**cracks knuckles ***
To do:
National WWII Museum is absolutely phenomenal and not to be missed.
Highly recommend seeing a show (they're short -- 45 minutes) at Preservation Hall. We use it as a break to take a few minutes off our feet from walking all day.
New Orleans School of Cooking is fun. That particular one is a demonstration, but a meal is included. There are hands-on classes, too.
We did Mardi Gras World the last time we went. It's in an old warehouse by the port -- not too terribly far from Mulate's, but I wouldn't walk it. It's where they make and keep many (there are several warehouses) of the mardis gras floats. Decent little tour.
You *have* to walk through Bourbon Street at least once. We always do it late in the afternoon or as soon as the sun goes down before it gets wild.
Lafitte's Blacksmith Bar is a pretty cool experience. Open in the same spot since the 1720s. If it's cool, they'll have a fire, and it's a good experience.
Frenchman Street is where the real live music is. It's the local end of town and much better than Bourbon Street. It's not too far from Lafitte's.
A walk down St. Charles Street -- popping in and out of bars on the way -- is a great way to kill an afternoon. Walk a mile or so, then hop the trolley and get out to Tulane. Our favorite -- The Blind Pelican -- did not survive covid.
Go to Cafe Du Monde late in the afternoon, get a bag and a cup of coffee and go sit in Jackson Square. If it's on a Saturday afternoon, you'll likely see weddings and parades. We saw one right before we moved where the groom, groomsmen, and officiant were all dressed as Elvis. It was fun to watch.
There's a ghost tour place -- don't roll your eyes yet -- at the corner of Decatur and St. Peter. We took one to kill a couple hours before dinner once and really enjoyed it. It wasn't silly ghost stories. It was more about weird things that happened in buildings and the popular theories behind them. Lafitte's is on the stop, and it both started and ended by the church.
https://www.neworleansghostadventurestour.com/
Lots of live music/bars in the Warehouse District. We enjoyed The Howling Wolf. I've stumbled in and out of there several times. They fired up the grill for me at 2 a.m. once just to cook a hamburger. Good place and good people.
To eat:
Charley's Steakhouse in the Garden District is our favorite. It's been in an old house in the Garden District since the 30s. There's no menu. Tell them what kind of steak you want and how you want it cooked. The have one appetizer -- onion strings -- a blue cheese wedge salad, some scalloped potatoes, and one green side, but I can't remember what it is. It's not cheap, but it won't break the bank. When they bring the steak, make sure you hold up your napkin to protect your clothes.
Mulate's down by the convention center is a great Cajun place
There are any number of satisfactory oyster houses in the French Quarter. Acme Oyster House is our favorite. Chargrilled are the tits.
If you want high-end and hard to get into, Commander's Palace is the fancy spot. When we can get a table, it's fun to celebrity watch. Probably six months out on reservations. Sunday brunch is the hardest reservation to get.
Skip Emeril's. They suck.
In the Warehouse District:
Fancy: Cochon
Dive: Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar
