Cool things to do in NOLA

Buying drugs in Algiers

Don't party with any Australians.

French Quarter:

Poor boys/Sandwiches:

Johnny's: These are traditional Nola poor boy's. I only eat the three I've listed, because it's what the locals prefer. Don't buy any food off of Bourbon. It's overpriced and shitty. This place is close to the hotel.

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Verti Mart: Grocery store in the residential area of the Quarter. They're open late night and also deliver. I like this place after a night on Frenchman. I suggest the "All that Jazz" or grilled shrimp poor boy.

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Central Grocery (muffaletta) : The best muffaletta in the Quarter. I like to buy one with a beer and eat it along the river. They have bench's out there.There's a place next door that sells loose beer for cheap. You can walk with open containers in this city. Half of one is plenty.

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Killer Poboys: This place is inside of the Erin Rose. It's a great dive bar with their popup in the back. I enjoy their sandwiches.

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Port o Call: One of the best burgers in the city. It's close to the Marigny, and it rather cheap.

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Breakfast:

Stanley: great breakfast right next to Jackson Square. It's quick and always good.

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Camelia Grill: Diner breakfast

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Cafe Du Monde: Legendary beignets and cafe au lait. Lines can build up on weekends.

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Brennan's: Recenlty reopened. They invented many classic New Orleans brunch dishes. It's a great place and fancy decor. It's also close to the hotel. I'd go for a brunch.

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Amelie: This is my favorite courtyard in the Quarter. They're breakfast/brunch is very reasonable. They open at 11.

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Bars:
Bombay Club: In your hotel. It's a very nice martini/cocktail bar. They also usually have jazz or live music at night.

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Arnaud's French 75: Classy cocktail bar

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Hermes: Classic cocktail bar in Antoine's

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Bar Tonigue: One of the best craft cocktail bars in town.

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Lafitte's Blacksmith: the oldest operating bar in the US. It's the bar I can always be found at. They're known for their hurricane and purple drank. I'd suggest the hurricane, since it's made with real fruit juice unlike Pat O's. Be careful though, they have a floater of 151.

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Carrousel Bar: Bar in the Monteleone Hotel. The bar is very nice and spins. You should check it out.

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Erin Rose: dive bar

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Pat O's: Classic New Orleans tourist bar. It has a great courtyard and dueling pianos. I'm not a fan of their drinks. I tend to stick to beers out of the "locals bar" across from the dueling pianos. Drinks are cheaper in there.

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Sobu: Great cocktail bar in the W. I enjoy their happy hour.

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Here's also a list of great happy hours around town: LINK

Entertainment:

Frenchman St.: I tend to stay away from the "entertainment" on Bourbon. I enjoy Frenchmen a lot more. There are numerous music clubs along this stretch including DBA, Maison, Spotted Cat and Blue Nile. There's always live music, and recently they've opened an open air market for artists and vendors. I enjoy Frenchman.

Davenport Lounge: This is inside of the Ritz. The bar is very nice and Jeremy plays at 9 and 1 on Friday and Saturdays.

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Irvin Mayfield Jazz Playhouse: Inside of the Royal Sonesta. Bar Revolution is also in this hotel, and I like their bar and bar menu.

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Preservation Hall: I recently attended my first concert here several months back. I enjoyed the history of it all and the music. They don't sell alcohol, but Pat O's is next door and you can bring in drinks. Again, buy in the "locals" bar. These shows sell out quickly, since there is limited room.

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Lunch/Dinner:

Felix's: My favorite oyster bar in the Quarter. It also has traditional Nola food and fried seafood. Don't cross the street and go to Acme. It's a trap. Don't let the lines fool you.

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Peche: My favorite restaurant in the city. It recently won the James Beard for best New Orleans. It also has the best oysters in the city. I go here at least once a month.

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Mr. B's: Great New Orleans restaurant. I'd suggest the bbq shrimp and gumbo yaya. You can't go wrong with the service or product.

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Compere Lapin: Great new restaurant opened by Nina Compton. It also has a great bar.

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Angeline: This is a great new restaurant. Chef Alex Harrel is also pushing for Beard awards. When in the Quarter, I always suggest this place.

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K Paul's: The best cajun food the Quarter has to offer. It was operated by the great Paul Prudhomme. I love their etouffe. They also invented blackened seafood.

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Gumbo Shop: A quick spot to grab some essential cajun/creole classics. It's not fancy, but they have great options.

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Garden District:

Breakfast/Brunch:

Surrey’s: Great breakfast with fresh fruit juices. It's really the only place I eat breakfast Uptown besides the coffee shops. I prefer the one in the Lower Garden District.

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Commander’s: Great jazz brunch on the weekends. It also is in the heart of the Garden District if you intend to take some tours. This is a New Orleans establishment.

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Sandwiches/Lunch:

Stein's: The best deli sandwiches in town. The owner is from Philly and uses the best quality of products.

Joey K’s: This is a traditional neighborhood restaurant. They have just about anything you'd like. It's also close to great shopping, bars and is in the Garden District.

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Entertainment: Take a tour of the Garden District or walk along Magazine. I'd stay within Washington to Napoleon. There are many shops and bars along the way.

Dinner:

Lillete: Great restaurant with a great bar next door. They are owned and operated by the same people.

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Le Petite Grocery: This is my favorite restaurant Uptown. It's around the corner from my house, so I'm biased. I love the crab beignets, turtle bolognese, and just about anything they throw in my face.

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Clancy's: Old school Nola neighborhood restaurant. You'll need to cab/Uber here. (I prefer Uber in Nola) The brie oysters are outstanding, and there's a reason why they are always busy.

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Gautreau's: This is a quaint little restaurant Uptown. It has one of the best chefs in the city, and doesn't have a sign.


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I know that I'm leaving off a ton of great places. It's easy to be happy in this town. I hope my list helps. If you have any questions, just email me.

two girls at the same time

Take streetcar to Audubon Park to walk the loop and maybe see the zoo

Eat 5 meals a day

Tipitina's for after-fest shows

Performance at the Sanger Theater

Mardi Gras World

World War II Museum

State Museum

Frenchmen Street

Catch a show at Bacchanal.

Thanks! Looking for the best place to get oysters and seafood around the hotel

If it was up to me, I'd go to Felix's about two blocks away.

Sorry, autocorrect. It's been fixed.

I like for people to get out of the quarter if time allows. At least walk over to the Warehouse District for a bit. Wednesday at the square is this evening and there should be some good talent out there and the music will probably be pretty good as well.
Go drink at the Rusty Nail.
Go have a drink at the Roosevelt's Sazerac bar as well as at the Montleones spinning bar.

If you are into art or checking out the nature scene a little, head out to City Park to visit the Museum of Art and the Sculpture Garden, etc. Right in that area is a bike and boat rental place.
There is also a "China Lights" deal that is awesome to see at night out there.

Manchu's, second line, the lake is a Sunday well spent. After church of course.