You’re Sending Me To…

Written on 01/01/2010 by Andrew Hickey in Travel

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N'awlins, here I come.

Ten Cities…nine weeks…hundreds of votes. It started out as a close battle between easily the two most popular cities throughout the entire competition, but in the end the Crescent City fans just wanted it more…a lot more!

You have decided to send me to New Orleans, Louisiana. While the exact dates will not be set for a few weeks, I am excited to visit one of the most unique, interesting, and downright fun looking cities in all of North America. This city has been through so much over the last few years and I can not wait to spend my tourism dollars upon visiting.

Since this will be my inaugural stay in NOLA, I would love to hear from any of you who have been to this great Louisiana city. What bars should I check out? Where should I eat? Any particular hotel you prefer? Which attractions should I visit and which should I skip? Lay it all on me and I will jot down the recommendations and make good use of them for my trip.

I would like to thank everyone that voted, left a comment and even “re-tweeted” about voting throughout the competition. Although Montreal got stuck with the silver medal, I plan on being back in that great city soon. Below are the results from the final week of voting and thanks again!

Results:

New Orleans: 68%

Montreal: 32%

http://www.intelligenttravelblog.com Marilyn Terrell

Your readers chose well!
Here are some random tips from Intelligent Travel readers when our blog editor Janelle was planning her trip there: http://bit.ly/8mCxOa
Here’s the story she wrote about alternative Mardi Gras in our Jan/Feb issue: http://bit.ly/58rpcS
Halloween is a fun time to visit: http://bit.ly/HgrpW
Be sure to see the new wing of the WWII Museum: http://bit.ly/KmG5E
The Jazz Festival in April is pretty awesome: http://bit.ly/wlPDR
Erin Krall shared her favorite places in I Heart My City: http://bit.ly/gPrJt
Highlights of the Societé de Sainte Anne parade: http://bit.ly/GoJDm
Don’t do THIS at Mardi Gras: http://bit.ly/tsIRZ
Highly recommend the Backstreet Cultural Museum: http://bit.ly/6jGtWS
and the Little Shop of Fantasy (aka Mardi Gras Masks): http://bit.ly/6FltRp
and the House of Dance & Feathers http://bit.ly/13Sbiz
Have a wonderful time!
http://www.TheWorldisCalling.com Lisa Bergren

HELLO, Beignet! Reason enough to go. Cafe du Monde, I think it was called…
Andrew Hickey

Wow you rule Marilyn! This is all extremely helpful and interesting reading that will prepare me for NOLA.
Alex

Great to see New Orleans win. I really though Montreal had it in the bag, but sinceyou have been there before and never NOLA, it will be great to read your first time experience in that great city.
Gina

Aw man I also thought Montreal had it. I voted each week for Montreal since I always wanted to visit that city. But I look forward to checking out New Orleans vicariously though you.
http://waxwendy.blogspot.com Whitney

New Orleans is a fantastic city, you might not want to come home. I second Marilyn’s rec of Jazz Fest. The name is deceiving – it encompasses every variety of music. If you can’t find something you like, that makes you shake your hips like yeah, you’re probably dead. The food vendors are top notch too. Get some crawfish etouffee, and find someone selling cochon de lait – it’s a pork sandwich that’s just a little slice of heaven.

Other things to eat – grilled oysters at Acme Oyster Bar, muffaletta at Central Grocery, po’boys at Mothers or Parasols, and of course beignets at Cafe du Monde. Wash is all down with the local Abita beer. I’m a fan of Turbo Dog myself. Otherwise, order up a Pimm’s Cup at Napoleon House or a Sazerac cocktail at the Fairmont Hotel. Get a Hurricane if you must from Pat O’Brien’s, if only to say you did. While you’re there, check out the dueling piano players. For a nice sit down dinner, K-Paul’s is a classic. Get the tenderloin with debris gravy that’s been simmered for 3 days.

While it may seem touristy and cheesy, a walking tour of the city’s cemeteries is well worth the time for 2 centuries of history in 2 hours.

My favorite place for live music is Donna’s on Rampart Street. It’s a real locals place that welcomes visitors, and features old school, brass heavy New Orleans jazz. If you’re in town on a Thursday, go to Vaughn’s Lounge in the Bywater neighborhood. It’s a little off the beaten (Bourbon St) path, but well worth it for Kermit Ruffins’ horn and BBQ. And if the Sweet Soul Queen of New Orleans, Miss Irma Thomas is playing anywhere in town, go.

Have a fantastic time!!
http://www.cairinthecity.blogspot.com Caroline in the City

Cafe Du Monde is a duh. It may be touristy and you might get your beignet stolen by pigeons, but it is a quintessential Nawlins experience. As is one of the spooky cemeteries, namely Lafayette #3. Happy travels!
http://solofriendly.com Gray

You’ve already got some great suggestions here. I’d add: Go see Big Al Carson at the Funky Pirate on Bourbon St. He’s great. The best music is apparently on Frenchman Street, which I missed. I second the timing of going during Jazz Fest. Christmas was nice, but Jazz Fest sounds so much better. Do a ghost tour; they’re fun. I don’t normally suggest going to the movies when you travel, but I recommend the IMAX film “Hurricane on the Bayou” at the Imax theater on the waterfront. It was a learning experience for me. They’ve got a nice aquarium there as well. Oh, and I highly recommend Commander’s Palace for lunch (they serve 25 cent martinis!). It’s right across from Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District, so you can combine it with a cemetery tour.