Planning a long weekend trip to New Orleans in January. I've never been so I'm looking for some suggestions for places to stay, places to eat and things to do.

Went to NO about three years ago. My favorite thing was the swamp tour - seriously cool. We also enjoyed dinner at Dickie Brennans (not sure the spelling). Also - coffee and beignets at Café Du Monde are a requirement - and oh so good.

I am not into the "night life" of New Orleans so I enjoyed the swamp tour and the Laura plantation tour. I enjoyed walking around the french quarter during the day, cool stores and great food. I wish we would have gone to the WWII museum, and I also wanted to do a walking tour of a graveyard, but we ran out of time. I will do that on my next trip!

Cafe Du Monde is a must. Have fun!!

1. Don't et anywhere that has a guy out front waving menus to get you in (you will only see this in the French Quarter)
2. Are you looking to stay in the "thick of things" or do you want quiet?
3. Thw WW2 museum is a must see, it will take a full day
4. places to eat...oh so many...Galatoire, Arnaud's, Palace Cafe, Commander's Palace, Luke, Emeril's, Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse, Mr. B's Bistro...all fancy schmancy but worth it.

Domenica, Liuzza's, Dat Dog, Venezia's, Kate's, Pizza Delicious, Elizabeth's, Maspero's - all great causal dining...

hundreds more can be included, way too many to list.

5. If you like to shop, Magazine Street has a ton of stuff, eclectic, local, antiques, and everything in between
6. I'd shy away from the horse-drawn carraige tours in the FQ - 90% of what they tell you is made up and historically inaccurate.

Thanks Happy for all the information.

Don't need to be in the "thick of things", quiet would definitely be ok with me.

then look for a hotel on Convention Center Blvd, Camp Street, Carondolet, or Poydras...close enough to walk to FQ but you won't hear the noise all night.

Thanks again Happy. I found a hotel that seems pretty decent for the price called Prytania Park, website says its 15 blocks away from FQ but close to the trolley.

sorry Jen, but we have no trolleys in NO...we do have an abundance of streetcars though...

you just missed you chance to sell her trolley tickets.

Oops...Thanks for the correction Happy

Jen, I think if you ask nicely, Happy and Mrs. Gilmore could probably put you up for a few days. While he lives outside the city, I'm sure for a nominal contribution towards gas money you could experience a few days of his commute - could be one of the most memorable events of your stay. Just beware if he offers to grill you a steak or offers to take you to a "football" game.

come on...that could be fun...

Wondering if any of the haunted tours are worth doing while in New Orleans.....has anybody done any of these tours?

We did a ghost tour when in NO. It was OK, but nothing to write home about. I did learn a lot about one of the families, though (can't spell the name).

Did a ghost tour of the French Quarter while in New Orleans this summer for the ABA Reg Conference. It was really good and learned a lot of interesting history about the city. Here is a link to the tour we went on: http://www.hauntedhistorytours.com/