What should I do in New Orleans next week?
October 17, 2015 5:22 PM Subscribe
I'm working at a meeting in New Orleans next week - arriving Wednesday afternoon and leaving Saturday afternoon. I have breaks during the day and free evenings. Previously, I toured Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, the Superdome, and the Garden District via streetcar. I'll be staying one block from the French Quarter - a twenty minute walk from Cafe Du Monde, which I will take advantage of daily.
Factors:
> During the day I'll have 2-3 hour spans of time where I can leave the exhibit booth, as long as I'm back there for the 15 minutes that the attendees get for breaks. This makes dropping $25 for museum admissions tough, because I'd have to run through and not linger.
> I could go back up to my room, but it's going to be sunny and in the high 70s and this might be the last time I'm warm 'til spring.
> My days begin at 7am and will end at 4:30pm.
> I'm a woman traveling alone and won't have a car. I'm fine walking, with Uber and with public transit.
> I'm not above touristy things - I'm a tourist!
> I'll eat almost anything. I love to eat. I also like coffeeshops.
Basically, help me stay out of Harrah's and Starbucks because I can visit those places here in NJ. Thanks!
Factors:
> During the day I'll have 2-3 hour spans of time where I can leave the exhibit booth, as long as I'm back there for the 15 minutes that the attendees get for breaks. This makes dropping $25 for museum admissions tough, because I'd have to run through and not linger.
> I could go back up to my room, but it's going to be sunny and in the high 70s and this might be the last time I'm warm 'til spring.
> My days begin at 7am and will end at 4:30pm.
> I'm a woman traveling alone and won't have a car. I'm fine walking, with Uber and with public transit.
> I'm not above touristy things - I'm a tourist!
> I'll eat almost anything. I love to eat. I also like coffeeshops.
Basically, help me stay out of Harrah's and Starbucks because I can visit those places here in NJ. Thanks!
Definite +1 for Verti Marte. It's an experience and the food is amazing.
posted by foodgeek at 6:31 PM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by foodgeek at 6:31 PM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Addiction coffee is my new favorite in the quarter- they have great coffee and delicious muffins from a great bakery uptown (try the carrot cake). It's only a block off Bourbon and a block from Canal but doesn't feel like it. The CCs on Royal is part of a chain, but it's nice to hang out in and that section of Royal has some fun shops.
I highly recommend sitting at the bar in any random dive in the quarter and people watching/eavesdropping. There are some good targets for this on North Rampart at the edge of the quarter and generally in the away from the river/away from Canal part of the quarter (i.e. the somewhat less touristy parts).
Definitely explore Frenchmen- there's live music every night and a great art market most nights.
posted by MadamM at 6:47 PM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
I highly recommend sitting at the bar in any random dive in the quarter and people watching/eavesdropping. There are some good targets for this on North Rampart at the edge of the quarter and generally in the away from the river/away from Canal part of the quarter (i.e. the somewhat less touristy parts).
Definitely explore Frenchmen- there's live music every night and a great art market most nights.
posted by MadamM at 6:47 PM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The sculpture garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art is nice to walk around, easily doable within 2-3 hours (including getting there and back). However, seconding Pacrand: NOLA is excellent for both food and people-watching, less so for activities.
I would highly recommend Cafe Beignet (also in the French Quarter). Surrey's (garden district) is excellent for brunch if you can swing it. A few other great restaurants: Mais Arepas - definitely get a juice - and Herbsaint for a fancier dinner (both are sort of between the central business district and French Quarter, I think?).
posted by staraling at 7:32 PM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would highly recommend Cafe Beignet (also in the French Quarter). Surrey's (garden district) is excellent for brunch if you can swing it. A few other great restaurants: Mais Arepas - definitely get a juice - and Herbsaint for a fancier dinner (both are sort of between the central business district and French Quarter, I think?).
posted by staraling at 7:32 PM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Could you get away for a fixed period long enough for a lunch reservation at Restaurant August? It's $20.15 (at a place where during dinner service that's what appetizers run) and really great. really excellent food and it also happens to be close to the convention center if that's where you'll be.
Cocktails at Kingfish in the quarter were also not to be missed.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 7:36 PM on October 17, 2015
Cocktails at Kingfish in the quarter were also not to be missed.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 7:36 PM on October 17, 2015
Forgot to mention that August only does lunch on Fridays.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 7:37 PM on October 17, 2015
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 7:37 PM on October 17, 2015
It's been a loooong time since I went to New Orleans, but can anyone else verify the safety of the OP walking around for 20 minutes to hit her location? I say this because when I was there, we were a short-ish walk to the Quarter but they HIGHLY RECOMMENDED we take a shuttle...turned out that was because both of heavy street construction and for safety reasons. I just wanted to mention/ask if anyone knew if she'd be okay over there strolling the streets at this point.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:23 PM on October 17, 2015
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:23 PM on October 17, 2015
Best answer: Take a walk to Cochon Butcher at lunch. There's a wait but it will go fast. Listen to me now, believe me later: The last two sandwiches I had there literally brought tears to my eyes.
posted by ftm at 9:32 PM on October 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ftm at 9:32 PM on October 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Get the alligator cheesecake at Jacques-Imo's Cafe! Or anything on the menu there, really.
It's touristy, but check out the Sazerac bar inside the Roosevelt Hotel. And look for Huey Long's (replica, unfortunately) deduct box in the lobby.
posted by un petit cadeau at 9:32 PM on October 17, 2015
It's touristy, but check out the Sazerac bar inside the Roosevelt Hotel. And look for Huey Long's (replica, unfortunately) deduct box in the lobby.
posted by un petit cadeau at 9:32 PM on October 17, 2015
jenfullmoon, I live on the edge of the quarter and I'm a woman in my 20s and I walk around the quarter alone all the time. Not at night and not after drinking (when I stick with a group or at least another person) but during the day it's pretty safe. There's no major street construction going on in the quarter right now (afaik) and while mugging/pickpocketing/etc do happen, the OP will more than likely be fine.
posted by MadamM at 10:00 PM on October 17, 2015
posted by MadamM at 10:00 PM on October 17, 2015
+1 to Cochon Butcher.
And I'm a man, but I think that the French Quarter is perfectly safe in daylight hours. A lot of desperate people are around, sure, but I've never seen sketchiness in the quarter proper during daylight. I'm speculating, but I would think standard wisdom applies, don't go where nobody else already is.
Also, Coops. Smoked duck quesadilla and andouille-Tasso pasta. And Willie Mays Scotch House is worth a taxi. That's the best fried chicken I've ever had.
Just make sure you eat wherever. Focus on food. Everything tastes better there. Best burgers, best chicken, best whatever, it's there. Only thing I know that's better elsewhere is pasta in Bologna and Mexican in Cali.
posted by Pacrand at 10:27 PM on October 17, 2015
And I'm a man, but I think that the French Quarter is perfectly safe in daylight hours. A lot of desperate people are around, sure, but I've never seen sketchiness in the quarter proper during daylight. I'm speculating, but I would think standard wisdom applies, don't go where nobody else already is.
Also, Coops. Smoked duck quesadilla and andouille-Tasso pasta. And Willie Mays Scotch House is worth a taxi. That's the best fried chicken I've ever had.
Just make sure you eat wherever. Focus on food. Everything tastes better there. Best burgers, best chicken, best whatever, it's there. Only thing I know that's better elsewhere is pasta in Bologna and Mexican in Cali.
posted by Pacrand at 10:27 PM on October 17, 2015
Hello from Chartres Street!
I had a really fun time seeing Kermit Ruffins last night at the Blue Nile on Frenchman St. He's on the calendar for this Friday too. I might Uber over if I were traveling alone.
In your previous trips, if you didn't do the museums in the Presbytere and the Cabildo (the buildings that flank St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square), they're pretty good for a 2-3 hour window. Admission is $6 each. The museum in the Presbytere is especially well done, with an exhibit about Katrina and another about Mardi Gras.
The Immaculate Conception church in the Central Business District was more beautiful (and more surprising) than St. Louis Cathedral.
posted by purpleclover at 10:33 PM on October 17, 2015
I had a really fun time seeing Kermit Ruffins last night at the Blue Nile on Frenchman St. He's on the calendar for this Friday too. I might Uber over if I were traveling alone.
In your previous trips, if you didn't do the museums in the Presbytere and the Cabildo (the buildings that flank St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square), they're pretty good for a 2-3 hour window. Admission is $6 each. The museum in the Presbytere is especially well done, with an exhibit about Katrina and another about Mardi Gras.
The Immaculate Conception church in the Central Business District was more beautiful (and more surprising) than St. Louis Cathedral.
posted by purpleclover at 10:33 PM on October 17, 2015
I really enjoyed the tour at the Old New Orleans Rum Distillery last time I was there. And they give you rum! The site says that they pick you up, but given your time constraints I think you might consider taking a cab. Perhaps you could find someone to split the cost of transport?
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:32 AM on October 18, 2015
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:32 AM on October 18, 2015
How could I have forgotten Cochon butcher! Eat lunch there every day except when you go to August. The hot muffuletta is amazing (maybe bring a friend since its huge - or take he other half back to your hotel and it will turn into a "real" rested muffetta).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 4:55 AM on October 18, 2015
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 4:55 AM on October 18, 2015
Cafe du monde is great but I personally think Morning Call at New Orleans City park is superior, and also serves great gumbo and étouffée. The park itself is really nice, and has an art museum as well.
posted by Karaage at 5:28 AM on October 18, 2015
posted by Karaage at 5:28 AM on October 18, 2015
Felix's for chargrilled oysters. OMG so good. There is a line out the door around dinner time, so try to go off-hours. So worth it though.
Cafe du Monde has a takeout line on the right side (when facing the river), and it is often much faster than the sit-down line. Get it to go and sit by the river or elsewhere and people-watch. Only sit by the river if there are a few other tourists doing the same, sometimes there are sketchy characters there.
Have you strolled down Royal street? Lots of art studio shops and very peaceful, unlike Bourbon St.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 9:33 AM on October 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cafe du Monde has a takeout line on the right side (when facing the river), and it is often much faster than the sit-down line. Get it to go and sit by the river or elsewhere and people-watch. Only sit by the river if there are a few other tourists doing the same, sometimes there are sketchy characters there.
Have you strolled down Royal street? Lots of art studio shops and very peaceful, unlike Bourbon St.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 9:33 AM on October 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
I like Cafe Du Monde's beignets a bit better, but Morning Call is maybe a better overall experience--it's usually not crowded, and you're in beautiful City Park. Sit outside though, because it's very loud inside. Both places are cash-only; Morning Call has an ATM.
The Pharmacy Museum in the Quarter is worth a look--it's smallish and only $5, so you can probably see everything in an hour or so.
I'm partial to Buffa's Bar on Esplanade--unpretentious Creole food and great 50s-style burgers, friendly, and there's usually live music at night.
Bar Tonique on North Rampart has pretty amazing craft cocktails--this is a great place to get a mint julep or other fancy-pants drink that many Quarter bars won't make. It's not cheap (at least not for New Orleans--about $10/drink) but very good. This area can be a tad sketchy late at night, so cab it maybe. In the daytime it's fine, and you can check out Armstrong Park and Congo Square across the street.
Uber coverage in New Orleans is not great, and local cabs are usually reasonable and friendly. I would recommend United Cab, the largest company, over Uber.
If you can get to a Preservation Hall show, they're really something. You have to stand in line for tickets, but it shouldn't be too nuts on a weekday. The no-frills gyro place nearby is quite good, if you're hungry after the show.
posted by Nibbly Fang at 9:39 AM on October 18, 2015
The Pharmacy Museum in the Quarter is worth a look--it's smallish and only $5, so you can probably see everything in an hour or so.
I'm partial to Buffa's Bar on Esplanade--unpretentious Creole food and great 50s-style burgers, friendly, and there's usually live music at night.
Bar Tonique on North Rampart has pretty amazing craft cocktails--this is a great place to get a mint julep or other fancy-pants drink that many Quarter bars won't make. It's not cheap (at least not for New Orleans--about $10/drink) but very good. This area can be a tad sketchy late at night, so cab it maybe. In the daytime it's fine, and you can check out Armstrong Park and Congo Square across the street.
Uber coverage in New Orleans is not great, and local cabs are usually reasonable and friendly. I would recommend United Cab, the largest company, over Uber.
If you can get to a Preservation Hall show, they're really something. You have to stand in line for tickets, but it shouldn't be too nuts on a weekday. The no-frills gyro place nearby is quite good, if you're hungry after the show.
posted by Nibbly Fang at 9:39 AM on October 18, 2015
Since no one else has mentioned it yet, I cannot recommend Drink & Learn highly enough!
Click the link, check out the website, read the TripAdvisor reviews, then buy tickets. It's wonderful!
Disclaimer: I used to live in New Orleans, and learning about the history of classic drinks while wandering the French Quarter and imbibing them with the most amazing tour guide ever is a blast for locals and tourists alike.
posted by subliminable at 7:09 PM on October 18, 2015
Click the link, check out the website, read the TripAdvisor reviews, then buy tickets. It's wonderful!
Disclaimer: I used to live in New Orleans, and learning about the history of classic drinks while wandering the French Quarter and imbibing them with the most amazing tour guide ever is a blast for locals and tourists alike.
posted by subliminable at 7:09 PM on October 18, 2015
I was in NOLA for Southern Decadence last month and we did an awesome airboat adventure on the bayou. Crazy gator and spider action! Highly recommended. Very touristy but so much fun.
posted by Lleyam at 11:06 AM on October 20, 2015
posted by Lleyam at 11:06 AM on October 20, 2015
Response by poster: Hi! Thought I'd check back in and thank you all. My trip was fantastic, but the conference schedule skewed enough that my free time gaps were shorter than I thought. Here's what I ended up doing...
I stayed at the Roosevelt! I didn't want to put that out there in the initial question, but the lobby was gorgeous and the Sazerac bar elegant as hell. Almost too elegant - I felt underdressed most of the time because I didn't want to get back into my business gear. Saw Huey's box and read all of the neat historical plaques in the lobby.
Food: I made it to Cochon Butcher and had fried alligator. I can't say enough good things about that place, and I wish I could have gone back every day. I had the privilege of meeting up with ColdChef and we ate at Kingfish. VERY nice. Afterward, we went to Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29. Very fun! On my last morning, I stumbled into La Divina Gelateria and had a fantastic breakfast. Cafe Du Monde's lines were nuts both times I approached, so I had my beignets at Cafe Beignet instead and it was delightful.
Recreationally, I did a lot of wandering and poked into a lot of art galleries. I sat at the river and watched the boats go by. And I took a selfie with the Ignatius J. Reilly statue.
Thank you all! I'll likely be back in 2 years for another meeting, and I'll tack on an extra day and hit up the tours!
posted by kimberussell at 9:59 AM on October 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
Thank you all! I'll likely be back in 2 years for another meeting, and I'll tack on an extra day and hit up the tours!
posted by kimberussell at 9:59 AM on October 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you ask me, the best way to experience the French quarter is to meander. Take time to go to Frenchman street. Hit up 13 (a hole in the wall restaurant) there for tachos. Listen to all the albums in the listening stations at Louisiana Music Factory, because you just don't get exposed to this stuff anywhere else. Sit at the river. Get a beer at Muriel's and take it up to the balcony and people-watch. Take a taxi out to Liuzza's By The Track and get the BBQ Shrimp Po Boy, one of the best things in the world. Take the streetcar out to the garden district, get off when you see something interesting, and just saunter around looking at beautiful architecture. Get oyster-drunk at Felix's. Get anything at Verti-Marte and eat it standing at a table and watch the people.
I've been going for years, and I never feel like the activities are the thing, it's the food and the ambiance. That said, the World War II museum is a hell of a thing.
posted by Pacrand at 5:57 PM on October 17, 2015 [5 favorites]