Things about New Orleans!

[Batsu_Sai]

I don't know where else to stick this topic...so I'm going to put it here. Move/delete if need be.

Anyways, I figure we have a topic where people can ask questions about New Orleans itself and the area where the con will be located. Here you can ask questions, get answers, and post suggestions for people who have never been to New Orleans before. Need to know what food places are close by? Need to know what is open 24 hours? Have a suggestion about where to park? Post it here!

Canal St. has a few fast food options within walking distance of the convention hotel. There is also a Walgreens close by as well. There is a Krystal Burger that is 24hours on the corner of Bourbon and Canal St., too. (Note to parents with younger kids- The Hustler store is right across the street from the Krystal.)

[DemosDemon]

I don't know where else to stick this topic...so I'm going to put it here. Move/delete if need be.

Anyways, I figure we have a topic where people can ask questions about New Orleans itself and the area where the con will be located. Here you can ask questions, get answers, and post suggestions for people who have never been to New Orleans before. Need to know what food places are close by? Need to know what is open 24 hours? Have a suggestion about where to park? Post it here!

Canal St. has a few fast food options within walking distance of the convention hotel. There is also a Walgreens close by as well. There is a Krystal Burger that is 24hours on the corner of Bourbon and Canal St., too. (Note to parents with younger kids- The Hustler store is right across the street from the Krystal.)

OM NOM NOM KRYSTAL BURGER! I love me some gut bombers... and that 24h CVS store, also on the corner of Canal and Bourbon, saved my life when we had our field trip and I ran out of cigarettes.

Really though, parents shouldn't let their kids roam around the streets of NOLA unattended... day or night. 15 or 30... have a buddy.

[Izioie]

Izi's guide to a safe and fun time in NOLA

Parking & Cars

• If you can, car pool. Parking is hard to come by and it is easier if you can take fewer cars. Which ties into
• Pay to Park. If you can't find a spot there are parking lots all around town. Some are pricer than other. If you have a car full of people, have them pitch in for parking fees.
• Pay attention to street signs. There are a lot of One Ways, No Parking, No left turns, and other such signs. The city will happily tow you too so be careful.
• Always lock your doors. Even if you are moving stuff to and fro, lock them in between trips. People are quick and will seize any opportunity they can. Never leave anything valuable or even loose change. Do not give thieves ANY reason to break into your car. No GPS, no MP3s, if you can remove the face or your cd player then do so.
• Do not leave your windows down if you are away. Crack them if need be but do not leave them down.
• If you can walk do it. Not only can you see more, you never know what cool shop or food place you might find. Not to mention will save you on gas and parking. With the Quarter being pretty much all One Ways it can also make getting somewhere quicker and easier.
• Or if you do not want to walk, take a cab or street car. If you stay in the Quarter a cab can be pretty cheap. i.e. I live by City Park and it cost me about 10-15 bucks to get to Decatur St. That is not even with in the Quarter. Here is a link to prices for the Streetcar and from there you can find the schedule http://www.norta.com/fares/
• Don't be afraid to ask for directions. Keep a map with you to be sure as well.

Walking and exploring.

• Ladies, if you can do not bring a purse. If you have to have one make sure it is small and can go across your chest. The bigger the purse the bigger the target. Keep it in front of you as well.
• Guys, put your wallet in your front pocket. If possible for guys and ladies, if you have pockets that zip up, put your wallet/valuables in that. Do what ever it takes to make it harder for thieves to steal.
• Beware people selling you stuff on the street. If they do not have a booth or a store, do not buy from them. They will rip you off horrible and well as taking money away from honest hard working people who pay the fees to be able to sell their wares.
• Honestly, if you are out after 2am, take a cab. Don't walk long distances anywhere. The later in the night the more unsavory people are about. Between 3-5am a lot of trouble happens more often. Walk in large groups of 3+ Never walk by yourself at night. Be on alert.
• If it says to not enter after certain hours, don't enter. It may be for your safety.
• Do not go into the cemeteries at night. Not only it is illegal but criminals like to frequent here at night. Junkies, thieves, and rapist. If it is not a well lit, or populated area, don't go in it.
• If you can, do not carry large amounts of cash on you. There are ATMs all around the city. Pull as you need.

Food

• It is New Orleans, the food here is amazing. Don't be afraid to try something new.
• There are place that have amazing food but are also 21+ only, and yes even if you bring your kids and are only getting food they can not go in, i.e. Coop's Place. Instead place an order ahead pick it up and eat it back at your hotel, or even better out on the river. There are lovely place to sit and have a picnic.
  
  Some of my favorite food places:
• http://www.gordonbiersch.com/
• http://www.vertimarte.com/default.asp BURNED DOWN
• http://www.portofcallneworleans.com/ Awesome burgers.
• http://www.coopsplace.net/ 21+ only
• http://www.rocknsake.com/
• http://www.sushibrothers.net/
• http://www.ninjasushineworleans.com/ (What can I say sushi is the best)
• http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/ Best po'boys around. Get their Bread pudding, it is out of this world.
• http://www.neworleansonline.com/directo ... ationID=42 Besty's Pancake house favorite breakfast place. The staff is hilarious.
• http://www.neworleansonline.com/directo ... tionID=543 Croissant D'or Patisserie nice little pastry shop.
• http://www.cafeenvienola.com/ Another breakfast, coffee place that is nice. They also serve alcohol.
• http://www.neworleansonline.com/ is a good source of many other food places and other info.
• Oh a heads up, Cafe Du Monde is cash only as well as Croissant D'or(which as amazing breakfast pastries.)

Places of Interest

• Audubon Nature Institute. The Zoo, Aquarium and Insectarium. You can actually get a pass that will let you go to the Zoo and Aquarium in the same day. Cool part is you can take a boat to get there from either location. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/
• New Orleans Museum of Art. Free to Louisiana residents http://www.noma.org
• Right next to NOMA is City Park. City Park has amusement rides, as well as Storyland. http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/
• Numerous tours. A list of these will come later.
• Just get out there and walk around. You will stumble upon some fantastic and amazing things just by going no where in particular. I still do this today.

More to come later

[Space Cowboy]

This thread is such an excellent idea. I love the informationbeing posted here.

Thank you, Izioie, for your insightful listings!

[Izioie]

I'll keep editing it and adding on as I see things or recall stuff while I'm out and about in the city.

[SilentProtagonist]

Wow Izioie...that's more than even I know. Want to help me run the info booth at the con? Pretty please?

[Izioie]

Actually I did sign up for the info booth volunteering =)

[Izioie]

So apparently drinking causes you to remember weird things.

if you are over 21 and plan on drinking in New Orleans a few tips.

New Orleans is a 24 hour city with an open container law.
The drinking age is 21. Some bars allow people over 18 to enter but 21 to drink.
You can drink in public so long as it is not in glass. Get a go cup if you leave a place.
Obnoxious intoxicated behavior and urinating in public are not tolerated and you can expect to be arrested immediately.
The French Quarter is not just a place to visit, it is a home for people. Be respectful. People do indeed live here.
While you there are no open container laws in New Orleans, there are however public intoxication, indecency and disturbance laws.

[Night_Childe25]

I love Chartres House Cafe. The food is wonderful and it's less than a mile away.
www.chartreshousecafe.com
There is a Regions bank right across the street and just up from there is a parking lot that is $20 a day on the weekends (or it was last time I visited).

[Sylum_The_Dragon]

A few amazing food places:

There is a House of Blues on Decatur. Great concerts and great food. As the days draw closer, I'll see if anyone is playing on Mecha weekend.

Juan's Flying Burrito. 'nough said.

Mr. Eds. Italian and Seafood. You can't go wrong.

[Batsu_Sai]

So apparently drinking causes you to remember weird things.

if you are over 21 and plan on drinking in New Orleans a few tips.

New Orleans is a 24 hour city with an open container law.
The drinking age is 21. Some bars allow people over 18 to enter but 21 to drink.
You can drink in public so long as it is not in glass. Get a go cup if you leave a place.
Obnoxious intoxicated behavior and urinating in public are not tolerated and you can expect to be arrested immediately.
The French Quarter is not just a place to visit, it is a home for people. Be respectful. People do indeed live here.
While you there are no open container laws in New Orleans, there are however public intoxication, indecency and disturbance laws.

Related to this, DO NOT DRIVE with ANY pre-opened containers! Even if you have not been drinking, having an open container in your vehicle can get you a hefty ticket. Please note that this also applies to daiquiris. Do not drive with the straw in the cup. It is considered an open container at that point.

[Darth Stoney]

Juan's Flying Burrito. 'nough said.

I agree, Juan's rocks!

[Izioie]

So apparently drinking causes you to remember weird things.

if you are over 21 and plan on drinking in New Orleans a few tips.

New Orleans is a 24 hour city with an open container law.
The drinking age is 21. Some bars allow people over 18 to enter but 21 to drink.
You can drink in public so long as it is not in glass. Get a go cup if you leave a place.
Obnoxious intoxicated behavior and urinating in public are not tolerated and you can expect to be arrested immediately.
The French Quarter is not just a place to visit, it is a home for people. Be respectful. People do indeed live here.
While you there are no open container laws in New Orleans, there are however public intoxication, indecency and disturbance laws.

Related to this, DO NOT DRIVE with ANY pre-opened containers! Even if you have not been drinking, having an open container in your vehicle can get you a hefty ticket. Please note that this also applies to daiquiris. Do not drive with the straw in the cup. It is considered an open container at that point.

At that point it might be best not to drive anyway. Just walk back to the hotel.

[Batsu_Sai]

Well some people may be driving their friends, and if they are, they should know about the laws with drinks in cars. Don't want your designated driver in trouble too.

[Sylum_The_Dragon]

So apparently drinking causes you to remember weird things.

if you are over 21 and plan on drinking in New Orleans a few tips.

New Orleans is a 24 hour city with an open container law.
The drinking age is 21. Some bars allow people over 18 to enter but 21 to drink.
You can drink in public so long as it is not in glass. Get a go cup if you leave a place.
Obnoxious intoxicated behavior and urinating in public are not tolerated and you can expect to be arrested immediately.
The French Quarter is not just a place to visit, it is a home for people. Be respectful. People do indeed live here.
While you there are no open container laws in New Orleans, there are however public intoxication, indecency and disturbance laws.

Related to this, DO NOT DRIVE with ANY pre-opened containers! Even if you have not been drinking, having an open container in your vehicle can get you a hefty ticket. Please note that this also applies to daiquiris. Do not drive with the straw in the cup. It is considered an open container at that point.

Most daiquiris shops (at least down here in houma) will use freezer tape to tape the straw to your cup. Just leave it on until you get back.

[KELL_E]

A few amazing food places:

There is a House of Blues on Decatur. Great concerts and great food. As the days draw closer, I'll see if anyone is playing on Mecha weekend.

Juan's Flying Burrito. 'nough said.

Mr. Eds. Italian and Seafood. You can't go wrong.

HOMG I love Johnny Buffet's Margaritaville on Decatur. Highly recommend Fried Green Tomatoes. Sounds terrible, I know, but it's delicious. Probably going to end up there for every meal, haha.

[Izioie]

Well some people may be driving their friends, and if they are, they should know about the laws with drinks in cars. Don't want your designated driver in trouble too.

True dat. Open container law does indeed not extend to your vehicle.

[Count D]

Personally, I cannot make a Trip to New Orleans without some Café du Monde. I adore it so much, and if you’ve never had a Beignet before, then you are in for a real treat. The Café Au Lait, which is Coffee with Milk, is AMAZING. I live about Three hours from New Orleans, and I honnestly would make the Trip every Sunday If I could.

It’s also open 24 hours a day.

@Izioie, Did Café Du Monde change to Cash only Recently? I went around errr. . .Six Months ago and They took my Card.

Also, unless it's different in that particular area, but the open Container Law does extend to you Vehicle. I know that from my place of employment. XD

[Sylum_The_Dragon]

I think i might have D.

[Count D]

I think i might have D.

You might have, what? I'm sorry, My Brain isn't fully functional right now. Are you talking about the Cafe du Monde thing?