1st time in new orleans

turbo_dog · 01-23-2010, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by WifeUnit

OK, I just have to add this, all the restaurant advice is great, Mothers is perfect for breakfast, really need to check that out, but have none of you ever had a Muffaletta at Central Grocery?

They are the BEST! But of course you have to like muffaletta's... the atmosphere in the store is cool, old stuff from a hundred years ago on the shelves, you feel like you stepped back in time or something. They have been in business there since 1906. They are NOT open on Sunday's though.

These are good, but I really prefer the one at Napoleon House. I'm also not real big on Mother's.

turbo_dog · 01-23-2010, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by skymike

Got that hotel.... good! now:

Just do the usual touristy stuff the 1st time, thats my suggestion. Even "hip" "undergroundy" people like the French Quarter, they just wont admit it. Bring lots of cash, you'll need it. Dont play with the "I know where you got them shoes" guy. Find a group of strangers to share the cost of it, and ride the mule/buggy deal around. Do a paddle-wheeler ride... check out the voodoo shops, look at all the weird people at Jackson Square. Do the Cafe DuMonde beignet thing. check out the riverwalk and moonwalk. See some plantation homes if you can. Musee Conti (wax museum) on Conti is not only a kickass museum, but a great primer on N.O. history. See Chris Owens show--- she's about 100, and still has the body of a 30 yr. old, and stop in every club on Bourbon St. including the gay stuff. Dont look like a tourist--- instead dress Saints, or Ghetto, or Biker, or Redneck, never like a yuppie tourist. Everyone who's ever been to N.O. goes to Pat OBriens & gets hurricanes. They taste like kool-aid, so drink lots of them and drink them fast--- they wont do anything bad to you. trust me.

Then if you must get "local" the bohemian clubs are on Frenchman street over by Esplanade.

Most of this stuff is considered touristy, but who shives a git what is supposed to be "cool?" "undergroundy" people live with their mama. Have fun and dont worry. Dont do anything wacky till you see somebody else do it first. This is your basic crash course in New Orleans.

This is almost exactly what I tell people going to the city for the first time. I have one question, though. What is the moonwalk? I've never heard of it.

21Hilliard · 01-23-2010, 06:55 PM

FrenchQuarter.com: Exploring the New Orleans Riverfront

Third paragraph down, in bold print:
That began to change in the 1970s through the 1980s, as underused industrial buildings near the French Quarter were razed and replaced by Woldenberg Park, a grassy open space named for local philanthropist Malcolm Woldenberg, and the Moonwalk, a walkway named for the former New Orleans mayor Maurice "Moon" Landrieu.

The power of google.

Basically it's the riverfront walkway in front of Jackson Square and the beginning of the French Market.

Armyofderek · 01-23-2010, 07:34 PM

I heard from a Saints fan who lives in NO, to avoid certain parks on the riverfront at night...spacing on the names of them.

Choupique · 01-23-2010, 07:39 PM

I've been all over New Orleans. Unless you act like a tourist, everything will be fine. Just fit in. It ain't that hard. It is weirdo central so blending isn't that big a task.

There are plenty of cool places uptown, near tips, the maple leaf area, etc...

I'm an old grey dude and have covered that town from Treme to Uptown... Bywater to Met tree... Chalmete to Kenner and all points in between and I think people are pussies if they are scared in New Orleans but that is just me. Don't go into crack town, of course... but other than a few notorious areas you should be fine. Have fun.

Go check out Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ swingers at Vaughn's if that is still happenin.

If you are from MinnnieSoooooota your accent will give you away.
Keep your voice down.

Armyofderek · 01-23-2010, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Choupique

I've been all over New Orleans. Unless you act like a tourist, everything will be fine. Just fit in. It ain't that hard. It is weirdo central so blending isn't that big a task.

There are plenty of cool places uptown, near tips, the maple leaf area, etc...

I'm an old grey dude and have covered that town from Treme to Uptown... Bywater to Met tree... Chalmete to Kenner and all points in between and I think people are pussies if they are scared in New Orleans but that is just me. Don't go into crack town, of course... but other than a few notorious areas you should be fine. Have fun.

Go check out Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ swingers at Vaughn's if that is still happenin.

If you are from MinnnieSoooooota your accent will give you away.
Keep your voice down.

I always love that one... lol

Even if you dont talk like you walked off the set of "Fargo" you'd probably stick out because you dont have that southern or Cajun accent, I bet you would stand out anyway.

skymike · 01-26-2010, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Choupique

I've been all over New Orleans. Unless you act like a tourist, everything will be fine. ....

...which is a dirty shame, since tourism is so important to N.O.

"Tourist" shouldnt be a dirty word, IMO. Unless you stay home all the time, we're all tourists somewhere.

SaintPauly · 01-27-2010, 03:03 AM

[QUOTE=skymike;199255]...which is a dirty shame, since tourism is so important to N.O.

"Tourist" shouldnt be a dirty word, IMO. Unless you stay home all the time, we're all tourists somewhere.[/QUOTE

Or "unless" you are an American indian. Anyone who isn't, born here, or not, is still a tourist.

stockman311 · 01-27-2010, 03:58 PM

How can you not like Mothers? That's the first place I'm hitting when I get to town. Bloody Mary's and Oyster Po Boy, along with some seafood gumbo. My mouth is overflowing with saliava right now.

skymike · 01-27-2010, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by stockman311

How can you not like Mothers? ...

well its so crowded, nobody goes there anymore.

01-23-2010, 05:51 PM	#41
turbo_dog 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,541	Re: 1st time in new orleans Originally Posted by WifeUnit OK, I just have to add this, all the restaurant advice is great, Mothers is perfect for breakfast, really need to check that out, but have none of you ever had a Muffaletta at Central Grocery? They are the BEST! But of course you have to like muffaletta's... the atmosphere in the store is cool, old stuff from a hundred years ago on the shelves, you feel like you stepped back in time or something. They have been in business there since 1906. They are NOT open on Sunday's though. These are good, but I really prefer the one at Napoleon House. I'm also not real big on Mother's.

01-23-2010, 05:54 PM	#42
turbo_dog 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,541	Re: 1st time in new orleans Originally Posted by skymike Got that hotel.... good! now: Just do the usual touristy stuff the 1st time, thats my suggestion. Even "hip" "undergroundy" people like the French Quarter, they just wont admit it. Bring lots of cash, you'll need it. Dont play with the "I know where you got them shoes" guy. Find a group of strangers to share the cost of it, and ride the mule/buggy deal around. Do a paddle-wheeler ride... check out the voodoo shops, look at all the weird people at Jackson Square. Do the Cafe DuMonde beignet thing. check out the riverwalk and moonwalk. See some plantation homes if you can. Musee Conti (wax museum) on Conti is not only a kickass museum, but a great primer on N.O. history. See Chris Owens show--- she's about 100, and still has the body of a 30 yr. old, and stop in every club on Bourbon St. including the gay stuff. Dont look like a tourist--- instead dress Saints, or Ghetto, or Biker, or Redneck, never like a yuppie tourist. Everyone who's ever been to N.O. goes to Pat OBriens & gets hurricanes. They taste like kool-aid, so drink lots of them and drink them fast--- they wont do anything bad to you. trust me. Then if you must get "local" the bohemian clubs are on Frenchman street over by Esplanade. Most of this stuff is considered touristy, but who shives a git what is supposed to be "cool?" "undergroundy" people live with their mama. Have fun and dont worry. Dont do anything wacky till you see somebody else do it first. This is your basic crash course in New Orleans. This is almost exactly what I tell people going to the city for the first time. I have one question, though. What is the moonwalk? I've never heard of it.

01-23-2010, 06:55 PM	#43
21Hilliard 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Raised on the Bayou - living in DFW Posts: 136	Re: 1st time in new orleans FrenchQuarter.com: Exploring the New Orleans Riverfront Third paragraph down, in bold print: That began to change in the 1970s through the 1980s, as underused industrial buildings near the French Quarter were razed and replaced by Woldenberg Park, a grassy open space named for local philanthropist Malcolm Woldenberg, and the Moonwalk, a walkway named for the former New Orleans mayor Maurice "Moon" Landrieu. The power of google. Basically it's the riverfront walkway in front of Jackson Square and the beginning of the French Market.
	Last edited by 21Hilliard; 01-23-2010 at 06:58 PM..

01-23-2010, 07:34 PM	#44
Armyofderek Senior Moment Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MPLS Posts: 130	Re: 1st time in new orleans I heard from a Saints fan who lives in NO, to avoid certain parks on the riverfront at night...spacing on the names of them.

01-23-2010, 07:39 PM	#45
Choupique 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,594	Re: 1st time in new orleans I've been all over New Orleans. Unless you act like a tourist, everything will be fine. Just fit in. It ain't that hard. It is weirdo central so blending isn't that big a task. There are plenty of cool places uptown, near tips, the maple leaf area, etc... I'm an old grey dude and have covered that town from Treme to Uptown... Bywater to Met tree... Chalmete to Kenner and all points in between and I think people are pussies if they are scared in New Orleans but that is just me. Don't go into crack town, of course... but other than a few notorious areas you should be fine. Have fun. Go check out Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ swingers at Vaughn's if that is still happenin. If you are from MinnnieSoooooota your accent will give you away. Keep your voice down.
Choupique 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,594	Last edited by Choupique; 01-23-2010 at 07:43 PM..

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01-23-2010, 07:47 PM	#46
Armyofderek Senior Moment Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MPLS Posts: 130	Re: 1st time in new orleans Originally Posted by Choupique I've been all over New Orleans. Unless you act like a tourist, everything will be fine. Just fit in. It ain't that hard. It is weirdo central so blending isn't that big a task. There are plenty of cool places uptown, near tips, the maple leaf area, etc... I'm an old grey dude and have covered that town from Treme to Uptown... Bywater to Met tree... Chalmete to Kenner and all points in between and I think people are pussies if they are scared in New Orleans but that is just me. Don't go into crack town, of course... but other than a few notorious areas you should be fine. Have fun. Go check out Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ swingers at Vaughn's if that is still happenin. If you are from MinnnieSoooooota your accent will give you away. Keep your voice down. I always love that one... lol Even if you dont talk like you walked off the set of "Fargo" you'd probably stick out because you dont have that southern or Cajun accent, I bet you would stand out anyway.

01-26-2010, 06:57 PM	#47
skymike E. Side Cholo Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Barrio, H-town Posts: 6,089	Re: 1st time in new orleans Originally Posted by Choupique I've been all over New Orleans. Unless you act like a tourist, everything will be fine. .... ...which is a dirty shame, since tourism is so important to N.O. "Tourist" shouldnt be a dirty word, IMO. Unless you stay home all the time, we're all tourists somewhere.

01-27-2010, 03:03 AM	#48
SaintPauly Senior Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 1	Re: 1st time in new orleans [QUOTE=skymike;199255]...which is a dirty shame, since tourism is so important to N.O. "Tourist" shouldnt be a dirty word, IMO. Unless you stay home all the time, we're all tourists somewhere.[/QUOTE Or "unless" you are an American indian. Anyone who isn't, born here, or not, is still a tourist.

01-27-2010, 03:58 PM	#49
stockman311 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,137	Re: 1st time in new orleans How can you not like Mothers? That's the first place I'm hitting when I get to town. Bloody Mary's and Oyster Po Boy, along with some seafood gumbo. My mouth is overflowing with saliava right now.

01-27-2010, 04:24 PM	#50
skymike E. Side Cholo Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Barrio, H-town Posts: 6,089	Re: 1st time in new orleans Originally Posted by stockman311 How can you not like Mothers? ... well its so crowded, nobody goes there anymore.