How long will you be in New Orleans, are you on a budget, emphasis on restaurants or history or museums or architecture? Enjoy walking, have kids along?

Without this information,

I recommend taking the St. Charles Street Car, Algiers Ferry across the river, wander the quarter for a day. Hit the House of Blues and music venues on Frenchman St, Coffee at the Cafe du Monde; WW II Museum (Don't miss the movie); wander the Garden District to see  the 19th century mansions; Julia St art galleries; New Orleans Museum of Art - especially the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden (Take the Canal St. Streetcar to get there); restaurants are across the board - need a budget direction and dress code preference. Have a poor boy sandwich and raw oysters.

Posted Dec 10, 2010

Veronica,

As eating goes, NOLA is the place to do it and it's fairly hard to go wrong. Court of Two Sisters is a tourist must, but has wonderful food. Of course, you'll want to try bengiets and coffee at the French Market. One of my favorite, slightly lesser known places is in Exchange Alley. It's literally an alley, but houses two great restaurants. One American fare and the other is authentic Mexican. Best tacos in the city.

If you take the ferry across the river to Algiers, try Dry Dock Cafe They serve great red beans and rice, catfish, all the NOLA favorites. They also offer great salads and veggie foods, if you're not a meat eater. Their menu (including drinks) is very reasonably priced, as it's a big spot for locals.

If you like rum, check out Celebration Distillation. They produce different types of rum and you can take a tour and actually see how it's made, as well as purchase it on the spot. If you like saki, check out my favorite, off-beat spot, The Dragon's Den. Aside from a zillion types of saki, they have a cool, bohemian mix of music, art and people.

If you end up taking one of the plantation tours (you can check out multiple tours, right where they pick people up, outside the Virgin Records store), by all means have a sweet tea at Oak Alley. No matter the time of year, their food is great at the little cafe.

If you like being outside, just walk. It's a city that's great for walking and a lot of fun. Check out the enormous City Park, for historical attractions, a pond and a cafe. The zoo is unlike any other in the US. Just be sure to ask at the hotel or wherever you are, the places that aren't so safe. People will usually tell you. If you have a car, drive to a local beach or just check out the shores of the Pontchartrain and it's insanely long bridge.

To be honest, while planning is all good and something I'm a fan of... The best part of NOLA is the people and their culture. Ask your desk attendant, your maid, the guy you pass on the street and they'll all tell you about the places worth seeing. You won't just get addresses, you're likely to get stories. That's the little bit of adventure that will make the trip.

Have a wonderful time!

Posted Dec 11, 2010

Here are some not-to-be-missed food places:

    Masperos - on Deactur (original po-boys)
    Central Grocery - on Decatur
    Frankie & Johnnys - get the fried bell peppers
    Fiorellas (fried chicken) - in the Quarter
    Port o Call (hamburgers) - Esplanade

Posted Dec 13, 2010

I was just there (4th time) this past weekend.... oh, I love me some NOLA!!  Walk down Royal St.  A large section is closed to traffic (even during the day) and watch the street musicians -- they are all incredible.  Don't forget to walk to the edge and look at the great Mississippi!  I go right behind Cafe du Monde, there's a nice walking path there.  Great fun!!

Everyone has already told you about the beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde!  just a word of warning... there are always lines (it is WORTH the wait)... it is cash only... and don't get stuck to the table... :)

Central Grocery for a muffaletta sandwich -- oh so yummy!!  I was sad it was closed on Sunday so I had to go next door to Frank's... good, but not the same.

I ventured into the warehouse district (walkable from the quarter) for dinner at Emeril's (you can make reservations on opentable.com) ... the service was fantastic, the food was incredible (I had the wedge salad, speckled trout  - that night's special and the banana cream pie - YUMMMMMMY!!!).  not inexpensive... but not crazy.  not super fancy, i wore capris and a cute top.  check out menu online.

I also ate at La Boca... also in warehouse district.  Argentine Steakhouse.  If you want to eat here you must like meat.  There is nothing but steak on the menu (some apps, but no main courses).  It was out of this world.  If you want to go... make ressies... I saw them turn away at least 5 tables while we were there.  It's only about 12 tables plus small bar.  fantastic.  a little pricey, but worth it if you like steak.  Get the cheese appetizer -- I still dream about it!

Must get a hurricane at O'brien's... just to say you have.  This time I had one and they are actually way too sweet and filled with cheap booze... but, it's tradition!

Go to Napoleon's (just a couple blocks from Jackson Square on Chartres) and have a Pimm's Cup.  Such character in this place... good, refreshing drink.  Totally casual.  We went late afternoon and it wasn't packed with people.  It was perfect.  Had the spinach/artichoke dip.

Have gone to Garden District (pretty sure Charles St trolley goes through there) for dinner at Commander's Palace. more expensive, dressier... but, good.  I liked the two above better...

I don't know what size you are... but, as you can see by my pic, I'm a little bigger.  I found this store called Voluptuous Vixen.  I think it's on Madison St.  Ask for Erin.  She was incredibly nice, patient and helpful!!!  Great tops, dresses and bras!

Listen to blues music.  Check out any sort of live zydeco music, if you can.  I couldn't find any this weekend.  Get drunk and have fun!!

Posted Dec 15, 2010

You should send a direct note to AFAR Connect user Diana Powell (link here) who is on the ground in New Orleans.

Posted Dec 10, 2010

My last trip to NOLA was many years ago but these were the highlights that I've never forgotten:

Faulkner House Books, 642 Pirate's Alley

Preservation Hall, 726 St. Peter Street

Desire Oyster Bar and Bistro (for all manner of fried foods), 300 Bourbon St., Royal Sonesta Hotel

Tujague's Resturant (no bargain but an amazing experience), 823 Decatur St.

Fortune tellers around Jackson Square (usually in evening)

Ghost tour (can't remember exactly which one)

Enjoy!

Posted Dec 15, 2010

Here's my list: Casamento's-Uptown tiled Seafood Restaurant

                           Bayona's - In the Quarter

                           Brigtsen's -Uptown

                          Mosca's- Family style Italian Roadhouse, outside of N.O. If Al Capone

                          was alive, he be a regular.

                         Maple Leaf for music

                        Lafitte Park- You walk through a bayou

Posted Dec 16, 2010

There's a place called Cafe Dumond in the French Quarter that makes the best beignets. Must be tried. Also, there are a lot of small blues clubs in the area (at least last time I was there). Walk around and stop in one or two that plays music you like to hear. I'm sure others can recommend specifics.

You may know this already, but don't walk around the French Quarter alone at night. If you are going back to your hotel late (even with another person), just take a taxi. It doesn't cost a lot and nearly everyone I know who has walked solo at night in the French Quarter has gotten mugged.

We took a swamp tour one day and got a bit out of town. It was interesting, though alligators won't be around in the winter.

Posted Jan 07, 2011

The french quarter is where it is at.  There is also the riverwalk.  There are festivals every weekend, just ask. 

Posted Dec 10, 2010

debris po boys from mother's. i haven't been in new orleans in 2 years and they still come up in conversation every week or so.

Posted Dec 10, 2010

As far as restaurants, you HAVE to eat at Cafe Du Monde.  I literally ate there everyday. Believe me, you will never get tired of beignets.  Also, you may want to try Deanie's Seafood on Iberville St.  This is where all the locals go.  And you absolutely must try the gumbo.  Its lifechanging.  As far as recreation, try taking the trolley down St. Charles.  It's inexpensive and it gives you a great view of the city.  And of course, there's always good old Bourbon St.

Posted Dec 10, 2010

Eat at Donald Link's restaurants: Cochon or Butcher

Take a ghost tour in the French Quarter

Posted Dec 14, 2010

I spent a long weekend in NOLA, but it never seemed enough... All the above answers are great. So, I'll add just the places that made an "impact".

Baru Bistro and Tapas - Caribbean restaurant off the chart of Cajun cuisine, but a specially amazing place on 3700 Magazine St. Try the fried oysters! Another place you'll definitely enjoy is Sucre http://www.shopsucre.com/

On Bourbon St you might stumble upon a musician named Al Carson @ Funky Pirate a.k.a. 495lbs of jazz. No matter how politically incorrect might be, we were drawn in the bar that night by the large dimensions of the lead singer advertised on a card board leaning by the front door. Then, seconds later, at least I, was dazzled by the dimensions of his music... Don't miss the best Hurricanes @ Pat O'Brien's - this one goes down the history, but fully deserves its fame.

Enjoy!

Posted Dec 15, 2010

I will also be there in January. Beniets 4 breakfast. Take a tour of the Garden District. Also, cemeteries are amazing & @ night...creepy fun. Ask the locals. That is the best way to eat...not usually fancy, but amazing.

Posted Dec 15, 2010

Just got back from New Orleans this past Monday.  Le Foret - a one year old restaurant located at 129 Camp Street - just off of Canal - a block out of the French Quarter is not only beautiful, but the food is wonderful.  Ask for Danny, and tell him I sent you.  He will take good care of you.  They don't fry and sauce their food to death, like other places in NOLA.  Also try Arnaud's.  Ask for Lisa SIn there.

Posted Dec 16, 2010

Have a drink at the famous Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone in the Quarter.

http://hotelmonteleone.com/dining-entertainment/

Posted Dec 16, 2010

Buy a a half of a Muffuletta at Central Grocery at 923 Decatur Street and then sit at Jackson Square (where St. Louis Cathedral is) to eat it. 

Posted Dec 19, 2010

Bluebird Cafe, open 24 hours, near Lee Circle, good local color

Posted Dec 26, 2010

Within N.O., there is the French Quarter which is interesting night or day, Bourbon Street particularly at night.  You can also check out the Garden quarter and the old cemeteries either on your own or on a day tour.  The old steamboat "the Natchez" also plies the Mississsipi several times a day.  Ghost tours are popular at night.

Outside, N.O., there are plantation tours (Oak Alley) and possibly bayou tours (although I don't know how those might have been affected by the BP oilspill).

Posted Jan 03, 2011