Okay, so does the French Quarter suck, or what?

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I'm thinking of staying at the Holiday Inn in the Quarter when I go to New Orleans next month. We've got a few gator people here, right? Does it suck in the Quarter? Is it just one big touristy crime-ridden voodoo heavy swamp mess?

Or what?

 

[Hamletmaschine]

Yes. You'll love it.

 

[Rhys]

New Orleans sucks ....period

 

[Starfish]

Okay, first of all, It is the only area in NO I feel even slightly safe and that is streaching it.

It is too touristy there, but if you ask me the city is the part of hell Satan himself won't enter.

The French Quarter is the only option I'd take if you have to go to NO.

But there is always funboy's apartment.
I hear he has a stained glass window.

 

[talk2024]

Haven't been there in over ten years but...

Try staying in one of the smaller hotels in the Quarter - I'm sure you can do better than the Holiday Inn. We got a place a $49/night that included a kitchen and a king-sized bed. Needless to say, they're not there anymore.

I loved staying in the French Quarter, even at the end August when it was probably hotter than hell but wonderful, too.

 

[vylette]

ideas

the dauphine orleans (i know they have a web site) and the royal sonesta are good ones...we just stayed in st anne/maria antionette (sp) it was nice i thought, the people who worked there were great... it was on conti which was a good location...anyway check those out and i would definately stay in the quarter if you are going to be "partying" down there ...just alot more fun to do so...have a good trip and take care

and no it is fine to stay there ...it can be a bit "touristy" but thats anywhere you know?...and i have gone down there all my life and never had any experiences with crime...of course i do know people who have so just be aware...

 

[InternationalFunboy]

The only problem with New Orleans is that it's full of New Orleanians. A great historical city with character and style full of people with a third grade education. And statistically one of the crappiest third grade educations around.
I have a love-hate thing with this city. It sucks, true - but you can't get this shit anywhere else.

The quarter is for tourists. Well, make that Bourbon Street is for tourists and teenagers. There is alot more to the quarter than the spring-break kegger that is Bourbon Street (It's fun at times but available in most cities. See it once and move on to more local cool things to do).
Don't be stupid and you will be perfectly safe. I've walked around all areas of the quarter at all hours of the night and I've never been bothered by anybody wanting to rob me or start trouble.
What are you looking to do while you're here? Let me know and I'll tell you about some cool places...

I agree with talk......you can get alot more local flavor at a non-chain hotel. And that Holiday Inn is nothing special, trust me.

Try this page: http://new.orleans.a-z-hotels.net/all-new-orleans-hotels.htm

And yes.....I have stained glass.......who'd you get to, 'fish?

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Funboy is right. New Orleans is really an enigmatic place and I don't think it's possible to spend any significant period of time here and come away without some strong mixed feelings about the city.

As far as the quarter is concerned, definitely do Bourbon St. It's lots of fun and I've never been to any place like it. The rest of the quarter isn't so toursisty and has some wonderful street performers and musicians, as well as some really interesting stores, and nooks and crannies, so definitely try to get off the beaten path - in the daytime at least.

Definitely check out the tarot card and palm readers in Jackson Square. There's also a wonderful aquarium downtown right on the river that's definitely worth your time. The D-Day museum is relatively new and really cool and has a great new exhibit on the Pacific Theater of WWII. It was opened down here largely because of Stephen Ambrose who used to teach down here and because all the landing craft for the invasion of Normandy were built down here. (Eisenhower said that Andrew Higgins who operated the shipyards won the battle for us).

Take advantage of the great restaurants here. There are many restaurants that don't get much attention here that would be first-class restaurants in other cities. And lastly, definitely check out uptown New Orleans. I don't know if there's a lovelier place to be on a Spring Day than St. Charles Avenue.

Hope you have a good trip.

 

[RisiaSkye]

The Quarter is something of a disappointment if you're looking for history--it's *there*, just buried under neon signs for Hurricanes and ten dozen bogus Voodoo shops.

Other than that, it's great. We stayed near Jackson Square, and it was fine, other than some guy trying desperately to recruit my sis and myself for "unknown purposes." But, there's nutcases everywhere.

Seriously, though, Dixon, if you can handle a walk down Hollywood Blvd., there's nothing remotely freaky about the Quarter.

 

[NixonSmarterGee]

the quarter is a great place to find really hot women with adam's apples like merlin olsen.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

One more thing I forgot...

This may sound morbid and not your idea of how to spend a vacation, but everybody who comes to New Orleans ought to take a trip to one of the old New Orleans cemeteries. Since the water table is so close to the surface here, bodies are buried above ground lest a good hard rain bring the caskets back up to the surface.

What has resulted is a culture in which people compete for the most elaborate and ornate above-ground crypts and family mausoleums where members of the cities most prominent are buried. They range from the gaudy to the truly beautiful and everywhere in between. Some of the older cemeteries with the tombs in disrepair have an eerie other-worldly quality. Anne Rice and a lot of other "supernatural" writers have cited them as inspirations.

In any case, I don't know of anything like them anywhere else and they're worth a trip if you have time.

the quarter is a great place to find really hot women with adam's apples like merlin olsen.

That it is.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

Don't be stupid and you will be perfectly safe.

Good advice, always. I am a New Yorker (from the Koch years, even), so walking a city street is like falling off a bike to me.

What are you looking to do while you're here? Let me know and I'll tell you about some cool places...

Thank you. Honestly, I won't have much time except for a couple of hours each evening, when I'm sure I'll be exhausted, so I'll probably just do dinner near the hotel, or have a drink somewhere in the Quarter, or turn a group of Wisconsin tourists into Zombies. You know, just hang.

I like the cemetary idea. Sounds freaky.

Thanks all. Since I won't have much time to poke around far and wide I wanted to stay in a part of town that was interesting without being too gaudy.

 

[Ginny]

Laissez les bons bons temps rouler!

dixon, when you get into the cab at the airport in kenner.....slip a blindfold on.....and tell your cabbie to let ya know when you're on canal street......that route in from kenner on I-10.......is just....well......depressing...just big city bleh....

if you're just heading out for dinner at night.....K-Paul's is an easy walk for you...(that Holiday Inn was just rennovated a few years back, so it shouldn't be too bad as far as confrence hotels go)....Brennan's....if you have the time and are even a lil bit interested in new orleans history....the Cabildo......has re-opened next to St. Louis Cathedral....and is worth a quick walk-through...la madeliene, a fun lil chain....is right across Jackson Square.....and is great for just quick lunch or dinner....getting up early, early....and walking to Cafe du Monde..is well worth it....at least one morning.....for coffee and beignets....nothing like the sounds of the quarter...at daybreak...a walk along the boardwalk there....watching the mighty mississippi.....as the sun comes up....

my dad was really impressed with the d-day museum....if you're into military stuff.....and the cemetery tours would have to be wayyy up on the list if you have any sort of break.....or a quick trolley ride down St. Charles.....through the garden district...just cross canal from the holiday inn....you can walk to catch the trolley.....just zip down St. Charles and back....great houses....

if you're into art or antiques....they have a lot of galleries and shops along royal....one of my favs...James Michalopoulos.....is on Bienville (runs parallel to Canal Street)....in between Chartes and Royal streets....here's a Michalopoulos for a lil taste:

http://www.michalopoulos.com/NITEPLTD.jpg

or try the George Rodrigue gallery on the corner of Royal and Orleans, behind St. Louis Cathedral:

http://www.bluedogart.com/availableworks/valentinosrevenge.JPG

Pat O'Brien's is touristy.....but.....ya oughta at least zip in for a hurricane or two or three...sit out on the patio...at night.....the lil lights in the trees twinkling.....funnnnn.....or zip to the House of Blues on Decatur....always fun....

and if i street urchin tells ya he guess where ya got your shoes..just mumble....they're on bourbon street and mosey on....

the french quarter has always been magical to me....i love it.....part of my youth......romantic...****....enjoy it!....hope ya have a great time, Dix!

 

[Rambling Rose]

I had a wonderful experience here over Christmas.

The Whitney Wyndham

It was just outside the quarter, quiet and very well-appointed, parking on the street was a breeze (amazing in itself!), all in all a great experience. There are also several good B&B's in the city. If you are staying at the Holiday Inn, I prefer the Chateu LeMoyne on Dauphine to the one on Royal.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

Wow. Cool stuff all. Thanks.

So, you're saying I shouldn't eat at McDonald's and watch HBO in my room?

 

[Rambling Rose]

Take a streetcar uptown and try to get a table at Jacques Imos on Oak Street. The carpetbagger steak and the fried chicken are to die for! It's worth the effort and the wait. Right next door is a great little bar for live music. It's a nice way to sweat off your dinner.

Jacques Imos

Also on Oak Street (a really cool little street, btw) is a great Chinese/Vietnamese place called Chinese's Chinese. Don't let the name fool you - this place rocks! I especially like the pecan shrimp and the dumplings are scrumptious! Bon Apetit!

 

[Ballboy]

DCL - As an ex-NYer, like myself, I am continually disappointed visting cities around the country. Nothing ever seems to compare.

In any event, the Quarter is safe. Venturing outside the Quarter, it will be obvious which streets you should not walk down.

New Orleans, as previously described, is enigmatic. It has tremendous charm and beauty, but Bourbon Street (I just had to edit myself to avoid offending anyone) should be done once when you have 15 minutes to kill.

As you seem to be a man of means, try local hotels, as opposed to national chains. The Dauphine, Royal Sonesta, Le Pavillion are very good choices, but I always recommend the Maison de Ville.

Also, as for restaurants, spend the money. Some really wonderful choices. Make reservations in advance of your trip, if not, the hotel concierge may be helpful.

Check out citysearch.com. Generally accurate receommendations.

Have fun.

 

[Ginny]

So, you're saying I shouldn't eat at McDonald's and watch HBO in my room?

you at least need to get some spicy Popeye's (one on canal not far from where you'll be staying) and watch HBO in your room...

 

[Hamletmaschine]

Rose's suggestions are all good ones. And if you go uptown, stop at the Maple Leaf Bar. Usually some sort of interesting entertainment going on there.

Everyone who comes to NO wants to eat at one of Emeril Lagasse's places. I recommend NOLA over the other two. Make a reservation now, if you're at all interested.

 

[Starfish]

Funboi, You told me about your glass in a strained attempt to lure me down there so you could take advantage of me and leave me to rot in St. Louis Cemetary, wedged between the DelaCroix and Chitlin Family Crypts, for the bums to poke at with a stick and steel my shoes and socks.

 

[Ginny]

you may not need any more hotel recommendations...but in case anyone else is headed down to new orleans.....this lil hotel (just like 100 rooms) is very nice....the International House....on camp street...right off canal...across from the quarter....walking distance to convention center....

http://www.ihhotel.com/index.html

the loa bar is really cool:

http://www.ihhotel.com/images/loa/biglounge.jpg


course...my favorite is The Monteleone....i just like going....weeeeeeeee....at the carousel bar.....it's right on the canal edge of the quarter on royal.....nice place to wander over to for an after dinner drink...or two.....

 

[Sateema Lunasi]

Hi Dixon,
NOLA's biggest problem is that most of the people here are either dirt poor or very rich. There is not a lot of middle class, which means you run into stupid people or snobs. Mostly stupid people.

Yes, the Quarter is extremely touristy, like a raunchy version of San Francisco's Pier 39. It can still be fun though. Some of the shops are interesting and there are plenty of museums and antique shops (outrageously overpriced though.) The best part of the Quarter is people watching. Yeah, do Bourbon Street, but do it to kick back with a drink and people watch.

Good food in the Quarter: My favorite is a resturaunt called "Remolaude" which serves Cajun, Creole and Americana, try their samplers. Not too expensive, around $20 for a meal and drink.

I live in Garden District, and here my favorite place to eat is called "Igor's" a place that specializes in Garlic dishes. It is better than it sounds and aside from the tacky neon and such, it is posh inside. That is on St. Charles Street.

There is of course, Commander's Palace, but that is quite expensive and to be honest, not as good as it is hyped up to be, and the staff is rude.

The Garden District is lovely and very peaceful. The French Quarter is wild and touristy, but fun. If you get a chance, do go up River Road (the scenic route between NO and Baton Rouge to see the plantations, or take a swamp tour, which are touristy but quite interesting.

The best thing in NOLA is the food. Eat a lot. And do hear some jazz. Oh, and I dance at El Matador (Flamenco dancing) and I play piano in various places. Come see me if you get a chance.

Bon Temps.