Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with neworleans

Looking for awesome restaurants,bars and fun things to do in New Orleans

Afroblanco — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:37:59 -0800

My girlfriend and I are going to New Orleans for Jazz Fest later this month. Although we'll spend a fair amount of time at the festival, we'd like to spend some time exploring NOLA itself. Looking for awesome restaurants, bars and fun things to do in New Orleans First on the agenda is food. We already have plans to visit Commander's Palace, Central Grocery, Cafe DuMonde, and Brannan's. But for the rest of our meals, we're looking for delicious, authentic food that any local would be proud of. Totally down w/ "hole in the wall" places and dives. Cajun, Creole, Soul Food, BBQ, seafood, it's all good.

Definitely on the lookout for quality, non-touristy bars and hangout spots. Any place that I could only find in New Orleans and nowhere else.

Also just looking for cool things to do in general. We plan on doing a walk around the Garden District, checking out some jazz at Preservation Hall and touring some of the historic graveyards. What are some other cool things to check out? We're really into taking long walks, and we'll probably want to piece together a walking tour of sorts. Any areas (other than the French Quarter and Frenchmen St.) we should include?

Finally, any advice for Jazz Fest or visiting New Orleans in general will be welcome. For example, we'd like to get around by foot and public transportation. Is this a bad idea? (we've got shuttle tickets to get to/from the festival) We're staying in the French Quarter, dunno if it makes a difference.

Halloween in New Orleans?

JoanArkham — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:39:39 -0800

Apologies in advance for like my umpteenth Ask about New Orleans. But I have some Halloween-specific questions... I have friends who do Mardi Gras every year, but I've never joined them because it all seems kind of scary and overwhelming. But what about Halloween? When I first started thinking about it (years ago, maybe even before Voodoo Fest) everyone said it was a much smaller, mostly locals event.

I'm looking for some first-hand info on what it's like these days though. I'm not interested in Voodoo fest itself, just seeing a parade and walking around in an awesome costume. Due to the cost of the hotels I'm seeing (that aren't already booked) we may make it a short trip...maybe arriving on Wednesday, October 30 and leaving on Saturday, November 2. Will most of the crazy be happening on the weekend?

We already know we're not fans of Bourbon St. itself, so we will (continue) to avoid it.

Any advice appreciated!

Visiting New Orleans with an infant

arcticwoman — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:25:57 -0800

My wife and I will be visiting New Orleans at the end of this month with our almost 1-year old son. Having the baby with us has required two contingencies: we are renting a car, and our days will have to end by 6:30 or 7 pm-ish (although they do start at 6:30-7am). We will also need to find a quiet place for him to nap during the day, or else sit in the car/return to our lodging for an hour or so. I am hoping he'll nap in the stroller as we wander the city, but can't take this for granted. Given this, and the fact that we only have two days (Friday-22 and Monday-25, the weekend is taken up by the wedding we are travelling for) how best to organize our time? Any advice on travelling with an infant? I have read previous travel New Orleans threads and have a decent idea of some of the things I want to do/see. On the 22nd we'll be staying in Gretna, so I was thinking we could drive to the ferry, take the ferry over, and spend the day in the French Quarter. On the 25th we'll be Mid-city near Canal st., so we'll do City Park, Garden district, Magazine st, ???. Is that reasonable? With an infant?

We want to see the sights/eat the food. We aren't going to bother with museums and art galleries, as I doubt the child will have the patience. We are happy taking public transportation but will have a car and are happy to drive it around as well, depending on how easy driving/parking is. We will have a babysitter for one night, and want to make the most of it (a nice meal, some music).

Mostly I'm really stressed about the whole travelling with a baby thing. I would rather do fewer things and be relaxed and comfortable than cram in everything but do it with a screaming and unhappy child. Is NOLA easy to get around? Is it reasonable to think of returning to the hotel/BnB partway through the day for a nap? Should we ditch the car and take public transit everywhere? How did you deal with naps when you travelled with your infant? Where should we go to eat OYSTERS?

Bonus question: We're in Hammond for a day and night, anything we NEED to see/eat there?

Planning a big dinner party in New Orleans

jbickers — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:52:09 -0800

Dinner party for 300. New Orleans. October. Have about $100/person to spend. Where should we go? It's a big group, obviously, which limits our choices. But we want it to be reasonably nice and in the spirit of New Orleans. Bonus points if it's in a setting where there's something fun to do after the meal (we're looking at the aquarium, for instance). The group will be meeting at the Loews on Poydras Street, so the closer to that, the better ... can any New Orleans MeFites offer a can't-miss suggestion?

Is New Orleans in March nuts?

transient — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:22:35 -0800

I'm considering going to New Orleans with my girlfriend for vacation the third week of March, and wondering if it gets crazy enough with spring breakers to make that a bad idea. I've read the other New Orleans-related questions, but if there's any bonus information/suggestions you have, they'd of course be welcome in addition to the main question.

Christmas in New Orleans: everything closed?

intermod — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:10:28 -0800

We're considering a short trip to New Orleans over Christmas. Will we find a town that's closed up for the holiday? Mrs. Intermod and I are thinking about driving down to New Orleans on Sat Dec 22nd, being there for three days, then driving back Wed Dec 26th. We're a little concerned that a lot of the sights we might want to check out might be closed during those three days, especially considering the days of the week that they all fall on. Can you characterize what Christmas (Dec 23-25) in N.O. might be like?

By the way, I will definitely be looking at the other AskMefi questions here tagged with "neworleans". But none of them directly address this particular question.

Remembering care in the city it forgot.

eugenen — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:39:36 -0800

Safely exploring New Orleans on foot. I'll be in New Orleans this week for the first time. I love to explore new-to-me cities by wandering around independently on foot, without too much of a plan. It's my favorite thing to do when traveling, and New Orleans seems particularly fascinating.

My starting and ending point is the French Quarter.

I'm a white male in his late 20s, of average size and nerdy appearance. You can assume that I'm a reasonable person, cautious but not unduly paranoid, and that I have tons of experience living in and walking around big cities of all kinds. You can also assume I'll be doing this during the day and early evening.

What are my boundaries for safe wandering, if any?

Help me leave New Orleans before I even get there

unbearablylight — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 12:58:48 -0800

I would like to take a two day trip less than 4 hours from New Orleans on public transportation. Where should I go? I have just very excitedly booked a two week trip to New Orleans with a friend and as befits someone who is on a flight booking high, I am researching the trip seven months in advance.

Thankfully there is no shortage of info about the city itself for me to gorge on, but since my friend is leaving after ten days, and I figure that is plenty time to experience the city (feel free to tell me off on this point), I would like to go... elsewhere for the final couple of days before returning for the flight home to Ireland.

Unfortunately, due to my shameful lack of a full driving licence I will be unable to rent a car like a normal person. On the upside, I am familiar with Greyhound and Amtrak and the like from previous trips to the States and have no hesitation in using them. I just can't decide where to go.

To help narrow things down, I am a big history nut, so anywhere with a meaty museum or two, or interesting historical background (civil war, slavery, civil rights related - whatever really) would be great. I do plan on taking in a day trip to a couple of Antebellum plantations earlier in the trip (unless there's one that's accessible and worth an overnight stay?). I have been to the US a few times before but not to the South, so expect me to be charmed by seemingly uninteresting small Southern towns. The accents alone will probably be enough to be honest. I am a bit of a foodie and so have that weird fascination with going completely out of my way to try the "best" examples of local food, so feel free to send me on a wild goose chase if the goose is especially tasty. I like independent bookshops, quirky antique shops and markets. And anything really weird. I know that's not very specific.

If it makes a difference (for safety or whatever) I am a 31 year old female, alone for this portion of my trip. I'll be travelling in March 2013.

Thanking y'all (see I'm practising) in advance!

New Orleans wedding musicians

Latifolia — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 11:13:12 -0800

Can anyone recommend a small jazz or blues band (3 or fewer musicians) to play a short wedding reception in a small space in New Orleans in October? We're getting married this October in New Orleans and planning the wedding from afar. Most of it is nailed down, but finding music has been hard -- the few leads I've gotten have been unavailable (perhaps I waited too long to do this...) or are too large and/or loud for our purposes. The wedding will be in a smallish space and the proprietor tells us that any live music will have to be relatively quiet. We'd like jazz or blues (delta-style blues is our favorite, but we're flexible), and I think anything with any horns will probably be too loud for the space.

I've seen this question -- my question is similar except for the quietness limitation. Looked into the New Orleans Jazz Vipers and I'm afraid they'll be too large for us (related question: is it rude to ask a 4-6-person band if they'd play with only a few of their members?).

One night in New Orleans and Nashville

youcancallmeal — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 19:37:28 -0800

One night in New Orleans and Nashville. Where to stay, what to do? As part of a road trip from Austin to Baltimore, I'd like to stop for the evening in places that I haven't been and New Orleans and Nashville fit my timeline pretty well. (I'll be stopping in Floyd, VA the 3rd night.) Assume I'll be getting in around 6pm to each city and it'll be midweek, the last week of August. Secure parking is necessary since my car will be loaded with my stuff.

I'd like to have a nice, regionally representative dinner and then maybe a handcrafted cocktail or a local beer somewhere within walking distance to my hotel. Where should I be? I'd like to spend about $75/night or less for food and drink. Any early morning breakfast ideas would be great as well!

Do You Know What It Means to Rediscover New Orleans?

Kitteh — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:21:10 -0800

Best way to rediscover New Orleans for a former resident and a best way to discover it for her newbie husband? Hey guys, Shepherd and I are going to be in New Orleans the first week of October for our annual vacation. I want to make sure he enjoys his very first trip there and I would like to reconnect with a city I spent a lot of time in as a teen and as a young adult.

Details for me: I went to Mardi Gras every year from age 16 to 18. Then went to UNO for a bit, dropped out, and lived in the city until I moved to Atlanta in 1999. The last time I was in NO was the week before Katrina hit in 2005 (wherein I took my best friend who had never been at the time).

I know pretty much all of the bars I like best--Le Roundup, Buffa's, Snake's, the long deceased Mermaid Lounge, Molly's, the Abbey, the Alibi, Coop's, etc.--but are there any I need to know about? My husband's a music fan of all stripes so I am hoping there will be a Tin Men/Alex McMurray show while we're there. His website will tell me that.

As for food, I am now a vegan--and I know the pickings are slim but if you have a bead on something, let me know---but my husband isn't. So I would like a meal or two that caters to the best of what the city has to offer but where I can still eat too.

He is also very arty and museum-oriented so suggestions in that regard would be welcome. (I didn't take advantage of it when I was there because hey, young and ready to be stupid.)

We're staying via AirBnB in the Treme/Marigny area and will not have access to a car. We rented an apartment so that we can prepare some of our meals. Good markets for food buying is a bonus. But we won't really need one but we would like to rent bikes. Is that doable?

Also, where are good places to get your morning run in? City Park sounds good but is it too much of a pain to get there from where we are just for an a.m. run?

Anyway, any and all suggestions would be appreciated! I am looking forward to going back to a place that meant so much at significant points in my life.

(And yes, we would like to meet fellow MeFites. I promise not to threadsit too much here as well.)

Suggest a road trip of around 10 hours from Orlando!

skylar — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:37:29 -0800

Can you suggest some amazing places for me to visit within a ~10 hour drive of Orlando, Florida? I will be leaving Orlando on September 1st and have to be back either in Orlando or in Atlanta, Georgia afternoon of 7th September for my flight back to London, England. New Orleans is one enticing idea so far, Miami slightly less so...but very keen to get some suggestions from the hive mind. Everything from historic landmarks to city culture to the big wide open considered (and I'm a big fan of freshwater swimming too). I've checked other similar threads here on MeFi but haven't found anything quite like what I'm looking for. If you were going to do a road trip on my route, where would you go? Many thanks!

Quick trip to New Orleans?

JoanArkham — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:52:18 -0800

I’ve been thinking about a return trip to New Orleans for a while now (last there in 2008), and came across some good off-season fares/hotel deals for August. Yes, New Orleans in August. (Probably too many) specific questions inside… 1. The timeframe that would be best for us is around the first weekend in August. But that’s also the “Satchmo Fest” and art-walk weekend. While I’d love to check out either/both of these, I’m not a fan of crowds…are they big enough that they could make it hard to get around, even if we choose not to go?

2. The heat. I’m not very good at it, although I manage to deal with summer in Washington DC. I’m thinking most everything is going to be air-conditioned though, and we’ll use this trip to see some indoor museums we haven’t been able to make it to yet. Still…bad idea? Wait until March or something?

3. Transportation. We’ve always pretty much walked everywhere, but with the heat we may not have that option this time. We mostly know just the Quarter and a bit of the Garden District. We don’t want to rent a car, but can if we have to. Will the streetcars get us around, or are they more of a tourist ride? Are cabs a good option? (Planning on staying at the W Hotel next door to the casino.) Oh, and we’re generally city-savvy, but don’t want to venture too far anywhere sketchy with no car.

4. Indoor stuff to do. I’m especially interested in the Backstreet Cultural Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, Mardi Gras World, and maybe the Museum of the American Cocktail (worth it?). Any other suggestions for air conditioned activities?

5. Music. I admit to not really “getting” a lot of traditional jazz. Still, after watching “Treme” I’m interested in supporting some local music. I like stuff that’s more of a blending of styles and/or with a heavy funk influence. Are there particular bands or venues I should look for?

6. Cheap eats. We’re doing this as a quick-and-cheap vacation…and we usually feel more comfortable in a casual setting anyway. Best bets for raw bar oysters, sandwiches, regional can't-miss meals? (And if we decide to do just one splurge meal…where?) Mr. Arkham is a pescatarian and I’m an omnivore…so anywhere with at least one seafood/vegetarian option is fine.

7. Drinks. Favorite chill out bars? Best old-school cocktails? We really liked Pravda last time, anything similar would be great.

Thanks in advance! (And always willing to reciprocate with DC advice…)

Help a large group dine in New Orleans' French Quarter!

GaelFC — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:49:11 -0800

I'm organizing a group trip to New Orleans in June. There will be 12-13 of us and I'm trying to find a Friday-night casual restaurant and a Sunday brunch spot in the French Quarter that will take reservations for such a large group. (French Quarter preferred as it's near the hotel and some folks have walking issues, but we can possibly branch out with cabs, etc.) These two particular meals have to fit many people's budgets and tastes (at least one person can't eat seafood, and main course choices should ideally average about $11-$15).

Does anyone have recommendations? The main stumbling block here is that they must take group reservations -- I'm responsible for getting these folks somewhere that can take such a large group and not just wandering from door to door striking out.

Under consideration at the moment are Pat O'Brien's Courtyard (Friday) and Mojitos (Sunday). I can't get either to answer the phone re reservations but would be interested in input as to whether they fit the criteria

Any tips? Thanks so much for any ideas!

Cheap internet!

Scientist — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:11:29 -0800

Who is currently the best ISP in New Orleans in terms of price/bandwidth? Ms. Scientist and I just signed a lease on a fabulous new apartment and I am thinking that this might be a good time to try and get away from Cocks Cable, our current ISP, and switch to somebody better. I'm looking for recommendations. Currently I pay something like $52/month for max 2mbps down. It's cable, so of course I don't always get all of that, but it's generally enough bandwith for my purposes unless I'm trying to stream 1080p video in realtime, which is not a big thing for me.

What I'd really like is to have the same or more amount of bandwith as I have now, but pay less for it. Is there an ISP in New Orleans that will do this for me? Are there any tips and tricks out there for getting a really good deal? I have a really hard time navigating the maze of different provider websites, which I think is partially intentional on the part of the ISPs and partially just that I'm not good at this sort of thing. So help me out, hivemind. What's the best deal going on internet here in NOLA?

Looking for a care package for a medical student in New Orleans

filthy light thief — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:56:53 -0800

I'm looking for nice gift(s) for my brother who is about to take a major test, except the test in on Thursday, and he lives 1,800 miles away. What could I order or have delivered in New Orleans for a stressed out med student?

Moving to New Orleans

dotgirl — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:48:24 -0800

As mentioned in a previous question, I'll be moving to New Orleans in the fairly near future. I have a few questions and a need for reassurance. A little background and then some questions:
My soon-to-be-ex was born/raised in NO and all his family is there. His parents are getting on in years and we have a deep desire for our son to spend as much time with them as possible for the time they have left (we estimate perhaps 10 more years).

I'm neither excited nor dismayed about the move - there are pros and cons on both sides.

My biggest concern, though, is this - will the city really ever recover from Katrina?

I know that my view is a bit skewed because I currently live in one of the cleanest metro areas in the country, but it just looks so .. decayed.

That being said, I have a couple of other questions:
Are there any active and helpful listservs? I'm on 3 up here and the wealth of information is amazing.

If no listservs, is there a good central location (website, forum?) to find things like hairdressers, yoga studios, playdates for my son, etc?

I've searched & read all the "New Orleans" threads and gotten some good information, but nothing about the more "trivial" stuff that I will need to sort out as I settle in.

Any and all advice would be helpful.

Don't tell me I have to wax my eyebrows, too.

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:55 -0800

How weird is my (unremarkable for either coast) gender presentation going to seem to people when I live in New Orleans? I'm moving to New Orleans from the west coast with my girlfriend to be closer to family, and she is a little worried about how her appearance (and mine, though I am more femme than she is) will read to people. I recall when I last lived there a couple years ago, I never--literally not once, never ever--saw women with unshaven legs or underarms, no matter how hipster or crunchy or whatever. I don't mind shaving so I just sacked up and did it, but my girlfriend does. Am I just remembering incorrectly, or is it really as uncommon/noticeable as I remember? How much of a problem would it be for her to, say, go to an office job in a skirt and blouse with unshaven legs?

We'll be living in the Irish Channel, but probably (?) spending a lot of time in the Marigny/Bywater, since that's where the queers hang out. (Right? They hang out there, right? We will make some queer friends, right? Right???)

WWII Museum and dodging Final Four fans

wenestvedt — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:10:48 -0800

Can anyone comment on the "Behind the Lines" tour at the National WWII Museum? And also, we'll be there on Final Four weekend, but care nothing for basketball; any ideas for what to do and what not to try to do? My best friend and I are headed to New Orleans for a weekend of relaxation. On Saturday we're booked to do the "Behind the Lines" tour at the WWII Museum, in which you get three hours with a docent climbing on their tank and seeing stuff that's not on display, &c. Can anyone comment on this tour? Are there any items in the collection that we should be sure to see (or to skip)?

Also, we had no idea that the weekend we're going is the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament finals. (What can I say? I'm an idi0t!) We'll be staying on the edge of the French Quarter. Will we be miserable by trying to avoid drunken hoops fans, or should we be OK -- I mean, can the city absorb this many visitors plus the usual tourists?

There are so many good AskMe threads about New Orleans, and I have been reading them all. Thanks to everyone who's posted!

Eating in New Orleans?!?

ambient2 — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:30:13 -0800

New Orleans eats? A friend from Qatar (!) is traveling to Nawlins, would love some suggestions for places locals eat, mostly cajun and seafood--from cheap diners to spending a good bit of money. Thanks

How best to experience the Crescent City on St Pat's?

1f2frfbf — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:30:57 -0800

Yet another New Orleans travel question, with a twist: We're going to be in New Orleans on St. Patrick's Day, what should we expect? I've been to NOLA ten or so times, my wife once. We're going for a conference and after having a tough time getting a hotel room, we suddenly realized we're going to be there over St. Pat's. This is new territory for me, as I generally avoid festivals when I travel.

So what happens in NOLA on St. Pat's? Does it go crazy(ier)? Where do the crowds tend to be? Will we still be able to get around or does the city shut down like it does for Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest? Were can we go to get food and drinks away from the crowds?

Parking During Mardi Gras

schleppo — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:47:58 -0800

I need parking suggestions in New Orleans (Maurigny/French Quarter) during Mardi Gras this year. I've rented a house in Maurigny on Royal for the week of Mardi Gras (first time in New Orleans) and they do not provide parking. I would think street parking will be hard to come by so I'm wondering if there are any lots or garages that aren't too far away. Do any locals/businesses rent out there available parking space during Mardi Gras?

School me on schools

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:12:05 -0800

Is the Lusher-Tulane arrangement unprecedented, or business as usual as U.S. charter schools go? I am in the process of learning about the complicated world of school options (or lack thereof) in Post-Katrina New Orleans. I know very little at this point.

I have learned, however, that Tulane University donated over a million dollars to a public school (Lusher) immediately Post-Katrina in 2005, and the school got up and running again as a charter school. The string attached to this donation was that a certain number of slots be reserved for the children of Tulane employees and graduate students.

This is a highly selective magnet school that now has tiered lotteries for Tulane-affiliated students, people in the district, and then, finally, everyone else who wants to apply. There is an exam that is given to four year olds (!) that contributes to determining whether or not they can enter and likely stay until twelfth grade.

My question is whether it is relatively standard practice in charter schools for a private institution to dictate admissions preferences for an ostensibly public, taxpayer-funded school? Or is it fairly unheard of and strikes of murky business? Do guidelines for this sort of thing vary wildly from state to state?

Can two pseudo introverts have a good time in NOLA?

two lights above the sea — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:05:30 -0800

My husband and I would like to go to New Orleans, LA in March, 2012. We're fairly laid back and not huge into the tourism craziness that I tend to associate with NOLA. It is possible to go to The Big Easy and, well, have a chill time? We're mainly interested in New Orleans as a foodie vacation. As far as our tastes are concerned, we would be more likely to splurge on a few fancy cocktails than to find the cheapest bar and drink all night. Culture is definitely important to us (movies, music, theater, art, etc). Sports, not so much. We would do some low-key tourism, depending on how crazy the attraction is. We're not huge on waiting in long lines or being in big crowds. As a traveling couple, we're fairly introverted; we aren't out meeting new people and drinking with them.

Where should we stay in NOLA that satisfies our need for good food/drink and culture, and our slight anti-tourism tastes? Should we avoid certain travel weeks? (I checked, Mardi Gras is in February!) Should we do anything in particular? See certain shows, visit certain neighborhoods? What's going on there in March?

Relevant details: We're traveling from Philadelphia, PA, and we're in our late 20s. Thanks in advance!

Let the good times roll in New Orleans, 2012

GaelFC — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:10:10 -0800

I'm looking for an affordable hotel in New Orleans, ideally in the French Quarter. I'm coordinating a meetup of friends in 2012. Right now we're considering April 20-22 but are open to other dates. We've only started to look but the early prices we've been quoted are $320 a night (at Holiday Inn French Quarter) which our group can't handle. Group rates are lower, but we may not be able to guarantee 10 rooms. We need a hotel that's as conveniently located as possible to attractions and transit as many people won't have cars. Some of the older hotels without elevators (I love the Hotel Provincial) won't work as some in the group have balance/walking issues. Ideally a pool and hot tub, but we can sacrifice those for price. Some are worried about safety as far as a location goes, so we--lit, busy areas would probably put them at ease.

We've got a number of people who can help us by calling hotels and checking prices and availability, but we need suggestions of hotels to try. Thanks for any help!