NOLA for my first time

How old are yall? Words of advice, if you aren't a heavy drinker, don't try to keep up with the heavy drinkers, pace yourself. I am older and have always had a great time in Pat O's Piano bar, the other bars on Bourbon don't do anything for me but there is something for almost everyone in the quarter.

Check to see when French Qtr Festival is, I believe it is first weekend in April.
Big party in the quarter with food from a lot of vendors and bands play on the river.
It can get crowded on weekends for FQF.
Best time of the year to go to NOLA is in the spring, great weather, always some kind of outdoor festival going on.
After Mardi Gras crowds as well.

I personally wouldn't stay in the FQ. A lot will disagree for a first time visitor but the FQ isn't my favorite place, personally. I'd stay in the Warehouse District or CBD. Or rent a house in the Marigny. Again, a LOT of people will disagree for a first time visitor.

Nola public transit doesn't exist so budget to take Uber and Lyft everywhere. Don't take taxis they are abysmal.

See Bourbon Street once and then promptly don't go back. It's cool to see once but it's pretty shitty. Spend some time at Pat O's. The usual tourist stuff. You'll have a lot of fun.

Royal Street in the FQ is pretty cool during s weekend day with all the art galleries and stuff.

Music: Frenchmen Street in the Marigny (downriver from the FQ). No doubt. Hit up all the jazz clubs there. Walk around.

Hit Magazine St uptown during the day for shopping. Magazine from Washington to Jefferson is a good corridor to walk. Good shops and bars and restaurants.

WW2 Museum is a really really great museum and massive, if that's your thing.

Some wonderful restaurants to consider:

Commanders Palace
Shaya
Peche
Herbsaint
Compere Lapin
Cochon Butcher
Bevi Seafood
Bacchanal
Parkway (poboys)
Atchafalaya (spectacular and fun weekend Brunch)
Lilly's (Vietnamese)
Company Burger

By no means a comprehensive list, but should be a nice little mix of high end and casual, old and new.

Avoid the tourist traps in the FQ like Oceana at all costs.

It's called an opinion. You're welcome to your own. Paul Prudhomme put Cajun/Creole food on the map. I would be greatly surprised if anyone said they had a bad experience there for dinner.

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I like K-Paul's okay, but what?

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I didn't even read that part.

Hogs for a Cause March 31-Apr1, if you're in town for that, one of the better fest's in NOLA

FQ Bar musts- Lafites, Chart House, Pat O's, Carousel Bar, French 75

other bars

Bacchanal. Outdoor wine bar, great live music
Sazerac bar- inside the Roosevelt hotel. very old, great, proper cocktails
Rusty Nail- solid all around, outdoor seating, laid back


food in downtown/FQ area

Cochon (maybe the best sampling of "local" food)
Cochon butcher (casual sandwiches & other fare)
Compere Lapin (carribean influenced/hot new restaurant)
Domenica(pizza/italian)
Peche( greatest seafood restaurant in the south)
Galatoires (old school new orleans stop)
Cafe Amelie (courtyard brunch is nice)
Mr B's
Verti Mart for po boys
Central Grocery for Muffalettas


others

Commanders Palace (top 3 NOLA restaurant experience)
Shaya (beard award, best new restaurant)
Steins Deli (best sandwiches in NOLA)
Bevi Seaffod (old school fried seafood joint)




if you fall on a Tues, go see Rebirth Brass band at Maple leaf

WW2 Museum,
Johnnys for Poboys
Bike tour through the treme and the city park

Omni Royal Orleans is a great hotel. Riverside Hilton is as well. Sheraton on Canal is just redone. Omni has lots of history to it. I like Riverside Hilton in case the weather gets bad. Lots to do without getting out in the weather. As for eats, you planning on spending $$$$ or $$$ or $$? Lots of options. Take a horse and buggy tour. Lots to learn. I've been going all of my 56 years and learned so much by taking the tour. Take a St. Louis #1 Cemetery tour. Very interesting. Ride the street car down Canal. Port of Call best burger in town for an easy eat. Central Grocery for a muffeletta (sp). Café Mespero is good. Usually a line but it moves fast. El Gato Negro is good for Mexican right by the French Market. All of these places listed are $$. Not sure how fancy you wanted to go. BB Kings has great ribs.

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planning on spending $$$$ or $$$ or $$?

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Im going to assume we will go $$$$ for one dinner but the rest of the time it doesn't matter. Just looking for good bars and good eats. Don't mind if its a dive joint.
Ended up booking the Roosevelt NO..anyone have experience with this place?

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Ended up booking the Roosevelt NO..anyone have experience with this place?

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It is literally one of the best and most famous hotels in New Orleans, so good choice. Beautiful lobby.

Inside, The Sazerac Bar is one of the quintessential NOLA bars. It is world famous, Huey P Long used to drink their, and the old wives tale is that Airline Hwy got built so that he could get from Baton Rouge to the Sazerac Bar in NOLA faster. Obviously, get a Sazerac. They are QUITE pricey though, because of the fame and reputation.

Domenica is a John Besh restaurant. Good modern italian. Probably the best modern italian in nola.

Great location.