Must see things to do this weekend? (Jackson, Albany: coops, how much)

[ATXIronHorse]

Hello, neighbors to the west are coming to NOLA this weekend for a visit. Any must see things to do,see, or eat this weekend? We love nightlife, cajun food, etc.

[jacq63]

Go to Frenchmen St and bar-hop. Not just for the boozy drinks, but also the live entertainment. It really kicks off around 11pm. Prior to that, why not wander along Decatur and have a meal at Coops Place? My personal favorite there is the Cajun Seafood Pasta..oh maaan. Don't forget to say hi to Stella..she usually occupies the window overlooking the street. (Don't worry, she's a cat!)

If you'd like to experience a real locals bar, avoid Pat O'Briens and head for Evelyns on Chartres. The original owner was a true NOLA character, who unfortunately passed away a few years ago. The place is a nice tribute to her, and they do great Hurricanes. (O'Briens uses a pre-mix, did not like it at all).

I don't know how much youre into museums etc, but Mardi Gras World is well worth a look, and it may whet your appetite for next year (it's really worth a visit to NOLA during carnival!). You'll have to google it, as they've moved since I was there. But, where they used to be is a neat ferry ride over to Algiers, which is a lovely older area. Some nice old bars there, especially the Old Point. They usually have good live entertainment at night. The main NOLA museum is on Jackson Square, handy to all the tarot readers.

If you MUST go to a bar on Bourbon, make it Laffites Blacksmith Shoppe, OR, Fritzels European Jazz Pub. Both places have a fantastic atmosphere, Laffites I think is the only U.S tavern which pre-dates independence. It's meant to be haunted, but well....
Fritzels is like being back in the '20s, it's where you'll hear more of the trad jazz NOLA is famous for.

Another good eating hole (better have balance here) is 'Thirteen' on Frenchmen. It's open until 4am but if you go much later than 1, they'll be listing off everything they've run out of. Great staff, good food (what there is of it!).
If you're hungry for something sweet and you don't want alcohol (!) you should try Cafe Du Monde. Beignets (sort of a donut covered with icing sugar...sinfully yummy!) and chicory coffee. Have them together, too good! After that you can stroll through the French Markets for some souvenirs.

Really, all you need to enjoy NOLA is an empty suitcase, an open mind, and a sense of adventure! Have a wonderful time and lassez le bon temp roulez!

[jacq63]

This place is a little further out, in the Garden District but reachable by street car I think..gorgeous building and the drink to have there is the Sazerac. (Have you got longer than a weekend??)

Columns Hotel

[jacq63]

Mulates Cajun Restaurant usually has a live Cajun band..I think it was Saturday night. I nearly forgot, if anyone tries to tell you that Cajun Cabin on Bourbon has a live zydeco band..as far as I'm aware, they don't. They had a GREAT band there for YEARS but fired them.

Just another point; when you go to a gig, I think it's always good to purchase a CD of the band if available. Most of the home-grown bands in NOLA work for tips, and many of them have no other income. So, you get a great souvenir, and help out the musicians instead of the IRS! Make sure you pick up a copy of 'Offbeat' magazine for all the latest gig info.

www.offbeat.com

Oh, and you can stream wwwoz.org online, they'll also have up to date gig information.
I think that's it for now...

[Drouzin]

There is also the National D-Day Museum, a River cruise on the Natchez or ride the Canal St. ferry, the Aquarium/Zoo, the Children's Museum, a Haunted History Ghost Tour, a ride on the streetcar through the Garden District, City Park and the NO Museum of Art, the Honey Island Swamp tour or check out Bayou Savage, and Magazine St. for some really cool shops.

Holy cow; Jacq you need come here and work for the tourisim board! Excellent advice!! (Was that fired band the Bon Offs?)

[ATXIronHorse]

Thanks for the great advice, Jacq and Drouzin. Much appreciated. We're really looking forward to this weekend.

[jacq63]

Originally Posted by Drouzin

There is also the National D-Day Museum, a River cruise on the Natchez or ride the Canal St. ferry, the Aquarium/Zoo, the Children's Museum, a Haunted History Ghost Tour, a ride on the streetcar through the Garden District, City Park and the NO Museum of Art, the Honey Island Swamp tour or check out Bayou Savage, and Magazine St. for some really cool shops.

Holy cow; Jacq you need come here and work for the tourisim board!
Excellent advice!! (Was that fired band the Bon Offs?)

It was Mitch Cormier and the Cant Hardlly Playboys..they'd been there for YEARS, fantastic band, and really added to the atmosphere. Then the joint came under new mgt, and they were tossed.
We kept going back and asking the door person if they were still playing (knowing full well they werent), trying to get some agitation happening. I wonder if he noticed the enquiries were always from australian types?

I would LOVE to work in a job where I can shout out how fabulous NOLA and LA are. I've convinced a friend to come down from Albany while we're there in October. She didn't wanna come South b/c of preconceptions about this and that, yadda yadda, but she'll be sorry she didn't come earlier. Hopefully y'all'll get to meet her!

[jacq63]

Originally Posted by ATXIronHorse

Thanks for the great advice, Jacq and Drouzin. Much appreciated. We're really looking forward to this weekend.

Come back and tell us what you did!

[ATXIronHorse]

Thanks again, all. We had a great great time.

[jacq63]

Well, yeah...goes without saying, but what did you DO? Jealous Australians want to know, for vicarious living purposes.