Fun Things to Do in New Orleans
 

I will be in New Orleans this weekend with my girlfriend. We are in our mid 20's. We already have the food thing down - we have a ton of reservations for dinner.

We are going to the Saints game on Sunday as well.

We like to eat, listen to music, pretty active and certainly open to try something different. I have already done the alligator river cruise - don't want to do that again.

Any activities/sights that would be of interest to us?

Thanks in advance for your help

Go to www.offbeat.com

Music Clubs are everywhere. Try Rock 'n Bowl, Tipitina's, The Maple Leaf or the dozens of other music clubs. I'm sure others will chime in to offer their favorites.

I think there's a street there called Bourbon where they have a few bars :p

Sure, but the OP asked for fun things to do. ;)

FLYMSY mentioned a few of the classic music venues, but the one that really stands out is Rock 'n' Bowl. Have you ever heard of "cosmic bowling"? Well, cosmic bowling is lame, but if you replaced the cheesy light-and-sound show with awesome zydeco music, big crowds of friendly dancing people, and lots of cheap booze, it turns out it would be awesome.

Head up to City Park. Go fishing for bass or catfish. Check out the Botanical Gardens and other neat places in the park. Have lunch or dinner at Ralphs.

http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/
http://www.ralphsonthepark.com/

Take the ferry across to Algiers. You can check out the Crown and Anchor English Pub when you get there or just ride it back.

http://www.neworleansonline.com/tool...und/ferry.html
http://www.crownanchorpub.com/

I wouldnt waste my time or money on Bourbon street, on a couples trip its very expensive and toursity. Maybe worth a walk down to check out the sites but thats about it. There is a rum distillary off the beaten path-you will need to take a cab that was really cool. It was called old new orleans rum i believe. We also did an above ground cemtary tour which was cool.
Also had a blast just walking around and taking in the sites, some of the street performer bands were really cool.

I'm a big fan of catching at least one set at Preservation Hall in the Quarter. If you're into museums, they really did a good job with the WWII museum.

We hit up all the legendary spots on Bourbon. Had a great time at the Piano Bar at Pat O's late night on Saturday. We are big foodies so had some great meals, most notably at Port of Call (nice walk through the FQ - amazing burgers and baked potatoes).

We also made it to a Saints game which was pretty fun to do although they lost.

We had a great meal at Cochon, highly recommended.

Is the lower ninth ward safe to drive through? I will be in the area and want to check it out. We are 2 males, mid twenties. Also is there anything to see now that will still be from Katrina. I live in an area struck by Sandy and wanted to see what went on in New Orleans as well.

I would not have put this in a thread titled fun but did not want to start a new thread.

Yes, the lower 9 is safe to drive through. You really won't be able to get an true idea of the devastation but, you'll still be able to see a bunch of empty space where buildings once stood, some abandoned houses, and Brad Pitt's "Make It Right" houses.

One of the things that you should take away is that "where there is a will, there is a way". The government was a big help, but it is really up to the individuals.

Thanks for coming to visit us and all the best to the people in your area.

have you down a ghost tour of FQ? I had lots of fun on those.
Similarly the Voodoo Walking Tour organized by the Voodoo Museum (they also did an authentic ritual at ST Louis #2 on Hallowe'en which was great fun.)

Thank you so much I appreciate that. Yes after Sandy I can feel for it more, and would like to drive thru the ward.

I was never in New Orleans and on a whim I booked a ticket because it is a city I always wanted to visit. There is a book called Heads in Beds, written by Jacob Tomsky, which starts out in New Orleans, that really clinched it for me.

The Lower 9 is still in major recovery mode. If you want to drive a little farther down the road (5-10 minutes) into St. Bernard Parish, you'll be able to see another very hard hit area that is still in recovery mode.

If you want to see what is "possible", drive through the Lakeview and Mid-City neighborhoods of NOLA. Drive down Harrison Ave. between Canal Blvd. and Marconi Dr. and look at a commercial district (restaurants, shops) that has had a fair recovery. These areas experienced major flood damage, also. But, the people really rallied and invested their blood, sweat, tears and money.

Have a nice time and save Bourbon St. for another visit.

Want to add: Get out of your car and go into some of the restaurants, shops, bars, etc. Start up a conversation with the locals. Don't be shy. We'll be happy to talk to you and share our stories.

When you go to the Lower 9th, take North Claiborne Ave, go over the Industrial Canal on the Judge Seeber bridge. When you hit ground level, take a left at about the 2nd or 3rd street. You'll see the VERY contemporary new construction "Make It Right" houses. This is near where one of the Industrial Canal levee walls broke. I have some very vivid memories from that area when I visited it a few months after Katrina.

One other note: Be respectful while you're there. Some tour buses drive through there and the neighbors get a little resentful if you act too much like some yahoo tourist.

Of course we will do our best to be respectfull and understanding, not standing there with our camera's snapping away, and acting like we are at the zoo. I will write all this down thanks so much for all the detail.