Yes, I realize that it's totally a tourist thing to do, but I have a day pre-cruise to see Bourbon St. and some of New Orleans. So here's my plan:
Mardi Gras World: Vast, 400,000-sq.-ft. complex where Mardi Gras floats are made & stored. Our tour allows you to see firsthand what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life.
Café Du Monde: Iconic cafe known for café au laits, chicory coffee & beignets.
Sazerac House: Take a tour of the legacy and lore of your favorite drinks. Explore exhibits in a beautiful setting with opportunities to enjoy free samples.
French Quarter:
1. Carousel Bar: At the Hotel Monteleone has a bar that revolves like a carousel.
2. Old Absinthe House: Saloon serving absinthe cocktails in historic building.
3. Fat Catz: A music club, with live bands playing a variety of music.
4. Antoine’s Restaurant: Circa-1840 fine French-Creole dining & birthplace of oysters Rockefeller.
5. Napoleon House: Muffalettas, po' boys & other Creole staples in a circa-1914 house with a palm-filled courtyard.
6. Pirates Alley Cafe: Hangout in a historic alley with a pirate theme, costumed bartenders, pub food & absinthe.
7. Pat O’Brien’s: Outdoor hangout with a flaming fountain, the bar that invented the hurricane cocktail.
8. Spirits on Bourbon: Lively bar with light-up signature cocktails, dueling pianos nightly & Cajun-accented pub grub. Featured on “Bar Rescue”.
9. Lafitte Blacksmith shop: One of the oldest bars around, serving beer & frozen drinks since the 1700s.
We will sample food at several different stops in the French Quarter and definitely be taking a cab back to the hotel. For those with more experience, are there any places I should add?