ATTRACTIONS, what to wear, WEATHER, PLUS useful  HYPERLINKS  (Festivals, historic cemetery/cemeteries, recreation, sightseeing, New Orleans and the French Quarter, museums, parks, Mississippi River boat cruises,  Lake Ponchartrain, plantations, Voodoo, music, tours, tourist information, transportation, ghosts, dancing, history, attractions, antiques, art galleries, activities,  shopping, swamps and bayous, Acadiana [where the Cajuns live] +other parts of Louisiana)

POST KATRINA: YEP, for tourists, it's hard to notice a difference in the historic areas or in the weekend nightlife. N'Awlins continues to be a great place to kick back and relax, to party, and to sightsee.  Please help spread the word that the French Quarter, Warehouse & Arts Districts, Riverfront, Magazine St., Uptown, Algiers Point and many  other historic districts  are BETTER THAN EVER NOW -- a great place to visit and have fun.

Here is a video clip from a national destination host that offers a great overview of the city, history, restaurants, music, sightseeing opportunities, etc.  Although we don't agree with all his recommendations (and competitor ads), we decided the video was more important than other considerations, especially since we fill up so far in advance, we aren't going to worry about promoting the competition: http://www.erikhastings.com/Destinations/dest_new_orleans/dest_new_orleans-carriage.asp

PERSONAL NOTE: We were VERY lucky compared to some. Those darned ladies (Katrina and Rita) left Banana Courtyard  high and dry. The historic districts (French QUARTER, Garden District, Magazine St., St. Charles Avenue), mostly 'dodged the bullet.'  "Ain't" like it used to be for many small businesses, who  are struggling to keep service level as good as ever, 'cause owners often are doing work themselves, that they used to pay others to do.  SOOOOOOOO, please support small, neighborhood businesses. We are working hard!

    We 'hit the pavement running' being the 1st New Orleans B&B to reopen, so  PHOOEY. Haven't had much time to update our web site, event calendar, OR even our Eguides (What's new?  The banana lady is always behind on stuff like this!)   Please be understanding  and call to confirm open, hours, etc., from lists below and our EGuides.

 

   In addition to all the information we provide in this section, to help our guests plan THEIR trip, prior to arrival, we TRY to email arrival instructions AND attach SEVERAL helpful EGuides (proprietary guides). (We are 6-8 weeks behind on sending these out, let it be a pleasant surprise if you DO receive this - no promises. If we don't get them out, PRE-Katrina copies are in a 3 ring binder on the dining room table. Stuff on bulletin board is actually up to date!!!!!) We used to have ALL EGuides on our web site, but they are so darned LONG, they slow down load time too much.

To whet your appetite for the French Quarter, and for folks who think they've seen everything, here is some food for thought. Click on photo to enlarge.

◄ In left frame, click on USEFUL INFO: French Quarter for lots more extremely helpful info.

'Wanna' boogie? Check out this hyperlink of the New Orleans Po Boy festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GdAM3aJeTU

ATTRACTIONS:

 From the B&B,  you can walk to all the French Quarter's attractions:

 

 AND it's an EASY, quick WALK from the B&B to other nearby attractions and sites (the banana lady walks from one end of the French Quarter to the other in 15 minutes, MAX, but I'm not peeking into courtyards, and looking through shop windows): BY historic St. Charles streetcar or Canal Streetcars, Mississippi River passenger ferry, bicycle, or other city bus, trolley or streetcar: Further afield (by car, taxicab or tour bus):

 

WEATHER AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING:

Tropical and humid April through September (unfortunately, it can be humid on some Winter days). Tourist organizations refer to this period as "balmy"  -- we'd say it is HOT. Bring cool, casual clothes (it's not unusual for CEOs of major firms to wear no coat or jacket to dinner). Also, bring an umbrella (there can be daily showers and thunderstorms July through September). If you have a water  'spritzer", bring it. Spray mist on YOU for refreshing evaporative cooling when you're outside in the heat all day. Some guests pack a raincoat or mac', but you can buy cheap rain gear at almost any souvenir store (or ask the banana lady for a disposable Bourbon St. Treat's raincoat, if other guests left them behind). At the main B&B, we keep umbrellas handy for guests to borrow. October and November, March and April are peak weather months in New Orleans - cool evenings and moderately warm days, with limited humidity. If coming during those months, consider packing Summer AND Fall clothing as the temperature changes can be rapid. Winter is cool, but usually not bitterly cold. A coat should be adequate. Expect some rain and mist in February.

Temperature expressed in Fahrenheit ('cause the banana lady would goof it up if she tried to convert to centigrade)

Jan - Feb.: bring Winter and Spring clothes, as the weather can change every 3-4 days.

Mar. - May: glorious weather begins, but can sometimes be warm and humid

June - Sept: ALWAYS hot & humid June through Aug. (our tourist bureau calls the weather 'balmy')

Oct: glorious weather, finally

Nov - Dec: cool weather begins (Bring Winter and Spring clothes, as the weather can change every 3-4 days.)

Weather Channel: New Orleans 70116

 

At last! New Orleans/French Quarter HYPERLINKS (Just click-on hyperlink for  things to do, places to go and see)  Please help us keep these up to date.  If you find a dead link, please email us to change it.

CEMETERIES (historic), VOODOO, Halloween, and HAUNTED New Orleans:

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS (see Event Calendar/ Calendar of Events section, as these are only a couple out of hundreds of events):

FOOD AND RESTAURANTS (click on section at left: Lingo, Food, Recipes, Restaurants)

COOKING, etc.:

 

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE:

LOUISIANA SITES THAT SHOW A LITTLE OF OUR LOCAL HUMOR:

MISCELLANEOUS:

 

MUSIC (guests are provided with our music EGuide):

MUSEUMS (just a few listed here.  MANY MORE listed in alphabetical section at bottom of this page):

OTHER STUFF NOT IN NEW ORLEANS (Need car to go there):

PHOTOGRAPHS of New Orleans and the French Quarter:

 

PLANTATIONS (tour info listed in alphabetical section at bottom of this page. Links HERE are hyperlinks for a few plantations:

Oops.  I just hit the wrong key and deleted all the plantation hyperlinks. Some day I'll reconstruct the list and reinsert here (in banana talk, that means 'in the next life') .

    ALPHABETICAL LIST of THINGS TO DO AND SEE (attractions, general sightseeing and tour info, museums, art galleries, and VARIOUS other stuff).

Nope. This "ain't" up to date, last ONLINE update done 2006. We are FULL so often, that we decided to put this on web site so EVERYONE can use it, even if you CAN'T stay with us.

It's the banana lady speaking: Going to places owned by locals and attending neighborhood events gives you a glimpse of what N'Awlins is all about. Our hearts are big and can carry a heavy burden. We WILL NOT go away. Our cultural heritage and diversity is TOO important. Please help support our community: We ALL need your support in our REBIRTH, especially small businesses and organizations.

 

I can't figure out formatting for this section.  The original documents has several sections where info is in a big text box by category, like thrift shops.  That formatting gets stripped out when I paste document here.  Oh well.

There is so much information here, there is no way we can keep it up to date, so PLEASE CALL them to confirm open days, times, etc.  

• The Banana Courtyard Guide: “SIGHTS, SOUNDS and FLAVOR of New Orleans and the French Quarter”
(that means fun stuff to do and see)
Provided courtesy of 1870 Banana Courtyard: French Quarter/New Orleans B&B and Beyond, your host to N’Awlins
bananacour@aol.com 800-842-4748 504-947-4475, fax 504-949-5689
http://bananacourtyard.com

THINK TWICE before you PRINT this. It goes on forever. ( Into the alphabetical section at the end of the document, we’re trying to incorporate of items like book stores, thrift and antique shops, etc., but it’s a never ending ‘labor of love’ from the banana lady. As I’m doing it, some sections will be bullet item and other sections will be table/column format.)

POST KATRINA: YEP. For tourists, it’s hard to notice a difference in the historic areas and nightlife. N’Awlins is a wonderful place to kick back and relax, to party, or to sightsee. Nope. Ain’t like it used to be, for small businesses. Mostly just ‘Mom and Pop’ doing much of the stuff we used to have staff to do, so we haven’t had time to update this document. Please call all for open/hours. Maybe this Summer, we will have time to update lists OR, YOU can let me know about changes?!?!?!?.

Going to places owned by locals and attending neighborhood events gives you a glimpse of what N'Awlins is all about. Our hearts are big and can carry a heavy burden. We WILL NOT go away. Our cultural heritage and diversity is TOO important. Please help support our community: We ALL need your support in our REBIRTH, especially small businesses and organizations.

Nifty, new “insider’s” site: http://www.unscene.com

7/1/2003: Time flies! This document grows and grows, but we never have time to keep it up to date. I’m sure there are some stores that have closed. One day we’ll even have time to update the 3 day itinerary part of this document, indicating places accessible by the NEW Canal Streetcars (the last time we had the chance to update THAT section was the beginning of 2003. Kind of scary, Huh?!).

INCLUDES:
• THINGS TO DO AND SEE: suggested 3-day itinerary for sightseeing,
• alphabetical listings of attractions, general sightseeing and tour info, museums, art galleries, some bars and music clubs, and VARIOUS other stuff
• Ann Rice fan info (she is selling Garden District house, so this info will be out of date, soon)
• Car: things to do and see if you have one.
• FOR CHILDREN/families
• discount coupons
• Food: regional dishes
• Free stuff
• French Quarter history
• locals joints
• Music clubs (list is here. Info about music clubs and musicians, is in separate document)
• Rainy day indoor venues
• Shopping
• Things folks say you MUST go to or see when you visit New Orleans.
• Voodoo


Whine, whine. We start things like this and never seem to have the time to proofread them! Maybe one day we will. Restaurants we’ve listed in this guide were just what came to mind at that moment. Restaurants are interchangeable with ANY you select from our Best Bet Restaurant guide, where we’ve noted special ones.
Things change. Before you head out to any place listed here, please BE SURE TO CALL to confirm stuff like days and hours open, prices, admission fee, etc. We welcome and encourage feedback from guests, if YOU find out about a change.

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CAR (MORE things you can do if you have a car while you’re here):
If you are here long enough to make renting a car viable, there are lots of places to go that are among the places listed in the alphabetical section at the end of this document. Also, you can take a day to visit Acadiana, the plantations, and also a swamp/bayou tour..
You might want to drive to one of these restaurants, that visitors rarely get to know about unless a resident tells about them (see alphabetical restaurant list for telephone numbers, addresses, etc.):
• Liuzza’s Restaurant:
• Parkway Tavern
• Jack Dempseys
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CHILDREN/families: details on each of the places listed in this bullet list, had fuyrther detail on alphabetical list, at end of this document (or ask the banana lady):
• Alligator and turtle farms (by car)
• Aquarium (walk from B&B)
• Audubon Zoo and park (by St. Charles streetcar or Magazine St. shoppers shuttle)
• Café du Monde: Beignets and milk are always a hit with children (and grown ups, too, but you will replace milk with coffee, probably)
• Children’s Museum (by Riverfront Streetcar or Canal Streetcar. You could walk, but it’s about 25 blocks - 1.5 miles.)
• City Park Storyland amusement area, small amusement park with antique carousel and miniature train ride through park, feed the ducks in the lagoons, play in the playground by the old casino building or get a snack there, fishing, sometimes in Summer, canoe and paddleboat rental. Call re open hours/days, as they are NOT open off season. (Canal Streetcar goes to City Park)
• cruise boats, river boats and paddlewheel boats on Mississippi River (walk from main B&B)
• FERRY RIDE: ride the free pedestrian ferry shuttle to historic Algiers Pointe (walk from main B&B)
• French Market/flea market (walk from main B&B)
• ghost/haunted tour (walk from main B&B)
• Global Wildlife Center (car)
• ice cream parlour French Quarter – Hagen Daz (walk from main B&B)
• ice cream parlour ITALIAN in Mid City – Angelo Brocato’s (walk to Canal Streetcar from main B&B) Try some hand made Canole, ice cream, Italian ice (yum, yum)
• Jackson Square area has pantomime artists, taro card readers, artists, and street entertainers (walk from main B&B)
• Lake Ponchartrain and Mardi Gras Fountain (car) playground and picnic area, beautiful view of lake
• Mardi Gras World (walk from main B&B to Canal St. to get on Algiers Point free pedestrian ferry shuttle)
• Mississippi River (walk from main B&B)
• nature center (by car)
• railroad museum
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum
• Roman Candy: (seasonal) visit the Roman Candy man in his cart at the Zoo and see him make taffy onboard (see alphabetical section below and follow hyperlink, to be sure he hasn’t moved location and what his hours are.
• streetcar ride (walk from main B&B)
• swamp tour
• snowball stand at City Park, in season only (car)
• Train Garden at New Orleans Botanical Garden at City Park (walk to Canal Streetcar from main B&B)
• Train, children’s that goes through City Park
• wildlife refuge/safari (by car)
• coming soon: insectorium

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DISCOUNT COUPONS:
NOT VALID until 2007. A number of guests, lately, have ordered the Entertainment discount book before coming. You save on restaurants, tours, etc. Check it out at: http://www.entertainment.com or call 800-374-4464. Don't forget to visit http://www.neworleanscoupons.com for free coupons for a lot of the attractions we recommend!
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FOOD / REGIONAL – the most representative dishes you might try: (see WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST section for who serves these)
• Baked Alaska (signature dish at Antoine’s, but the restaurant is very pricey)
• Bananas Foster (Flaming dessert)
• Beignets and chicory coffee
• Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce (dessert, but locals eat it for breakfast, too)
• Crawfish: Crawfish Etouffée, steamed/boiled Crawfish, or Crawfish Pie
• .Dirty Rice.
• Gumbo
• Jambalaya.
• Oysters: 3-ways Rockefeller, Casino and Bienville, in a po boy, or raw oysters, shucked at the bar.
• po-boy sandwich (Yep. Anywhere else this would be called submarine sandwich, but ours are on French Bread): shrimp, oyster, or Softshell Crab are most popular, but roast beef with gravy is a favorite in any language
• Red Beans and Rice (with or without smoked sausage).
• sausage: Andouille or Boudin.
• Shrimp: Shrimp Creole, Shrimp Remoulade, Shrimp Etouffée, fried or boiled/steamed shrimp

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FREE STUFF (see alphabetical section at end of this document for detailed info on location, telephone numbers, etc.):
• French Quarter walking tour: see TOURS, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park/Folklife and French Quarter Visitor Center
• Louisiana Music Factory: free live music party
• Crescent City Farmers Market: free cooking demonstrations
• Crescent City BrewHouse (microbrewery): art +free snacks
• Historic New Orleans Collection:
• Jazz National Historical Park:
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FRENCH QUARTER HISTORY:
The French Quarter is the most historic area in all of New Orleans. It is very small, only 6 X 12 blocks, which were laid out in 1722 as the original City of New Orleans.

In 1699 two French brothers, Iberville and Bienville, decided to try their luck colonizing the New World: in 1704 Iberville built a fort at Lake Pontchartrain, now called the "Old Spanish Fort", and wanted to establish a town on Bayou St. John near the river portage. Bienville preferred the Mississippi River end of the portage, so in 1718 he started building a town at what is now Conti Street. From 1721 to 1722 Bienville teamed up with two French engineers to design a city street plan, making New Orleans one of the first planned cities in America. This plan, which has remained to this day, featured a central square (now called Jackson Square) surrounded by a grid of city blocks.

In 1762, the Spanish took control of New Orleans for the next 38 years, introducing the first streetlights, newspaper, theatre and police force. in 1788, there was a major fire in which almost the entire French Quarter was burned down; over 850 structures, including the St. Louis Church, the rectory, the prison and other government buildings were destroyed. This is the time period in which the city gained it's Spanish architectural flavor. In 1794 there was another fire. It destroyed the area from Canal Street to Orleans and from the river to Bourbon Street. The Spanish then introduced building codes requiring the use of brick, tile and slate.

The United States purchased Louisiana in 1803, and overnight, Americans began flooding the city. Thanks to cotton and sugar, New Orleans became one of the richest, fastest-growing cities in the U.S. However, New Orleans began to decline during the latter part of the 1800's and into the 1900's, partly due to the ravages of yellow fever epidemics in the 1850's and the Civil War in the 1860's.

By the end of the 1920's, the Vieux Carre began to gain attention and popularity again. Art galleries, theatres and tearooms opened up. The streets were repaired, electric streetlights were installed, and in 1925 the City passed an ordinance to preserve at least 1/3 of the Quarter. In the 1930's the French Market was rebuilt and the Vieux Carre Commission was established to protect the architecture of the various periods.
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GETTING AROUND: From Banana Courtyard, it’s a short stroll to any part of the French Quarter (FQ), which is only 7 X 12 short blocks.
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HAPPY HOUR (almost any bar, but those with canned music for those who love to dance):
• Cat's Meow:
• Razoo's:
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INFORMATION (more than you EVER wanted to know): At the B&B, we have notebooks full of brochures and detail on all sightseeing and restaurant suggestions mentioned herein, plus lots more on history and culture of New Orleans.

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MUSIC: Guests are emailed our Eguide to music. Music club list (BLUE PAPER) is posted on the bulleting board in the dining room at the main B&B. On your bed, is an OffBeat magazine. Before you come, you might want to go online to listen to music on WWOZ: http://www.wwoz.org. The variety of music they offer is astounding. While you are here, tune in to 90.7FM to enjoy their programming. If interested, we have a separate document about music and dancing in New Orleans. Advance reservations are especially necessary at Snug Harbor and House of Blues.

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MUSIC FOR YOUR EARS? DO you know what a calliope is? If you're strolling through the Quarter or in your room, listen for the calliope at about 11am and 2pm. It's an organ powered by steam atop the riverboat.
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“MUST DO” stuff: THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE SAY, “YOU MUST DO or SEE THESE THINGS . . . ” (you’ll soon see how focused on food everything is?) Still editing this section:

• eat beignets and drink chicory coffee @ Café du Monde Decatur St. across from Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral
• If you drink alcoholic beverages: At Pat O’Briens try a world-famous Hurricane cocktail or Mint Julep: 718 St. Peter St, 525-4823. At Port of Call, try the Monsoon (it’s lethal). Dauphine @ Esplanade.
• Listen to Jazz at Preservation Hall
• see the historic, above ground cemeteries (St. Louis #1 near the French quarter or Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District)
• go on a swamp tour (see TOUR section)
• see the Louisiana samp section at the Audubon Zoo
• eat some bread pudding with whiskey sauce
• Eat a Muffuletta sandwich made on special sesame seed round bread, with olive salad (green olives, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, and olive oil), salami, cheese. Central Grocery on Decatur St. (if raining, Napoleon House).
• go to the WWI ( D-Day) Museum
• shop for collectibles, antiques, art or crafts on lower end of Decatur St., Royal St. Or Magazine St.
• take the free ferry shuttle to the 2nd oldest neighborhood in New Orleans: Algiers Pointe
• ride the historic St. Charles or Canal Streetcars
• Eat some boiled crawfish, red beans and rice, or dirty rice (when you are here, I’ll tell you the history of this “wash day” dish). The best (and cheapest) red beans and rice and dirty rice are at Popeye’s Fried Chicken. You can buy crawfish from a local market rather than at a restaurant.
• Try a seafood or roast beef “po-boy” sandwich. For true local color, and a good shrimp po-boy, there is a seafood market close to the main B&B. It’s frequented mostly by African Americans (and me): King Rogers Seafood: A po-boy or platter is about $6. While you are waiting for it to be prepared, go into the market to see the live cowan (turtles) in the tank, lots of fish, shrimp, raccoons, rabbits and o’possum (Yep, some locals do eat them), in addition to great boiled crawfish and shrimp. The crawfish are VERY SPICY, boiled with new potatoes, garlic and corn on the cob, which you can purchase separately or with your crawfish. Bring back some crawfish and we’ll set you up, in the courtyard and show you how to eat them New Orleans style with newspapers as place mats and paper towels as napkins.
• Learn about Mardi Gras @ Mardi Gras World or the one of LA State museums, the Presbytere.
• Go to a gospel mass Sundays. SEE GOSPEL, below, in alphabetical section.
• Visit the historic French Market and the flea market at the end (N. Peters St. @ Esplanade Ave.)
• Have a Lucky Dog from a street cart vendor (personally, we don’t think they are much to write home about, but they ARE a New Orleans tradition)
• Have a “2nd line” umbrella custom made to display at home. SEE UMBRELLAS & parasols, in alphabetical section below.
• Like generations of New Orleaneans, eat some hand pulled taffy by the Roman Candy Man in his mule drawn cart in Audubon Zoo.
• Since 1902, locals have enjoyed eating Italian ices or ice cream at Angelo Brocato’s Ice Cream Parlour on N. Carrollton Ave, near Canal St. .

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PARKING/DRIVING: What everyone else in USA calls medians, we call “neutral ground” (long story behind it’s history). Don’t park on them. BEWARE. Curbside, street parking areas are usually designated by yellow paint on curbs. Many have worn off and your car will be towed if you’re not VERY cautious. If you see a curbside space marked by yellow lines, that means DO NOT park there. Please bear in mind that speed limit signs are hard to find. The speed limit on divided streets is 35mph, on 1-way and non divided streets it’s 25mph. Beware of parking in the French Quarter. There are few legal places. Many are “resident permit parking’ while time limit is 2 hours. Pay attention to street cleaning signs or your car may be towed. You must park at least 3' from any driveway. You can’t park car partially on sidewalk. Meter parking. You don’t pay weekends. Most meters are also free after 6pm. Car must be AT LEAST 15' from fire hydrant. Traffic signals, street corner intersections and crosswalks? Park at least 20' from them.
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PHOTO’s of the best of New Orleans: See alphabetical section at end of this document.
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RAINY DAY (see alphabetical listing, below, for telephone numbers and location):
• Aquarium
• IMAX theatre
• Mardi Gras World
• Museums
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SHOPPING: The RiverWalk (Canal at the river. Lots of small shops offering better quality merchandise than on Bourbon St.), Canal Place (Canal St. at Decatur. upscale shops such as Saks 5th Avenue, Pottery Barn, and Brooks Brothers, and boutiques).
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SOUVENIRS: The Flea Market near the French Market has the largest variety, concentrated in a small area. When you are here, feel free to ask us where to buy stuff. Other interesting, inexpensive gifts would be:
• beer, regional: Abita or Dixie
• boxed food mixes, like beignet mix, red beans and rice, seafood boil, Jambalaya, Shrimp or Crawfish Ettoufee
• coffee, New Orleans blend
• feather masks like we have on doors and walls at B&B
• pralines
• refrigerator magnets
• sausage, local: Boudin, Andouille (packed for travel, but can also be shipped)
• seafood (packed for travel, but can also be shipped)
• Seasonings and rubs, regional
• Voodoo beer
• Vampire wine http://store.vampire.com/ (800-310-VAMPIRE)
• watercolor prints, either preframed or mounted and packed to travel
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TOURS (see alphabetical section, below): Since we haven't been on many of the tours personally, our recommendations mostly come from guests, which is probably the best method, anyway. After we get consistent, positive feedback from multiple guests, only then do we recommend a tour. There is a NEW AUDIO tour for ‘hip/young’ folks listed there, too (let us know what you think about it). Make reservations in advance for most tours and mention Banana Courtyard sent you.
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TRANSPORTATION: SEE alphabetical section, TRANSPORTATION for more information.
(January 2007: Transportation in the Big Easy ain’t what it used to be. We keep up to date bus/streetcar scheduled posted on bulletin board at the main B&B, so most of the info in the following transportation section is in flux.) We sell VisiTour one day passes at the main B&B.
WALK or streetcar?: Walking is the ONLY way to see the French Quarter. If you want to explore OTHER parts of New Orleans, use the streetcar, trolley or bus. They are cheap, especially for ‘seniors! A car is usually a hindrance in the FQ, as there are few legal parking spaces for nonresidents. If you want to know more about the pros and cons, just ask.
CANAL STREETCARS: Now that the Canal Streetcars are back in action, you can easily go to City Park, New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Metairie Cemeteries. If you do, don’t miss a stop at Angelo Brocato’s Ice Cream parlour on N. Carrollton near Canal Street (see RESTAURANT alphabetical list for details).
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VOODOO: Voodoo Spiritual Center and Voodoo Museum. See alphabetical section at end of this document.
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• WHERE WE LOCALS HANG OUT: Frenchman Street, Esplanade Ave., +the “dives” on RAMPART. You'll fall in love with FRENCHMAN ST. It's fun, day &night: Snug Harbor (best Jazz club in city w/food), DBA, Apple Barrel, Adolfo’s (Italian restaurant above a bar), Praline Connection (soul food), Mona’s Café (Middle Eastern), Café Negril (Carribean), an Indian place calle Hookah Cafe, Café Brasil, Spotted Cat, and more.
>ESPLANADE AVE. @Burgundy St. is Port of Call restaurant, which usually has a waiting line around to the corner street, because it has the best hamburgers & baked potatoes in the city AND a killer drink, named the Monsoon (beware!).
>N. RAMPART St. has GREAT places residents enjoy: Peristyle Restaurant, Donna’s Bar & Grill.
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Again, post Katrina, we have NOT updated this.

3 day Itinerary, for those who like to plan ahead
(but remember, N’Awlins is a great place to just let the moment happen.:
DAY 1:
• A walking tour, your 1st day, is the best way to get acquainted with the FQ. You can get a free French Quarter Walking Tour brochure from the New Orleans Visitor/Tourist Bureau on St. Anne at Jackson Square, then wander through the French Quarter (FQ) on your own. Or see “TOURS - Jean Lafitte National Historical Park/Folklife and “French Quarter Visitor Center” information in alphabetical section, below, for info on free walking tour orientation to French Quarter.
• FRENCH MARKET (and flea market/bazaar, on weekends). Walk down Esplanade Avenue past the 2nd traffic light (Decatur) to N. Peters. Turn right. Walk up a few blocks then turn left toward the river. For more than 165 years, the French Market has been a vibrant part of the French Quarter. The Farmer’s Market portion is long, open sheds filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, and several stalls that sell New Orleans spices and long strands of garlic or hot chili peppers. In the Market are shops, craft stalls, restaurants, bistros, coffee stands.
• JACKSON SQUARE: This historic park was originally a military parade ground and the center of Spanish Colonial government. Now it’s the daytime hub of the FQ. Especially on weekends, enjoy the street performers, artists, musicians, pantomimes, jugglers, balloon artists, horse/mule drawn buggies, and tarot card readers. Visit The Presbytere and/or The Cabildo (see their extensive Mardi Gras exhibit. Go to St Louis Cathedral (oldest cathedral in the USA), also in Jackson Square. The Pontalba Buildings are twin buildings on either side of the square (St. Ann and St. peters Sts.). Built in the 1840s, these buildings housed shops downstairs and offered luxury apartments on the upper floors. The 1850 House is at 525 St. Ann in one of the Pontalba buildings. It is a 3-story townhouse, beautifully restored as a typical 1850s dwelling.
• PIRATE’s ALLEY: Just beside Jackson Square is Pirates Alley: Many artists set up shop there every day, and you can watch them create new paintings and display their artwork. Weekends there are more vendors. Of note in the alley is Faulkner’s Book Shop, 624 Pirate’s Alley, 524-2940.
• LUNCH: Get a Muffuletta Sandwich at Central Grocery (923 Decatur St., 523-1620). Even if you don’t want a muffuletta, just go inside the store -- a throwback to stores of yore: open burlap bags of beans, dried fish, bulk pasta. The sandwich is a New Orleans specialty. A Muffuletta sandwich is made on special sesame seed round bread, with olive salad (green olives, celery, carrots, onions, capers, garlic, and olive oil), salami, ham, Mortadello, +cheese. Also get some chips and a drink then take all up on the levee and sit on the park benches levee steps and watch the ships go by while enjoying your lunch OR . . .lunch at Fiorella’s or Angeli’s on Decatur St. or Mona Lisa on Royal.
• HISTORY and CULTURE: Go to 533 Royal St and visit the Historic New Orleans Collection, a treasure trove of New Orleans memorabilia (free): galleries, changing exhibitions, museum, shop, which has prints, books, antique jewelry and gift items. Offers information to help you understand the regions contributions to American history and culture. Exhibits have included: History of Fabric, Haunted Ruins, Mystical Bal Masque, World of Jazz, mapmaking, Louisiana paintings and drawings, firefighting, and 19th century children’s lives. 504-523-4662. http://neworleansonline.com/hisho-hnoc.htm
• PRALINES: YOU’LL FIND THE BEST at Loretta’s in the French Market or on N. Rampart St.
• ANTIQUES GALORE: then wander through the antique shops on Royal and marvel at who can afford their prices (if you want to buy, save your $ for the Magazine St. shops, whose brochure is on trunk @main B&B). Or, on the lower end of Decatur Street, you will find some antique and collectible shops, plus vintage clothing and junk shops.
• BALCONIES AND IRONWORK: The best “photo-op” of intricately iron-laced balconies is St. Ann at Royal St. The Cornstalk Fence Hotel has a cast-iron fence depicting stalks and ears of corn intertwined with morning glory vines and blossoms. This fence offers one of the few examples left of mail-order fences popular in the 1800s.
• GREAT panoramic VIEW OF THE CITY: From the Algiers Pointe ferry shuttle (free). Also tour historic Algiers Point and maybe have lunch at Dry Dock Café (very inexpensive). Also see the Jazz Walk Of Fame along the levee.
• HISTORIC CEMETERIES (New Orleaneans call them “cities of the dead”): There are a number of marvelous, historic, aboveground cemeteries in New Orleans, some near the French Quarter. St Louis #1, off Basin Street, is probably being the most famous and certainly the most convenient to the FQ. Whether you are in the cramped, rundown St. Louis #1&2 cemeteries, the well kempt St. Louis #3, the forgotten musician’s and pauper’s Holt Cemetery, the upscale Lafayette cemeteries, or the opulent Metairie cemeteries, they are all interesting for both the unique burial practices and for their art and architecture.

As the FQ and surrounding areas are above sea level in most of New Orleans and our water table is quite high, burial in vaults was and is still a prevalent practice. The inscriptions on the vaults and tombs are quite interesting, as is the method of burial of several generations of a family or numerous members of a society, stacked in the same vault. Marie LaVeau’s grave is in St. Louis # 1. Many guests like to make brass rubbings of the epitaphs inscribed on the tombs.

We strongly recommend a guided tour of St. Louis #1. It will be more rewarding than just strolling through. Also, safety is an issue in the cemeteries, so being with a tour guide will mean you feel more comfortable and will better understand the significance of the families buried there relative to their position in society or politics. It is rare for even the tour guides to venture into St. Louis #2, so beware. Entry signs say, “Enter at your own risk”.

Pay special attention to times the cemeteries are open, especially on Sundays when some cemeteries do not open, and most close early. At the main B&B in the “sightseeing” notebook, I have a list of cemeteries that might be of interest. The list includes addresses, and telephone numbers, where applicable. (NOTE: For guests staying at the Garret Suite, don’t forget that you are just around the corner from St. Louis #3, where it’s safe to explore on your own. If it’s racing season, don’t mis out on going to the track around the corner.)
• SIESTA TIME: Don’t burn both ends of the candle sightseeing all day and partying or listening to music all night! Return to your room and take a nap. Awaken refreshed and ready for a late dinner and music.
• DINNER: Have dinner at one of our favorites, the Gumbo Shop, or have a unique New Orleans experience at Galatoire’s (can be rather snooty, but food is very traditional).
• NIGHTLIFE: Afterward, enjoy the music in many clubs in and near the Quarter. If you’re a planner, refer to OffBeat Magazine online or if you’re staying at the main B&B, each room has a copy, so you can sneak a peek at the music schedule and find the type of music YOU like best: http://offbeat.com. Also, your email confirmation will have attached, “‘Wanna’ Hear Some Great Music”, which is a list of music and dance clubs we locals enjoy. A “must visit”, if you want traditional New Orleans Dixieland Jazz, is Preservation Hall @ 726 St. Peter St., 522-2841. The old-timers, musicians, are passing down the tradition to the young generation. Beware in summertime. They have no air conditioning. Good news is they limit sets to 30-minutes so you will survive it. Be prepared to stand, though. If you want contemporary Jazz, go to Snug Harbor, the city’s premier Jazz Club in Faubourg Marigny, on Frenchman St., about 9-blocks from the main B&B. For the best brass band Jazz in the city, try the local’s place: Donna’s Bar and Grill on N. Rampart. Early evenings, they have inexpensive combo meals. Palm Court is another Jazz venue with food.
• BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP, a romantic stroll, then BEIGNETS AND COFFEE: End the night by strolling from the Aquarium down the romantic Moonwalk boardwalk along the river. End your walk by getting off the levee at Jackson Square and have beignets and chicory coffee at Café du Monde, on Decatur St. across from Jackson Square.

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DAY 2:
• Option 1, COOKING demonstration and LUNCH: If you enjoy eating or cooking, or just want great entertainment, in the morning, go to the New Orleans School of Cooking for a cooking demonstration. Lunch is included in the price, as is beer. ADVANCE reservations required. http://www.neworleanscooking.com/ If you want hands-on cooking classes, they also offer 1:1 sessions.
ORRRRRRRR,
• ALGIERS POINTE: As previously mentioned, the best panoramic view of the FQ skyline is from the free ferry. If you went to the morning cooking class/demonstration, take the free riverboat ferry across to Algiers Point where a van will pick you up to go to Mardi Gras World (http://mardi.gras.com/kern/world.html). It’s the home of the world’s largest float builder. See them build floats for Mardi Gras and see floats used in last year’s parades, while learning about the history of Mardi Gras. Eat their king cake and tour the facility. Don one of their costumes and take a picture. Afterward, return to the point and use the Algiers Pointe Walking Tour guide you picked up from the B&B’s brochure rack. If you forgot to get the walking tour guide, before you reboard the ferry, get a tourist map of the area from the courthouse or café and stroll through this quaint neighborhood with charming Creole and Victorian doubles and camelback houses. Stop at the British pub and have a pint or grab a sandwich at one of the neighborhood eateries. The Dry Dock Café has regional specialties, reasonably priced. A fried seafood “poboy” (poor boy) is our recommendation there. Stroll along the Jazz Walk of Fame if you want to learn a little about musicians from an historic standpoint (see info in alpha list below). The neighborhood also boasts a Jazz historian who does tours focusing on musicians (Jazz AND Blues) who lived there in late 1800s and early 1900s. Rosetree Glass Studio is in the neighborhood is you want to see their artisans blow glass: 446 Vallette St., 366-3602, http://rosetreeglass.com.
• option 2, SWAMP/bayou TOUR: If cooking isn’t your bag, take one of the small boat or airboat tours that go into our bayous and swamps. Listed below are recommendations for tours that guests have enjoyed and/or raved about.
BEWARE. Competition is hot and heavy and there are many tour companies that are very deceptive. They say “2-hour tour” but that includes travel time and you end up on the water only a short time (30-45 minutes). Whatever swamp tour you take, ASK QUESTIONS. If a huge bus takes you there, it may mean that the boat is probably too large to go deep into the bayous because of its size. You want to be in the swamp or bayou, not oil company canals The boat should be small, probably no more than 30 or so passengers, consequently, they would only need small van to transport you. If tour costs only $20, including transportation, beware. Usually, you get what you pay for!
>> Normal cost of boat swamp/bayou tour should be around $40/person, including transportation. Remember, ADVANCE reservations are necessary. Airboat tours are the most extensive, but can be pricey: $90/person, including transportation. Even with the airboats, the tour is only as good as its guides. Tours are much cheaper if you drive there.

OPTION 3: Go on a PLANTATION tour. Typical tours are ½ day, but there are some available for the whole day. Guest after guest has recommended the plantation tour given by Tours by Isabelle. They have both plantation and a swamp tour, if you want to tour the whole day. Advance reservations are necessary, but sometimes they don't know if tour will run until day before. Call 888-223-2093 or 504-391-3544, web site: http://www.toursbyisabelle.com.
• AQUARIUM and IMAX THEATER: If you went to Algiers Pointe, take the ferry back across the river and if you're up to it, go to the Aquarium and IMAX Theater.
• SIESTA TIME
• A DRINK IN A PLACE WITH LOTS OF CHARACTER: Drop by Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. and have a beer or soda. They claim to be the oldest structure in USA used as a bar. Steeped in history and ‘lore, it offers once of few examples left of brick and post construction. (504) 523-0066. 941 Bourbon St.
• GHOST &VAMPIRE TOUR, if that’s your bag: (see ALPHABETICAL section, TOURS).
• DINNER: Bayona would be a treat, if you can get in! You can arrange for a horse/mule drawn carriage to collect you from your French Quarter accommodations to take you to the restaurant or from the restaurant to the nightlife (it ain’t cheap!). Coop’s place is a bar that serves decent food, though don’t expect great service. If you want to venture a few blocks out of the French quarter for old New Orleans ambiance, go to Feelings Restaurant, which is in an old plantation house complex
• MUSIC AND MORE: After dinner, just wander through the FQ and follow your ears - lots of music in the clubs. Most guide books mention Pat O’Brien’s, famous for its Hurricane drink (it’s potent) and Mint Juleps. Next door is Preservation Hall. Funky Pirate is a GREAT place if you like Blues. Young guests seem to enjoy Razoo’s or Cat’s Meow, Famous Door on Bourbon St. Out of the French quarter, we ‘locals’ go to the clubs and ethnic restaurants on Frenchman Street, best Jazz Club in city is there: Snug Harbor. ROCK ‘N Bowl to dance (also known as Mid City Lanes). See our MUSIC document for list of clubs, telephone numbers, and addresses.

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DAY 3:
• TOURING: If you are interested in architecture, you might want to visit the Uptown and Garden Districts. The best way to do this is by the Historic St. Charles Streetcar/bus.
• GARDEN DISTRICT (see separate document for Garden District Walking Tour): Shunned by the Creole’s who populated the French Quarter, 19th century Americans (thought of by the Creole’s as “interlopers) took a typically American attitude. “We’ll show you! We’ll just go build our OWN city that will be bigger and BETTER than your!” The Garden District has many HUGE mansions and is about 25 blocks from the French Quarter. It is the 3rd oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, bounded by Jackson, Louisiana, Magazine and St Charles, it’s about 7 X 12 very LONG blocks. Exit at Jackson Avenue and tour the front 4 of the Garden District. Get back on the streetcar and go to Louisiana Ave, exit then tour that end of the Garden District. Now, walk down to Magazine St. to tour that 1/4, then hop on the Magazine St. bus to the end to tour the last 1/4.
• MAGAZINE STREET SHOPPING: If you enjoy shopping and like antiques, junk shops, glass blowing studios, and small boutiques, walk down to Magazine Street from the Garden District (I can provide you with a map and list of shops). They have everything from junk and antique shops, craft and clothing boutiques, neighborhood restaurants and pubs, and cigar stores. There is even a shop that lets you make your own Mardi Gras beads, or you can buy upscale beads there: SEE The Bead Shop, on alphabetical list below.

Another day maybe) Many guests spend ½ or a full day on Magazine St. Because the shops are off-and-on along 5-miles of the street, to fully explore it, you’ll need a car or bus pass

For the real antique and collectible enthusiasts, ask me for a list of architectural artifacts and salvage companies.

• LUNCH: Only if you are in the Garden District anyway, is it worth the trip to Commanders Palace to eat (lunch is reasonably prices; dinner is not). Their 3-course lunch at Commanders Palace begins at. Alternative restaurant for lunch near Garden District is Casamento’s (specialty is fried seafood, especially their oyster loaf! Closed much of summer), on Magazine St. If you want some boiled crawfish or New Orleans po-boys, there is a reasonably priced seafood market down the street from us (King Rogers), you can bring food back to B&B to eat. Popeye’s Fried Chicken for red beans and rice or friend spicy chicken. When you are here, I’ll tell you the history of red beans and rice, a “wash day” dish.
• CEMETERIES: If you are in the Garden district and eat lunch at Commanders Palace, go across the street to tour the Lafayette Cemeteries before lunch. Watch the time. The cemetery closes early and is not open on Sunday.
• AUDUBON: Now go to Audubon Zoo, a natural habitat Zoo, if you enjoy nature. You can get there by St. Charles Streetcar or by riverboat from the river near Canal Street and the Hilton. If the Roman Candy Man’s mule drawn cart is at the zoo, be sure to try some of his hand pulled taffy, eaten by generations of New Orleaneans. (http://romancandy.gourmetfoodmall.com/). Also stroll through lovely Audubon Park, admire the century old live oaks heavily laden with Spanish Moss, the walk up to the universities on St. Charles Avenue. Have a drink on the verandah of the Columns Hotel on St. Charles, near the park.
• PHARMACY MUSEUM: Pharmacy once belonged to the 1st licensed pharmacist in the USA. Beautiful courtyard garden. 514 Chartres St. (504) 524-9077.
• SIESTA TIME< AGAIN: Rest then go to a late
• DINNER: at (more of our favorites) Peristyle or one of the ethnic restaurants on Frenchman St.
• MUSIC: and dancing afterward. On weekends, venture out of the FRENCH QUARTER and go on Frenchman St. for some local flavor (that’s where we locals go): Café Brasil (good Latin dance club), Snug Harbor (Advance reservations are usually necessary), DBA, etc..

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ALPHABETICAL LIST of THINGS TO DO AND SEE
(attractions, general sightseeing and tour info, museums, art galleries, and VARIOUS other stuff).

There is no way we can keep this ‘monster’ up to date, so please call to verify open/closed days and hours:

Going to places owned by locals and attending neighborhood events gives you a glimpse of what N'Awlins is all about. Our hearts are big and can carry a heavy burden. We WILL NOT go away. Our cultural heritage and diversity is TOO important. Please help support our community: We ALL need your support in our REBIRTH, especially small businesses and organizations.

:
• 1850 House: Part of the Louisiana State Museums. 523 St Ann St. in the Lower Pontalba Building, the 1850 House is a recreation of an ante-bellum New Orleans town home furnished with museum collection items. Self-directed tours. Tuesday - Sunday 9am-5pm. 800-568-6968 or 504-568-6968. $5 tour. Http://lsm.crt.state.la.us.
• Abita Brewing Company: No tours, but great beer. http://www.abita.com/
• Absinthe House: 238 Bourbon St. - Built in 1806 for Spaniards Pedro Font and Francisco Juncadella for their joint importing business, the building remained in their families for over 100 years. In 1890 it became the Old Absinthe House, famous for its drink, the Absinthe Frappe. Absinthe was a strong, licorice tasting liqueur, made from wormwood and herbs, which was outlawed in the USA in 1905, when it was realized that it caused brain damage. Today Anisette replaces Absinthe.
• African American Museum of Art, Culture and History (The Villa): 4/18/06 not yet reopened. The museum is housed in a recently renovated 1800s home, the Meilleur-Goldthwaite House. Built of brick in 1828-29 by Simon Meilleur, the Treme Villa was the site of the city’s first brickyard. A leading New Orleans architecture book said it is probably the finest example of Creole villa construction in the city. Open Monday - Friday 10am-5pm. Saturday 10am-2pm. Admission $5. 1410-18 Governor Nicholls St. 504 319--5415, 586-1919, 565-7497. http://www.noaam.org/.
• Alligator Farms: By Car, 1-hr. Drive.
>>>>> Kliebert’s Turtle and Alligator Farm. Also a bird sanctuary. Open March 1-October 31, 7-days, noon-dark. 41083 West Yellow Water Road, Hammond. 800-854-9164, 504-345-3617.
>>> Insta Gator Ranch and Hatchery. 985-982-3669. 23340 Lowe Davis Dr., Covington. http://insta-gatorranch.com
• Amistad Research Center: African American archives and museum. FREE. Monday through Saturday, 9:30am-4:30pm, 865-5535. 6823 St. Charles Avenue. Tulane University@ Tilton Hall.
• ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES AND JUNK (tell them the banana lady sent you there):
>> Royal St. THERE ARE antique shops galore, but VERYYYYY EXPENSIVE. The closer you get to Canal St., the ritzier the shops. (Some of the prices will ‘knock your socks off!’).
>> antiques and collectibles we ‘mere mortals’ might be able to afford are at the lower end of Decatur St. near Esplanade – vintage clothing, collectibles, junk shops.
>> ANTIQUES, Silk Road: This shop is a treasure you’ll never forget, even if you just go to take a peek at their exotic collection of handcrafted Chinese and Tibetan antique furniture. Other wonderful finds include Chinese silk and gold thread tapestry, fresh water pearl jewelry, blue and white porcelain, lacquered ware, sacred figures and shipwreck pottery. Open 7 days. 3714 Magazine Street, 894-8540. http://www.silkroadcollection.com/
>> Antiques: David’s, Wonderful place to browse for reasonably priced “found” objects/collectibles. 568-1197, 1319 Decatur St.. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. email: D1319dec@cox.net
>> Antiques, Patout’s, 481-4790, 1111 Bourbon St., by appointment only. Mostly Louisiana antique furniture. Ask for Peter Patout. Email: peterpatout@yahoo.com.
>>> ANTIQUES, Magazine Street: You could spend the day hopping from shop to shop, on this 6 mile long ‘shopper’s street of dreams’.
• Apple Barrel Bar: blues/jazz, 949-9399, 609 Frenchman St., walk from main B&B.
• Aquarium of the Americas. $40 million was spent to make it the best in the US. Located on the levee beside the Mississippi River @ the foot of Canal St. The Aquarium harbors more than 7,500 species of fish, ranging from tiny, four-eyed anableps to 450-pound sharks. The half-million gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit teems with sharks and all the undersea life that thrives around the barnacled pilings of a simulated oil rig. A wide acrylic tunnel allows visitors to walk "inside" a Caribbean coral reef. There's a walk through Mississippi River habitat, replete with indigenous river creatures like the prehistoric garfish, our very own glitch in evolution. A mist rises in the Amazon rain forest where a 20-foot waterfall and tropical foliage provide the ideal climate for Anaconda snakes, poisonous frogs and stunning, exotic birds. The Aquarium also offers a microlab where visitors can feel the blade of a swordfish and the teeth of a sawfish; a touch pool where sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, and baby sharks are available for hands-on inspection; and a discovery pool, where magnifiers enable close-up viewing of anemones, sea urchins and other creatures that don't much lend themselves to touching. Canal St. at the MS River. 581-4629. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/aoa/index.htm
• Archbishop Antoine Blank Memorial: See “Ursuline Convent”
Tel. # Address Background
ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE
Armadillo South 486-1150 4801 Washington Ave. antique heart of pine flooring, bricks, cast iron gates & fences, cypress doors, columns, stained glass, brackets, mantels, etc.
www.armadillosouth.com
The Bank
Carrollton Wrecking 861-3681 2938 Leonidas @ Earhardt near S. Carrollton cast iron, old doors, windows, door knobs, mantels, and everything you can imagine. Reasonably priced.
Crescent City Architecturals 899-0500
877-245-0500 3101 Tchoupitoulas St. cast iron, old doors, windows, door knobs, mantels, heart of pine flooring, virgin cypress lumber
www.achitectural-salvage.com
Ricca’s Broad @Toulouse and 511 Solomon @Bienville Peter Ricca. old wood. Rewires and replaces sockets on old brass light fixtures. Recondition old door locks. Stripping. Stained glass,, fireplace mantels. Bras and porcelain doorknobs. Brackets. Iron fences.
Architectural Antiques 523-2702, 800-2-shutter 1824 Felicity St. Mat James. Antique HARDWARE.
Kenneth S. Udin 891-6080 3965 Tchoupitoulas St. architectural salvage, collectibles, and custom cypress furniture
Architectural & Collectibles Salvage 891-6080 custom cypress furniture with archectural details, doors, mantels, windows, iron gates, fencing, doorbells, brackets, mirrors, marble, stained glass, finials
dbajunkman@aol.com


• Archives, Historical: see Historic New Collection, Williams Research Center, and Old New Orleans Mint, and Notarial Archives, and LA State Museum.
• ARNAUD’S Restaurant: Upstairs, there is a display of Mardi Gras gowns. See restaurant alpha list for more info.

ART: The French Quarter and Arts and Warehouse District AND Magazine St. abound with art galleries. Royal Street has lots of art galleries.
Bryant Galleries 525-5584. 316 Royal
Anton Haardt Gallery 891-7770 2700 Coliseum
Posters, Royal Gallery 524-2463 610 Royal
Barristers 525-2767 Aretha Haley Castle B;vd. (N. Rampart turns into tis street when you cross Canal.
Folk Art Gallery: Todd Williams. 598-3655 636 St. Ann. St.,


• ATHLETIC club: New Orleans Athletic Club is the 2nd oldest club in the USA, founded in 1872. 222 N. Rampart St., 525-2375. Reciprocal privileges with clubs nationwide. We are members, so sometimes can get guests a pass. Can’t remember daily visit charge, though.
• Audubon Zoo: Audubon Zoological Garden. Open hours are seasonal, so call before going. You can easily spend the day there. Their swamp area is just like being in swamp. Be sure to try some of the hand pulled taffy from the mule drawn cart of the Roman Candy Man. Take St. Charles Streetcar to Park, then shuttle bus to zoo (1.5 miles from St. Charles Ave., you might enjoy walk through the park to zoo). For single attraction and combo ticket prices for the Zoo, Aquarium, and Zoo shuttle bus information, call (504) 581-4629 or 1-800-774-7394. 6500 Magazine Street.
• Audubon Nature Center: see Nature Center, Audubon
• AUTO IMPOUND: Yep. Lots of folks have their car towed in New Orleans, ‘cause signage is confusing and often yellow lines have faded with age.

AUTO and motorcycle RENTAL (be SURE to ask about ‘add-ons’ like state tax, city tax, airport tax, drop off fees, insurance, etc., as they can drive rate up from $29/day to $50). Several have free pickup at main B&B.
Alamo Rent a Car 469-0532 800-327-9633 airport only, no downtown office
Avis 523-4317 800-331-1212
Budget 467-2277 (A/P), 565-5600 800-527-0700 most competitive rates
Dollar 524-1800 800-800-4000
Enterprise 522-7900 800-261-7331 most competitive rates
Hertz 568-1645 800-654-3131
National 525-0416 800-328-4567
Nifty 525-4551 800-979-1899 most competitive rates
Motorcycles and Scooters : Big Easy Scooters. 332. Baronne St. Http://Bigeasyscooters.net. 561-6005.


• BABYSITTING SERVICE: SEE Child Care:
• Backstreet Cultural Museum: OPEN. I can’t say it better than their web site: A powerhouse of knowledge, the Backstreet Cultural Museum is the essence of New Orleans. Its historic location is filled with exhibits reflecting aspects of the unique cultural traditions and institutions of African-American culture in New Orleans – Mardi Gras Indians, Jazz Funerals and Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs.
More importantly, Backstreet reflects the spirit and soul of our treasured city. You never know when you will find Mardi Gras Indians, Jazz musicians, community leaders, and others devoted to the endurance of New Orleans’ culture flowing in and out of the Museum. The Museum also serves as a focal point for meeting and organizing cultural events for the Treme neighborhood.
There is never a dull day at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, from Second Line parades to conjuring Mardi Gras Indian spirits, everyday is a celebration of cultural traditions for the residents of the area and we invite you to come and experience a glimpse of the culture on the back streets of New Orleans. 1116 St. Claude Ave. (504) 522-4806. http://www.backstreetmuseum.org/
• Barber shop Aidan Gill for Men (specialize in old fashioned shaves with straight edge razor and boy’s 1st haircut): Men and boys only salon revives the forgotten art of barbering, that I remember from my great grandfather (we actually have some of his barber things in a box. Some day I'll have time to display them). An old-fashioned English barbershop that offers full barbering services. Impeccably groomed staff wears suspenders and bow ties. Ask and they'll explain what makes a high-quality shave brush so expensive. Passers-by stop in to check the museum quality barbershop artifacts and the city's trend setting collection of ties. They stock hard to find delicately scented European shave lotions. 2026 Magazine St. Between Jackson Avenue and Felicity Street (504) 587-9090.
• (Bead Shop): Bodacious Beads of Beautie: hand blown glass beads and more. 1228 Decatur St., 561-0046.
• Bead Shop, The: Make your own at 4612 Magazine St., 895-6161.
• :Beauregard-Keyes House (1826)– 1113 Chartres St - One time residence of Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard and later the home of novelist Frances Parkinson Keyes. The home features a French formal garden. Operated by the Keyes Foundation. Guided tours each hour Mon-Sat from 10am til 3pm. 523-7257.
• Beauty Salon: see hair salon
• BICYCLE RENTAL: Bicycle Michael’s always accommodating to our guests, 945-9505, 618 Frenchman St. (the staff there is EXTREMELY Bohemian, so don’t count on them keeping hours posted on door) http://www.bicyclemichaels.com. Ask ANY rental company about add-ons like lock up devices, helmets, etc.
• Black Arts National Diaspora Museum – 1530 N. Claiborne Ave – 949-2263 – Contemporary African and African-American paintings, wood carvings and sculpture showcasing the heritage of Brazil, Haiti, Africa and other countries of the African Diaspora. Mon-Fri – 10am-6pm; Sat 9am-2pm. Admission: $3.00
• BOAT, CANOE< KAYAK RENTAL: The Bayou Barn, in nearby Crown Point, has kayak and canoe rentals also. 800-862-2968, 504-689-2663. http://bayoubarn.com/index.htm.. Canoe tour reservations @ Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge 985-882-3881. Cajun Pride 800-467-0758.
• Botanical Garden, see City Park
• Buggy rides, see CARRIAGES
• BUS: see transportation
• Cabildo Museum(1799) – 701 Chartres St – Renowned as the site of transference of Louisiana Purchase. Cabildo exhibits trace Louisiana history from exploration through the Civil War to modern times using a multi cultural perspective. Damaged by fire in 1988, restored in 1994.
• Cabildo Walking Tours – Walking tours lasting approximately two hours emphasize the history, folklore and exterior architecture of the Vieux Carre. Tours begin at the 1850 House daily (except Monday) 523-3939. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/visitor.htm
• Café Brasil: dance, 949-0851, Frenchman @ Chartres St. Walk from main B&B.
• CANOE< RENTAL: see BOAT, CANOE< KAYAK RENTAL
• CAR RENTAL, see AUTO RENTAL
• Carriages (mule/horse and buggy): These tend to be pricey, especially if reserved in advance to pick you up at a particular location. Prices seem to go up and down according to demand. This is just one of several different companies. Royal Carriages, 943-8820, http://www.royalcarriagesneworleans.com/. We NEVER have time to check out everything, but this is a VERY interesting and amusing hyperlink: http://www.sstar.com/ray-jone/buggy.htm
• Casino, Harrah’s French Quarter: 100,000 square feet of nonstop gaming and entertainment at the intersection of Canal and Poydras streets. 512 S. Peters. 1-800-VIP-JAZZ. http://www.harrahsneworleans.com
• Casino, Treasure Chest Casino (NEED CAR): Near the airport. Weekends, they have an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. 5050 Williams Blvd. @ Lake Pontchartrain, Kenner, LA 70065. (504) 443-8000, 800-298-0711. Http://www.treasurechest.com
• Catholic Archdiocese Cemetery Administration for most historic cemeteries: 1000 Howard Ave. 596-3050
Cemeteries: There are MANY in New Orleans. In our “sightseeing” notebook at the B&B, we have a whole section devoted just to cemeteries +an interesting book with photographs (the author also does walking tour of the cemeteries (SEE TOURS in alpha section below). The historic cemeteries nearest the French Quarter are St. Louis #1 and #2 (NOT SAFE). Part of their fame is because of the tomb of the queen of voodoo, Marie LaVeau, in Sat. Louis #1. You’ll be more comfortable going with a group or tour (entry signs say, “Enter at your own risk”, as both cemeteries are beside a public housing development). These cemeteries are on Basin St. between Basin (runs parallel to N. Rampart), Conti, Treme & St. Louis Sts. Open Monday through Saturday, 9am-3pm. Sundays and some holidays, 9am-noon. Lafayette Cemetery is just across the street from Commander’s Palace. It is open Mon.- Fri. 7:30am-2:30pm, Sat. 7:30am-noon, Closed Sun. Lafayette Cemetery: http://groups.msn.com/LafayetteCemeteryNewOrleansLA/ St. Louis #3 is near city park (usually open 7 days) and is in a very safe neighborhood, and the opulent Metairie cemeteries are nearby. Both can be reached by traveling on Canal Streetcar. An NPR interview with Friends of New Orleans Cemeteries, talking about Musicians Grave in St. Louis Cemetery #1 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3913015
• Checkpoint Charlie’s: Alternative music, food, laundry, 947-0979, 501 Esplanade Av., walk from main B&B.
• .CHILD CARE: Dependable. 504-486-5044, 800-862-5806.
• Children’s Museum: It’ll ‘knock your socks off’. 523-1357. 420 Julia St. http://www.lcm.org/
• cigars: Crescent City Cigar Shop: 730 Orleans Ave., between Bourbon and Royal Sts. 522-4427.
• City Park: New Orleans' City Park is the fifth largest urban park in America. It is 1,500 acres of magnificent, centuries-old Live Oak trees heavily laden with Spanish Moss (look for the famous Dueling Oak), Bestoff Sculpture Garden, sleepy lagoons, a beautiful public golf course and Botanical Garden (483-9488), StoryVille children’s amusement area, antique carousel and miniature train in the amusement park there, canoe and paddleboat rentals, fishing, nature trails, jogging and bicycle paths. Call for open hours as they DO NOT operate OFF SEASON. 504-482-4888. http://www.neworleanscitypark.com
• Clock Bar: In Chateau Sonesta Hotel, 800 Iberville St. 553,2208.
• Cocktail anyone? MUSEUM of the American Cocktail opens 1/12/05, temporarily housed in the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, 514 Chartres St., 565-8027 . Closed Mondays. Admission fee.
• Confederate Museum (also called Civil War Museum) – Civil War uniforms, flags, weapons, paintings and other memorabilia. Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm. Admission. 929 Camp St. 504-523-4522.
• Cooking Schools: New Orleans School of Cooking: Guests always rave about how much fun they have at this cooking demo. Go to morning session if you can, as that’s when they serve the most food. 504-525-2665, 800-237-4841. 524 St. Louis St. http://www.nosoc.com/
• Cornstalk Fence: 915 Royal St. - This famous cast iron fence is woven with ears of corn and Morning Glories. It was shipped from Philadelphia around 1850 by a Dr. Joseph Biamenti whose wife missed the rural scenery from the Midwest.
• Crescent City BrewHouse (microbrewery): 1st Thurs. of each mo. Art show: Complimentary beer, hors d’oeuvres + live music "open to the public" reception for artists from 5-7pm. Every evening, Mon. - Fri "Hoppy Hour” From 5-7pm. Live jazz and 2 for 1 one beer. 527 Decatur St. 522-0571
• Crescent City Farmers Market: Every Sat. 8am to noon, rain or shine. Cooking demonstrations by city’s premier chefs. Horticultural tips. Fresh vegetable and fruit stalls. Home baked goods. Sometimes music. Rain or shine, 8am-noon @ 700 Magazine St. in downtown New Orleans. 504-861-5898 http://crescentfarmersmarket.com.
• Cruises: see RIVER BOAT cruises
• Culinary History, see TOURS, culinary history.
• d.b.a. Bar. 942-3731, 618 Frenchman St., walk from main B&B. http://www.drinkgoodstff.com
• D-Day Museum, World War II Museum: historical museum includes a Higgins landing craft, aircraft, vehicles, weapons, uniforms, interactive galleries and oral history stations. Lunchtime lectures, photograph showings (call for specific information) 7-days, 9am-5pm. Closed New Years Day, Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 945 Magazine St., (504) 527-6012. 10/14/04: The Museum has chartered a 23 - 25 passenger shuttle bus from Hotard for a six-month period. The bus is FREE and will run two routes. One route will be past the cruise ship terminal and parking lots, and the other will be through the French Quarter. These 2 routes should take 22 - 28 minutes each - so the bus will drop off & pick-up on Magazine Street every half hour. Visitors can catch the D-Day bus at the Gray Line kiosks above or flag the bus down. The first bus will leave the Museum at 9:30 a.m. and the last bus will depart at 3:30 p.m. The bus is handicapped accessible. Email: info@ddaymuseum.org. WEB SITE: http://www.ddaymuseum.org/intropage.htm
• Deutsches Hause. OktoberFest every Friday and Saturday night in October. Celebrating with German food & drink, schnapps, the chicken dance as well as polka dancing, usually to live music. Pub and music open Wed., Thurs., Friday. 200 S. Galvez St. near Canal Streetcar line. MID CITY. 504-522-8014. http://www.deutscheshaus.org
• Dixie Brewing Company: 504-822-9711. No tours, but great beer.
• DOG: 3 Dog Bakery: 827 Royal St. 504-525-2253, 1-800-487-3287, Fax: 1-816-474-2171. Email: threedog@threedog.com. http://www.threedog.com/
• Donna's Bar and Grill: Mostly brass bands. Place looks funky, but good, local music and really cheap plate dinner. You’ll rarely see a tourist there, just we locals or true music enthusiasts! 800 North Rampart. 596-6914 http://www.donnasbarandgrill.com/
• Fais Do Do: The Bayou Barn, in nearby Crown Point, has an authentic Cajun Fais Do Do, which to Cajuns means a dance or party. Every Sunday from the Sunday after Mardi Gras to about the middle of December doors open at noon with food and drinks. Band plays at 2 pm until dusk. Cajun bands and facilities available for private parties. Kayak and canoe rentals also. 800-862-2968, 504-689-2663. http://bayoubarn.com/index.htm.
• Faulkner's House: 624 Pirates Alley - William Faulkner (1949 Nobel Literary Prize Winner) lived in this four story building in 1925 where he penned his first novel, Soldier's Pay. Faulkner often wrote about his experiences in New Orleans and today New Orleans continues to be a mecca of inspiration for many artists, writers and musicians.
• FISHING (info is so old that NONE may be in business still)
Reel Peace Charters (deep sea), 985-534-2278, Bret “Peace” Falterman
Bourgeois Charters, 504-341-5614, www.neworleansfishing.com, Theophile Bourgeous
Griffin Fishing +Nature Tours (intercoastal), 800-741-1340, Lafitte, LA, Belinda and Raymond Griffin
• Florist: Tommy’s. 522-6563
• Folk Art Gallery: Barristers Southern folk art and interesting things from Africa, including African primitive &tribal art. Andy Antippas, owner. If he has someone else to “mind the shop”, he sometimes picks guests up at the B&B. If you go there, be sure to eat at Café Reconcile, across the street.1724 O.C. Haley Blvd. 525-2767. Aantippas@aol.com.
• Folk Art Gallery: Todd Williams. 636 St. Ann. St., 598-folk (cutesie numbers bother me, what about you?!)
• Folk Art nearby: Ask us about the guy down the street with a sidewalk display in front of his house?
• Folk Art: Dr. Bob. He is EVERYWHERE. Dr Bob is an original New Orleans folk artist, who is infamous for his trademarked art work, as seen on MTV cribs, Be Nice or Leave and also Be Gay or Leave. 3027 Chartres ~ New Orleans, Louisiana 70117 ~ Studio 504 945-2225 ~ Cell 504 905-6910. http://drbobart.net/
• French Market: - Originally said to be the site where Choctaw Indians came to sell the wares, it later became the first known market constructed here by the Spanish in the late 1700's. Stretching along Decatur St. from Esplanade Avenue on the North of Jackson Square on the South, the French Market remained a multi-purpose market for meat, fish, vegetables and fruit until well into this century. Today, it remains a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors. Between Decatur and N. Peters, Ursulines &Dumaine, 522-2621. (Office 1008 N. Peters)
• Funky PIRATE: blues Big Al Carson, 523-1102, 727 Bourbon http://www.tropicalisle.com
• Gallier House (1857) 1118-1132 Royal St – Built as his private residence by noted architect James Gallier, Jr. Restored to reflect the taste and lifestyle of mid 19th century New Orleans, including a kitchen and early bathroom. Operated by the Women’s Exchange. Open Monday - Friday 10am-3:30pm. Closed major holidays. Admission: $6.00 for adults, under 8 free, call for other prices. 525-5661. Joint rickets available for Gallier and Hermann-Grima Houses. http://www.hgghh.org/
• GERMAN-AMERICAN Cultural Center: 519 Huey P. Long Avenue, Gretna. Www.gaacc-nola.com. 363-4204. Limited open days.
• GERMAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Museum Complex: Limited open days. 362-3854.
• GHOST TOURS: see TOURS, ghost/haunted/cemetery
• GLASS blowing studios: In Algiers Pointe, Rosetree Glass Studio, 446 Vallette St., 366-3602, http://rosetreeglass.com. New Orleans Glassworks, 727 Magazine St., 529-7277. Studio Inferno, 3000 Royal St., 945-1878.
• Global Wildlife Center: Need car, 1-hour drive. By reservation, $10 admission. 985-624-9553. Http://Globalwildlife.com.
• Golf (10/2006. Golly. I know some are open, but suspect that many will be a while coming back online):
Audubon Park Golf Club, 6500 Magazine St., 212-5290, 800-774-7394, par 62 course, 18 holes, newly refurbished.
Bayou Oaks @ City Park. 1040 Filmore, 482-4888. Four 18 hole courses, championship course, par 72.
Eastover: 5690 Eastover Dr. (East N.O.), 241-4400, 36 hole course, par 72.
English Turn, 1 Clubhouse Dr. (Westbank), 392-2200, PGA championship par 71 course, 18 holes.
• GOURMET PRODUCTS and cooking equipment:
>> Williams Sonoma in Canal Place Shopping Center, 333 Canal St. 523-3993. http://ww5.williams-sonoma.com
>> Miss Emma’s Green Pirogue. 335 Chartres St. 524-0477. missemmas.com.
• GONDOLA: ( 10/2006. I suspect, Gone with the wind – it will be a while before there are enough tourists venturing down to City Park for him to do this.) A gondolier pushes you through City Park’s lagoons, similar to what you experience in Venice Italy. We know nothing about this company, but a guest printed it out for us and it sounds romantic. There was an article in the local newspaper, Times-Picayune, on Wednesday April 6th 2005, announcing that New Orleans now has it's very own Venetian Gondolier; Robert Dula. His authentic Venetian gondola glides effortlessly through the lagoons in City Park. The article tells how he as a youth dreamt of the day when he could have one of his own. It wasn’’t until recently that he traveled to Venice and studied the art of the gondolier. After traveling the south he found his way to the waterways that were once Bayou Metairie and now calls it home. Wednesday through Sunday 1pm-dusk, in season (that probably means April through November). Call 504-482-9411 or visit http://nolagondola.com.
• GOSPEL/JAZZ MASS AND BRUNCH: Post Katrina, most of these have been temporarily discontinued (call to check status):
>>GOSPEL Mass: St. Augustine Catholic Church, 10am Sunday @1210 Governor Nichols St. @ St. Claude. Urban neighborhood in Treme district, 1 block from French Quarter off N. Rampart St. ‘Free men of color’ and slaves worshiped here in the 1800s. Stained glass windows depicting French saints and the original hand painted station of the cross from Paris. Original bells from 1800s World Exposition. All seeing eye stained glass. An interesting juxtaposition of contemporary and old. 525-9287, 525-5934. http://www.staugustinecatholicchurch-neworleans.org/ Pre Katrina, Drex Brumfield was conducting tours 524-6782.
• GROCERY stores: These are several several scattered around near main B&B and our satellite accommodations. Matassa’s Market 1101 Dauphine @Dumaine 412-8700; A&P 701 Royal @St Ann 523-1353; Central Grocery and home of the muffaletta/muffuletta sandwich 923 Decatur 523-1620; Terranova’s 482-4131 3308 Esplanade Ave. (Make great muffalletta sandwich Saturdays only)
• Hair Salon: Head Quarters, 900 Dumaine St. 522-2666 takes walk-ins. Salon Diversions is where my daughter used to go: 299-0040, 838 Royal St., Bella Donna, 891-4393.
• Haunted House: 1140 Royal St. - One of several houses in the Quarter said to be haunted, this house was built in 1832. When the house caught on fire, neighbors who rushed in to assist supposedly discovered several slaves who had been tortured, and the owners, Madame Louis Lalaurie and her husband, escaped to France. Writers and tour guides for over a hundred years have reveled in stories of rattling chains and groans of agony.
• HAUNTED TOURS: see TOURS, ghost/haunted
• Hermann-Grima House (1831) – 820 St. Louis St – Restored home shows “American” influence on New Orleans after the Louisiana Purchase. Operated by the Women’s Exchange. Open hearth cooking demonstrations Thursdays from October thru May. House tours Monday - Friday 10am-3:30pm. Closed major holidays. Admission: Adults $6.00, under 8 free, call for other prices. 525-5661. Joint tickets available for Hermann Grima and Gallier Houses. http://www.hgghh.org/
• Historic New Orleans Collection Museum and Research Center Gallery/Museum: Changing exhibits on local history and culture. 9:30am-4:30pm Tuesday - Saturday (Museum/Gallery and research center), Sundays (Museum/Gallery only) 10:30am-4:30pm, FREE. 533 Royal St. 523-4662. Http://www.hnoc.org
• HISTORICAL RESEARCH/ARCHIVES – Family Tree: See Historic New Orleans Collection, Williams Research Center, U.S. Mint, The Notarial Archives, and Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans. Did you also realize that the Mormon Church has an extensive archive?
• HORSEBACK RIDING/RENTAL:” City Park Stables (Equest Farms). 483-9398. There are several stables in St. Rose (30 minutes from New Orleans) listed in Yellow Pages phone book.
• Horse drawn carriages, see CARRIAGES
• Horse Track Racing: SEE RACE TRACK
• Hospitality Rangers: 415-1730
• IMAX Theatre: Projected onto a 5-story tall screen, many feel if it's not an Imax® film, it's just a movie. Located next to Aquarium of the Americas. Canal St. @ the MS River. 581-4629. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/imax/index.htm
• Internet Café: Royal Access, 621 Royal St. (between St. Peter &Toulouse), 525-0401.
• Jackson Square: The heart of the city and originally the Place d'Arms, a drill field for French Soldiers. In 1850, the Baroness Pontalba returned home from a failed marriage in France and determined to beautify the Quarter. It was here, surrounded by an impressive cast iron fence, that citizens congregated for celebration and calamity. In the center of the square stands the statue of Andrew Jackson, who in 1815 commanded the American forces which prevented a British invasion of New Orleans.
• Jazz Hotline: Weekly schedule of what’s happening on the Jazz scene in New Orleans. 504-364-5995
• JAZZ MASS Post Katrina, this has been temporarily discontinued (call to check status):
near City Park. @ 6pm Sundays, Our Lady of Rosary Catholic Church, 3368 Esplanade Ave., 488-2659.
• Jazz National Historical Park: Jazz National Historical Park Visitors Center, 916. N. Peters St., near the French Market. 9am-5pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. 589-4841, 877-520-0611. http://www.nps.gov/neor/index.htm/ When construction is complete, they will move to new quarters at Armstrong Park. http://www.nps.gov/neor/index.htm
• Jazz Tours, see Tours, Jazz
• Jazz Walk of Fame: on the Algiers Point levee. Stretching from the Algiers ferry shuttle terminal to Mardi Gras World on the West Bank side of the river, the Walk of Fame consists of a statue of Louis Armstrong and 30 lamps, each honoring a different New Orleans jazz musician. The lamps are equipped with multi-media speaker systems; visitors can press a button to hear a brief biography and sample of each musician's playing.
• Jean Lafitte Bar, see Lafitte’s Blacksmith shop.
• Jean Lafitte National Historical Park/Folklife &French Quarter Visitor Center (National Park Service): DAILY: FREE walking tours, SEE TOURS< WALKING
• KAYAK RENTAL: see BOAT, CANOE< KAYAK RENTAL
• Kerry Irish Pub: no cover $, 527-5954, 331 Decatur St.
• Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: 941 Bourbon St. @ St. Philip. This late 18th century building, with its five gables and tile roof, was used by Jean Lafitte and his brothers for the Blacksmith Shop that served as a front for their slave smuggling trade. The building serves as an excellent example of early brique-entre-poteaux (brick between post) construction. 581-2677.
• Lake Ponchartrain: lakefront park with restaurants and bars, some of which have decks where you can watch the sailboats. Best deck is Joe’s Crab Shack, but We don’t suggest eating there, as they are a chain restaurant and much of their seafood is frozen (why eat frozen when fresh abounds elsewhere?). If you want to eat, go to Brunings for lots of local flavor. Be sure to try their flounder. You won’t meet any other tourists there flavor (see our Restaurant List for particulars)! The Mardi Gras Fountain, on Lakeshore Drive, is of interest and a wonderful photo opportunity. Its fountain spurts when visitors approach. Surrounding the fountain are plaques with the crest and founding date of each Mardi Gras crew.
• Le Bon Temps Rouler, Music club that also serves pub food. Sometimes Kermit Ruffins plays here. 4801 Magazine St., 504-895-8117. http://www.digitalcity.com/neworleans/entertainment/venue.adp?vid
• Le Petit Theater :600 St. Peters - Construction of this Spanish tavern was completed in 1796 after having been disrupted twice by fire. It drew a theater crowd in the early 1900's and was reconstructed in the 1930's to be a permanent theater for "The Drawing Room Players", a successful theater group. Today, Le Petit Theater is the home of the oldest continuous community theater in the United States.
• Limousines: We do not personally recommend these, but some guests want one for a special occasion. Bonolo, 523-2666, bonolo@bellsouth.net. Eastwind, 254-9136, www.ewlimo.com, eastwindno@cs.com. London Livery, 586-0700, www.londonlivery.com.
• Longview House and Gardens: An historic city estate and gardens. Need car or can take Canal St. or Metairie Rd. city bus. Monday - Saturday 10am-4pm. Sunday 1-4:15pm. Closed major holidays. $7 admission. 7 Bamboo Road. 504-488-5488, fax 486-7015. Http://www.longuevue.com.
• Louisiana Loom Works: Walt and Wanda Rose. Hand woven products: rag rugs, custom orders, ship. 616 Chartres St., 800-899-8281, 504-566,7788. Http://customragrugs.com
• Louisiana Music Factory: Every Sat. Free, live music party. Usually around 2pm. Sometimes they have free beer. You won't find tourists there, as this is a "locals" thing. Call 504-586-1094 for group name and an exact start time. They have CDs, 78s, 45s, LPs, sheet music, posters, T-shirts, tapes, books & videos on Louisiana musicians. 210 Decatur across from house of Blues. http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com
• Louisiana State Museum (not reopened as of 10/06. Open date unknown) An historic complex operated by the State of Louisiana, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. All Louisiana State Museum properties are open Tues-Sun, 9am-5pm. But ticket to a single property/museum OR you can buy combination ticket for all buildings. 568-6968. They have a photographic collection in their archives: Kara @568-6976. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/1850ex.htm
• Madame John’s Legacy – 623 Dumaine St – A rare example of Creole colonial home design. Exhibits works of art by local self-taught artists. Part of Louisiana State Museum system, on joint ticket or individually.
• Magazine Street shopping: Trendy area spotlighted by the Utney Reader, it’s popular with tourist AND residents! With more than 6 miles (off and on) of shops, you could spend the day flitting in and out of places. Antiques, collectibles, boutiques, bars, restaurants, barber shop that does razor shaves, architectural details shops, art galleries, everything you can think of you’ll eventually find on this street called SHOPPER’s STREET OF DREAMS. 800-387-8924, http://magazinestreet.com.
• Mail packaging/shipping service (also see Post Office): UPS/FedEx drop off, copy machine = Royal Mail Service @ 828 Royal St. 522-8523.
• Maple Leaf Bar: Music club. Rebirth Tues., Poetry Sunday, 866-9359, 8316 Oak St., take St. Chas. streetcar
• Mardi Gras beads make your own (SEE Bead Shop, above).
• Mardi Gras Indian Museum SEE Backstreet Cultural Museum.
• Mardi Gras World: Where floats are made, refurbished and stored (a den). From foot of Canal St., take free ferry shuttle to Algiers Pointe, where their van (free) will take you to your. All tours include free King Cake & Coffee. No reservations needed. Be sure to take your camera. Newton Street. (800) 362-8213, (504) 361-7821. http://www.mardigrasworld.com/
• Mardi Gras Museum: SEE PRESBYTERE
• MARRIAGE: see wedding
• Masks: Mask Gallery 636 Royal St. 523-6664. Maskdalili@aol.com. Http://www.neworleansmask.com
• Maspero's Exchange: 440 Chartres St. - Built circa 1795, this was the site of a famous coffee house where Andrew Jackson and the privateers Jean and Pierre Lafitte supposedly planned for the Battle of New Orleans. Of note is its entresol, the half floor with grated fanlight windows, used like an attic for storage.
• Merieult House (1792) – Houses history galleries with original maps, documents, prints, photographs and rare books from the collection’s research departments and reveals Louisiana’s history and culture from the earliest explorers to the 20th century. Guided tours Tues-Sat, 10 & 11am, 2 & 3pm. Admission $.
• Mint, U.S. (1838) – 400 Esplanade Ave – United States coins were minted here for 71 years. The building currently houses the museum’s exhibits on jazz and Mardi Gras, as well as on the historic operation of the Mint. Katherine Page and Dale Richard a very helpful in doing archival research. 568-8214. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/visitor.htm
• Mississippi riverboat cruises: see riverboat cruises
• Motorcycle/Scooter rental: Big Easy Scooters. 504-561-6005. 322-24 Baronne St. Mike Bowler. Http://bigeasyscooters.net
• Margaritaville (front bar): blues, 592-2560, 1104 Decatur http://www.margaritavillecafe.com
• MOPEDs: See motorcycle rental
• Mulate’s (touristy) : Cajun, dance+food, 522-1492, 201 Julia
• Musee Conti Historical Wax Museum – 917 Conti St – 525-2605 – Wax figures depict scenes from local history, including the Battle of New Orleans and Napoleon selling the Louisiana Territory to the United States 5/13/07: only open for special events or group tour:
• MUSEUMS (see box, below.
MUSEUMS are listed ALPHABETICALLY, individually by name, throughout this *document (*in 3 ring binder on dining room table @ main B&B, on list we emailed you, or on your bed at main B&B). POST-Katrina, most museums close MONDAYS, and many are also closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Please find them on alphabetical list, then call them for their hours, BEFORE YOU GO. We have not updated list because they all keep changing back and forth on hours!!!!!!! Here are a few you can look for alphabetically, in *document: 1850 House, African American Culture and History Museum, (Treme Villa), African American Museum of Art, American Italian Museum, Amistad Research Center, Arnaud’s Restaurant dinner only (Mardi Gras costumes), Audubon Nature Institute (Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Insectorium), Backstreet Cultural Museum (Mardi Gras Indians), Beauregard Keyes House, Cabildo, Children’s Museum, Confederate Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, D-Day Museum (now WWII Museum), Degas House, Fireman’s Museum, Gallier House, Hermann Grima House, Historic New Orleans Collection, Jazz National Historic Park, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Longue Vue House and Garden, Louisiana Museum of African American History, Louisiana State Museums (Arsenal, Cabildo, 1850 House, U.S. Mint, Presbytere), Loyola University - Diboll Gallery, Madame’s John’s Legacy, Mardi Gras WORLD, Musee Conti (Wax Museum), Miniature Train Museum (see City Park), Musee Conti Wax Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, Newcomb Art Museum, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Pharmacy Museum, Pitot House, Presbytere, Preservation Resource Center, Tulane University Museum of Natural History, Ursuline Convent, U.S. Mint Museum, WWII Museum. Http://neworleansmuseums.com has hyperlinks to each and brief description.. If I have skipped any museums, PLEASE let me know so we can add it to this list!!!!


• MUSIC and dance clubs: Staying at main B&B? See separate document in your binder on bed or posted on bulletin board in our dining room. If you already know the name of the club you seek, many “locals” clubs are listed alphabetically in this document.
• Napoleon House: 500 Chartres St. - Built in 1814 and topped by an original tile roof, this structure is an outstanding example of French influence on architectural design in post-colonial New Orleans. Tradition has it that its original owner, Mayor Nicholas Girod, intended it as a refuge for Napoleon, should his supporters be able to free him from exile on St. Helena. Nationally rated as one of the most interesting bars in America. They serve good Muffalettas, too (Bah, humbug. Muffulettas - no one seems to agree on spelling).
• Nature Center, Audubon: 5601 Read Boulevard, Joe W. Brown Memorial Park. (504) 246-5672 or 800-774-7394
http://www.auduboninstitute.org
• NEON art and sculpture: Amazing stuff there. 943-7446. 2601 Chartres. Venusiangardens.com
• New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA): 10am-5pm Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday. #1 Collin C. Diboll Circle at end of Esplanade Avenue, lake side. (504) 488-2631. Fax 484-6662
• New Orleans School of Cooking: Fun cooking demonstration with samples of LA cuisine. Classes are held daily 10am-12:30pm. About $27 per person. Classes include recipes and generous samplings of the demonstrated items, coffee, iced tea (or beer???). To reserve, complete a reservation request online or call (504) 525-2665 (local) or 1-800-237-4841. http://www.nosoc.com/
• Notarial Archives: 421 Loyola St. 568-8577.
• OffBeat Magazine: Local music scene magazine published monthly. Also available online at http://offbeat.com
• Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world, and a unique and innovative destination to "See the South." Early THURSDAY evenings, they have special events called “Ogden After Hours”. . Call of details. 925 Camp Street. 504.539.9600. http://ogdenmuseum.org
• Old Point Bar, Johnny's (ALGIERS POINT, take free pedestrian ferry shuttle): 545 Patterson Street (corner of Olivier): (504) 364-0950, Call for hours and live music schedule. http://www.oldpointbar.com
• Palm Court: Contemporary and traditional Jazz in a restaurant setting. For $50, you get music, and a 5-course dinner, which includes the cover charge and tax. A bit pricey. Maybe low season there price is less! 104 Decatur St., 525-0200. http://www.palmcourtjazzcafe.com/
• French Quarter Parking: Canal Place Parking 100 Iberville. Central Parking Badine Lots Enter at Iberville and N. Peters. Jax Parking I Enter at Conti and N. Peters. Jax Parking II Enter at Toulouse and Decatur. French Market Parking Enter at St. Peter and Decatur. French Market Marigny Lot Enter at Elysian Fields and Decatur.
• Pat O’Brien’s Bar: famous for Hurricane drink and Mint Juleps, dueling piano’s. 525-4823. 817 St. Peter St. http://www.patobriens.com
• Pharmacy Museum (1823) – 514 Chartres St – 565-8027 - Constructed for Louis Joseph Dufilho, Jr., America’s first licensed pharmacist (1816). Ground floor portrays a mid-nineteenth century apothecary shop with medicines, surgical instruments, journals, a rare 1855 soda fountain and a courtyard herb garden Operated by the Friends of Historical Pharmacy Open Tues-Sun –10am-5pm. Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays. Admission fee. Jen Gick curator extraordinaire. Http://pharmacymuseum.org.
• PHOTO’s you did NOT take: NEW ORLEANS PHOTO SCRAPBOOK may come to your rescue. If you are like us when you travel, many times our photo’s don’t turn out or we miss taking a photo of something we would enjoy looking at later, or we meant to buy a postcard to use in our photo album, but either could not find one or forgot to buy it. Here is info on a company that has come up with what we feel is a unique approach: Buy their CD that has 1,000 photo’s of New Orleans. We haven’t had time to look through it yet, but they have examples online: http://www.neworleansscrapbook.com. Their toll free # is 877-city-pic. Local # is 235-5441. Let us know what YOU think. ALSO, guests have had some ‘fun’ photo’s taken in period costumes by OLDE TIME PHOTOS. 636 St. Ann St. near St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square 504-566-9876.
• Pitot House Museum: 18th century plantation house on Bayou St. John. During convention season, the Pitot House is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1440 Moss St., 482-0312. Http://www.neworleans.com/museum/pitot
• Plantation Tours: see TOURS by Isabelle.
• PLANTATIONS:, see separate Plantation, Acadiana, Nature document. Info on River Road Plantations only: 866-204-7782. www.takemetotheriver.com
• POLICE: Non emergency 821-2222. Emergency, dial 911.
• Pontalba Buildings: Jackson Square - Baroness Micaela Almonaster de Pontalba built these two buildings-two rows of four story townhouses which flank Jackson Square. Note the ornate cast-iron gallery railings into which are woven the baroness's initials- "A" for Almonaster and "P" for Pontalba.
• Post Office (also see mail service): M-Fri. 207 N. Peters St. (Parish N’tl, Bank). Mail drop (blue box) Esplanade @Royal, St. Phillip @N. Rampart. Main post office 701 Loyola Av., 589-1175, 7 days.
• pottery exhibit at Tulane University’s Newcomb College. Take St. Charles Streetcar there.
• PRALINES: Loretta’s in the French Market @1100 N. Peters St. 529-6170. Or where she MAKES them is 2905 N. Rampart. 944-7068. loretta.pralines@worldnet.att.net
• Presbytere (some call it the Mardi Gras Museum) (built 1791) 751 Chartres St.: Begun as a priest’s residence by the Spanish, but never used by the priests. The structure was completed by Americans in 1813. It houses changing exhibits on Louisiana Culture and heritage. The most interesting exhibit is on Mardi Gras. They also have many black and white photo’s of historic cemeteries. Part of the LA State Museum system. 568-6968. Toll free 1-800-568-6968. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/visitor.htm
• Preservation Hall: Real traditional Jazz and Dixieland. Building circa 1817, notice the wrought iron gates on this picturesque building. Since 1961, Preservation Hall has been the stage-home of traditional New Orleans Jazz players including many of the old time legends and their apprentices. Dixieland. The old guys passing on their tradition to the new. 10/2006. Closed Mon-Wed. Thursday - Saturday, music sets start at 8:30pm, Sunday 3:30pm, then every ½ hour thereafter. Usually standing room only. No reservations, NO AIR CONDITIONING. 726 St. Peter St. 522-2841. 523-8939. www.preservationhall.com
• PRIMATE CENTER: Tulane’s project in Covington is research only, not recreational.
• Quilt Shops: Quilt Cottage, 801 Nashville St., uptown. Take Magazine St. shoppers shuttle or walk down from St. Charles Streetcar.
• Race Track, New Orleans Fairgrounds (horse racing): Thoroughbred horse racing and site of annual JazzFest. Season is usually Thansgiving Day through end of March. You can catch the Espla