I'm going to New Orleans...

[LintBalll]

...in a few weeks for the first time. What should I do/see? I've heard it's dangerous and dirty. Any advice or comments?

 

[bozo1]

I lived in New Orleans most of my life but am in Minneapolis now.

Yes it is dangerous but not really more so that any other large city. DON'T stray from the main areas in the French Quarter at night, even if you are with someone else. A friend of mine was murdered down there a few months ago, and he was with someone. They were a few blocks east of the quarter in a bad neighborhood but that is where the apartment they were staying at was.

That being said, it really is a great city. Great food. Maybe someone who lives there now can pipe in with the 'touristy' things to do.

Edit: Well, hmm, maybe I shouldn't say a 'great' city. For food, it's the best anywhere. For the nitelife, it's hard to beat. Great culture (graveyards, voodoo museums, architecture) but yes, it is run down in many places, high unemployment, poverty, etc. Stay in the touristy areas and you won't see much of it.

 

[viewton]

Check out the Aquarium of the Americas...I vaguely remember that being a lot of fun when I was a kid

 

[loup garou]

Some of my advice in an old thread.

 

[ZeroBurn]

i remember watching something on new orleans on the discovery channel, all they talked about was the grub.

"in the rest of the world, everyone eats to live
in new orleans, everyone lives to eat"

 

[TonTo]

I'm goin to mardi gras!


everyone should come there too
you can all crash in my hotel room

 

[tigerbait]

You're going to have a great time.

Prepare to eat the best food you've ever eaten, especially if you like seafood.

Make sure you know where you are going... you don't want to end up in the wrong part of town.

Catch a Saints game if you can.

 

[Igore]

well coming from someone who lived there most of their life, i can only think of one question: why? its a desent place to visit i guess. make sure you stay in a good hotel. maids have sticky fingers in the cheap ones. if you go anywhere downtown, be sure to carry only the amount of cash you need for the night or like ONE credit card. and carry it in you front pocket. the pick-pockets are extremely well trained. and well...once you are toasted there is no telling how many rounds you might buy. so if you only carry a little money and you spend it all....you still have some to get home. stay out of any alley and the gay bars. unless your into that sorta thing. *not making any judgements so please, no flames* although should you happen into one of these bars....you might not make it out. and i am talking about the little hole-in-the-wall places. not the big ones...they are pretty safe. well sorta. well, maybe. well, you get the idea. burdon street is fun. don't pass out though. the clean machines will hurt when they hit you in the gutter the next morning. go to Pat'O's for a good drink. and bring you pepto (pink stuff) if you aren't used to good..rrr..i mean spicey foods. and yes, EVERYTHING, is served with tobasco sauce and you ARE execpted to use it. other than that, hope you have a good time. good luck. bring a friend or five. and take lots of pictures b/c man you gonna see some craaaaaaaaaazy stuff that your freind's back home will nevery believe.

ig

p.s. make sure you will is up to date before you leave. if you don't have one, GET one. (no joke) :frown:

/edit i forgot, catfish comes fried, oysters come raw, if you mispronounce crawfish you will be thrown out and if you don't like seafood, for the love of all that is good on this earth, please go to a steak joint.

 

[ShizNitz]

Take a little trip into Larry Flynt's Hustler club (it's right on Bourbon Street). The view of the city from inside the club is fantastic!

 

[przero]

I vote for dangerous and dirty.