Hello, New Orleans!

[savvypoetwench]

Hey guys!

I'll be traveling to New Orleans next week for the first time - I'm really excited!

I'll be there for about a week and we've got the typical touristy stuff planned -

1. Swamp tour
2. French Market
3. Cemetery Tour
4. Pat O'Brien's
5. Jazz cruise/dinner
6. Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
7. Beignets at Cafe du Monde
8. Voodoo museum
9. Various other

Comments

[dianalily]

Honey, it's a swamp. That being said, if the weather holds, New Orleans is not all that humid in May (it's June-September that really has us sweating). Cali sundresses and shorts, plus flip-flops will serve you well - the exception being some of the finer restaurants. Low-heeled sling-backs with a dress are fine for those upscale, yummy places to eat.

Also, be sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray.

[sheilamarie]

Humidity is relative. I didn't think New Orleans was humid until I moved to Houston. The Houstonians claimed that there was NO way New Orleans was more humid than Houston. They were wrong. I now live in the Tampa Bay Area, less than a mile from the bay and was just in town two weeks ago visiting family. It was friggen HUMID in New Orleans. My husband ran the CCC and felt like he couldn't breathe it was so humid! His run time was WAY off and he's been running in warmer weather here then it was there. We've been in Tampa for almost 12 years now, our bodies have adjusted to the humidity here.

That said, I know I need to stay near water even for the reduced humidity we have. I spent 4 days in Vegas a while back and felt like my sinuses had turned to dust and I just could not drink enough water. Talk about one DRY place. Fun, but dry. :)

[savvypoetwench]

Haha, I know it's a swamp. I probably should just have assumed that it'll be way more humid than I'm used to. ;)

Thanks for your suggestions - particularly the bug spray, that didn't even occur to me!

[moon_chylde]

Don't forget the Garden District for all the cool Antibellum homes.

[savvypoetwench]

Good idea - thank you!

[bobbysan]

GO to Yelp.com. Read the talk threads and the lists people make. They are probably some of the most complete and honest reviews you can ask for.

Hope you enjoy.

[bobbysan]

Er...check the NOLA talk threads etc...sorry. :)

[savvypoetwench]

Thank you! I love yelp, so I've been browsing a lot of restaurants on there. :)

[sheilamarie]

If you like shopping, I suggest getting to Magazine St. This website will help you decide if you want to venture there or not - http://www.magazinestreet.com/

What you could do is take a street car to go up and down St. Charles and see some of the beautiful homes in that area. Maybe go to the zoo or Audobon Park for a stroll.. Here's the website for the New Orleans RTA - http://www.norta.com

Then there's NOMA in City Park - http://www.noma.org/ You could hit up Greenwood Cemetary on the way there.

Ummm, considering your car limitations, that's about all I could suggest. Being that I'm actually from neighboring St. Bernard Parish, I could give you some tips on a couple of places to go out there if you ever wanted to. There's the Chalmette Battlefield, Deleronde ruins, Rocky & Carlos, the Isleños museum, etc. You can find out more here - Reply

[savvypoetwench]

Thank you! I really appreciate your taking the time to provide links! :)

[nolawitch]

We've got a world-class Audubon Zoo and The Aquarium of the Americas. Ride the ferry across the river. Have a drink at the Crown and Anchor. Ride the ferry back. Ride the streetcars. Have a good time.

[savvypoetwench]

Oooh, the zoo! Yes! Thank you!