New Orleans for Noobs

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 :)

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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

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.

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

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.

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