Going to NOLA what are some must do's

[venchka]

Paul, we could talk for a month and not hit all the good places. We have completely overlooked Jefferson Parish.

What about the Maple Leaf? Did it come back after Katrina?

Lisa, I'm with you. I don't get the attraction.

[Thomas Campbell]

We haven't even talked about St. Bernard Parish, either!

[venchka]

Funny you should mention that. We were trying to explain Rocky & Carlos to the folks at work on Thursday.

[Todd Lambert]

I can't believe no one had mentioned getting a Hurricane at Paddy O's!

I'd also recommend checking out some Absinthe at the Absinthe house.

House of Blues is always fun.

Although not necessarily fun, visiting the 9th ward is a helluva an experience, especially at night:



Also fun, is the Touchdown Jesus:


and the RiverWalk:

[shutterfire]

all of these are great. will attempt to become a glutton of cajon cuisine. which of emarald's restraunts are the easiest to get into?

[venchka]

I prefer the Brennan family restaurants. Call and make a reservation. Delmonico's is the easiet to find.

[J Eddington]

Eldon, thanks for asking this question. And to all that answered we are headed down for our first visit in April. I can't wait.

Todd: "Although not necessarily fun, visiting the 9th ward is a helluva an experience, especially at night" can you explain a little more?

[Murph]

Let's see trip to NOLA- Gun-Check, Body Armor-Check, extra magzines-Check, handcuffs-check, backup gun-check. Oh, and a camera-check.

[Todd Lambert]

Originally Posted by J Eddington

Todd: "Although not necessarily fun, visiting the 9th ward is a helluva an experience, especially at night" can you explain a little more?

It's just quite a surreal experience. It's an entire city, at night.... there is no one around. No life whatsoever, nothing moving, not even any animals. In most areas, no power either. It's just like a bomb went off and wiped the human race off the map. It's the closest feeling to walking around in a place and being the only human being still left. It's kind of like the movie "I am legend", it's a bizarre, spooky place.

[J Eddington]

Originally Posted by Todd Lambert

It's just quite a surreal experience. It's an entire city, at night.... there is no one around. No life whatsoever, nothing moving, not even any animals. In most areas, no power either. It's just like a bomb went off and wiped the human race off the map. It's the closest feeling to walking around in a place and being the only human being still left. It's kind of like the movie "I am legend", it's a bizarre, spooky place.

OK, NOW I can't WAIT!!!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Don't know when you were in the 9th ward last but it isn't quite that bad. Also the shot of the graffiti on the building is in the Bywater which is a good 1/2 mile from the 9th Ward, I know the building since I've parked next to it before during Mardi gras last year.

Man if you go into St Bernard you need to hit one of the fresh catch shops- sell fresh seafood and many also have a small restraunt on the side that serves setdown meals.

Man wish I was making the Fest this year but just won't be.

[Todd Lambert]

Yes, it was about a year ago or so, and no that photo is not in the heart of the 9th ward. But, last I was there, if you do go into the 9th at night, there are most areas where there is nothing, no one around.. it was still that way a year ago.. maybe it's changed in the last year, not sure. I lived in Biloxi and spent a lot of time there.

[L Stegall]

T Lambert - love that shot of the bridge - really nice!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by J Eddington

OK, NOW I can't WAIT!!!

Take Murph and all his toys with you.

BTW, Murph, I have no facts, but I get the feeling that there is an area larger than N.O. and a population larger than N.O. here in Houston where your "stuff" would be needed more often than in New orleans. Just a hunch.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

some info sources: New Orleans, LA Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - NOLA.com offBeat :: Louisiana and New Orleans Online Music Resource Where Y'at Magazine February 2010 Gambit - New Orleans - The best source for New Orleans news, politics, entertainment, music, dining and shopping provided by the Gambit newspaper.
kind of in the order of best on down though all are good sources of info.

[Murph]

Fifth Ward perhaps?

Originally Posted by venchka

Take Murph and all his toys with you.

BTW, Murph, I have no facts, but I get the feeling that there is an area larger than N.O. and a population larger than N.O. here in Houston where your "stuff" would be needed more often than in New orleans. Just a hunch.

[venchka]

Not sure where that is. There was a random (are any of them really random?) daylight Sunday vehicle to vehicle shooting yesterday on Bissonet. Ring a bell?

[shutterfire]

Finalizing plans, staying at a B&B in the Garden district x 2 nights, then Nottoway plantation 1 night, will start calling for restaurant reservations tomorrow. if any body has anything else let me know. I am trying to talk the wife into a swamp tour. she is not wanting or willing to be near alligators? any advice on convincing her its safe? Of course the daughter wants to go on a vampire tour that sounds very touristy. May have to appease the daughter it could prove interesting?

[lscottpht]

The swamp tours aren't scary at all. Of course, you may not mention WHO is telling you that, since I don't think much is scary. If you are driving and getting hungry near Baton Rouge, I would highly suggest a place called The Cabin off of I10. It's on the way to Houmas House, but only about 3 miles off the highway. The cabin was built by slaves, and the food is delicious. Also, pick up some boudin balls and meat pies for a snack at Bergeron's in Baton Rouge for the drive home.

[shutterfire]

Will do Leslie. I am so pumped about this trip. The wife was excited about Nottway and staying there she wants sum pampering and deserves it since she had a Major Heart attack about 3 weeks ago. So together time is of the utmost importance and creating some good times.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Watch your back! Crime is very bad in NO. I have relatives who have lived there for 50+ years and it just gets worse.

- Wil

[burningphotography]

I just had a friend email me about what to do in NOLA. I grew up there as a kid. Here is my to do list I sent him.

Here's my must to do list if you go.

Donna's for music:
New Orleans Traditional and Modern Jazz and Brass Bands
Any night of the week there is a really good New Orleans band with a good mix of locals and visitors.
Tipitina's uptown is good for usually authentic new orleans blues
Tipitina's - New Orleans, Louisiana

History
St. Louis Cemetary No. 1
New Orleans is known for their above ground cemeteries and this is the best one.
Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1
Lower Ninth Ward was the worst hit by the Hurricane and is still pretty much left as is.
Lower Ninth Ward - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
But there are a couple of areas coming back. One is Harry Connick's Muscian's Village
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musicians%27_Village
and Brad Pitt's Make it Right
Home : Make It Right
When we were there a few years ago you can volunteer still for a day or half day even on one of the projects.
Jackson Square
http://www.jackson-square.com/This used to be a big hangout for street muscians and artist but has lately been taken over by palm readers although the others can still be found.
While your there you can pop in to St. Louis Cathedral built in 1720!
Jackson Square New Orleans | Home
Also don't miss Cafe Du Monde where you can get beignets and coffee for cheap open 24/7
Cafe Du Monde - Original French Market Coffee Stand New Orleans

Food
Johnny's PoBoys
Best PoBoy Ever. One is big enough to split.
Johnny's Po-boys Home Page
Lucky Dog
Cheap sidewalk dirty water dog but are really good.

Fun
Pat O'Brien's for a Hurricane in the Piano Bar. Everyone sits at long tables while all the drunken fools sing along. If you scrounge up hurricane glasses and take them to the bar you get $3 for the glass back. If you work it right you can drink for free.
Lafitte's Black Smith shop
Some argue it's the oldest bar in the states. It's on the quieter side of Bourbon street near the art gallery section. More of a local bar.
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Street Car through the Garden District. It's really cheap and you can see all of the older sections of the city.
Ride the historic St. Charles Streetcar through New Orleans Garden district

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Wow! That should keep you busy for a while!

- Wil

[shutterfire]

This may take more than a few days. thanks to everyone for all the suggestions

BTW will the crime does make me nervous but I'll be packin.

[shutterfire]

Will, Are there any area's I need to stay away from? I'm am not looking to have my family step in harms way inadvertently.?

[ronocnikral]

good suggestions.

donnas is the best. especially monday nights. kind of shifted away from jazz though lately.

i love palace cafe. i've never had bad service and i ate there frequently - i worked downtown at an oil company, people call, i ate. crabmeat cheesecake and andouille crusted fish. anyone? it's the best.

i also love crepe nanou. sweet and savory crepes. what else could you want? and next to creole creamery. i went one afternoon, ate my ice cream at the counter and talked to the owner making waffle cones.

in the quarter, there is a place called mona lisas. their mona lisa sandwhich is to die for.

my last restaurant recommendation is in metairie. the galley. best boiled seafood in town.

as wayne said, all the restaurant recs for new orleans will take forever. the funny thing is...you ask 10 locals for a restaurant rec in the quarter and you will get 10 different answers. i won't even touch on po-boys. and good thing you aren't going during snoball season. snoball stands are like religion.

cemetery tour is always fun. my mom's favorite was just the plain old boring history tour.

my favorite thing (since i lived in the point) was riding the ferry over in the afternoon, walking to get some beignets to-go, and people watching on the river.

i just got back from watching endymion roll. excellent time. new orleans is a very good town to visit. i wouldn't be worried too much about crime. if you're shaky about it, don't walk there. i've never had any problem walking around at night. i won't accuse you of judging either....

[shutterfire]

Ok Booked dinner at Delmonicos and Commanders, Im sure going to try to hit a lot of your suggestions. Booked a swamp tour, And allowed for quality time for my favorite Libation on bourbon St. I wanted to take some images of a place called Ponchartrain Beach - I know its not open anymore but I hope their are some Ruins to shoot.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

No ruins on that beach, it is near a residential area and just more of a seawall type thing now than a beach with a whole lot of sand. There are some good places to eat in the area though.

BTW, I remember the amusement park there from when I went there as a kid. I've seen one poster of it that someone did in the 80's from photos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontchartrain_Beach
http://www.demajo.net/pontchartrain_beach/