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First and foremost: New Orleans is perfectly safe unless you're brain dead and head into obvious danger zones. THE IS NO "UNSAFE" PRIMARY TOURIST AREA IN OR AROUND THE FRENCH QUARTER. One should be mindful of pick-pockets or other criminals of opportunity, but that should go without saying. New Orleans is small, but because it's a major tourist destination we do have our share of undesirables.
Second: Find a copy of "New Orleans" magazine and "Gambit". Any New Orleanian that's into food, music, art, and current events reads both religiously. You'll find a section on "where to stay" both city wide and specific to the Quarter in "New Orleans" as well as a similiar section on food and restaurants in both publications. "Gambit" is published weekly and is a great source for weekly entertainment, while "New Orleans" is suberb for an overall snapshot of what's coming up. They're also on the web @ http://www.neworleansmagazine.com/ and http://www.bestofneworleans.com.
Third: New Orleans is known (deservedly) as a GREAT food city. If you like to eat, and eat well, you can have a great time just restaurant hopping. New Orleanians don't eat to live, we live to eat. It's not uncommon for a business lunch to have a serious sidebar about what's for dinner and/or where the latest and best new restaurant is. REAL New Orleanians take food very seriously and there are gems for every budget. Titans of Industry are just as likely to have a "muff" @ Central grocery, a po' boy @ Mother's or a 5 star dinner @ Commander's Palace. GREAT FOOD is what we want and we don't settle for anything less. Ask locals for their suggestions, skip the tourist traps!
Fourth: New Orleans has some of the best music in the WORLD. Jazz was born here and you can still here the original jazz format @ Preservation Hall. We export blues, funk, rhythm and blues, cajun, roots, and so much more. The preeminent music festival worldwide is held here every April and May (last weekend of April through the first Sunday of May (inclusive). The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is not to be missed if you love music. Seven days and ten nights of world reknown musicians and music. Plus, at the Fairgrounds (the thouroughbred track the festival is held at), great food, arts and crafts, and MORE MUSIC than you can shake a stick at! For many, many locals, it's better than Mardi Gras and what we tell distant friends to come for. I'll leave town for Mardi Gras but never for Jazz Fest. (You should take these comments on Jazz Fest as a not so subtle hint to delay you trip - if at all possible - 'til the last weekend of April. You won't regret it and you'll enjoy New Orleans at her best.)
If you're coming for "spring break" (you & buddies driving from Chi town) see what you can find out through the Tulane University, Loyola University, and University of N.O. web and email sites. Current students will turn you onto the hippest spots for fun and games at the lowest prices.
Last but not least, New Orleans is the "City that care forgot" for a reason. We love to enjoy life to the fullest. Get out of the Quarter, take the streetcar Uptown to Camilla Grill for a peek at the New Orleans locals love and remember ... Mind your manners, be polite to strangers - especially the cops 'cause they'll be very helpful - and don't be afraid to ask anyone you meet for their input. We love to show off our town and share our personal "best bets."
Have fun, email me if you have any other ?'s.
posted by 66.157.3...
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