New Orleans
 

My fellow FT's I will be going to New Orleans from 01Aug-05aug and was wondering if any of you would have any suggestions what to see what to do?
Thanks

Hi Koolman,and welcome to flyertalk.
If you go to the search function you will find a ton of info here.
If it is your first trip to NOLA please be aware that it is going to be hot and very humid-unlike anything you have encountered before-unless you are from latin/south america.
NOLA.com is a great resource for calenders of events etc.
Enjoy your stay.

Totally agree on the weather. I am a native and still am not used to it. Plan on doing any outdoor activities in the early morning or later evening. Standing in the heat is oppressive. Possible activities to consider: D-Day Museum (especially the Pacific Rim exhibit) and Aquarium of the Americas. These are both indoor AIRCONDITIONED activities.

Take a nice air conditioned gray line tour of the city. You'll learn more in that time about the history of the city, how they manage being below sea level and many other things. The cemetaries are quite interesting with many different customs than those of us above sea level never have to consider. Listen to jazz on Bourbon street, go to Cafe Du Monde, the aquarium was nice but the zoo was terrific. I just loved NOLA and can't wait to return.

Thanks for the replies. My wife also ordered some coupon booklet so hopefully we can take advantage of some specials. Again thanks for the info.

Ride the St. Charles Streetcar
 

Walk a block off Canal (away from the quarter on Carondelet Street I think) to avoid the crowd waiting to board at Canal, then ride to the curve in the tracks (Carrollton stop) Hop off, have a nosh at La Madelines, then hop back on and ride back to Canal. Be sure to sit on the same side of the streetcar each way so you can see both sides of the street and enjoy the wonderful homes.

Recommended to take it near dusk - you know when it's still light enough that people leave their drapes open, but have lights on in the house??? Then sometimes you get to see inside!

HEY... from the streetcar, it's OK... :D

Also for feel of what a plantation home is like visit Longue Vue Gardens http://www.longuevue.com It's not easy to get to, but it's a nice place to visit

I would also recommend things like the aquarium, walking around Jacson Square and its shops, and the Market there.

Once, my wife and I signed up for a cooking class at the Riverwalk mall and really enjoyed it.

Depends on what your interests are.

One thing I would like to mention is if you park your car and then get met by someone offering to clean all of your windows...this happened to me on one assignment there where I was parking a little off the main French Quarter drag in a paid parking lot, on my way to Jimmy Buffet's and the Star bookstore. I told the dude that I wasn't interested, it was a HertzMobile, but here's $5, could he just keep an eye on the thing for me? I don't know if he really did or not, but I got one of those "gut feelings" that Hertz did not have to worry about the vehicle that night. Just a thought...

What should you do in NOLA? Eat, eat, eat!!! :)

New Orleans has lots of good restaurants. My first visit there, we pretty much ate our way thru the city.

That said, the antique stores on Royal St are worth going into. And the Art Museum is also interesting.

. . . and listen to great music.

Unfortunately, summer is the time many of New Orleans' great musicians beat the heat and tour elsewhere. But this might be worth checking out: www.nola.com/satchmofest/.

And Gator Meat is a must for visitors. Very tasty, tender, and lots of protein. ^

I agree, music music music. Gotta do something besides eating, right?

http://fqfi.org is the site for the Satchmo Fest, but there's really nothing till after you leave. My suggestion would be to go up to Frenchmen St., any night after about 10pm, and just wander the two blocks, following your ears. Lots of live music clubs to choose from there, many with no cover.

Thanks for all the replies. I wanted to ask should I rent a car? Is it necessary? How much is the cab ride from the Airport to the hotel? Do they have extra fees for 4 ppl, luggage...?
Thanks again for the help.

Parking is not cheap and if you don't know where you are going the streets are confusing. Lots of curving streets that change names in the blink of an eye and lots of one ways. Most parking in the French Quarter is on the outskirts. taxis are the best way to go if you don't want to walk. A cab for four people is over $40. The rates just went up so I don't remember what they are, but they are posted in baggage claim. there is a taxi attendant loading the cabs and they can tell you the specific price.

One word of caution DO NOT GET IN A NIGHT HAWK branded cab. My sister took one home from the FQ one night and he forced himself inside her apartment and tried to rape her. A reputable cab company to have written down or programmed into your mobile is United Cab (504) 522-9771.

We paid $28 each way for a cab for 2 people. The airport shuttle charges $13 per person each way.

Some other suggestions -

Take a boat tour of the swamp areas but skip the river jazz cruise.

Eat at Commander's Palace - have turtle soup and bread pudding souffle.

Have cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde.

Take the free ferry across the river to the island community of Algiers.

Take a cemetery tour.

Check out public transportation instead of a car, unless you plan to drive outside of the city. There are three major streetcar routes that take you to most of the places you can't walk to.

Also, breakfast at Brennans. Best 3 course $30 breakfast you will ever have. The Bananas Foster is awesome.

Tour the Garden District.
Walking tours, especially the Haunted New Orleans and Sex, sin, and scandal tours. Do the walking tours at night.
Second the idea of Beignets & Chicory coffee at Cafe Du Mode.
While you are there, visit the farmers market.
Music everywhere.
Po' Boys at Mothers.
And perhaps a tour of local plantations.
The zoo is great and located in Audubon Park.