New Orleans: Much Better Than Old Orleans

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New Orleans has a rich heritage and one of the best local cuisines in the world.

Activities

• Walk around the French Quarter, starting in Jackson Square...
• ...or take a carriage ride
• Take the streetcar up and down St. Charles Avenue
• Walk along the Mississippi River on the Moonwalk
• Catch a Mardi Gras parade uptown or in the French Quarter (schedule)
• Visit the National World War II Museum (if you wonder why this is in New Orleans, read this article)
• Shopping (or window shopping) along Magazine Street in the beautiful Garden District
• Visit the Audubon Zoo (uptown) or Audubon Aquarium (downtown)
• Listen to New Orleans Jazz at famous Preservation Hall

Eats

There are so many "can't miss" foods and restaurants that we couldn't list them all below, but we tried to give some of our favorites.

• Historic Cafe du Monde (across from Jackson Square) for cafe au lait and beignets (hint: people standing in line are waiting for the takeout window; if you see an open table, sit down, and a server will be there shortly)
• Down the street, visit Central Grocery for the original and best muffaletta
• Domilise's (uptown), Johnny's (downtown) or Parkway Bakery and Tavern (Mid City) for po-boys. Some of the more classic po-boys are roast beef (with lots of gravy), fried shrimp, and fried oyster. And make sure to get it "dressed" like the locals do, i.e., you would order a "Roast beef po-boy, dressed. Barq's. And some Zapps, please."
• Commander's Palace is perhaps New Orleans' most famous restaurant, starting the careers of Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, and many others
• Drago's for the most amazing oysters you've ever eaten - charbroiled and delicious!
• Antoine's for the original Oysters Rockefeller
• The famous Dooky Chase Restaurant for reknowned Creole and soul food
• Many well-known chefs who got their start in New Orleans have gone on to open restaurants of their own: Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, John Besh, Frank Brigsten, Donald Link

Drinks

Many people hold that the cocktail was invented in New Orleans since the Sazerac is sometimes claimed to be the oldest known cocktail. It's fitting that there is no shortage of bars in the city, but a few of the cooler ones are below. Many happen to be in some of the city's best hotels.

• The Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt
• The Columns Hotel bar
• The Swizzle Stick Bar in the Loews
• Cure
• dba in the Marigny area (one of the best beer selections in the city)