International Nesties
Dear Community,

Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.

If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.

Thank you.

Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.

New Orleans

H and I are planning on swinging down to NOLA for 2-3 days (weekdays, not the weekend) in Sept when we are in TX visiting family. I have never been before so I need some advice! What is a must see/must do? Are there any areas we should avoid? Any great restaurants? Anything you know  about NO that would help us know what to check out there would be helpful :) TIA

Re: New Orleans

  • Cafe du Monde is a must-do.   I also highly recommend finding a cooking class or demonstration to go to -- those are really fun, and they're all over the place.  The last time I was there we went to Emeril's restaraunt called NOLA.  It was really good.  Obviously there are a lot of awesome restaraunts -- so take a look and make sure you make reservations.  I also recommend Mother's for lunch -- awesome PoBoys!  You may have to stand in line a little bit though...
    DSC_9275
  • I also recommend Mothers, but I always have their Ferdi po-boy (they are famous for it) or my favorite, their Grits and Debris (sounds gross, but is awesome!).

    DorthyinAus will be much more help because she is from there.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • It will almost certainly be hot and muggy, so prepare for that.  Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty if you are walking through the FQ.  I'd prepare for afternoon pop-up showers.  I'd definitely plan to get a snowball - PlumStreet Snoballs is about three blocks off the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line in the Riverbend area (it's pretty far up the line).  I tell new visitors to plan on a streetcar ride from Canal Street to the end of the line and back.  It will cost about $3 each and takes about 2-2/12 hours, but it gives you the best view of St. Charles Avenue.

    Where are you staying?  If you have not booked a hotel yet, avoid New Orleans East, Kenner and Metairie.  Those areas are too far from the FQ to be of any use to you unless you've rented a car and want to deal with parking.  I always recommend the International House Hotel.  I tend not to suggest you stay in the FQ, but just outside in the CBD or the Warehouse District.

    Mother's is worth a trip, but I find the food a bit salty for my taste.  Cafe du Monde is a must.  A ride across the river and back on the Canal/Algiers ferry will give you an interesting perspective on the city, and the Mississippi River.  It's free for pedestrians both ways.

    New Orleans is really the best place for shopping, so if you are planning on getting things to take home, you'd be better off doing that in Texas -- everyone I know goes to Houston or Dallas to shop!

    If you have time, and can make the reservations, I'd definitely say to have a meal (either lunch or dinner) at Commander's Palace.  It's usually rated as the best restaurant in the city.  Personally, I'd pass on Emeril's restaurants.  The American Sector at the D-Day Museum is John Besh's newest venture and does modern takes on classic American dishes.  The candied bacon cupcakes alone are enough to go for.  And if you're touring the museum anyway...  Galatoire's on Bourbon is a classically New Orleans posh place, and my favorite of the old line restaurants (Antoine's, Arnaud's and Galatoire's).  I'd give the Palace Cafe a pass.  For more casual dining, Zea on St. Charles Avenue does excellent interpretations of local favorites, as does Cheesecake Bistro.  Really casual dining, I do not hesitate to recommend Franky & Johnny's Uptown on Tchopitoulas and Arabella.  You'll need to have a taxi or a car to get there, but the bell pepper rings are worth it.

    I've written a book here already, but if you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask.  Have a great time!!!!

    I don't mind being held to a higher standard; I mind being held to a lower one. (Sam Seaborn, The West Wing)
    Anniversary
  • The sad thing is I never ate at any of the old line restaurants because they were "so expensive".  $27 for lunch at Antoine's?  Oh heck no. 

    But, after living here, they just don't seem that out of line anymore.  At least I know when I get H to New Orleans, he won't have sticker shock at the prices either and we'll get to eat there Big Smile

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • You guys rock!

    Dorothy, i think I am going to print off your suggestions so that I will have them later :) I will let post again if I can think of any other questions! You are awesome!

Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards