Anyone been to New Orleans?

[Anonymous]

Hello, I'm 30, no kids and would love to go to New Orleans in April for a few days, either with my boyfriend or a friend.

Any tips what area to stay in, what to do and where to go? I never been but people tell me all the time how much I would love it. I would want to do a little bit of sight seeing, eat good food, party at nights and maybe do some fun things during the day.

And tips and ideas? TIA

[Anonymous]

Lots of culture but very very dirty. I used to go monthly in my twenties and went back this last year. One day was enough for me. I would say three days at most. Drink bottled water.

Places to stay: Anywhere on the river so the French Quarter is walkable. Bourbon Street is also a short walk but I wouldn't stay on bourbon, but that's just me.

Cafe DuMonde for Beignets and coffee!! Yum!

[Anonymous]

Seriously, PP? You can drink tap water in New Orleans. I assure you the residents (including my ILs) do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of culture but very very dirty. I used to go monthly in my twenties and went back this last year. One day was enough for me. I would say three days at most. Drink bottled water.

Places to stay: Anywhere on the river so the French Quarter is walkable. Bourbon Street is also a short walk but I wouldn't stay on bourbon, but that's just me.

Cafe DuMonde for Beignets and coffee!! Yum!

huh? Do they have a tainted water supply? Ice cubes in mixed drinks a no-no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of culture but very very dirty. I used to go monthly in my twenties and went back this last year. One day was enough for me. I would say three days at most. Drink bottled water.

Places to stay: Anywhere on the river so the French Quarter is walkable. Bourbon Street is also a short walk but I wouldn't stay on bourbon, but that's just me.

Cafe DuMonde for Beignets and coffee!! Yum!

Yeah, make sure to ask your servers to use bottled water to mix your Hurricane, Bloody Mary, and daiquiri

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of culture but very very dirty. I used to go monthly in my twenties and went back this last year. One day was enough for me. I would say three days at most. Drink bottled water.

Places to stay: Anywhere on the river so the French Quarter is walkable. Bourbon Street is also a short walk but I wouldn't stay on bourbon, but that's just me.

Cafe DuMonde for Beignets and coffee!! Yum!

Ex-stripper?

[Anonymous]

We went a few years ago. Loved it.

We stayed in the French Quarter, a few streets off of Bourbon St and it was fine.

There are lots of really wonderful places to eat--from dives with excellent food to very high end and everything in between. You will not be disappointed.

We walked around alot. Went to see some of the cemeteries. Did a tour of one of the new eco-friendly houses being built in the lower 9th ward. Went out to the garden district and admired the fancy houses.

Drank a lot at night. Recovered with beignets in the morning.

[Anonymous]

Stay in the garden district. much nicer than french quarter, but an easy trolley-ride away.

[Anonymous]

OP here

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

[Anonymous]

Agree with avoiding the touristy stuff like Bourbon St. &c. other than a quick look-see. Much more to see than that.

Great music on Frenchmans St. & that direction. Fantastic fried chicken at Coop's in the Quarter. It's a very unique and interesting place, I have several good friends who live there.

We stayed at the Hotel Richelieu last time which was a good base of operations and not in the midst of the tourist crap.

[Anonymous]

I went last year for a work conference with an extra few days built in for fun, and stayed at the Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles. It is near the water and a few blocks from Bourbon Street. If you don't mind staying at a more business-y 3.5 star hotel, then Hilton will work fine and it's pretty inexpensive. It is close to the action, but not the noise of the nightlife. There is a dinky pool, a decent workout room, a very crowded Starbucks, and nowhere to eat, but if you are more of a person to explore all day and just use the hotel to sleep and shower, you'll be fine. There are some absolutely beautiful hotels and B&Bs in the French Quarter if you prefer something more luxurious.

New Orleans has some incredibly delicious restaurants, and Café du Monde is fun to do because it is Café du Monde. There is a gigantic farmers market in the French Quarter that has some great finds. My favorite was a fresh dacquiri stand that made a dozen drinks with just fresh fruit, rum, and ice. They were amazing. Would kill for one again!

It may not be too hot in April but I advise you to overpack on clothes and be prepared for heat. I was there in May, and the humidity and heat were oppressive. Unlike anything I have experienced in Miami, Houston, or even a good old DC summer. I took four showers one day and had to run to the mall (a few blocks away) to buy extra t-shirts.

Have fun!

[Anonymous]

DEFINITELY schedule a few walking tours. They have licensed, well-trained tour guides who give various themed tours - ghost walks, history walks, garden district walks - and I've found them all to be wonderfully fun. It is a fun way to see the city and learn about the history.

[Anonymous]

Bienville House is just lovely. There is so much to do right in the quarter. I could spend days just walking around and EATING.
Get a po boy at Mothers. Court of 2 sisters is a classic and just lovely. Tujaqs is overrated. Dookie Chase is not in the quarter but is very well regarded.

[Anonymous]

OP here

I'm loving the tips and suggestions. I'm really excited to try out everything.
I'll definitely check out those tours.

[Anonymous]

OP here again

Would you guys recommend to find private rentals on Craigslist or something instead of a hotel?