New Orleans! I bought my plane ticket for late March 2017. Four

>>1181955

You ass holes better respond because I'm going to New Orleans for 3 nights in October and I'm interested to know

>>1181955
Do some touristy shit in the French Quarter. Go see live music on Frenchmen St. The obvious foods to search out are red beans and rice, gumbo, jambalaya, po'boys, boudin and other Cajun things. Get a Muffuletta sandwich. If you want to get off the beaten track the fried chicken at Willie Mae's Scotch House is excellent. The small plates at Bacchanal are very good, and a walk through Bywater is a great way to see some of the modest but brightly painted wooden shotgun houses. If you want to get your heart broken take a walk (during the day) through the Lower 9th. If you don't have a strong stomach don't do that last one.

The area around Bourbon and Canal is pure tourist trap stuff, but you can figure that out on your own. And toss some money in a street band's bucket - many of them are good, and make their living that way.

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OP here. I don't understand the heart broken/Lower 9th comment.

And yes, touristy stuff is what I'd prefer to see and experience.

P.S. Is New Orleans overall a safe city? Is New Orleans a small city to walk around in and see all the main things in three days, or should I rent a car?

And any more info is welcome.

>>1182049
>I don't understand the heart broken/Lower 9th comment.
Parts of it are still a ghost town. Roads are still missing. Yet there are a handful of very modern houses built by Brad Pitt, but many blocks remain sparsely occupied with many houses still boarded up a decade after the disaster. It's a testament to a catastrophe hitting a poor neighborhood and no one really giving a shit. I mean you can still find boarded up houses in the Upper 9th and the 7th, but there you find construction as neighborhoods are being rebuilt. Much less so in the Lower 9th. Those who survived left and aren't coming back there, and no one is rushing to take their place. It's just a dead zone that was the site of a major American tragedy. And to some that tragedy is an ongoing thing, not a disaster from a decade ago. NOLA is probably the most culturally relevant place in the US as far as music is concerned, and unlike many other parts of the country that culture is still alive. But if you go outside the tourist areas without your blinders on you'll see just how bittersweet that living culture is. Quite a bit from the 18th Century still hangs on there, both good and bad, and defines part of the day to day reality of the people living there. That can be jarring for the outsider with 21st Century sensibilities.

>>1182049
>touristy stuff is what I'd prefer to see and experience.
Then you won't need a car. The touristy stuff is concentrated in the French Quarter and the casinos on Canal. If that's what you want you won't need a car. But it still might be worth the walk down to Frenchmen St to see live music. At night there's a horn band that plays on the street there that attracts such a crowd they block traffic. They play a high energy version of marching band meets Afro-Caribbean music that's pretty clearly a branch off the same tree that gave us jazz. The fact that this shit is still alive on the street is part of the magic of NOLA.
>Is New Orleans overall a safe city?
Just be aware it's a place where shit does go down. NOLA has nearly twice the homicide rate of Atlanta. Someone is going to be shot dead in the street while you're there. It's just extremely unlikely to be you.

>>1182165
>18th Century
Meant to say 19th Century, but my point is the weight of history is strong there, and not all history is pretty.

>>1181955
I fucking love NOLA. I would recommend 9 days at least but you can have fun in 3 days

>>1182188
What do you love about it? What insight can you share?

And to the other guy: great information. Thanks!

>>1182258
>Thanks!
My pleasure. Here are a couple more things:

Cafe du Monde - You have to go here, but don't set your expectations too high. Service is slow because many servers are in their 70's and every tourist knows they have to go there. Coffee with chicory in it is OK, and beignets are just fine. You have to be able to say you've done it, and it's kinda fun.

WWOZ - When you're back in your hotel room don't bother with the TV. Turn the radio to WWOZ 90.7. Because they play music that's New Orleans as fuck, and when you're not out there seeing it live you may as well still be soaking it in. Also they tell you who is playing where, so you can decide where you might want to go to see music. Live music, food and drink are some of the most important things about NOLA.

Second lines - Historically funeral parades second lines now happen for a variety of reasons, and they happen often. If you find yourself outside of the quarter and see cops on Harley's blocking off the street stick around. There's a good chance a second line is about to go by. You can join in for a few blocks if you like.

>>1182502
Fucking hell, you are a Wikipedia of New Orleans. Thank you for all your information. I have copied this thread onto a word document for reference before my trip. Would it be possible to add you on Kik in case anything else occurs to me while I'm on my trip in March? You may send me a message on Kik at: ThereWillBeLove

>>1182502
This is good stuff. If you can find a second line, you should go. They are the best part of the city. Yes, they might walk through dangerous neighborhoods. But with the second line you should be pretty safe.

Sometimes WWOZ will tell you were the second lines will be. They will also tell you about the shows at the club venues.

I like mid-city for a more local feel, and Treme is famous now. But ask a local before you go out at night to a new place there.

>>1182546
>>1182690
Here's a few opinions you may or may not want to pay attention to. There might be a little outside the comfort zones of some tourists, but I found these things satisfying:

Gene's Po' Boys - If you're half trashed at 2AM you might not be intimidated finding your way to the corner of St Claude and Elysium Fields. A hot sausage po' boy at Gene's is what you do there. Should you make it there earlier in the day go around the corner on St Claude to a joint I forget the name of but seems to be connected to Gene's that does seafood po' boys and get the fried catfish. Both are stunningly good sandwiches.

Cochon Butcher - As far as more upscale sandwich shops go this is the one. I disagree with their habit of serving Muffuletta hot (it's supposed to be a cold cut sandwich), but they are doubtless a great joint. A better choice than dropping your dough at a tourist trap, and going there gets you a different view of the city than the main tourist areas.

Sazerac - On Burbon St You may make the mistake of buying a Hurricane cocktail in a plastic cup. It will be violently sweet and highly alcoholic, and will likely make you feel like shit halfway through it. This is tourist shit. The proper low rent cocktail in NOLA is a Daiquiri, and the upscale drink is a Sazerac. You can pass on the Daiquiris but have at least one Sazerac while there.

Melba's: A soul food joint connected to a laundromat that became something of a post Katrina icon. Nothing amazing here, but an interesting street level view of the city you won't get in the French Quarter. The food is solid and prices very reasonable because it's a place for locals. A good destination if you're starting to feel ripped off by tourist places.

>>1182805
Awesome advice. I love these insider life hacks. Thank you.

>>1182810
Here's one more:

Beer: Abita is the local classic, but the best beer I found there is Bayou Teche Biere Pale. It says LA 31 on the label. It blows Abita out of the water.

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Looking at a map, there is the French Quarter but there is also an actual place next to it called New Orleans. Two seperate towns. Am I right about this? If so, is there anything worth seeing in actual New Orleans?

>>1183167
French quarter is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. What you are probably looking at on the map is the CBD, the central business district. It has plenty of good restaurants but they are mostly the fancy expensive kind. Everything between the river and the lake is the city of New Orleans.

If you keep going west past CBD, you can get to the garden district. Which is quite pretty and also has famous restaurants like, Commanders Palace. However, don't try to walk there from the French quarter, because it is kind of far and easy to end up on MLK blvd where you will probably get mugged.

Instead take the St. Charles street car. Taking the street car out to Carrollton and back is pretty. you see a lot of the nice part of the city.

>>1183708
>St. Charles street car
That's a real good tip. Perfect way for a tourist to see some of the nicer non-touristy parts of the city.

>>1183167
op... when the text on google maps is big, that means it's a city. when the text is little, it means it's a neighborhood

>>1182049
>P.S. Is New Orleans overall a safe city?
Nope. Keep your awareness up at all times. Most locals are packing right in their fannypacks or pockets, because there is danger everywhere. Don't be afraid to walk an additional block than cross in an alley that looks sketchy. I wouldn't walk around too much in the evenings where there aren't any people.
>Is New Orleans a small city to walk around in and see all the main things in three days, or should I rent a car?
A car is great to get from remotely located Kenner airport, and to head out into the surrounding areas which feature plantation houses and good restaurants all over. It's hard to park a car in some places, however, or can add to your cost depending where you stay. So, a hotel that does an airport shuttle is nice, or you're getting that taxi at least. Take a taxi when you want. Ride the street car up and down St. Charles. It's fine to walk around Jackson Square into the french market and a couples blocks all around.
The food is the highlight, let's get that straight, you are going to NOLA to eat, so get onto tripadvisor, the Times-Picayune, and past issues of whatever foodie publications you like, and get your reservations and foodie and cocktail moves plotted out on a map. Second is live music venues, Tipitinas will have something, as will others, and third is cool architecture and staying among history.
The weather should still be nice, could be rainy and humid though. March is the beginning of crawfish season!

I have been over there at least a dozen times and spent two new years eves. I really enjoy it.

You probably know this, but Bourbon is a street that they block off. It has lots of bars, and music all along it. I know almost all Americans know this, but we get all kinds of people on this board. I go down and stay in one place an hour or two, have a couple of drinks, and then move down to the next. The people watching alone is worth the trip from Houston.

I like Mothers for lunch, it's a small place but I went there on my first trip and always go back, you can find it by the line outside.

I have never had trouble, but my friends that are local have told me to always keep your wits about you, and stay out of questionable areas, especially late or alone. In the crowds, there might be an occasional pick pocket, so take precautions...normally when super crowded like Marti Gras...probably not an issue in March.

There is great fishing there, but unless you just meet someone to take you, it is not cheap to hire a guide. However if you have the money and are into fishing, top end.

>>1183730
>Most locals are packing right in their fannypacks or pockets,
This is an exaggeration, but Louisiana is an open carry state. If you don't come from one it might seem shocking to see a 17 year old kid on a hoverboard go by with a pistol on his hip. Or to walk into a Post office and notice the signs saying no firearms allowed inside. "Most locals" are not packing, but a surprising number of them are if you come from a state with tighter gun laws.

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OP here.
Fantastic information.
Thank you all.

>>1184293
Just talked to my buddy in NOLA and got one more thing for ya. Coop's Place. That's the tourist joint in the French Quarter where the food is good and not a total rip off. They do a sampler plate that's totally worthwhile. Word is totally out about this place though, so there are long lines at peak times. Go at an off hour. But this is a place where you can get decent examples of classic New Orleans food at reasonable prices.

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>>1184304
Fantastic. Will come in handy.

By the way, is there a place in or near the French Quarter that someone could recommend that is not related to drinking/partying, food, or old houses? For example, maybe a cool park, or scenic destination, or an underground bunker with a dead alien in it, a lesser-known really cool spot? Anything. All suggestions are welcome.

>>1184344
Maybe check out the cemeteries?

I want to go there next year, any bars in particualr I should check out?

>>1181955
God clearly hates that city, It's nothing but shit tier people. Just waiting or god to send another hurricane to destroy the rest of it.

in 3days you can eat gas station fried chicken, get drunk on bourbon street and go see a sports game. live there for a month, befriend some crazy locals, experience an extravagant ball and/or an underground circus, find the best gasstaion fried chicken (hanks) visit some inner-city farms and did projects and don't get run over by cans running red lights and learn to dispise all the tourist on bourbon street

>>1185168
Even then people whose families go back many generations there will look a little askance at you for driving up real estate prices in formerly affordable neighborhoods. Especially if you're month stay there is using Air B&B and you look like a crust punk.

But you are right Hank's is the best gas station chicken. Their cat po'boy ain't half bad, either.

Just had a shoot out on Bourbon Street. 1 dead. Two captured.

I'm flying into NOLA on Wednesday and will spend 8 days in the city, although I'm thinking of making a day trip or two. Can any anons spare any advice on nearby towns or parks worth visiting? I won't have access to a car.
Also, what can I do/where can I go if I am on a budget?
Thanks!

>>1186388
You don't have a car? Are you new to America?

Ride the st. Charles streetcar out and back. It will take a couple hours and cost like $3. Cheapest way to see something besides the French quarter.

>>1186535
I'm just a sperg that can't drive and doesn't have a license.

>>1186388
if you don't have access to a car in Louisiana forget about leaving NOLA
'>>1181955
Be sure to check out the small towns surrounding NOLA

If you can try driving North to BR

>>1181955
Also if you want God-tier beignets, go to a town called Sorrento about 45 min from NOLA, they have a place called the Cajun Village with some bomb ass beignets and coffee

they also have a cajun store and a swamp full of alligators in the back

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>>1185168
Can you elaborate on the "underground circus" please? What is it called, where is it, etc?? Thanks.