seaking intel on New Orleans

I'd like to spend a few days in New Orleans.

I'm looking for suggestions on where to park the RV and suggestion on a local comfortable place to call "home base".

Also, the best time of year if the goal is "relax" and "get to know the real New Orleans". I'm not big on "fake" or "touristy stuff".

Thanks for any advice.

Last time I was there (about March of last year) I flew in to KNEW and used Flightline First. Full service FBO. Nice people behind the counter. Short cab ride in to town.
NOLA is like two separate towns. Bourbon street where the kids and wanna be kids are and then the rest of the town. You need only go one street off Bourbon and you feel like you are in a different city. There is a fascinating shop on Royal St. across from a courthouse if memory serves. Full of old weapons, coins, armor and other artifacts. There are a million interesting little places to nose around and music everywhere.

Besides, where else in the world will you see a real estate sign like this?
Saw others advertising that they were haunted.
Not sure if it a selling point or a waring though. Could go either way in that town.

The National World War II Museum is definitely worth a few hours...

humptybump said:

I'd like to spend a few days in New Orleans.

I'm looking for suggestions on where to park the RV and suggestion on a local comfortable place to call "home base".

Also, the best time of year if the goal is "relax" and "get to know the real New Orleans". I'm not big on "fake" or "touristy stuff".

Thanks for any advice.

Click to expand...

KNEW is about the only option you have in that is relatively close to the city. However, there are a quite a few options if you don't mind driving 30 minutes to get to the city. 65LA is another option that is just on the other side of the city than KNEW and equidistant to all attractions. 65LA is a privately owned operation that serves as a base to a 135 operation I used to work at. The asphalt strip is 3,200 X 40 and in "fair" shape. They do have hangar space and fuel though. If you're interested their number is (504) 394-5633.

Just a few thoughts on must do's where many locals will be found:

-Audubon Zoo/Park
-WWII Museum
-Oak Alley Plantation (40 min away)

Just a short RV hop away is KPTN where they have the Wedell Williams/Cyprus Sawmill Museum. The Wedell Williams racer they have on display is a piece of American aviation history!

Anyone from New Orleans or that has visited knows that food is top priority and your next meal is being planned before you finish the one you are on.

-Vincent's on St Charles (Get the corn and crab bisque bread bowl)
-Katy's in Mid City (Get the seafood beignet and the Boudreaux Pizza)
-GW Finn's (Great daily seafood)
-Stein's Deli on Magazine (Rueben sandwich)
-Port of Call (Hamburger)
-The Sammich uptown (unique LA take on average lunch items i.e. crabmeat stuffed deviled eggs, duck fat fried french fries, etc..)

If you can't tell I haven't had breakfast yet!

Dining around NOLA from a friend who goes every year.

DINING AROUND NEW ORLEANS, ETC. UPDATED 1/5/15

BREAKFAST:
CAMELLIA GRILL at the bend on the St. Charles Streetcar & 504 Chartres in the Quarter (504) 522-1800
​Delicious pecan waffles served diner style. The Quarter location has changed names to The Grill NOLA, but has the same menu.

STANLEY on Jackson Square (504) 587-0093
​Nice variety of breakfast sandwiches and delicious eggs Benedict!

CAF? CONTI 830 Conti St. (504)636-1060
​Daily Benedict special, such as, appleglazed ham with citrus shallots and brie on croissant!

EAT 900 Dumaine St (504)522-7222
​Great discovery! Poached eggs in a variety of ways and Andouille hash special! Yum!

COULIS 3625 Prytania St. (504) 304-4265
​Small diner in the Garden District. A short walk from the streetcar stop on Amelia. Worth the trip!

ELISABETH?S 601 Gallier St. (504) 944-9272
​This restaurant is quite a find. They have a wonderful stuffed French toast that is out of this world. If you?re lucky, they will have duck hash as a special. Do not pass this up!!! You?ll need to take a taxi. Change in ownership recently decided that brunch will start around 10:30. Call to be sure they are open when hunger strikes!



LUNCH:
NAPOLEON?S 500 Chartres at Royal (504) 524-9752
​The best muffaletta in town. We?ve been disappointed recently with the service(April, 2013).

COOP?S PLACE 1109 Decatur (across from Jimmy Buffet?s) (504) 525-9053
​Local favorite for its Cajun fried chicken and jambalaya. Don?t hesitate to go in!!!

ACME OYSTERS 724 Iberville at Bourbon (504) 522-5973
​Hold on to your head if you add horseradish to the cocktail sauce. The raw oysters are yummy and they have awesome shrimp and oyster po?boys(the peacemaker). Be sure to ask for the tabasco infused mayo.

BOURBON HOUSE Corner of Bourbon and Iberville (504) 522-0111
​If ACME is too crowded or you just want a nice place, the raw oysters are absolutely delicious and served on an ice filled tray. We usually eat them at the bar.

GUMBO SHOP 630 St. Peter (504) 525-1486
​If you?re looking for seafood or chicken and andouille gumbos, you?ve found the place. They also have a nice shrimp po?boy in a Creole sauce (not fried).

COCHON BUTCHER 930 Tchoupitoulas around the corner on Andrew Higgins (504) 588-7675
​Delicious Cubano pressed sandwich.

CAPDEVILLE 520 Capdeville (504) 371-5161
​Amazing crab chile rellenos with a chimichura sauce and andouille gumbo fries! Also open for dinner.

LA PETITE GROCERY 4238 Magazine (504) 891-3377
​Yummy blue crab beignets and blue crab au gratin! Also open for dinner.

DRAGO?S 3232 N. Arnoult Rd. Metaire(504) 888-9254 or
2 Poydras /St, in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside (504) 584-3911
​The best chargrilled oysters you?ll ever taste!!!

COQUETTE 2800 Magazine(and Washington) (504)553-0421
​Locals go for the 3 course lunch specials $23!

LIUZZA?S by the TRACK 1518 Lopez (504)218-7888
​Bbq (black pepper) shrimp po?boy in a French bread pistolette! PBR also served icy cold!

CAF? DEGAS 3127 Esplanade (504)945-5635
​This is also a prime dinner destination! Set in a house, the dining space is on the front and back porch. No worries about weather, because they have awnings! Saturday lunch specials were amazing! Crab mirliton bisque, quail salad and crispy oysters with celeriac remoulade to name a few!

DINNER:
PELICAN CLUB 312 Exchange Pl. (504) 523-1504
​Great find when little was open after Katrina. Delicious starters and entrees. Excellent service.

BAYONA 430 Rue Dauphine (504) 525-4455
​Small, but inviting dining room~be sure to order the quail salad.

NOLA on Royal near Chartres (504) 522-6652
​This is one of Emeril?s restaurants and is very good. They cook many entrees in a wood oven.

MR. B?S BISTRO 201 Royal (504) 523-2078
​This is a Brennan family restaurant.​ Delicious rabbit gumbo! It is worth a visit.

REDFISH on Bourbon near Iberville (504) 779-5188
​This is also a Brennan family restaurant. We had a delicious seafood dinner here. Recently, we enjoyed a bbq po?boy for lunch that was the bomb! Also, their happy hour is great!

KINGFISH 337 Chartres(and Conti) (504)598-5005
​Cozy corner restaurant with interesting menu! Tried the shrimp gaufre and loved it!

STE. MARIE 930 Poydras (504) 304-6988
​Blue crab cannelloni that is out of this world! Hollywood themed cocktails.

BON TON CAF? 401 Magazine St. (504) 524-3386
​Delicious crabmeat au gratin that we suggest you split as an appetizer! The redfish Alzina is a favorite of ours. Be sure to sip on a Rum Ramsey!! This restaurant is only open M-F for lunch and dinner!

LUKE 333 St. Charles (504) 378-2840
​Wonderful blue crab bisque and blue crab and brown shrimp ettoufe!

EMERIL?S 800 Tchoupitoulas (504) 528-9393
​MMMM GOOD!!! This is a pricey, but awesome experience. If you can book the chef?s table, you?ll be able to watch the goings on in the kitchen while you eat. Call for reservations NOW!

ATCHAFALAYA 901 Louisiana Ave. (504) 891-9626
​A local favorite! It?s Creole with a twist of soul! The Atchafalaya Pasta is to die for!

PATOIS 6078 Laurel (504)895-9441
Enjoyed a crispy pork belly with Steen?s cane syrup and seared scallop with a spicy mustard drizzle. Check out the boudin stuffed quail if it?s the special appetizer!

JACQUES-IMO CAF? 8324 Oak St. (504) 861-0886
​This is one of our favorite places. You can take the St. Charles Streetcar to Oak St. and walk 2 blocks in. The entrees are fabulous and reasonable.

BRUNCH:
COMMANDER?S PALACE 1403 Washington (504) 899-8221
​They have a great jazz brunch on Saturday and Sunday. They used to require the men wear jackets, but the rule may have changed. If you make a reservation, request the garden room. Also, the soufle dessert is well worth it.

HAPPY HOUR:
COLUMNS HOTEL 3811 St. Charles Ave. (504) 899-9308
​Welcoming inside as well as outside! Large porch and beautiful bar are perfect for drinks before dinner. We stopped here before heading to Jacques-Imo?s.

DOMENICA(Roosevelt Hotel) 123 Baronne (504)648-6020
​John Besh Group Happy Hour 7 days ? price pizza and drink specials!

ON THE SIDE:
CAF? DU MONDE on Decatur across from Jackson Square
​Beignets and caf? au lait

FRENCH MARKET down the street from Caf? du Monde
​Shopping, shopping and more shopping

PAT O?BRIEN?S turn right on St. Peter off of Bourbon
​Nice garden to sip your first Hurricane. Inside they have dueling pianos, which can be a lot of fun in the evening.

ST. CHARLES STREETCAR
​Hop on across Canal at Bourbon. You must have exact change ($1.25) This will give you a glimpse of the Garden District (Loyola, Tulane, and Audubon Park/Zoo)

TIPITINA?S 501 Napoleon (504) 895-8477
​Take a cab and enjoy the locals at the fais do do ($5) on Sunday from 5:00-9:00pm. These men and women really know how to dance!!! You?ll see all kinds of Cajun steps.

Don?t be afraid to take a cemetery tour!!!!