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Things to do in New Orleans

wrigley80

By wrigley80,
in Gulf Coast Departures

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cruisecritiquer

cruisecritiquer

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If you like seafood, we love Drago's. It's at the bottom of the Hilton Riverside Hotel just across from Harrah's Casino. By the way...there's a cruise port right next door to that hotel. It is super convenient if you are already cruising out of NOLA.

 

This was the view from our hotel room.

 

We stayed on the executive level and they had a great executive lounge to get away from all the hustle and bustle when your feet are too tired to walk anymore.

 

582103_10150659469587765_525182593_n.jpg

 

I love their oysters! Best I've ever tasted.

 

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I second the vote on Camellia's grill. They have great food but be forewarned that this isn't some quaint little breakfast nook. It's a lot like a diner and you will be sitting right next to strangers but that is the best part of it!

 

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This is the inside...

 

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We went down to where the levies broke (on our own...no tour)...we took a picture of these posts which signify the water levels there...

 

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New levy....

 

562033_10150659472677765_153207022_n.jpg

Edited by cruisecritiquer
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cruisecritiquer

cruisecritiquer

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About two blocks from Cafe Dumonde there are usually very talented street performers in the afternoon if you have the opportunity to catch them.

 

74787_10150659478022765_1011952924_n.jpg

 

Everyone brags about Mother's...eh....I've made better in my slow cooker but to each his own. We tried it out only because of that man vs. food guy...

 

581123_10150659478117765_181707086_n.jpg

 

You might want to take a city tour if you are strapped for time and want to see everything. We love New Orleans and I can't wait to go back. I purposely schedule cruises from there just so I can have time in that city. I personally love to spend time walking along and looking at the different art vendors, checking out the spanish and french architecture....love the garden district and had fun touring Mardis Gras world.

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curcurt

curcurt

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I'm afraid to ask what a Muffaletta is and where I would go to get one??

 

 

It is a round Sicilian bread with marinated olive salad, mortadella, salami, mozzarella, ham, and provolone (Google search muffaletta at Central Grocery)

 

Central Grocery, 923 Decatur St for the best Muffaletta

 

Frenchmen Street for the best music venues

 

Acme Oyster House or Drago's for charbroiled oysters, plus many other seafood dishes

 

Mother's for a poboy or anything on the menu

 

Fine dining try Galatoire's, Irene's, or the Rib Room

 

Oldest bar Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon St.

 

Ride a street car on St. Charles Street

 

 

As you can tell we like to eat, too many good places to name them all.

Edited by curcurt
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Sipsey

Sipsey

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Muffalettas are wonderful. But not if you don't like olives!

 

Most of the downtown hotels have a map of the French Quarter and the surrounding area available for free on a page about the size of a restaurant placemat, with points of interest flagged.

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wrigley80

wrigley80

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About two blocks from Cafe Dumonde there are usually very talented street performers in the afternoon if you have the opportunity to catch them.

 

74787_10150659478022765_1011952924_n.jpg

 

Everyone brags about Mother's...eh....I've made better in my slow cooker but to each his own. We tried it out only because of that man vs. food guy...

 

581123_10150659478117765_181707086_n.jpg

 

You might want to take a city tour if you are strapped for time and want to see everything. We love New Orleans and I can't wait to go back. I purposely schedule cruises from there just so I can have time in that city. I personally love to spend time walking along and looking at the different art vendors, checking out the spanish and french architecture....love the garden district and had fun touring Mardis Gras world.

 

Thank-you so much. We have never been to New Orleans so I am finding myself searching more for things to do in New Orleans....rather than our ports of call on the cruise ship...lol

 

I don't think we're gonna be able to see everything that I have on my list....oh well I guess that means another trip to New Orleans....hehe

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wrigley80

wrigley80

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It is a round Sicilian bread with marinated olive salad, mortadella, salami, mozzarella, ham, and provolone (Google search muffaletta at Central Grocery)

 

Central Grocery, 923 Decatur St for the best Muffaletta

 

Frenchmen Street for the best music venues

 

Acme Oyster House or Drago's for charbroiled oysters, plus many other seafood dishes

 

Mother's for a poboy or anything on the menu

 

Fine dining try Galatoire's, Irene's, or the Rib Room

 

Oldest bar Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon St.

 

Ride a street car on St. Charles Street

 

 

As you can tell we like to eat, too many good places to name them all.

 

We're definitely gonna ride the streetcar. I printed out some maps this morning. Thank you for the suggestions

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wrigley80

wrigley80

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Muffalettas are wonderful. But not if you don't like olives!

 

Most of the downtown hotels have a map of the French Quarter and the surrounding area available for free on a page about the size of a restaurant placemat, with points of interest flagged.

 

We're not staying in the French Quarter....we're staying Metairie but I'm sure we will be able to find a map somewhere.

Yeah I don't like olives so I don't think a Muffaletta is for me but I don't think I will go hungry.....lol. I'm sure I will be able to find something in New Orleans to munch on

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Sipsey

Sipsey

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We're not staying in the French Quarter....we're staying Metairie but I'm sure we will be able to find a map somewhere.

Yeah I don't like olives so I don't think a Muffaletta is for me but I don't think I will go hungry.....lol. I'm sure I will be able to find something in New Orleans to munch on

 

There is no shortage of food in New Orleans. The only place I wouldn't recommend that I have eaten there is Margaritaville. Even it is okay, but nothing special compared to all the great restaurants all over the city.

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SeagoingMom

SeagoingMom

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Don't forget the castle (I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head, but it is beautiful. They had a wedding there that day we were in NOLA)

 

IMG_4793-M.jpg

 

"The castle" is a church -- St. Louis Cathedral. Very beautiful, inside and out.

Edited by SeagoingMom
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wrigley80

wrigley80

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There is no shortage of food in New Orleans. The only place I wouldn't recommend that I have eaten there is Margaritaville. Even it is okay, but nothing special compared to all the great restaurants all over the city.

 

Oh we don't eat at Margaritaville but we definitely have to stop there for a t-shirt or two

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Genessa

Genessa

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The World War II museum is amazing. Acme Oyster House is excellent. Have a muffaletta sandwich at he Central Grocery. To die for and invented there. Go listen to Zydeco music.

 

we really enjoyed the WWII museum, also.

 

The paddlewheel trip was a change of pace, the "engine room" is very interesting.

 

My fav thing though was a swamp tour - got tickets from kiosk near paddlewheel dock.

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wrigley80

wrigley80

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we really enjoyed the WWII museum, also.

 

The paddlewheel trip was a change of pace, the "engine room" is very interesting.

 

My fav thing though was a swamp tour - got tickets from kiosk near paddlewheel dock.

 

My dad would really enjoy the paddlewheel trip and to see the engine room...thanks for the suggestion

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SeagoingMom

SeagoingMom

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We visited New Orleans a few months before Katrina, so I cannot say whether everything we enjoyed is restored to its former condition, but...

 

As did other posters, I strongly recommend the WWII museum -- excellent! We also enjoyed the steamboat cruise to Chalmette Battlefield -- it is the Creole Queen which now offers this cruise. Audubon Park in the Garden District, which is easily arrived at via the excellent trolley, was lovely. The Aquarium was great, too! In the French Quarter is the National Park Service's Jazz Historic Park, which often has free live jazz music.

 

We ate at Mother's (recommended by a previous poster.) I would skip it. Crowded, run down, grimy, unremarkable food (at best.) JMO

 

So much city, so little time!

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wrigley80

wrigley80

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We visited New Orleans a few months before Katrina, so I cannot say whether everything we enjoyed is restored to its former condition, but...

 

As did other posters, I strongly recommend the WWII museum -- excellent! We also enjoyed the steamboat cruise to Chalmette Battlefield -- it is the Creole Queen which now offers this cruise. Audubon Park in the Garden District, which is easily arrived at via the excellent trolley, was lovely. The Aquarium was great, too! In the French Quarter is the National Park Service's Jazz Historic Park, which often has free live jazz music.

 

We ate at Mother's (recommended by a previous poster.) I would skip it. Crowded, run down, grimy, unremarkable food (at best.) JMO

 

So much city, so little time!

 

Yeah that is what I am discovering.....there seems to be so much to see and do in New Orleans. We have decided that we are going to stay an extra day and a half in New Orleans before we fly home.

 

I may just have to take a trip to New Orleans in the future...which isn't all that bad either ;) :)

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Flutie03

Flutie03

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Fortunately for me I only love 1.5 hours from NOLA but never go as often as I should. Nothimg beats the food and lifestyle of south Louisiana. I'm glad I can always call it home.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

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mitsugirly Great Review Rare

mitsugirly

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"The castle" is a church -- St. Louis Cathedral. Very beautiful, inside and out.

 

Yea, I knew it was a church since someone was getting married there, but didn't know the name so I always just call it the castle since that's what it reminds me of. :p

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tahoemw

tahoemw

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I am going on the Sunshine Dec 1st; and I went on the New Orleans website and they sent me a booklet filled with stuff; and coupons; I also would suggest Acme Oyster House for grilled oysters; that is the first thing I am going to do when I get there; I also want to try Camilla's, I heard a lot about it; I took the paddle boat for an afternoon ride; you also got to try the Aunt Sally's pralenes (sp) near the French market. I will be just getting off the ship and you will be boarding her.

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SeagoingMom

SeagoingMom

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Yea, I knew it was a church since someone was getting married there, but didn't know the name so I always just call it the castle since that's what it reminds me of. :p

You're right -- it does look kind of like a castle! (But people get married in castles, too, don't they...) :)

Edited by SeagoingMom
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