OT: New Orleans Trip

[msudawg05]

Taking my 9 year old to NOLA next week for 3 days. I've only been once about 20 years ago on a junior high trip. She wants to do the main things like the zoo, aquarium, and WWII museum.

We'll be staying in the business district about 2 blocks from canal and 0.6 miles from the aquarium so most things should be within walking distance.

Any advice on other things to do (must do touristy or obscure)...places to eat (I like to try good local places in lieu of big national chains)...or any other info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

ETA: she loves a good ribeye and filet so a steak recommendation would be great but a place where you can dress casual.

 

[57stratdawg]

Places to eat shouldn't be any issue. Throw a rock and you'll probably hit a Top 100 restaurant.

Cochan's Butchery is a nice, off the path lunch spot. I like Atchafalya for dinner, but not sure how great of an option it would be with a 9 year old.

 

[rugbdawg]

Eat brunch at Red Gravy. Try the cannoli pancakes and anything that combines their tomato sauce, meatballs, and eggs over easy.

 

[civildawg88]

Eat breakfast at ruby slipper. Herb Saint for dinner

 

[aTotal360]

Mother's sux!!!!!!!!1!!!1!

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Dickie Brennan's has good steaks.

One of my personal favorites is the Redfish Grill on Bourbon St. They have a bread pudding that's incredible that you have to order when you sit down to eat because they make it fresh.

Palace Cafe for brunch. The Ruby Slipper is good too.

Dragos for the charbroiled oysters.

 

[RocketDawg]

Places to eat shouldn't be any issue. Throw a rock and you'll probably hit a Top 100 restaurant.

Cochan's Butchery is a nice, off the path lunch spot. I like Atchafalya for dinner, but not sure how great of an option it would be with a 9 year old.

Haven't been there in several years but Atchefalaya was a good place for breakfast. I assume it's the same place you mentioned.

 

[Palos verdes]

Oysters at Felix's

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

I highly recommend Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse too, but with a 9 year old, you should hit up Port of Call for a steak (or phenomenal burger) and baked potato. It's a great local joint on Esplanade (the other side of the Quarter from where you're staying, but a short cab ride). Their signature drink is a monsoon, which comes in a keeper cup (same size as Newk's), but you can get a Coke or Shirley Temple or whatever in one too for your kid, which is always fun...

 

[The Peeper]

I'm not a fan of expensive, long waits. With that in mind, Cafe Fleur de Lis on Chartres about 4 blocks off Canal for breakfast, go early, limited seating. Concierge at Sheraton recommended years ago and has never failed me. Seating Nazi will holler at you if you get out of line outside, ignore him.

Lunch or dinner @ Cafe Maspero on Decatur. Cheap, quick, large quantities hard to beat.

 

[rugbdawg]

I'd also take your daughter to Gallatoire's for a daddy/daughter date.

 

[seshomoru]

I was going to suggest something similar.

Gallatoire' would be great because it's iconic, y'all could get dressed up, and with a nine year old, you could eat early enough to not stand in line forever to eat downstairs. If not there, somewhere like Mr. B's might be good. I've gone with my parent's when I was young, as a just out of college student on a friends bachelor party, and as a 30 year old for brunch with my wife. It's been perfect service and great food each time. Really want to blow it out at an institution? Go to Commanders. There is always Arnaud's or Antoine's, too. See if she'll eat raw oysters at the bar at Felix's. If you get a nine year old girl to down some on the half shell, you might not have to pay for them.

When I was a kid I loved the Zoo and Aquarium, and even just walking through the French Market was kinda cool. I still like doing those things. You may want to also see what's on Magazine and take her shopping. There's a pretty cool toy store somewhere on it. There is a Mardis Gras Museum somewhere around Jackson Square, too. At least there was, it might have moved. It was really interesting.

Oh, and brunch at Court of Two Sisters would be cool.

 

[the dog is on the loose]

Family and I went to the aquarium and zoo last weekend. When driving on hwy 90 the gps says turn on to Jefferson ave. it's closed. Drive a little ways down to broadway st and take left instead. Gps will then direct you from there. Zoo is very nice. Tulane is close to there and there are still beads and beer cans on small trees on broadway left from Mardi Gras

 

[o_ArcadeDawg]

Rib Room is great. corn and crab chowder is best I ever had.

 

[MaroonCrusader]

Taking my 9 year old to NOLA next week for 3 days. I've only been once about 20 years ago on a junior high trip. She wants to do the main things like the zoo, aquarium, and WWII museum.

We'll be staying in the business district about 2 blocks from canal and 0.6 miles from the aquarium so most things should be within walking distance.

Any advice on other things to do (must do touristy or obscure)...places to eat (I like to try good local places in lieu of big national chains)...or any other info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

ETA: she loves a good ribeye and filet so a steak recommendation would be great but a place where you can dress casual.

I have lived in Nola for about 5 1/2 years now. I also have a 3 year old girl so we hit the same rounds you are trying to do. The zoo is great. You'll have to drive or take the streetcar to the stop in front of Audubon park and then walk through the park to the zoo on Magazine St. I would go early...it opens at 10am. The Aquarium is nice too. The insectarium is hit or miss. There is a children's museum on Julia Street in the CBD that is decent. As far as food goes...you can get pretty much whatever you'd like. For a great steak, check out La Boca. It's an Argentinian steakhouse...amazing flank steak there. For breakfast, our go to place with our daughter is Surrey's or Ruby Slipper. You should also take her to Lafayette Cemetery #1 in the Garden District. It's right next to Commander's Palace Restaurant. Uber and Lyft are here now and it's become a great/cheap way to get around the city. PS, crawfish are nice and big right now. Good luck, and enjoy Nola!

 

[katfsh]

If you take the street car to the zoo when you get off at Audubon park you don't have to walk there is a van that will take you to the front gate of the zoo free of charge.

Bon ton cafe is one our favorite places to eat. My daughter had steak last time we were there it was good. But what I have had off of the rest of the menu is excellent. I had red fish with crawfish etouffee over it.

You have to take her to cafe du monde. My kids love it, even with it being crowded. There is one in the river walk it will be closer to where your staying but it's just not the same.

 

[civildawg88]

The flank steak at la boca is incredible. The bananas foster French toast at surreys is amazing as well. They only take cash at surreys I think

 

[57stratdawg]

Probably. I've never been there for breakfast though. I'm sure it's solid.

 

[PBRME]

Mother's sux!!!!!!!!1!!!1!

O ver rated!!!!!!

 

[PBRME]

Make sure to buy the movie ticket along with your museum ticket. It's worth the extra cost.