OT: New Orleans

[DudyDog]

Need some suggestions guys. Wanting to take wife and 15 year old daughter to New Orleans for a long weekend; Thurs through Sunday. I haven't been in almost 20 years. Daughter has never been. Would like for her to see the sites, etc. Eat at some nice restaurants. Stay in a nice local. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


And for you degenerates who can't help yourselves, go ahead and make some funny suggestions; I know you can't wait. I'm sure I'll laugh at some. thanks

 

[ronpolk]

Stay at omni royal, eat at port of call and rib room.

 

[AtomicDog001]

Even if you stay downtown/quarter area, make some time to venture Uptown. Take a slow drive all the way down St. Charles and look at all the nice houses. Park around Tulane/Loyola and walk a couple laps around Audobon Park... take your beers with you if you're into that. Really nice area that gets missed by most I would assume.

I would suggest streetcar but with so much construction going on, its route is pretty spotty right now. I highly recommend WWII museum. It's pretty impressive and good way to get outta the heat or rain. Herbsaint, Peche, and Cochon Butcher are 3 restaurants I would recommend without giving it too much though. Butcher is great for lunch.

 

[esplanade91]

Drago's charbroiled oysters are quite possibly the single greatest food item in the world.

My mom used to take me to Camiella Grill almost every other weekend growing up. Still some of my best memories. Go there, and get the chocolate freeze and a Reuben.

I think the aquarium is the largest in the U.S. That's always fun, but I don't know how much a 15 year old girl would enjoy that.

 

[aTotal360]

Sound advice. +1

 

[57stratdawg]

Stay at the Royal Sonesta. Spend some time in the Quarter, but head out to the Garden District too. Atchafalya is my fav restaurant in NOLA.

 

[uptowndawg]

The girls would love

Magazine street between Washington and Louisiana ave. Storyville, fleurty girl, funky monkey and a few other unique shopping opportunities. They got that wop ice cream they call gelato at a place called sucre if the girls want to eat that. You can go hang out at balcony bar or the bulldog and have a beer while they do their thing.

 

[patdog]

Zoo and aquarium with a river cruise between the two.

 

[tatedog]

Drago's charbroiled oysters are quite possibly the single greatest food item in the world.

My mom used to take me to Camiella Grill almost every other weekend growing up. Still some of my best memories. Go there, and get the chocolate freeze and a Reuben.

I think the aquarium is the largest in the U.S. That's always fun, but I don't know how much a 15 year old girl would enjoy that.

Slight derail here, but how is the Drago's in Jackson compared to New Orleans for anyone who has tried both?

 

[woozman]

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Food: Others have covered this well, but make sure to get some Beignets at Cafe Du Monde - get them to go and walk up to the park next to the river to enjoy them and some coffee.

Zoo & Aquarium: We take our kids to these often and are Audubon members (free admission). Both are nice, but you may want to just plan on the aquarium and maybe the Imax. They are in the same building and are in the French Quarter. The zoo is a 20-minute drive. In addition, it will be hot and will involve lots of walking. The aquarium is air conditioned and I disagree with the poster that mentioned that a 15-yr old won't like it. Go to their website, depending on when you're going, you may be able to reserve a spot for her to feed a dolphin, etc. Also, look at the schedule for the shark feeding.

WW2 Museum: Great!!

My only other suggestion is Preservation Hall. It is great music and is family friendly (for your 15-yr old). They don't sell drinks there (I think they'll let you bring one in) so it's never full with drunk college students. Plan to stand in line for an hour before the show you pick and they only take cash for the cover - basically, read the FAQ on the attached link. Really great time, and it's right off of Bourbon. http://preservationhall.com/

 

[ababyatemydingo]

unfortunately, they don't do the ferry cruise up the river between the aquarium and zoo, anymore.

 

[civildawg88]

You can take the trolley to the zoo

 

[ababyatemydingo]

If you're parking in the Quarter or the aquarium, or anywhere downtown, your best bet is just to take the bus all the way to the zoo from there. Don't bother with the trolley for that particular excursion. The buses in NO are very nice.

 

[DudyDog]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Between this and looking at some older threads, I'm now going to have to whittle it down to a manageable itinerary. Lots of great suggestions. Trying to book in the next two-three weeks but finding a lot of places booked up.

 

[esplanade91]

I bet you could find an apartment or condo for rent downtown on airbnb or VRBO.

 

[DudyDog]

Anyone have any experience with Hotel St. Marie? In the French Qtr. a couple blocks from Bourbon. Has overall good reviews. Moderately priced at $160 a night. They have a 2nd floor balcony room available.

 

[civildawg88]

Have no idea about that hotel but we stayed in the rinassance arts hotel using Priceline express deal at 150 a night and it was great. Easy walk to everything. I really suggest Priceline express deals

 

[RivaDawg]

Anyone have any experience with Hotel St. Marie? In the French Qtr. a couple blocks from Bourbon. Has overall good reviews. Moderately priced at $160 a night. They have a 2nd floor balcony room available.[/

Double post

 

[RivaDawg]

Anyone have any experience with Hotel St. Marie? In the French Qtr. a couple blocks from Bourbon. Has overall good reviews. Moderately priced at $160 a night. They have a 2nd floor balcony room available.

Nice hotel and good location. Have not stayed there, but walked through and had a drink by the pool. Decor is a little "modern" for my taste, but it is very nice.

 

[rem101]

Rum House has great food and would be a good lunch if you're in that area.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

My only suggestion would be to not stay in the Quarter the entire time. There are other cool places like Uptown, Magazine St, Aud/Tulane, Marigny, Mid-Town. They all offer great places to eat and drink. Sure, go see the sites in the quarter all you want. But be sure to go to the other parts of town as well.

 

[FQDawg]

Port of Call is the most overrated place in the city

The burgers are average at best and the place is crawling with people who are only there because they think it's the cool place to be. If you want a great burger, check out High Hat on Freret St. Company Burger (also on Freret) is very good as well. A burger at High Hat and then homemade ice cream at Ice Cream 504 (just across the street from High Hat) is a great, great meal.

No idea what to recommend for a 15-year old but here are a few other restaurants to check out:

Parkway is everybody's "must visit" place for po boys and it is good but I like Avery's on Tulane Ave. better.
Willie Mae's Scotch House has great fried chicken. The original location near the FQ is probably going to be packed but they just opened a new location on St. Charles Ave. not far from Tulane University.
Dooky Chase's is also great for fried chicken and other southern/soul food type dishes. I have honestly never had a bad meal here. They sometimes have weird operating hours, though, so it doesn't hurt to check if they are open if you decide to check them out.
If you want a brunch place on Saturday, check out Capdeville in the Central Business District. Order the truffle mac and cheese and thank me later. They also have good burgers here if you make it for lunch or dinner.

Another great brunch place is Superior Seafood on St. Charles Ave. Maybe the best brunch in the city for my money.

If you want something a little nicer but that's not quite at the Commander's/Galatoire's coat-and-tie level, check out Crepe Nanou or The Flaming Torch. Both are Uptown. Cochon in the CBD is also very good.

The best advice I can give you is to not spend all your time in the French Quarter... There's so much more to the city than that and the best restaurants (aside from the upper, upper level, super expensive ones) are in other parts of the city. Try Frenchman Street for music (although I don't know what the deal is with some of those clubs letting in people who are under age).

 

[rem101]

You should also suggest not staying at the Saint hotel with his 15 year old daughter attending the trip.

 

[aTotal360]

To each his own. I think PoC is awesome. And yes, I think Mother's is good too. And I like bbq ribs at Rendezvous and pulled pork at the Germantown Commissary.

 

[esplanade91]

If you spend $150 at Mango Mango in one sitting I'm sure they'll let you sleep in the back. Might want a backup plan though.

 

[Dawg1979]

Drago's in Nola is better than in jackson. jackson is still good, but just seems to lack a little


we go to NO a lot and used to stay at Royal Sonesta or equal niceness. we now stay usually at the Wyndam Garden Baronne. its not as nice, but its very nice. usually can get a room for around $119/night and its 3 blocks from Bourbon on the other side of Canal. i strongly suggest it.

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/louis...rden-baronne-plaza-new-orleans/hotel-overview


Restaurants: Red Fish Grill, Dragos, Rum House, Mothers for lunch. just stay away from crap like Jimmy Buffets Margarittaville

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

My son ate at Mother's. Said was the best Gumbo he ever had....

He goes in, the waitress was rude ("Whaddya want?!"), and was served the best New Orleans food you could ever want.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

You should also suggest not staying at the Saint hotel with his 15 year old daughter attending the trip.

This is a true statement.

 

[Dawguire]

Not much of a mothers fan myself. Now I did have gumbo last weekend at Luke and I would say it is the best I've had. All the John Besh restaurants I've been too have be phenomenal - Luke, Peche, Herbsaint. I've never stayed at Omni but I stayed next door last weekend and I like that area. You can walk to the quarter but not as busy as the quarter side of canal and there are a handful of hotels right there. Also, domenica has a pretty good deal on pizzas during happy hour.

 

[seshomoru]

Been down a lot and headed down there this weekend as well...

Except with a three year old, so it will be a bit different than any previous trips. Staying at a Best Western on St. Charles where we can catch a street car or bus to the zoo or the aquarium. Probably will eat at Superior Seafood, breakfast it somewhere on Magazine. However, the wife and I have gone down a few times and here's what we do...

http://www.valentinohotels.com/

Rooms are generally small, and you'll pay for parking (like any quarter hotel), but they are walking distance from every where in the quarter. We've stayed at the Prince Conti and the P'lace de Armes (block off Jackson Square).

Off the top of my head some nice restaurants I've eaten at:

Commanders: Super fine dining, very pricey, best dining experience I've ever had
Mr. B's: One of the Brennan's just not sure which one, awesome food, great service, not as bank breaking as commanders
NOLA: One of Emeril's joints. Again.. awesome food, awesome service
GW Finn's: Incredible fish place, the owners were the beef buyers for the original Ruth Chris, took their buyout money and got into seafood.
Arnaud's: one of the classics
Bayona: eclectic menu, it's a Susan Spicer joint. My parents love this place

Good lunch spots in the quarter:
Felix's for the stand up raw oyster bar
Deanies - get a bloody mary
Cafe Maspero
Sbisas

You have to do for brunch/breakfast:
Du Monde
Court of Two Sisters: an insane brunch buffet, so much foot, and very "New Orleansy"


Cruise Royal and pop in the antique shops, hit up the French Market, even though she's 15 the Aquarium is still cool as hell, Riverwalk shops have been renovated, hang out in the square and watch the performers


My parents would always take us down for weekends growing up. It's where I learned what good food was. Enjoy yourself.

 

[FQDawg]

Just as an FYI...

They are doing a ton of work on the street car tracks (and streets in general) so you probably won't be able to get from your hotel to the Zoo using that mode of transportation. You may be able to start on a street car, switch to a bus and then back to a street car but I'd check with your hotel before you set out if you're trying to go that way.

 

[seshomoru]

Good to know, thanks.

Probably just gonna drive to the Zoo. Gonna be different having a car readily available and not in the quarter. Was planning on taking the Street Cars into the Quarter for the Aquarium and Insectarium.

 

[patdog]

Mothers is an experience. It's a NO tradition and is definitely worth doing. But the food is only average to good. Definitely not great.

 

[fishwater99]

Here my list.

Fine Dining
Peche Seafood Grill - 800 Magazine St, New Orleans, 504.522.1744
Annunciation - 1016 Annunciation St, New Orleans, 504.568.0245
La Petite Grocery 4238 Magazine St, New Orleans, 504-891-3377
Cochon 930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, 504-588-2123
Herbsaint - 701 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, (504) 524-4114
Lilette - 3637 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504.895.1636
Domenica -123 Baronne St, New Orleans, 504-648-6020
Patois 6078 Laurel St., New Orleans, 504-895-9441
Restaurant August - 301 Tchoupitoulas Street New Orleans, 504-299-9777
Bayona - 430 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, (504) 525-4455
GW Fins - 808 Bienville Street, New Orleans, (504) 581-3467
Commander's Palace - 1403 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, (504) 899-8221
Luke - 333 St. Charles Ave. ? New Orleans, LA 70130 ? 504.378.2840
Mr. B's Bistro - 201 Royal Street New Orleans, (504) 523-2078
Tableau - 616 St. Peters St., New Orleans, 504.934.3463

Neighborhood Food
Liuzza's by the Track - 1518 N. Lopez St., New Orleans, 504.218.7888
Liuzza's - 3636 Bienville Ave., New Orleans, 504.482.9120
Parkway Tavern & Bakery - 538 Hagan Ave., New Orleans, 504.482.3047
Elizabeth's - 601 Gallier St.,New Orleans, 504.944.9272
Drago's - Hilton Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras Street, New Orleans,, 504.584.3911
Mandina's - 3800 Canal St., New Orleans, 504.482.9179
Casamento's - 4330 Magazine St., New Orleans,504.895.9761
Joey K's - 3001 Magazine Street, New Orleans, 504.891.0997
Jacques-Imo's Cafe - 8234 Oak St.,New Orleans, 504.861.0886
Mimi's in the Marigny 2601 Royal St., New Orleans, 504-872-9868
Port of Call - 838 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, 504 523-0120
Mosca's - 4137 U.S. 90 W., Avondale, LA 504.436.8950
Two Sisters - 223 N. Derbigny St., New Orleans, 504.524.0056
Bacchanal Wine - 600 Poland Avenue, New Orleans, 504-948-9111


Oak Street is a nice street to visit in the Carrollton Area.
Frenchman Street behind the quarter is a spot for some good nightlife..
Magazine Street has many shops and bars, and Freret Street has grown to something similar in the last few years..
Be sure to ride the trolley down St. Charles are drive from end to end...

http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/streets/



Enjoy...

 

[dawgstudent]

My one piece of advice is don't stay in the French Quarter the whole time. So much more to New Orleans than that.

Also hit up Guy's Po Boy Shop. Still my favorite po boy in New Orleans.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/guys-po-boys-new-orleans

 

[fishwater99]

This...

My one piece of advice is don't stay in the French Quarter the whole time. So much more to New Orleans than that.

We usually stay in the Warehouse district, better hotel rates and it's close to some really great restaurants..
The last 4 times I went to NOLA I didn't even go to the FQ...

 

[dawgstudent]

If you're a first timer - by all means - you have to do the tourist stuff. But at least just drive down magazine and st Charles to see a little more.

 

[Coast Dawg]

A lot of suggestions are not that great of an idea in late July... so hot it is miserable. The regular walking around to take in the sights isn't nearly as enjoyable. The zoo is terrible this time of year.

Try to mix in indoor stuff that is cool.... WWII museum, Aquarium, etc... Take a street car from the quarter all the way up St Charles if they aren't too crowded. Some areas aren't too bad to walk where you can duck in some A/C every now & then (some areas of the quarter like Royal St, Shops on Magazine... (both for your wife & daughter to shop/explore)