Visiting New Orleans

[hankster]

I'm looking to visit New Orleans for a short - 3 days or so - junket in the late fall, winter, or early spring.  I think I want to avoid Mardi Gras with all its confusion.  Anyone have any thoughts on the best time to go, and/or the best place to stay, and/or the best places to eat and hear music?  Mike's input would be most welcome, as would anyone else with New Orleans info.  Good stories would be welcome and would make for a good thread, too!
 
Rick

[bigredbass]

Richard, I definitely go in the fall or winter:  Nothing like your Canadian weather then, but relatively cooler in South Louisiana at that time, though it's rarely cold in New Orleans.
 
I'd avoid Mardi Gras too:  I've never felt the compulsion to be in an episode of COPS or a Girls Gone Wild video !
 
You'll be tripping over yourself music-wise, LOTS of places from the usual House of Blues to Preservation Hall to everything in between.  I'm not much of a clubber these days so maybe someone else can advise the best spots.
 
For resturants, for big tickets go to Emeril's NOLA or Commanders Palace or of course, Brennan's.  My favorite though, is to go to The Central Market near Jackson Square and have the Muffaletta sandwich, better yet, get one and go sit on the Mississippi and watch the boat traffic.  The seafood most anywhere is fabulous, and Mew Orleans particular blend of French, Creole, and Cajun is some of my favorite eating on the planet.
 
J o e y

[billostech]

Cafe Maspero
Place page
601 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-1029
(504) 523-6250
Open Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
 
I use to go to New Orleans almost every weekend when I was stationed at Keesler AFB
They serve the best Muffuletta sandwich. Their oyster sandwich is great also. I go visit every now and then, avoiding Mardi Gras.

[jack]

Rick, I had a similar thread here a couple years ago:
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/49126.html?1205490801
 
We went for St. Pats, which was cool because it's still a party, but not Mardi Gras crazy (although watch for flying cabbage), and the party / parade is in another part of town from the French Quarter, so you can go to that and then still check out the French Quarter while it's relatively quiet.
 
One thing we did which was a total blast (if you're into that sort of thing) is spend a day at the racetrack.
 
We stayed at the Dauphine Orleans and had no complaints.  They even put out little hors d'oeuvres for happy hour at the hotel bar.

[hgregs]

couple of music venues that are musts
 
tipitinas http://www.tipitinas.com/
the maple leaf http://mapleleafbar.com/

[5sicks]

The Jazz Fest in March is the most entertaining 2 days I have ever spent. Lake Pontchartrain comes alive

[bandcentral]

Rick,  
I live in the Biloxi MS area and go to New Orleans a lot. I recently booked a 4 day over the weekend stay via hotwire.com and was able to get a FABULOUS room at the Intercontinental Hotel for $68.00 a night! This is a 4-star hotel and I loved it!  It's located on St. Charles within walking distance to the French Quarter and the Superdome.  There is a breakfast restaurant named Mommas kitchen that is on Poydras St. that is 3 blocks from the Intercontinental that serves the best breakfast in New Orleans.  Check it out..you will love it.

[billostech]

Terrell,
Biloxi brings back good memories. I was stationed at Keesler AFB in 1977. We went to New Orleans at least one weekened out of a month.