NOLA is a great town. We've been often. I don't post often but this trip is one of our favorites. 1st off, Lakefront is great. FBO "Flight First" treats us as good as anyone, anywhere. Affordable and accommodating. Parking an airplane here is cheaper than parking a car in the Quarter, so as has been said, don't get a car. UBER is everywhere 24 hours a day. Walking and street cars, buses and ferries take you wherever you need to go too, (which is part of the adventure). So for a 1st time, when you land and get parked, before you call UBER, walk next door to the terminal, which was built in 1934. Just go in and walk around. Upper and lower levels. Magnificent example of art deco from that era and imagine what it must have been like. The building was recently restored and it's worth 15 or 20 minutes. Also, a beautiful fountain in front of the terminal is worth a look. (if you like that kind of thing) We thought, even if this was all we saw in NOLA, it was worth the trip.
We've stayed at the Wyndham French Quarter on Royal St. It's affordable and convenient and comfortable, but most places there probably are. Just use TRIVAGO. You'll probably do fine with any you choose. Walking the French Quarter to familiarize is probably the best way to get around in there. It's pretty tight Quarters and its not that big. Very touristy but fun.
All the restaurants mentioned are very good. We like Mr. B's for expensive night out and Acme Oyster House is as good as described. Mulate's is cajun and outside the Quarter and a lot of fun with Zydeko music every day. (split your food order, the portions are enormous and the food is very rich)(Muffuletta sandwich and jumbalaya and etouffee, amazing) All very popular in NO everywhere, so you don't have to go to Mulate's, but for a 1st time it's a good introduction to cajun food.) For good food and great oysters at reasonable prices, Mr. Ed's Oyster Bar and Fish House. On Bienville St. Doesn't look like much, But it's very good. As I said, There's no bad food in New Orleans.
For night life and music, forget Bourbon St. (after the obligatory "Hurricane") "Frenchmen Street", just outside the Quarter has the best bars and music. More local and spontaneous. Bands play for tips and there's many varieties of music.
For day touring, a "cemetery tour" is fun (for a 1st timer) and a street car trip to "City Park". Ask which line takes you there then go to Canal Street to pick it up. It's also a good way to see the city. At the park, there's the Botanical Gardens, which is beautiful, The NO Museum of Art and a spectacular Sculpture Garden. "Morning Call Cafe" in the park is open 24 hours and serves beignets and coffee as good as Du Monde.
We took a lot of street car rides outside and inside the Quarter just to see the city and it was a blast. Also took the Ferry at the end of Canal St. and, crossed the Mississippi River over to "Algiers Point" which is a NO neighborhood. There's a walking tour of the neighborhood you can follow in order to get descriptions of the architecture and history there.
Of course, I could go on, but I think this gives you an idea that whatever you do and wherever you go, it's going to be fun and interesting. We go to a different museum every time we go and it's always fun. Last time, the history museum at Jackson Square where we saw "Fats Domino's flooded out baby grand piano on display (destroyed in Katrina). Just an example, but you get the idea.
Finally made it.
![brian]](/community/data/avatars/m/21/21096.jpg?1456258959){kind=avatar}
