Hi Tiger Fans. My name is Adam and I am a huge Utah Ute fan. I will be coming down to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2 to watch my Utes take on Alabama. I also am a senior at the University of Utah and am finishing up a short article for a project about the Sugar Bowl. I want to write an article for Ute Fans about some of the great things to do in the New Orleans area during their Sugar Bowl trips. We all know about Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, but I’d like to know what more there is to New Orleans than just that. I’d like to gather some “local” perspective from you guys (college football fans in particular) and so if you don’t mind, I’d love to hear your recommendations for some things one can do to truly experience what New Orleans and Southern Louisiana are all about (in just a short week). For those of you who are native to Louisiana or the New Orleans area, what is it about where you live that keeps you grounded and proud. How could someone traveling to your hometown for a week or so experience some of what you love most about New Orleans? Also, what type of things would you tell someone who has never been to New Orleans or Louisiana, about your hometown/state? I’m looking for things that an outsider just wouldn’t know about or understand unless they actually were able to spend some time getting to know your area. Also, I am aware of some groups of Utah fans who have been looking into some possible volunteer opportunities while in New Orleans. Do you have any suggestions or are you aware of any organizations in New Orleans who would welcome a small force of volunteers? Any recommendations or answers you could provide me would be greatly appreciated. You could post your responses on this thread, however first and last name are appreciated for my project and so if you would like to email me at [email protected] that would be fine too. Thanks in advance. Geaux Tigers (and Utes!)
Their "Ferdi" po'boy is awesome. Mother's is right downtown on Poydras, not too far the Quarter, but the problem with Mothers is that it is so famous that the line to get in will be extremely long during most of Sugar Bowl weekend (like at least 50 people long).
Go to B Street...eat some good food, get drunk, and have fun...then get your a$$ out of New Orleans and experience the real Louisiana. Don't waste all of your time wondering around the Quarter...You'll just go home broke and hung over.
Pretty much everyone knows my name here so what the hell. JJ Clancy Born and breed in Nawlins. Left for awhile doing the Army thing but always knew I was coming home. The thing that I use to tell the guys in my unit that would ask about New Orleans, I would say "Your not FROM New Orleans, you ARE New Orleans. Its the same with Louisiana as a whole. Its just something that gets inside ya and takes hold and you know this is where you want to live! My wife is an Aggie from Texas and I told her before she married me that when I got done with the Army I was going home and if she didnt have a problem living in Louisiana then we could get married! She has been here for 2 years now and LOVES every bit of it! For the helping rebuild first off let me say THANK YOU, people still need to know that there is parts of this city that are still needing life breathed back into them! I would check with Habitat for Humanity. What to see and do besides the Quarter stuff?????? Go out to City Park and see the Christmas Lights I THINK they will still be up at that time. The Aquairum of the Americas is truely a sight to see! Take a tour of Blaine Kerns Mardi Gras World...its where they build the floats. Walk around the Quarter dont limit yourself to Bourbon. Go to the Warehouse District and catch some of the clubs there ALWAYS good live music being played! The Riverwalk, The French Market are MUST! Cafe Du Monde and take the Canal Street Ferry across the river just for the ride! The Cemetary Tours are GREAT! Along with the Vampire Tour of the Quarter! PORT O CALL Burgers and Oysters on the Half Shell (depending on how much you want to spend depends on where to geaux for these) I'm sure I'll think of other stuff as I lay down to sleep!
No Chit, I can taste it now! How bout three more words. BRING AN APPETITE...or a friend to split it with!
Hi. Welcome (early) to New Orleans. My name is Willis J. Ray. I agree with everything posted so far and have just a few to add. If you're here over a Sunday, make a reservation and go to Commander's Palace for brunch. It's less expensive than you'd think and better than you can imagine. If the weather cooperates, and it probably will, spend a few hours with a few drinks on the porch of the Columns Hotel on St. Charles Ave. Invest the $2.50 and ride the St. Charles streetcar uptown and back downtown. (That's $5 if you've got a date.) You'll see some AMAZING houses all decked out for Christmas. When the streetcar makes its turn from St. Charles onto Carrolton you can either keep going all the way to the end of the line and take another one back; get off right there, cross the street and stand in line to get an omlette or burger and chili cheese fries (take my word for it, you want them) at the Camilla Grille; get off at Oak Street, three or four stops up from the turn, walk down Oak Street and eat at Jacques Imo's but don't be surprised if 1) you have to wait and 2) Jack Lenardi, the owner (he'll be the guy in the chef's jacket and shorts, most likely) gives you a drink and/or a kiss. When you finish eating go next door to the Maple Leaf bar for some of the best live music in the city. Get out of the city. Literally. Cross the Causeway over Lake Ponchartrain just because it's so freaking cool to drive on the longest bridge in the world and realize somewhere over the middle that you can't see any land. Then when you reach the Northshore, keep driving for a little while and go visit the Abita Brewery. They'll give you a tour and let you taste the best beer in the world brewed right there. Just make sure you've got a designated driver to take you back down the Causeway. Find the statute of Ignatius Jacques Reilley on Canal Street. I'll give you a hint, if you're staying at the Chateau Sonesta you'll probably run right into him. If you don't know who Ignatius Jacques Reilley is read A Confederacy of Dunces. You've got a few weeks, you can do it. Visit the National World War II museum. Even if you're not a history buff or don't know anything about World War II. Because after you've finished you'll realize exactly why the men and women who served in all parts of that war were indeed the Greatest Generation and how far short all successive generations have fallen in attempting to achieve their stature. Finally, if you find yourself vertical in the Quarter as the sun is about to come up by all means go by Cafe du Monde and get some beignets and coffee to go. Walk up the levee to Woldenberg park (near the Aquarium) and pick a bench. Have a seat. Enjoy the beignets and coffee. Watch the sun come up. Then remember that you're looking at the West Bank and seeing the sun rise. If you can wrap your head around how that can happen, then you probably just need to go back to Utah to get your clothes and other personal effects and get back down the NOLA because you probably belong here. On a very sincere note, thank you for the offer of volunteer help. We're much better but still miles away from where we were. And I echo KATT, Habitat is probably the best place to start, but you might want to check with the Archdiocese of New Orleans too. Oh and know this too. Just about EVERYBODY in Louisiana will be pulling for the Utes. Course, the coach on the other sideline has something to do with that, but still . . . :rofl: Like they say at Pat O's "Have Fun!"
Thank you guys so much! These are great responses and extremely insightful and helpful not only for my assignment, but also for my trip! I know it's late, but I'll check back in with you all tomorrow...keep 'em coming Tiger Fans!
How long your staying? And the biggest is will you have your own car? If you got your own car you can do ALOT more then someone relying on cabs!
Food (and drink), music, history, and nature Food: assuming you'll be in the Quarter, I'd recommend you dine (we don't eat in NO, we dine-There's a difference) at three types of establishments. first of all, go to a world class type of place like Commander's Palace or Galatoire's on Bourbon. Go for lunch or brunch- it's less expensive. Dine at a good moderate authentic creole place. I heartily recommend Olivier's on Decatur- across from the house of blues. It's a typical neighborhood place that used to be in Gentilly (my old neighborhood). It's moderately priced. Also get on the Canal streetcar and go to Mandina's- another neighborhood place. Get the Turtle soup.If you're worried that they use endargered species, don't worry they don't . Third, for inexpensive food go to Cafe Maspero for po boys. They also may still have draft beer for 1$. If you get a local sandwich called a muffaletta go to Central grocery on Decatur by Jackson square.Also Johnny's on St. Louis st. You also can't go wrong eating at most other places in the Quarter. Just walk around and if someplace catches your interest, take the plunge. Most places post their menu and pricing outside and if they weren't any good they'd be somewhere else than the Quarter. Save some money on drinking by bringing your own and getting the party started in your hotel room. Maspero's has the cheapest beer in the French Quarter. The Chart room on Chartres street is where a lot of service industry people go when off of work. Ask your waiter where to go. Once you have your roll on cheaply then go to places like Pat O's or the old Absinthe House (one of the first bars in North America). Music: it's everywhere, follow your ears. Do not miss Preservation Hall next to Pat O's on St Phillip st. - real authentic flat four New Orleans style dixieland jazz that began in NO and spread around the whole world.Bands I'd recommend : any brass band like rebirth, soul rebels, etc. Find out where they're playing and take a cab ( be safe), the Radiators, Papa grows funk,etc. Start listening now to WWOZ radio(www.wwoz.org) to see what type of local music appeals to you. Call or Email the DJ's to ask for recommendations.Take a cab to the Maple leaf, or Tipitina's. Walk to the CBD. There are plenty of places there like the Howling Wolf. History: take organized bus tours. The carriage tours are romantic but a little pricey. They're once in a lifetime type deals- your woman will like it, you'd probably want to eat or drink instead, but if you want to have a good time, listen to her(ya dig). The ghost tours are really pretty good. Don't miss the cemetaries, but take a tour - don't visit by yourself (be safe). Nature: museums like the aquarium and the insectarium are walkable to. Take a river cruise to the zoo (or a cab). Take a swamp tour Highly recommended. You don't have that type of habitat in Utah and you'll learn a lot about coastal erosion and the wetland's role in hurricane protection.It's a national issue that concerns you all in Utah-don't kid yourself. Even for novice fishermen, take a charter fishing trip. The guides will provide everything. These are the greatest fisheries in the world and the fishing is great in the winter. Safety: Stay in the Quarter and the CBD. There are more undercover cops than you can imagine. That bum sitting on the curb drinking out of a paper bag just might be a lieutenant in the police force. You'll be very safe there. At night, if you're walking down the street and there's no crowds of people- turn around and go back. Stay with the crowds even in the Quarter.If you go to a nightclub somewhere else in the city, take a cab. That way you won't get lost. If you're getting your roll on too much with alcohol; relax, enjoy and above all listen to the most sober person with you. If they want to drive give them the keys. If they say time to go-get! Probably over a million tourists visit a year and 99.9999% return home safely. DON'T WORRY AND HAVE AGREAT TIME! PS. I didn't mention anything about shopping. I'm a dude. If you can, get your t-shirts and souvenirs at WalMart. Save some money so you can catch a Hornets game at the dome. Besides what in the world can a guy tell a girl about shopping; do you think they'd listen. The girls have natural instincts on this.
