My husband and I will be arriving on 12/16 from a cruise - we want to eat, see, and do as much as possible in 2 days. Spending $%26#39;s not a problem - just want the best experiences possible in the short amount of time we have. We are staying at the Montelone. Since we will be first timers to NOLA, arriving in Dec., and have limited time, we are not sure some of the itineraries/tours/dining experiences suggested for other seasons will be available or as enjoyable this time of year.
After leaving the ship, we will go the hotel - dump off our stuff, then we want to go to directly an amazing jazz/gospel brunch - first thing. After brunch, would love to do a day tour - swamp, plantation, historic, ghost/cemetery (would be more fun at night?) what ever we can do after brunch, completely open to suggestions. Dinner on 12/16 - love great food - NOLA style. Can visit the chain type restaurants, and standard seafood places anywhere, anytime. Top off the evening with a night tour and/ or music/club experience after dinner. In our 50%26#39;s, and not into the party until you puke experience.
On 12/17 - Breakfast suggestion? Day tour suggestion? Lunch suggestion? Ahhhh, for dinner - Romantic, and fine dining is a must, as this night we will be celebrating 30 years of wedded bliss -again, price no object, want a memorable, and enjoyable experience. Top off the evening with a night tour or music/club experience.
Would like to go to Commander%26#39;s Palace - just don%26#39;t know if brunch or dinner would be better in December.
All suggestions are appreciated, this will be a whirlwind 2 days - We are looking for Quality - not quantity.
Thank you in advance, and I will be eagerly awaiting any suggestions who wishes to respond.
2 days after cruise in Dec 2007 - food/activities - help!!
Bumpkinsnana, you are coming at a wonderful time for a visit. December is beautiful in the French Quarter, and there are many activities going on at that time of year, many of them free . Check out the website fqfi.org, click on Christmas Creole Style and it will take you to a page with a lot of information - it will be last year%26#39;s schedule as this year%26#39;s hasn%26#39;t been published yet, but will give you an idea of how much is going on at that time of year. There are revillion dinners at many of the better restaurants (click on the revillion dinners link to see participating restaurants, price, etc). There are usually tours of courtyards and French Quarter homes going on at that time of year, plus cooking demonstrations, historical characters in period clothing, etc.
I would skip a swamp tour in December - we went once in March and even at that time of year it was too cool for the alligators to be out sunning. The haunted history tours are fun, especially if you go late at night. My husband and I are also in our fifties, and we love to go to Pat O%26#39;Brien%26#39;s and have a hurricane (be careful with these if you aren%26#39;t used to a lot of alcohol), we also enjoy Big Al Carson at the Funky Pirate on Bourbon, and there is a place on Bourbon St. that has great zydeco music but I can%26#39;t remember the name of it. You might also like to go to Preservation Hall for some great jazz. For atmosphere, Lafitte%26#39;s Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon can%26#39;t be beat, although they have an annoying habit of playing a ridiculously loud juke box at the same time that their piano player is playing. The last few times we were there, the waitress couldn%26#39;t even hear us place our drink orders and she said that people complain all the time about the juke box and piano player going at the same time, but management won%26#39;t do anything about it. Anyway, in spite of that, they do have great atmosphere for a drink if you can tolerate the noise level.
Napoleon House is great for lunch, they are very reasonably priced and have wonderful atmosphere, but their hours are reduced after Katrina, so check before you go.
Enjoy your trip to this beautiful city!
2 days after cruise in Dec 2007 - food/activities - help!!
thanks, I appreciate your input!
Bumpkinsnana
For a short visit I%26#39;d definitely rec. Commander%26#39;s for brunch or even Muriel%26#39;s or Arnaud%26#39;s but they are all jazz brunches. A romantic dining experience would be in the courtyard of Bayona. Lunch at Mr. B%26#39;s or Napoleon House. Try a forum search for the type of music you like or restaurants or sightseeing. I%26#39;d skip the swamp tours also that time of year. Laura Plantation is a great plantation tour to take and combine that with Oak Alley which for the oaks alone is worth the experience. Toursbyisabelle has small vans that really personalize the tours and they have great reviews. Breakfast at the Coffee Pot on St. Peters or Petunia%26#39;s on St Louis. Be aware that a lot of museums etc. are closed on Mondays so double check on that when you make up your proposed schedule.
If you%26#39;re only going to be here for 2 days, I would omit a plantation or swamp tour and just stick to exploring the FQ and vicinity.
I agree that Commander%26#39;s is great for your brunch. yum.
Romantic dinner - if price truly is no object, look into Stella!, or Restaurant August or Cuvee (in the CBD, just outside the FQ). I think all of those are romantic restaurants.
Thank you again for your input - much appreciated.
bumpkinsnana
Had dinner at Stella! last night. Absolutely wonderful. Would be an excellent choice.
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