So I've always wanted to start this thread, and I had the time today....so here goes. Feel free to post any questions you might have and any of the locals here can answer. I'll update this original post with any other info as well
Hotels
Where you stay is primarily dependant on what your trip will consist of, budget, etc. There is no shortage of hotels in NOLA at all different prices.
French Quarter
• Bar none the best hotel IMO is the Royal Sonesta….located right on Bourbon St. and is pretty affordable (Depending on the time of year). I highly suggest if you are going for a bachelor party to see if you can swing a balcony room (make sure it faces Bourbon) for the weekend
• Tons of other hotels in the quarter, just post any deals you’re thinking about and the local here can answer some questions
CBD
• The CBD goes from Poydras St. to Canal Blvd. and are typically cheaper than the French quarter, in exchange for a few minutes longer walk. You’ll find multiple different hotels of all of your major hotel brands (Hilton, Marriot, Sheraton, etc) here
• The hotels on Canal are about a 5 minute walk closer to Bourbon St. than the ones on Poydras St.
• You’ll find Harrah’s spanning the entire city block from Poydras to Canal near the river
Warehouse District
• A nice handful of restaurants and night life in the Warehouse District, which is typically where all of your young professionals live and many locals frequent at night
• A decent amount of hotels here
• Walking to the quarter is probably out of the question, but it’s a very cheap cab ride
Restaurants
• I’m going to post my favorites and let others chime in and I’ll add to the initial post
You'll need some transportation from downtown for these
• Only place to begin here will be to talk about Dante’s Kitchen, which FBG Tipsy McStagger runs. I’ve only been for brunch (outstanding) but tons of FBGs here have visited for dinner, and frankly I’ve never heard anything bad about it from anyone (on FBG and locally). You will need a car/cab to get here from downtown
• Jacque Imo’s – again you have to take cab….but this is my favorite restaurant in New Orleans. They’ll take reservations only with parties of 6 or more. Atmosphere is great, as well as the food. My favorite thing to do there is just have everyone order one appetizer and share them all for the table. Grab a beer at Maple STreet Bar (next door) while you wait (it'll be long - but worth it) and enjoy an excellent meal in New Orleans with great atmosphere...very cool place.
• **** and Jenny’s – another place you’ll need to cab to. Along the same lines as Dante’s Kitchen or Jacque Imo’s. You can bring your own wine for a corkage fee if you roll that way.
Walking distance from downtown (quarter/CBD)
• At one point (and likely you’ll go multiple times) you have to go for beignets (French donuts) and the only place to do this is Café Du Monde. NEVER GO TO CAFÉ BEIGNET – not good at all.
• Johnnie's Po Boys - holy crap these are good - Cash only!
• Mothers (on Poydras St. near the river) – this is the standard place that people recommend to go get an authentic po boy. Now there are better places to get po boys in new Orleans, as I feel that Mother’s is over priced, but it’s not a bad recommendation. Get the Debris sandwich.
• Luke – this is located in the Hilton Hotel on St. Charles (not the Hilton Riverside)…..I would recommend hitting this up for lunch if you get a chance. This is right next to my office building and have been there multiple times and have never been disappointed
• Drago’s – located in the Hilton Riverside. You have to get the char broiled oysters. Great other seafood as well
• Acme Oyster House – classic New Orleans seafood here. Affordable and always good
• Café Maspero – located right on Decatur in the quarter…you get a ton of classic new Orleans food at a very affordable price. Cash only, and the wait can be long for lunch of the weekends if you don’t get there early.
• Café Pontalba – located right in Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Similar to Café Maspero, but less of a crowd and they take credit cards. Cool atmosphere out in the square if it’s nice outside
• Port of Call – located on Esplanade, which is on the other (away from Canal) side of the French Quarter. Great hamburgers and a cool atmosphere. Likely to have longer waits on weekends
• All of the next restaurants I’m listing are going to be above $20/person are great places for dinner with a big group or a date. Make sure to call ahead for reservations, dress codes. Can walk to any of these from the Quarter/CBD
o Galatoire’s
o Arnaud’s
o Mr. B’s
o Palace Café
o Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse Deemed a no by the FBG contingent
o Bourbon House
o Brennan’s
o Court of Two Sisters – for Brunch
Nightlife
• Obviously, you can walk up and down Bourbon St. until you find the bar/club that suits you’re needs…but that may get old depending on how long you’re staying…..so I’ll throw out a few suggestions
• Gold Mine – this is a few blocks off of Bourbon and is where a lot of locals go late night (after weddings, etc). You want good looking young chicks that have been drinking all night; this is a good place to start. Very collegey atmosphere (cheap drinks and booty music)
• Red Eye – this is in the Warehouse District, but again a lot of locals hang out here. Typically a little younger crowd (21-26) average IMO and again collegy
• FnM’s – for the ultra late night crowd. You’ll find those who are 21-40 here for late night dancing/drinking. Typically there isn’t a sober person in the bar. Definitely take a cab here, as you wouldn’t want to be driving down there unless you know exactly where you’re going. Get the cheese fries
• Tipatina’s – good live music here…need to take a cab from downtown….right across the st. from **** and Jenny’s (above)
• House of Blues – in the quarter – can view they’re schedule online
• Tons of other holes in the wall where you can just walk in and grab a drink and listen to some jazz or whatever
• Piano Bar – Pat O’Briens. Fun time with a big group
Events
Mardi Gras - no explanation needed. Everyone should experience this once in their lives. 2008 date = February 5th, which is extremely early
French Quarter Fest - A free festival over during April. You can walk all around the quarter and visit the different vendors and hear different bands play. A very underrated festival IMO. You don't see nearly as many people as you do for jazz fest/mardi gras; but still get agood new orleans experience. 2008 dates = April 11-13
Jazz Fest - An absolute blast. 2008 dates = April 25-27, May 1-4. Tons of bands, great food, culture etc. There are a buch of concerts at night as well and the entire city has a lot going on.
Essence Music Festival - put on by Essence Magazine during the 4th of July weekend. Concerts in the dome all 3 days, lots of people around for the nightlife
link to all of the festivals in the cityNon-Partying Things to Do
WW2 Museum - I've never been, but I've read nothing but great things about it. Supposdly very thorough and accurate, budget a good half of a day at least
Audobon Zoo - One of the top zoos in the country - and they serve beer
Aquarium - right on the riverfront, very cool
Mardi Gras Museum - You can take a ferry for $1 (right in front of the aquarium) across the river and take a tour of Mardi Gras World. You get to see where/how all of the floats are made. Decent way to spend a few hours
Voodoo tours - there are a ton of them in the quarter
Just walk around - You could literally walk around the quarter for awhile just taking in the different scenesPlaces to Avoid
Tujacque's - very overpriced restaurant
Mulates - tourist trap
Deanies - you get get much better quality fried seafood many other places
Hotels
Where you stay is primarily dependant on what your trip will consist of, budget, etc. There is no shortage of hotels in NOLA at all different prices.
French Quarter
• Bar none the best hotel IMO is the Royal Sonesta….located right on Bourbon St. and is pretty affordable (Depending on the time of year). I highly suggest if you are going for a bachelor party to see if you can swing a balcony room (make sure it faces Bourbon) for the weekend
• Tons of other hotels in the quarter, just post any deals you’re thinking about and the local here can answer some questions
CBD
• The CBD goes from Poydras St. to Canal Blvd. and are typically cheaper than the French quarter, in exchange for a few minutes longer walk. You’ll find multiple different hotels of all of your major hotel brands (Hilton, Marriot, Sheraton, etc) here
• The hotels on Canal are about a 5 minute walk closer to Bourbon St. than the ones on Poydras St.
• You’ll find Harrah’s spanning the entire city block from Poydras to Canal near the river
Warehouse District
• A nice handful of restaurants and night life in the Warehouse District, which is typically where all of your young professionals live and many locals frequent at night
• A decent amount of hotels here
• Walking to the quarter is probably out of the question, but it’s a very cheap cab ride
Restaurants
• I’m going to post my favorites and let others chime in and I’ll add to the initial post
You'll need some transportation from downtown for these
• Only place to begin here will be to talk about Dante’s Kitchen, which FBG Tipsy McStagger runs. I’ve only been for brunch (outstanding) but tons of FBGs here have visited for dinner, and frankly I’ve never heard anything bad about it from anyone (on FBG and locally). You will need a car/cab to get here from downtown
• Jacque Imo’s – again you have to take cab….but this is my favorite restaurant in New Orleans. They’ll take reservations only with parties of 6 or more. Atmosphere is great, as well as the food. My favorite thing to do there is just have everyone order one appetizer and share them all for the table. Grab a beer at Maple STreet Bar (next door) while you wait (it'll be long - but worth it) and enjoy an excellent meal in New Orleans with great atmosphere...very cool place.
• **** and Jenny’s – another place you’ll need to cab to. Along the same lines as Dante’s Kitchen or Jacque Imo’s. You can bring your own wine for a corkage fee if you roll that way.
Walking distance from downtown (quarter/CBD)
• At one point (and likely you’ll go multiple times) you have to go for beignets (French donuts) and the only place to do this is Café Du Monde. NEVER GO TO CAFÉ BEIGNET – not good at all.
• Johnnie's Po Boys - holy crap these are good - Cash only!
• Mothers (on Poydras St. near the river) – this is the standard place that people recommend to go get an authentic po boy. Now there are better places to get po boys in new Orleans, as I feel that Mother’s is over priced, but it’s not a bad recommendation. Get the Debris sandwich.
• Luke – this is located in the Hilton Hotel on St. Charles (not the Hilton Riverside)…..I would recommend hitting this up for lunch if you get a chance. This is right next to my office building and have been there multiple times and have never been disappointed
• Drago’s – located in the Hilton Riverside. You have to get the char broiled oysters. Great other seafood as well
• Acme Oyster House – classic New Orleans seafood here. Affordable and always good
• Café Maspero – located right on Decatur in the quarter…you get a ton of classic new Orleans food at a very affordable price. Cash only, and the wait can be long for lunch of the weekends if you don’t get there early.
• Café Pontalba – located right in Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Similar to Café Maspero, but less of a crowd and they take credit cards. Cool atmosphere out in the square if it’s nice outside
• Port of Call – located on Esplanade, which is on the other (away from Canal) side of the French Quarter. Great hamburgers and a cool atmosphere. Likely to have longer waits on weekends
• All of the next restaurants I’m listing are going to be above $20/person are great places for dinner with a big group or a date. Make sure to call ahead for reservations, dress codes. Can walk to any of these from the Quarter/CBD
o Galatoire’s
o Arnaud’s
o Mr. B’s
o Palace Café
o Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse Deemed a no by the FBG contingent
o Bourbon House
o Brennan’s
o Court of Two Sisters – for Brunch
Nightlife
• Obviously, you can walk up and down Bourbon St. until you find the bar/club that suits you’re needs…but that may get old depending on how long you’re staying…..so I’ll throw out a few suggestions
• Gold Mine – this is a few blocks off of Bourbon and is where a lot of locals go late night (after weddings, etc). You want good looking young chicks that have been drinking all night; this is a good place to start. Very collegey atmosphere (cheap drinks and booty music)
• Red Eye – this is in the Warehouse District, but again a lot of locals hang out here. Typically a little younger crowd (21-26) average IMO and again collegy
• FnM’s – for the ultra late night crowd. You’ll find those who are 21-40 here for late night dancing/drinking. Typically there isn’t a sober person in the bar. Definitely take a cab here, as you wouldn’t want to be driving down there unless you know exactly where you’re going. Get the cheese fries
• Tipatina’s – good live music here…need to take a cab from downtown….right across the st. from **** and Jenny’s (above)
• House of Blues – in the quarter – can view they’re schedule online
• Tons of other holes in the wall where you can just walk in and grab a drink and listen to some jazz or whatever
• Piano Bar – Pat O’Briens. Fun time with a big group
Events
Mardi Gras - no explanation needed. Everyone should experience this once in their lives. 2008 date = February 5th, which is extremely early
French Quarter Fest - A free festival over during April. You can walk all around the quarter and visit the different vendors and hear different bands play. A very underrated festival IMO. You don't see nearly as many people as you do for jazz fest/mardi gras; but still get agood new orleans experience. 2008 dates = April 11-13
Jazz Fest - An absolute blast. 2008 dates = April 25-27, May 1-4. Tons of bands, great food, culture etc. There are a buch of concerts at night as well and the entire city has a lot going on.
Essence Music Festival - put on by Essence Magazine during the 4th of July weekend. Concerts in the dome all 3 days, lots of people around for the nightlife
link to all of the festivals in the cityNon-Partying Things to Do
WW2 Museum - I've never been, but I've read nothing but great things about it. Supposdly very thorough and accurate, budget a good half of a day at least
Audobon Zoo - One of the top zoos in the country - and they serve beer
Aquarium - right on the riverfront, very cool
Mardi Gras Museum - You can take a ferry for $1 (right in front of the aquarium) across the river and take a tour of Mardi Gras World. You get to see where/how all of the floats are made. Decent way to spend a few hours
Voodoo tours - there are a ton of them in the quarter
Just walk around - You could literally walk around the quarter for awhile just taking in the different scenesPlaces to Avoid
Tujacque's - very overpriced restaurant
Mulates - tourist trap
Deanies - you get get much better quality fried seafood many other places
Last edited by a moderator: