New Orleans for Noobs

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 4/9/11 at 6:13am

Hey folks,

I have some friends from here in Sweden who are traveling to the US for the summer. They are planning on spending two months exploring the Eastern part of the country. I have given them just about all the tips I can think of for everything they want to hit. Their biggest concern is New Orleans. I have been 7 times, but we always stay at a friend's apartment on Toulouse between Bourbon and Royale, so it's a really safe area. They aren't HUGE partiers, but they are young and would probably want to be in the middle of things. My only advice would be to stay in the Quarter and not walk outside of crowded, well lit areas at night. Is there somewhere specific you would recommend they stay? Areas they should avoid? I know they are mostly staying in hostels, but I think N.O. might be a place where I would spring for a hotel. I just know nothing about hotels there.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. They are coming over for lunch Thursday and I want to try to help them out.

Thanks :)

[nmartin]

Posted: 4/9/11 at 7:55am

Bourbon Orleans Hotel, Dupuy Hotel, Hotel Monteleone. I've stayed at all three and had good experiences. They are all in the Quarter. The Dupuy is a little to close to Rampart, but I never had any trouble there. Never walk to the Faubourg Marigny. I did it once and was told by a cab driver and several locals to never do that again.
I have stayed at some of the Canal Street Hotels past or near Basin, but that does necessitate a cad ride back to the hotel at night.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/9/11 at 9:08am

The places nmartin mentions are okay, but I've found Le Richelieu far superior. It's privately owned and run, not a fancy place, but very charming. 24 hour courtyard pool, and many rooms have private balconies. It is competitively priced. It is in the downriver side of the Quarter, which means it is quieter in the evenings, away from the bulk of the drunken craziness. It is near many funky restaurants with a younger/local bent, the river, the French Market, and the Fauberg/Marigny.

I'd say it's completely safe to walk to the Fauberg/Marigny, btw, during the day, anyway, and Frenchmen st in the Marigny is a great place for music, food and art. If they are more adventurous, they can head into the Bywater, which is a real up and coming art 'hood. On Frenchmen is a rental spot for Bicycle Michael's. Biking is a great way to get around the city.

Feel free to pm me with more specific questions. I know New Orleans very well.
Le Richeliu

[canmark]

Posted: 4/9/11 at 10:22am

There are also plenty of good places to stay in the Warehouse District (on the other side of Canal St. from the Quarter), which is where I usually stay. It's a short walk to the Quarter, it's perfectly safe, and there are bars and restaurants and art galleries in that area (plus the Casino and Riverwalk mall). On the other side of the Quarter, the Faubourg Marigny is more quaint, charming and atmospheric, and there are smaller inns and B&Bs that may be more in the budget range.

But you should also tell them to spend some time out of the Quarter. Take the St. Charles streetcar and go for a stroll by the university (Tulane and Loyola)/Audobon Park area, the Garden District, Magazine St., etc.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/9/11 at 11:16am

To add to something canmark said - they should absolutely take the St Charles streetcar from the Quarter to Audobahn Park/zoo. It's inexpensive and the houses and gardens along the way are quite beautiful. They can get off for awhile and walk sections of Magazine st, which has become a kind of a shopping/restaurant/bar drag (I recommend Juan's Flying Burrito for reasonably inexpensive Mex food). They can either take the streetcar back, or check to see if the John J Audobon (a paddlewheel boat) is making the rounds between the zoo and the Aquarium in the Quarter.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/9/11 at 3:13pm

Michael Stipe, a dear friend and lead singer of the band R.E.M., offered this advice in my newsletter.

xo
GP
The Michael-In Guide to New Orleans

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/9/11 at 3:43pm

That's a good guide, Namo, thanks. Satsuma is a fantastic cafe with very fresh food in the Bywater. Excellent brunches. Two blocks away is The Country Club, a gay bar/restaurant with an outdoor clothing optional pool. Buffa's is an excellent locals joint. I'd add to your list AllWays in the Bywater: drag theater, theater theatre, performance art, all-around cool place.
Updated On: 4/9/11 at 03:43 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/9/11 at 4:59pm

I haven't been to New Orleans in 10 years, but since I'm not a partier, it's all about the amazing food for me. My two favorite restaurants were K. Paul's (best gumbo I've ever tasted) and Palace Cafe (owned by the Brennan family). Brunch at Brennan's was also exceptional. Breakfast at Cafe du Monde may seem very touristy and cliche, but it developed its reputation for good reason. If the weather is nice, don't pass on it. Beignets and chickory coffee on the patio with a view of Jackson Square in the morning light is worth the time.

[canmark]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 2:05pm

I concur with Cafe du Monde. It may be touristy, but eating the warm beignets and getting covered in powdered sugar is just one of those great New Orleans things.

And tell your friends to read A Confederacy of Dunces. That will tell them all they need to know about the city.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 2:13pm

Mmmmm, K Paul's! I had blue cheese stuffed pork chop that made me crazy. It was ridiculously delicious. For breakfast we always went to The Old Coffee Pot and always asked for Wilhelmina. She'll take one look at you and decide if you need a bloody mary to take off the morning edge. lol The Sister Soul Food omelette is to die for.

Thanks for all the info, folks!

I had to post that 4 times before it showed up...

Updated On: 4/10/11 at 02:13 PM