OT - Ever been to New Orleans?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
OT - Ever been to New Orleans?
9
Fri, 09-10-2004 - 5:18pm
I know this is off topic, but I'd like to get some info from anyone who can help. I am going to New Orleans in October with my parents. My mom will be in meetings all day, and my dad and I are trying to get ideas of what to do. I've done lots of research on the internet and looked at brochures like mad, but I'd like to get advice from someone who has visited there or lives there. What are the best things to do/see? Thanks in advance!

Shannon

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Fri, 09-10-2004 - 5:38pm
You are going to LOVE New Orleans...I went to Mardi Gras in 2001 and 2002 and am hoping to go back next year! But aside from just that aspect it is a wonderful city and you will have a blast. What kinds of things are you thinking of doing? And where are you staying?
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2004
Fri, 09-10-2004 - 7:16pm
Hi. I grew up in the NO area. It makes me laugh when I hear people going to visit NO b/c I guess I just take NO for granted. We have a really nice aquarium, the D-day Museum, the Riverwalk (shopping), the Audubun Zoo (at 32 I still love the zoo). I would def. take some time to walk around the French Quarter and eat some beignets. You can also take the street car down St. Charles Ave. Have some really nice houses on that street. I think it might even take you to the zoo. I hope this helps.

Kim

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Fri, 09-10-2004 - 8:58pm
My husband was in NO on business so I drove down and took the kids. We spent a lot of time in the French Quarter. It is great. Good music and good food all over. Took lots of pictures. Also out of town are some beautiful old plantations. Have fun!! :-) Stephanie
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 12:05pm
I dunno if you are interested in the historic parts, but there are lots of tours of mansions down there on the river that we went to(I went like, 2 years ago or so), and also go to the swamps and take a Gator tour(a liscensed one, not your own!), those are cool! umm... get your palm read, lemme see...just get into the whole culture, N'awlins is a great city, lots of fun just get into it
~Sayruhb02
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2004
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 5:37pm
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE New Orleans! I really suggest going on the haunted city tour around the French Quarter (kinda creepy and loads of fun!), as well as the cemetary tours. I really enjoyed going on the plantation tours and the swamp tours as well. It's also fun just to walk around and soak up the atmosphere. I got my palms read and my tarot cards read, went to a seance and I had some of the best food in the world there, and the whole place is a mix of old, new, creepy, and care-free. I LOVED it! I really would suggest eating at Irene's as well. If you allow yourself one night to eat a not so healthy meal, the lamb chops are crazy good!

Take Care and have a really really nice time!

Critter

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 9:46am
You could go try to find Anne Rice's home lol Ive never been to NO but I have several books by authors like Anne Rice who set their stories in that area. They make their books so descriptive, its almost like Ive been there a few times now lol
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 3:19pm
I can't wait to go. We are staying at the Hilton Riverside. We'll be there for 4 full days. I love museums - especially art, but I am fascinated by history. I also want to go to the zoo - I love animals. My dad loves golf, so we'll probably spend one afternoon golfing, but otherwise we just love being in a new city and seeing the sights. Thank you everyone for your input, it's so nice to hear from people who have visited or lived there.

Shannon

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 8:09am
Hey Shannon! I know I'm a little late getting in on this but I went to NO in July and also stayed at the Hilton Riverside. You will be right next to the Riverwalk and the aquarium. There is a 'zoo cruise' that runs for the aquarium to the zoo - you can buy a combo ticket at the aquarium box office. The zoo is huge (at least it's huge compared to Zoo Atlanta!), so allow yourself plenty of time to roam around. We were pressed for time because we had to catch the last boat back to the aquarium. We walked to the French Quarter and roamed around there for a while. We even ate at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. LOL! It was cute but, like everything else, overpriced. Even the food at the Riverwalk (like a mall) was expensive. It was all yummy though, so I guess it was worth it. You'll have a great time, be sure to visit Cafe DuMonde....there is one in the French Quarter and one in the Riverwalk. Have some fun for me too! :-)

Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Wed, 09-22-2004 - 7:47pm
Hi, I've lived in New Orleans all of my life so maybe I can help you. I think everyone has had great ideas. The zoo, aquarium and IMAX are fun but they take a lot of time and are things you can do in other cities. They recently finished extending the streetcar line so if I were you, I'd take the streetcar around so you can see more of the city than just the French Quarter. It will take you uptown on St. Charles where you can see some really nice houses and it's just pretty. Ann Rice's house (although I think she moved), Trent Reznor's house and the Real World house are that way. You can also take the street cars in the other direction on Canal Street. That way you can get to all of the popular above ground cemetaries. Don't go there at night! You can get on and off of them whenever you want to look around more or to get better food at much better prices outside of the touristy areas. Just walk around the French Quarter and check out the little shops, art galleries, St. Louis Cathedral, and very "different" people. If you want to see Mardi Gras related things even though you're a little early, the Presbytere has like a mardi gras history/museum type thing that's pretty cool. If you want to go shopping, the Riverwalk, Jax Brewery and Canal Place are right there. Also, if you are there at the right time, you should try to go to the French Market. As for food, there are too many good places to list and this is getting too long so if you have any questions or want any more info, feel free to email me at angela0059@yahoo.com.