beans by adding chicory. As best as I can tell, it must be made of bark. Some folks swear by it, others shun it. A cup of their coffee is really cheap – maybe $1? With free refills. There is always a jazz player at the corner, so for $4 you get doughnuts, coffee, a free music opportunity, and a great place to tourist watch. They have been open every single day for something like 100 years, until Katrina hit and they shut down the city. It is known for its green & white awning. Anyway, that is what it is. Any lines usually go really fast b/c the tables are small and you can only get (1) coffee and (2) beignets. No long waits on food, etc.
They have albino alligators at the zoo, which is next door (i.e., walking through) the Audubon park. They also have cute otters. Their aquarium also has shrimp and crawfish in tanks. Along with the descriptions of the creatures, they have recipes for cooking with them. I always found that funny.
was there this summer and it is truly one of the my favourite travel destinations ever! Everyone is super nice and the city itself is amazing!
Although you may want to see Bourbon street just to see what all the fuss is about I would recommend going to Frenchman is you are there on the weekend. It is so full of culture! There are local bands playing everywhere, including alleys and the atmosphere is incredible. This is more of a weekend thing. We went on a Friday, I am not sure how busy it would be during the week.
Also Stanley is a restaurant in the French Quarter with AWESOME breakfast, their french toast is incredible and will keep you full for most of the day.
If you are in the mood for a bit of a splurge I would HIGHLY recommend ' Fins…this is probably some of the best food I have ever had. It is a fish and seafood place that is open fairly late in the evening. Definitely higher end. They have almost anything that you would ever want, and they have a new menu EVERY day based on what is fresh!!!
In terms of things to do we spent a good portion of time just walking around and soaking it all in. Walking around that neighborhood is like being in a museum.
I am getting terrible excited just talking about it. It is such an incredible place, you are going to love it.
Sincerely,
Shoe Gal
My recent post Change
LOVE LOVE LOVE the new header. I think it's your best yet!
Thanks! :)
Music and Food are the heart and sould of Nola, been there a number of times, I have done it all, but one of the best memories and to get a true Nola feeling is head to Preservation Hall. Its not expensive to get in, and its one of the original jazz-holes. Its dirty, its standing room only, it has one lightbulb lighting the place, and its air is filled with the sonds of dixie land jazz, some Louis and other favorite Nola sons and daughters. Just don't pay to request “the saints” someone else is likely to do that for you.
We were there at the beginning of Dec '10. I would highly recommend taking a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. You'll pay around $25 for the class at lunch and you will get a fabulous meal. It was the best meal of my trip. Sign up ahead of time (just call them) because they tend to sell out. They also provide beer with lunch…. I would avoid bourbon st, especially after dark. We went to Mother's – I would second that it is good. A 'poor boy' is a local sandwich made with all different kinds of meats – you will want to try one. Take a trolley out of the french quarter – you will get a better meal at a better price. We enjoyed the Mardi Gras museum – they have a free shuttle that will take you out to where it is. The ww2 museum was excellent. I read a book by this guy – he still works as a restaurant critic http://www.nomenu.com/ he sponsors frequent wine dinners that are all inclusive for around $75 for several courses and wine. I would've loved to go to one but I couldn't talk my sisters into it. I can't wait to go back.