New Orleans
Warning: If you’re going any time around Mardi Gras, you probably want to bring along your least favorite shoes as they’ll probably be covered in something disgusting by the end of the trip.
The French Quarter is where all the fun is at. Hand Grenades are unique to New Orleans and delicious, so be sure to walk the streets with one in your hand. For one of the better grenades, check out Tropical Isle. The Hurricane at Pat O’Briens is another local classic. When you’re ready for some food, keep an eye out for the noisy and crowded Acme Oyster House (724 Iberville Street) for the best classic po boys and good seafood. Have some fun, shuck some oysters! The crab claws are a personal favorite.
To really savor jazz, go where you can sit. In the French Quarter, the best options are Preservation Hall (726 St. Peter St.) and Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub (733 Bourbon St.). Nearby, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro hosts legends like Ellis Marsalis (626 Frenchmen St.)
For a Nice Walk…
The French Market (1100 N. Peter Street) is a nice place to walk, and great to sample a little bit of everything that New Orleans has to offer – while also being littered with souvenirs to take home. From the classic beignets buried in icing sugar at Cafe du Monde to the classic gumbo and store full of hot sauces at the World Famous N’Awlins Cafe. You won’t have to look long and hard for a good crab cake or serving of crawfish bread either.
Once you picked up a nice snack and a few knicknacks, shop on magazine street and take advantage of all the public transportation, it’s a great way to see the city on a budget ($1.25 plus 0.25 cents extra to buy a transfer going the same direction). You should probably start at Washington street, since there’s not much between Canal and Washington.
Take a walk through Audubon park (and hey, it’s free). The Audubon Aquarium and Ogden Museum of Southern Art are both worth a visit. Casamento’s Seafood (4330 Magazine St) is a great spot for oysters and crab claw. Great atmosphere and prices. The zoo is located at the end of Magazine Street. You can check that out then take the Magazine bus all the way back to the FQ.
To see the real architectural highlights of the city, take the streetcar to the New Orleans Garden District. The Columns is one of several distinctly beautiful mansions, but this one was turned into a hotel. The St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square also stand out. While there, you will also want to check out one or two of the city’s beautiful, historic cemeteries. If you want to save money on paying for a tour to st. louis cemetery #1 on conti and basin, go to the big yellow building next door and purchase a $5 map/brochure for a self-guided tour.
More Food
Travel a mile out of the FQ to the Industrial District and Eat at Cochon (at Julia) for pig, alligator, or oysters. August (at Gravier) has a popular prix-fix menu for lunch. $20 for three courses of high quality food.
BBQ Shrimp lovers have to try Pascal’s Manale (1838 Napoleon Avenue). No need to try much else on the menu, but the BBQ Shrimp is great. If it’s old-fashioned BBQ you crave, a few places to look out for are The Joint (801 Poland Av), Ms. Hyster’s BBQ (Central City, 2000 S Claiborne Ave), and Voodoo BBQ (1501 Saint Charles Ave). Two other fun places are Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company and Rotolo’s Pizzeria (Central Business District). Rotolo’s has cheap drinks on Mondays, but you’ll have to put up with slower service and college boys. Once you’re done, cab it to The Bombay Club for a nice and intimate bar experience with great live blues.
While you won’t find many tourists here, Clancy’s (6100 Annunciation St) remains a favorite for most residents. Possibly NO’s best received restaurant. A bit pricey, but well worth it. Try the scallops, crab salad, oysters with brie, or the fish of the day, and you won’t regret it. Delicious soft-shell crab. Those who would not rate Clancy’s #1 would probably rate Brigtsen (23 Dante St) as NO’s best.
