New Orleans

[fuzzie]

My hubby and I are going to be driving to Austin, TX for a wedding in May and are taking a mini-vacation by stopping at a few cities on our way there. I think we'll only have a day or two there, so I'm looking for suggestions on must see's in New Orleans. I'm also looking for some hotel/motels with reasonable rates and my hubbby wants to go to an authentic cajun restaurant while we're there. Suggestions, comments, HELP please.

Thanks,
Mindy

[Cluey]

I went to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl this January, but I am in no way a NOLA know-it-all. I just wanted to tell you to check out the Fairmont. That's where we stayed and it was very economical, yet close to everything to which you would ever want to go. It's an older hotel, so you get some of the history, along with the decent prices.

If I was going to NOLA again, I would try the Fairmont. We had a great time and even got to bring our little dog.

[dekeguy]

New Orleans is an amazing city with lots of different things of interest. Could you give us some idea of the sort of things that interest you and your husband? That way a targeted response would be a lot easier. If you like you can PM me or post here.
As an OBTW New Orleans isn't really a Cajun city. If you want great Creole or French food you will be in great shape. If you want real Cajun food you might want to plan on a main meal en route after you leave New Orleans and head into Cajun country.
I envy your chance to visit the old town, I'll be eating Army chow for the time being.

[lifesaver]

I have been there 5 times now and its awesome. I keep goign back. Theres actually a few threads on this topic already. As for a place to stay, to me NOLA has 3 areas, downtown (which includes the french quarter, uptown, the garden district and the nice older homes and everywhere else, (west bank, Metarrie, Kenner, et al.) The quarter is cool to stay in, but I am more of a garden district kinda kid. The columns hotel is my vote. Its a great place to sty, but also has a trendy bar inside and can get a little loud. My reccomendation is to ask for a room away from the bar and balcony.

Columns Hotel
3811 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, Louisiana 70115
United States
Tel: 800-445-9308
Fax: 504-899-8170
Rooms: 29
General price range: US$ 75 - 125

Beautiful, and right on the streetcar line that for $1.25, will take you almost to the quarter (its a 5 block walk from Canal, the end of the street car line). But be on notice, You'll prolly have to cab it back (10- 15 bucks) because the steetcars arent real reliable after 10 pm or so. Its amazing tho.

I miss NOLA

As for Food - Jack Dempsy's on Poland St. Teh best southern style I have ever had and is a favorite of locals too.

[juniorgrrl]

I've lived in the 'burbs of NOLA all my life. I never plan on leaving. Its the greatest city in the world

Uptown/garden district is a nice area to stay. Parking is a bitch, though. But, you are right on the streetcar line.

I stayed in a hotel in the Quarter, but can't remember the name of it for the life of me...It was adequate but not overly fancy.

As for food, if you're looking for Cajun, you'll have to go to (shudder) Lafayette. New Orleans is french and Creole. (FYI - calling someone Cajun is an insult - we don't think of them as the brightest of people...Adam Sandler wasn't too far off...)

Hint: If you'll be there during the week, hit Commander's Palace for lunch. Its a New Orleans legend, and they have lunch specials starting at 13.99 during the week. Amazing food.

For cheap, good food, Cafe Maspero right accross from the Jax Brewery is a can't miss. Amazing fried ham and cheese sandwiches. Also try to get a Mufaletta from Central Grocery.

The bars on bourbon are oh-so-touristy, but I love Pat O's piano bar. A great time.

PM or email me if you have any more questions.

[Hootie]

I was there during high school for this national church thing. We stayed on St. Charles Avenue in the Ponchatrain (sp?) hotel. It was the first hotel to be built in N.O. and every room is decorated differently because the president and different high esteemed people would stay there. I can't believe it'd be terribly expensive considering that we were there through Church.

Now one suggestion. I'd purchase a trolly pass if you're going to be there for a few days. Taking a cab is nice, but it's also expensive. Plus if you walk a lot and take the trolly, you get to see more of New Orleans and have the chance to come and go as you please. We found that most helpful.

I loved the French Market and the French Quarter. You can find and see all sorts of neato things there. Down there somewhere by a cathedral there was a restraunt that we ate at that you could get alligator. I wasn't able to try it but someone said it "tasted like chicken" lol.

One other suggestion...pack an umbrella. It rains, if not daily, weekly.