Looking for advice/suggestions on visiting New Orleans and San Antonio in late October and early November?

Question

This would be for mine and my wife's 10th anniversary as I promised her years ago that I would bring her to the river walk in San Antonio after I was there visiting my sister and we both want to go to New Orleans.  I just want to make sure we won't miss out on anything or are overlooking anything  because of the time of year (I know it's not Mardi Gras).  It doesn't matter where we go first but we'd probably fly in from Buffalo as it's around a 20 hour drive but would drive a rental between our destinations.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Museums-Historic New Orleans Collection, Ogden, Dday, the cabildo, Pharmacy, Confederate Museum, US Mint, Louisiana State Museum, Hermann-Grima-Gallier Historic, Beauregard-Keyes House and Garden (Museum)

Drink in the Quarter! Pat O's, Lafittes Blacksmith shop, Absinthe House, Carousel Bar at the Monteleone hotel, bombay club
favorite FQ BAR- Lafittes and Pat o's,
Goldmine- place to dance in the quarter

Local Bars not in the quarter- Victorian Lounge at the Columns, Bridge Lounge, Delachaise, fat harrys, Bull Dog, Balcony bar, St. Joes, brunos, rendezvous, Lucys retired surfers bar(warehouse district), Monkey Hill, Le Bontemps Roule,
Local Dive Bars- Ms. Maes(cheap Drinks and open 24 hrs), Three Brothers,
Maple Leaf Bar, Mayfair, Harrys,
DIve bar in the quarter- Johnny Whites, Lafittes...

The best po boy sandwich is Domilise's a little family owned place outside of the quarter and is cash only.This is a best kept secret. Also since it is Crawfish Season go to Yo Mamas bar and grill and get some boiled crawfish.

My favorite drinks: Planters Punch at Pat O's, Pimms Cup at the Napolean House,bloody mary at the avenue pub uptown( Avenue pub is also a great place for beer and its open 24 hrs.

Attractions: Jackson Square, St Louis Cathedral, Cafe Du Monde,Moonwalk on the Mississippi, Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, Zoo/Aquarium Cruise, Imax, Royal St. Antiques, Magazine Street Shopping and Julia St Art Galleries, Check out the Architecture in the Garden District, Airboat Swamp tour, Mardi Gras World, Ride the Streetcar, New Orleans School of Cooking, Carriage Ride, City Park

FOOD:
Jaquimos( Best Alligator Cheesecake and blackened red fish)
Rio Mar
Commanders Palace(MY FAV)
Muriels(Turtle Soup, Goat Cheese Crepes, and Pecan crusted drum)
Coffee Pot (FAVORITE RED BEANS and breakfast)
Upperline( TURTLE SOUP and FISH PIQUANTE USA todays best dish
Lilette
Irenes
The Joint- BBQ
Squeal- BBQ
Galatoise- (Very famous and very good)
**** and Jennys-(EVERYTHING IS GREAT!)
One on Hampson( BEST DUCK and OKRA GUMBO),
Crabby Jacks Lunch Only Great FOOD owned by same guy as jaquimos because jaquimos is not open for lunch and it is cheaper.
Brennans( BRUNCH)
Crepe Nanou,( Love their crepes and grilled AMBERJACK)
Brigtsens ( Everything is AWESOME)
Yo Mamas Bar and Grill- Best Hamburgers and BOILED CRAWFISH during the season)
GW Fins- nice restaurant with a great and nice seafood menu
Palace Cafe( PECAN CRUSTED FISH AND BLUE CRAB LEGS)
Arnauds
Baru- Latin American Tapas
Antoines….
Domileses(awesome poboys)
Cochon( BEst cochon du lait)
Coops
R and O's Great Seafood and pIzza
Galley- Great seafood home of the soft shelled crab po boy at jazz fest
Dragos in Metairie best chargrilled oysters
Frankie and JOhnnies- Great seafood
Clover Grill( open 24 hrs)
Stanley(Great Breakfast and BEST GUMBO IN THE QUARTER AND OYSTER PO BOY)
Cafe du monde- beignets
Verti Marte(great po boys and delivers in quarter)
New Restaurants- Sylvian, Green goddess, Bouligny Tavern(gastro pub)
****** I have taken off Napolean House off my food list i went there last week and the food was awful with mice running around. If you go there just sit t the bar and have their famed Pimms Cup. That is all that place is good for.

Music-
Frenchman street has a lot of music clubs!!(snug Harbour, DBA, Spotted Cat)
Tipitinas has cajun dancing every sunday night as long as there is no special events going on
Maple Leaf Bar- Rebirth plays every Tuesday night and it right next door to the local favorite restaurant jaquimos!!!!Great music plays here! http://mapleleafbar.com/
Le bon temps rouler- Soul rebels every Thursday http://www.myspace.com/4801magazine
Rock n Bowl- http://www.rockandbowl.com/CalandarPAGE/…
House of Blues
Vaughns- Kermit Ruffins plays here a lot.
Howlin Wolf- http://www.thehowlinwolf.com
Preservation Hall- Serves no Alcohol so all ages are allowed to go in.
Chickie Wa Wa- chickiewahwah.com/
Snug Harbour- http://www.snugjazz.com/site/
Laissez les bon temps rouler!

MomSezNo · Answer

Try the travel section at your library.  Or, use on-line travel guides, such as Frommer's, Fodor's or Lonely Planet, etc.  Or, go to TripAdvisor.com.

Looking for advice/suggestions on visiting New Orleans and San Antonio in late October and early November?

2 Answers