well, drewdog is pretty much right, heed his warnings. I don't gamble when I go to NOLA, I'm just not a gambler. Definitely do your homework when it comes to dining. Get off the beaten path, explore the French Quarter, sometimes, a sandwich, a drink and chips from a grocery store is the best meal. One place to eat that I enjoy is The Quarter Scene Restaurant (QSR for locals) I also enjoy The Napolean House, awesome roast beef sandwich served in a buiding that was supposed to house Napolean Bonaparte himself, but he never showed up being exiled from France and all.... A nice bakery is the Croissant D'Or on Ursuline. Be sure to also get uptown, near Magazine Street, there's a Whole Foods on Magazine St. and you can also get a bite there too!. If you like parks, Audubon and City Parks are very scenic and make for nice walks. City Park also is the home of the New Orleans Museum of Fine Art. Royal Street in the French Quarter is great for shopping and if you like cigars, be sure to hit the Big River Trading Company, the best tobacconist on Royal St. You can also ride the ferry for free across the Mississippi to Algiers. You catch the ferry near the Aquarium. I've never gotten off across at Algiers, but the ride is nice, especially in the summer. There's also the Riverwalk Mall, if you have the need for big time shopping. Go for a walk along the River, the paved path is real sweet. There's more than booze and partying to NOLA.... for me, it's the Old World charm and rich history of the place that draws me there. I'm sure you'll have a good time!
If you like coffee I would highly reccomend checking out Rue De La Course. There is one a few blocks from where you are staying. They dont have the beignets like Cafe Du Monde but IMO their coffee blows Du Monde's away. Probably the best dark roast coffee i have ever had. If you like the stong stuff try any of their Rue Roasts. http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...+orleans+&state=la&zipcode=&search=++Search++ Mothers off Poydras St is good place for Po Boys and is also really close to where you are staying. They have a great one with baked ham and debris. Be careful though the lunch crowd can get a little fierce if you go around noon.
I forgot to mention another place that would be great in the mornings and is also close to where you are staying. There is a good French pastry shop called La Boucherie on St Charles St. near the Square. They have great fresh pastries and really great coffee especially their French roast. Its not a tourist place so there are no crouds to deal with.
A great place for brunch is the Palace Cafe. They have live music, and it's a great place for couples. If you go, make sure you save room for the white chocolate bread pudding. No trip to Nola is complete without a piece of that. If you want less than $15 meals, check out Johnny Poboys for the best poboys ever. Silky Sullivans has great ribs, and good drinks. For a little bit more expensive, take your pick of the big names, but my fave is K-Paul's. Have fun, we might see you there.
Aww come on man. When you are drunk you wont notice all that crap. Apparently I didnt abide by the rule of being drunk round-the-clock in NOLA and it made the trip a little more eventful.
You just have to keep your wits about you. Last time I was in New Orleans, I got caught in a rainstorm walking from Cafe DuMond back to my hotel one morning. As I was standing under an awning of a restaurant, a homeless dude came up to me and said "Man I can waterproof those sandals for you, and it will only cost $20". I said "what are you talking about"? He said "here man, check it out". He then whipped out a small bottle of hand lotion, one of the mini bottles you get from the Radisson. "Here man. Let me wipe this on your sandals and it will waterproof them. Only $20". I told him "Pal, if you wipe that stuff on my sandals, they will be taking us to the hospital in the same ambulance". He looked at me confused, and said "Why?" I replied..."Because they will have to operate on your ass to get my foot out of it, that's why"! The dude walked away. Always keep your wits about you in New Orleans, and you will stay out of trouble.
A guy tried this on my step-brother right after the guy with him tried the "Guess where you got them shoes" trick on me. Also, there is always someone asking you to donate to some Foundation and they will give you a hat or something for your donation. Like RocketMan mentioned, keep your wits. You will have a great time and the smell of trash on Bourbon shouldn't be bad because it won't be hot during your trip. Bourbon in the dead of summer is an awful smell, but its all good if you are in the right state of mind (see: Hand Grenade).
i spend new years 2000 at the house of blues in the wake off all the y2k stuff...it was a lot of fun and i was trashed the whole night hehehe....
