We will soon be taking a trip to New Orleans during the mardi gras season, and am interested in visiting one of the above ground cemeteries while we are there. I understand that Without a tour group, the Cemeteries in downtown New Orleans can be quite dangerous due to criminals lurking behind the above ground tombs. I wondered if anyone out there knew if either during Mardi Gras the cemeteries would be safer due to larger crowds, or if the cemetery in Metairie would be safer. THANKS. Any help is appreciated.
I totally disagree with the woman who trashed New Orleans with all her negative fear talk. Yes, the city has a lot of crime, but as long as you are not dealing drugs, and don't venture out in the middle of the night to dark streets and areas, you should be fine. Just use a little common sense and DON'T do anything you wouldn't do at home. It IS best to see the cemeteries with a guided tour, because there is safety in numbers, AND you LEARN a lot more–you can't learn about the cemeteries going there by yourself, as you won't know what you're looking at. There is only ONE cemetery in downtown that tour groups visit, and that is the oldest one in the city, Saint Louis #1, just outside the French Quarter. Tours do not go to St. Louis #2, and it's NOT a good idea to go on your own to that one.
If you want to just walk around a cemetery on your own, I recommend going to St. Louis #3, on Esplanade Ave, near City Park, or any of the cemeteries around Canal St. and City Park Ave. If you go to Metairie Cemetery (which IS actually in NEW ORLEANS, NOT Metairie), you will need a car, as it is too big to explore on foot. They may still offer free guided audio tours of Metairie Cemetery–available at the cemetery office–call and find out.
I'm going to New Orleans for a week to hang out and enjoy Mardi Gras. I wanted to know what I should wear (dress/jeans/skirt/heels/sandals) I know the obvious answer is something flashy (haha) but I need a little more advice. Do people wear costumes/masks?
Also if you know the area and you had a few days, what are the must-see places? (swamp tours/restaurants, etc)…
THANKS!!
Despite tha answer from funymonkey606, the weather is unlikely to be "hot" for Carnival. Mardi Gras Day is very early this year - it is on February 5th. MGD is the LAST day of Carnival, and the parades start on Friday, January 25th. The usual temperatures during late January/early February are a high in the 60s and a low in the 50s or upper 40s. However, you need to check the weather just before leaving home to make sure we are not having unusually cold weather (which is possible).
Casual clothing with comfortable shoes is fine and it does NOT have to be something "flashy". Do bring nice clothes (dress & heels) in case you want to go to a nice restaurant.
People do wear costumes and masks, but only on Mardi Gras Day. Anything is fine and you are welcome to recycle an old Halloween or NYE costume.
Go to www.mardigras.com for more information on Carnival.
Carnival tends to take over for the last 5 or 6 days of the celebration and many attractions close. However, you don't say exactly when you will be here so below are some suggestions:
There are many sightseeing opportunities in the greater New Orleans area, including carriage rides/tours, plantation tours, swamp tours, ghost tours, and even Katrina disaster tours. The steamboat Natchez also does a harbor tour. There are numerous tour companies and your hotel can help with the arrangements. Try to avoid scheduling an outdoor tour until you know the weather forecast for the day in question.
There is always music, but the bands change: Go to www.bestofneworleans.com and click on Music then Listings or to www.offbeat.com and click on Listings, then Music. Note that music clubs often advertise "No Cover", meaning there is no charge for entering. However, clubs with "No Cover" often require that customers buy a beverage each for every "set " of music (which can be every 20 minutes) so know the price before you sit down. The clubs do that because some people will sit in the club all evening drinking water or nothing. It is also a good idea to pay for each round of drinks (in clubs on Bourbon Street) as it s delivered so there can't be any confusion at the end of the evening.
Wander around the French Quarter, enjoy the architecture, watch the street entertainers (do tip), and visit some of the historic buildings that have been turned into museums (go to www.frenchquarter.com and click on Historic Attractions).
Assuming the weather is good, you can collect a sandwich lunch and eat in the riverfront park (watch the shipping) or in Jackson Square (a very nice park).
The Riverwalk shopping center has an air-conditioned food court with dining overlooking the river (www.riverwalkmarketplace.com). The Canal Place shopping center is in the French Quarter and has a cinema and higher-end shopping (Saks 5th Avenue, Brooks Brothers, etc.)
The lobby for the Westin Canal Place Hotel is on the 11th floor and overlooks the French Quarter. It is a great place for an afternoon drink/snack:(www.wyndham.com).
Cafe du Monde is in the French Quarter and you shouldn't miss having cafe au lait & beignets (www.cafedumonde.com). Another great coffee shop is the Croissant d'Or (at 615 Ursulines Street), which is open from 7:00am to 2:00pm and has food in addition to pastry.
The Palm Court restaurant is very nice, has moderate prices, and traditional live jazz starting at 8:00pm: 1204 Decatur Street, tel 504-525-0200 (reservations are important and they are not open every day). The Palm Court is closed from about July 25th to about September 25th each year.
All of the famous restaurants (Antoine's, Arnaud's, Brennan's, Commander's Palace, etc.) have reopened. The Pelican Club (on Exchange Alley in the FQ) is not as well known but is the same type experience. Reservations are a good idea, and probably essential on weekends.
Cafe Degas is a very French restaurant near City Park at 3127 Esplanade - which is not within walking distance of downtown (5 to 10 minutes by taxi). They are closed on Mondays & Tuesdays (504-945-5635).
There is a free ferry across the Mississippi at the "foot" of Canal Street. It is a short trip but like a harbor cruise w/o a guide: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/canal_street_ferry
The Aquarium and Audubon Zoo are world-class attractions (www.auduboninstitute.org) and you should see them if you can. There is a shuttle boat (not free) between the Aquarium (which is next to the French Quarter) and the Zoo (which is several miles away). You can also drive to the Zoo (which has free parking) or take public transit from the French Quarter.
The Louisiana State Museum is in the French Quarter: http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/ New Orleans is also home to a number of other museums, such as the National World War II Museum (www.ddaymuseum.org) and the New Orleans Museum of Art (www.noma.org). Both can be reached by public transit: The WWII museum is in the central business district but a long walk from the French Quarter. NOMA is not within walking distance of downtown but has free parking.
Check www.frenchquarter.com for ideas on other things to do.
Finally, the absolute top problems during Carnival are traffic and parking. If you drive here or rent a car be sure to park in paid lots or garages to avoid being towed.
I hope you have a great time!
or in the warehouse district?
looking for something special
thanks!
the most famous
bananas Foster from Brennan's.
Bread Pudding Souffle at Commander's Palace
Galatoire's Restaurant
sweet potato cheesecake
you'll need reservations and $
you can find good bread pudding and B Foster at many places, but eating at the originals is a expensive and unique
experience.
Steamboat Natchez
Toulouse Street wharf, (French Quarter)
586-8777
http://www.steamboatnatchez.com
a river cruise on this authentic steamboat and enjoy the view, the Creole cuisine, wine and live jazz. Popular items include the pecan-crusted chicken and red beans with rice. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Sat., brunch Sun.
Court of Two Sisters
613 Royal St., (French Quarter)
522-7261
http://www.courtoftwosisters.com
Creole
The Court of Two Sisters is known for its daily jazz brunch. The seafood omelet is a mix of crawfish, crabmeat, shrimp, onions, red and green peppers and garlic with a cream sauce on top. Buffet dishes include boiled seafood, pastas, salads and hot entrees including grits and grillades. The á la carte dinner menu features seared duck breast á l’orange served with confit, dirty rice and sweet potato puree with candied pecans. Traditional dishes include turtle soup, baked oysters and many others. Reservations recommended. Lunch and brunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat.
The Inn on Bourbon, Bourbon Orleans and Royal Sonesta are the only balconies overlooking bouron street.
The Chateau Sonesta and Astor Crowne Plaza MAY have a room or two with balconies overlooking the 100 block of Bourbon (which isnt that great).
Lafitte Guest House is in the quieter 1000 block and has some balconies.
My fiance and I will be spending our honeymoon in New Orleans from 10/27-11/2 which will also coincide with Halloween. I would like to find out which ghost tours and cemetary tours are the best…I've heard the Haunted Morturary tour is good. Are there any good/fun haunted houses that get put up around the city?
Also, we are looking for some good places to eat…nothing necessarily fancy…just good food where the locals go.
Any advice would be much appreciated! 
As far as tours go I would suggest
http://www.tourneworleans.com/
for affordable food I would suggest.
Coop's Place
(504) 525-9053
1109 Decatur St
New Orleans, LA
http://www.coopsplace.net/
Fun bar and local eats
Fiorella's
(504) 528-9566
45 French Market Pl
New Orleans, LA
Frenh Quarter spot is a favorite among locals and tourists in the mood for homemade Southern-style cuisine.
Louisiana Pizza Kitchen
(504) 522-9500
95 French Market Pl, New Orleans, LA
http://www.louisianapizzakitchen.com/
Port of Call
(504) 523-0120
838 Esplanade Ave
New Orleans, LA
http://www.portofcallneworleans.com/
Good burgers, go early or expect a wait.
Yo-Mama's Bar & Grill
(504) 522-1125
727 Saint Peter St
New Orleans, LA
http://www.yomamasbarandgrill.com/
Good burgers, I think better than the more popular Port of Call.
Juan's Flying Burrito
(504) 569-0000
2018 Magazine St, New Orleans
Good mexican
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
(504) 482-3047
538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA
http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/
Best PoBoys (good for lunch, take a cab)
Mimi's
(504) 942-0690
2601 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
Good Tapas
So many good options but these are all casual and afforable.
Obviously as locals we all dont do the tourist thing in the French Quarter but wondering who has the best local ideas for things to do in the French Quarter for other LOCALS!
Browse the art galleries on Royal Street. You would be surprised what you find in there, especially the print galleries. There are some really cool and crazy prints in those. Some are very cheap, like under $15 for vintage Mardi Gras posters.
i already have the food figured out, but i need help finding decorations. it will be outside in my backyard, and also inside. so far, i'm good with beads and masks and small stuff, but i need help finding places that have cool scene setters and stuff like that–larger decs. i'd prefer stuff less tacky, but i appreciate all ideas. i'm also doing one room as a house of blues-type thing, so any ideas for that would also be appreciated. if you have any other suggestions, please tell me! thanks!
well the masks and beads are great and most common must have but here are some great Marti gras decorations. Most importantly you need a lot of bright colors for example purple green yellow. Here is a great website with everything you would need http://dj-ray.makesparties.com/Catalog.aspx?intDisplayableCategoryID=1217
Hope you have fun at your party and that I helped you with things for it!
The Inn on Bourbon, Bourbon Orleans and Royal Sonesta are the only balconies overlooking bouron street.
The Chateau Sonesta and Astor Crowne Plaza MAY have a room or two with balconies overlooking the 100 block of Bourbon (which isnt that great).
Lafitte Guest House is in the quieter 1000 block and has some balconies.
Concierto de Paganizer (A Coruña), Mausoleum Tour 2006
Duration : 0:4:0
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Technorati Tags: Concierto, Coruña, Death, Gras, Live, Mardi, Metal, Paganizer, performance, Sala, Sweden
Concierto de Paganizer (A Coruña), Mausoleum Tour 2006
Duration : 0:4:0
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: Concierto, Coruña, Death, Gras, Live, Mardi, Metal, Paganizer, performance, Sala, Sweden