One food to try and one attraction to visit while in New Orleans

[Buffalo Joe Cruiser]

My two cents - don't forget to take a New Orleans streetcar ride - take the St. Charles Line - awesome; also, Cafe Pontalba near Jackson Square is a little whole in the wall with great authentic food - YUM; and I give my two thumbs for Cafe Du Monde - you have to get your powdered sugar fix

 

We are planning to take the Canal Streetcar to the Riverwalk area and take the Ferry across the River. Also, take the Riverfront Streetcar towards Jackson square.

[luv2c00k]

If you want to go to Mardi Gras world when you return, it is right next door to the cruise terminal and is open every day at 9:30 AM. Or you could go to it right before you board the ship.

 

Thanks for the info - it might work out best to do it right before or after our cruise.

[MelTed]

Thanks again Jorge. We get in on Thursday afternoon & plan on doing the WWII museum on Friday. My DH will spend hours there I am sure (we recently returned from a trip to NYC - we spent 6 hours at Ellis Island! :eek:). Will have to figure out what we can do on Saturday before the parade - Mardi Gras World or the cemetary tour. Maybe we can do one the Sunday we get back from our cruise. Also have to fit in Cafe du Monde, Central Grocery & Acme Oyster House. :D

 

We live right outside of DC so often visit the museums there.

 

When visiting the WWII museum, be sure to allow time to view the new 4d experience in the theater. Have not done that part of the museum yet myself, however, have spoken to folks that have, and they have described the experience as being like nothing they ever experienced before as it plays on ALL of your senses!

[98Charlie]

When visiting the WWII museum, be sure to allow time to view the new 4d experience in the theater. Have not done that part of the museum yet myself, however, have spoken to folks that have, and they have described the experience as being like nothing they ever experienced before as it plays on ALL of your senses!

 

Thank for the info. My father landed at Utah beach during Normandy and was part of the 28th Division with Patton during Battle of the Bulge. Father-in-law was a medic in Italy during WWII.

 

Am thinking DH & I need to find time to visit the museum. Wasn't quite sure what to expect at the museum during our previous visits to New Orleans so we haven't visited as yet.

 

Dianne

[luv2c00k]

When visiting the WWII museum, be sure to allow time to view the new 4d experience in the theater. Have not done that part of the museum yet myself, however, have spoken to folks that have, and they have described the experience as being like nothing they ever experienced before as it plays on ALL of your senses!

 

Thanks MelTed - we will be sure to see it. I have the entire day blocked off for the museum. To be honest we chose the cruise from New Orleans just so DH could visit the museum.

[Abear2]

I went to Mardi Gras World a few months ago and it was just ok. I mean for the price to get in, I just didn't feel like it was worth it. It's really close to the convention center.

[lsu2fan]

Thanks MelTed - we will be sure to see it. I have the entire day blocked off for the museum. To be honest we chose the cruise from New Orleans just so DH could visit the museum.

Hi luv2c00k and 98Charlie,

 

Ya'll will truly treasure your visit to the WWII National Museum. Especially, you, 98Charlie, since your Dad was a vet!

 

Whenever we visit, we get there right when it opens up. When you first go in they give you a wristband that allows you to leave and come back on the same day. Usually right after, we spend some time looking at all the exhibits on the main floor. We make it a point to spend some time talking to the WWII vets that are there as volunteers (they'll tell you some great stories and you'll come away with the sense that they are truly our "Greatest Generation").

 

From there we'll tour either the European or Pacific Theater experiences. This usually takes a good 2-2 1/2 hours. By now it's usually lunch time so we leave as within a couple of blocks from the museum there are a number of restaurants. After a leisurely lunch we go back and tour the other exhibit. We have yet to eat at the "American Sector" restaurant but plan to do so soon. The AS is the John Besh restaurant on site which is purportedly quite good as he uses recipes from WWII era menus.

 

If you're going to set aside a whole day then this may be something that you may want to consider.

 

Jorge

[Dushi]

We budgeted 3 hours for the WW2 Museum but ended up staying for 6 hours (we broke up the day by having lunch at American Sector - the sandwiches are served on mini butcher blocks accompanied by tin cans filled with sweet potato chips; I had a bananas foster milkshake and DH had an Abita beer). DH is a huge History Channel fan and was fascinated. $23 for the combined "4D Movie experience) and the entrance fee. "$2 off" coupons are available in several publications or you could use the link at the bottom that my friend forwarded to me.

 

We also enjoyed the Mardi Gras Museum ($18.50). Got to see several of the floats being prepared for the upcoming parades. They offer a free shuttle pickup and drop off from/to the major hotels. You are shown a 10-15 minute movie, then allowed to take pictures with some of their props and costumes; then we got a slice of King Cake (it was better than the $3 slice we got from PJs coffee shop a few days later) before going on an escorted tour of the warehouse. A "$2 off" coupon is also available for that venue.

 

Before boarding the ferry, make sure it is the one that goes to Algiers (look for the sign or ask the employee at the ferry). The one to Gretna takes much longer and goes past the convention center, cruise treminal and Mardi Gras World. You will also pass under the bridge - which was great since we got a close up view of the NCL Spirit as it was about to sail away.

 

Central Grocery is closed Sundays and Mondays so plan accordingly. Half a muffalata was $6.75, a full one was $12.95.

 

 

http://www.neworleansonline.com/assets/pdfs/coupons/coupons.pdf

[luv2c00k]

lsu2fan & Dushi - thanks for all the info on the WWII museum (& Mardi Gras World). My Dad flew C-47's in WWII - towed gliders. Grew up hearing all about it. I know we will be at the WWII museum all day - which is fine. Thinking we may do Mardi Gras World before we board our ship. Maybe do the ferry trip to Algiers on Saturday before the parade in the evening. I want to leave plenty of time to just walk around and enjoy NO. Am hoping that the weather will cooperate. Not worried about cold but want it to be dry. Any recommendation on cemetary tours?

[lsu2fan]

lsu2fan & Dushi - thanks for all the info on the WWII museum (& Mardi Gras World). My Dad flew C-47's in WWII - towed gliders. Grew up hearing all about it. I know we will be at the WWII museum all day - which is fine. Thinking we may do Mardi Gras World before we board our ship. Maybe do the ferry trip to Algiers on Saturday before the parade in the evening. I want to leave plenty of time to just walk around and enjoy NO. Am hoping that the weather will cooperate. Not worried about cold but want it to be dry. Any recommendation on cemetary tours?

 

Hi luv2cook,

 

St. Louis #1 for sure. My DW have toured it on our own as I've done some research. However, I recommend that you take an organized tour as they'll be very knowledgeable and more organized. Check out the site below it's great fun and has great information. It even has a quiz included.

 

http://www.nolacemeteries.com/

 

When you visit the WWII museum, there will be vets of the European theater. Stop and ask them about the hang gliders. Even if they don't have personal knowledge, they will surely be able to tell you about someone that they know, what they did and went through. Listening to their stories is always the highlight for us whenever we visit.

 

Jorge