New Orleans - locals' suggestions

[Beale Knight]

The wife and I are going to New Orleans in two weeks for a week-long, child-less vacation. She's been there a few times, but not since the '80s. I've never ever been there. We plan to do some of the touresty things (voodoo museum, B-street, etc) of course, but I'd love to hear suggestions from all you locals on fun things to do and see that are off the tourest beat.

Thanks.

 

[xrpsuzi]

The Aquarium is really fun and takes a few hours. It's just off the pier (where they launch the dinner cruise ships).

Get a muffalata at the Central Grocery Store. One should be enough for 2 people , and if you get it to go, you can have a nice, inexpensive lunch by the water.

Meterie (sp?) has some cool shops, and it's got a different feel from the quarter. We drove last time we were in New Orleans, so that wasn't an issue. The trolley goes to uptown and the garden district, many nice things to see scenery-wise.

My folks (which are avid drivers) went a little further out and stayed the night at a plantation and had mint julips. A little on-line investigation should get you names and prices for plantation stays. They can get pricey at the swank places.

And of course, eat lots. Drink lots. Debauch a lot. It's New Orleans.

Edit: And the music! If you like blues and jazz, there are tons of music places from holes in the wall to more touristy places like House of Blues.

And if you are adventurous, find the Jerusalem Deli. The Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Food ever. If you are lover of the falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, and of course the savory meat/mutton dishes, this place is heaven. It's on the trolley line on Carrollton.

--Ok, so I failed my reading check. I'm not a local to New Orleans, although Joe lived there for 4 years and the Jerusalem Deli tip is pure gold.

 

[tarchon]

When I was there, all the locals told me all the locals go to Frenchman Street, and that's where I met all the tourists who asked where all the locals go. That being said, it is a cut above the most of French Quarter. I highly recommend the Praline Connection there for soul food - they even go out of their way to stare suspiciously at white people, which is the hallmark of a real soul-food place. New Orleans is generally characterized by a close attention to showmanship like that. You may at times wonder if the panhandlers are working for the city.
My impression is that the locals go almost anywhere but the French Quarter when they have a choice though.

The Riverwalk by the Aquarium is nice, but in that area expect to fend off hordes of panhandlers, even more than elsewhere in the city.

Live music is the standout attraction, IMO, and it's not hard to find it on every street corner, from skiffle to Danish Joni Mitchell covers. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon St. has a good piano-bar act, and it's far enough down the road that it's not as crammed with drunkenhorny frat boys.

 

[Beale Knight]

Cool. Thanks for the tips. Any more? We're heading out Saturday am.