Visiting New Orleans this week

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DCR

New member
Hi, all!

My wife and I are going to New Orleans Fri. Never been there. Never been East of Dodge City, frankly. I've reluctantly concluded it would be too big of a hassle to carry there, as we are flying down, then going on a cruise ship on Sunday that takes us to several foreign ports where guns are a no-no.

So, since I won't be carrying, which areas should I absolutely stay out of (particularly after consuming, which I understand is de rigeur and plan to do quite well). I've heard the French Quarter and around the port is a no-no after dark. Pity - we're staying at the Hilton near there.

I'd also like a recommendation of where to shop, what to see, gun-related or no, and special recommends as to where to eat. Good music is abundant there, I hear, particularly where there is a jazz festival that week (isn't it that way every week, though?), so I'd like some ideas as to where we can hear some of the best.

I apologize if this is not gun-related enough; I just want recommendations of where to be and eat and drink since I'm going to be unarmed.

Thanks all!

- - - DCR
 
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Bulldog44

New member
You don't have to visit foreign ports to find that firearms are a "no-no". Mayor Morial (sp?) of New Orleans is, from what I've heard, a vicious anti.

Personally, I wouldn't go ANYWHERE near downtown or the river after dark. Come to think of it, I'd stay holed up (and locked up) in my motel room after dark. I'd feel safer running around in neighboring Kenner, Metairie, or Gretna after dark than I would anywhere in New Orleans proper.
 
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Grin&Barrett

New member
A good part of the Quarter is safe after dark but just stay on a few of the major streets & don't be going off into the cemetaries at night.

There are plenty of other areas to go to like the Garden District

If you are at the Hilton just ask the Concierge
 
C

CrociJA

New member
Agreed Grim,

Having been to New Orleans and wandered around at night in the French Quarter I didn't find it dangerous at all. Just use common sense. The city is built around it's nightlife, just like Orlando.
Granted you'll see much more "adult" oriented themes, and there are plenty of drunks, but stay the path and enjoy yourself.
If you get a chance take the Missus to the "Courtyard of the #? Sisters". excellent brunch on Sundays!

Jon
 
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WYO

New member
I am a refugee from New Orleans. Don't walk from the Quarter to the Hilton (and vice versa) after it gets dark and there aren't many people on the street. Take a cab. As far as the French Quarter goes, stay on the main streets that have a lot of pedestrians. Bourbon, Royal, Charters and Decatur are ok, from Canal Street to about St. Peter. Pat O'Brien's is fun, but go in the main bar with the locals, not the piano bar with the tourists. Yes, this weekend is the second weekend of Jazzfest, and it is a really good time, although the second weekend gets pretty crowded. As Grin&Barrett pointed out, don't go to the cemeteries at night, although there are some I wouldn't frequent in the day. BTW, Marc Morial is lame, and is going out on, IIRC, May 2. I can go into a lot more detail here, but I think it would be better if you sent me a PM with specific questions.

To keep this firearms related, Wyoming and Louisiana just entered a reciprocity agreement. You may want to check and see if Idaho has a similar agreement.
 
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Wingshooter

New member
The Quarter is fun, if somewhat smelly. That's the first thing I noticed anyway.

One thing I recommend is the VooDoo tour. It's after dark, but usually it's a pretty big group. Sure it's touristy, but pretty fun.

One place I would avoid is Royal (down near Canal) street after dark, there's a penny arcade across from either a Chili's or a Bennigans type place. Pretty unsavory characters hang out there, especially after dark. My wife and I made the mistake of going down that way and noticed we were being cased pretty hard, I made a quick U-Turn into the restaraunt and we walked out with a crowd to get back to Canal street.

Make sure you carry your wallet in your front pocket and don't let your wife carry a big bag around with her. Pickpockets can be pretty bad in high tourist areas like that.

Oh, don't forget to go to Cafe' Dumond (sp?) and the French market for fresh fruit(from the market) coffee and Beignets. Nothing beats eating an early breakfast watching the sun come up in that area. As an aside... the French Market is also a good place to get cheap beads by the dozen if you're going to be headed into the quarter after dark. You would be surprised what people will do for beads...

Enjoy your trip and be safe.

Almost forgot to mention, the Jazz is great. Especially at Preservation Hall.
 
C

CZ Gunner

New member
What WYO says ...

I live here in New Orleans and have never had a problem ... but you have to be smart. In New Orleans, the "problem" area are more block to block than a specific "area". That's true of the entire city.

Street car is pretty safe and can take you from St. Charles Avenue to the Garden District ($1.25 or something).

Just watch your back and have fun!

Gunner

P.S. If anyone comes up to you and wants to bet you he can tell you where you "got your shoes" ... don't bet him, it's a sucker bet. (The answer is "the same place you got yours" .. "on your feet" or, "on Bourbon Street")!

P.S.S. If the light just turns red ... check both ways VERY WELL ... we have what is called "fresh red" ... cars will disregard the red light for several seconds after it turns.
 
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D

DCR

New member
Thank you all very kindly for your responses! I am printing them out to share with my wife. I'm really excited to go (in spite of the lack of personal defense legally available to me) and can't sleep because of the anticipation. Ever since I took up the horn and started playing jazz & blues I've wanted to go to the music mecca of New Orleans.

DCR
 
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Hutch

New member
Haven't been to the Big Easy for a few years, but the DDay museum recently opened down there. I'm really anxious to see it. You might check that out and report.
 
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Will Beararms

New member
Wanna See beau coup hand guns and assualt style weapons cramed in a little yellow building? You must go by Elliot's Small Arms. It's off what they call the Causeway near Jefferson, one of those townships that runs in the NOLA area. Look it up in the yellow pages and go there--------------you'll love it. I know how to get there but I can't tell you the streets.

I worked in New Orleans one week a month for two years. Like the others have said catch a cab to the Quarter and look no one in the eye that is not a Policeman, Waiter or Waitress and your good to go. If you drink, DO NOT GET DRUNK AFTER DARK IN THE QUARTER. I like the Red Fish Grill for casual dining. There's another Resturant across I 10 from the Quarter called Church's in an old church that is superb as well.

Enjoy!
 
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CZ Gunner

New member
Elliot's Small Arms, LLC: Corner of South Causeway and Jefferson Highway.

Address: 3008 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson, LA 70121

Big selection, good prices (their prices are about 10% better online), lousy service after the sale. NOT WORTH THE PRICE OF A CAB!

Gunner

P.S. The National D-Day Museum just opened the "Pacific Wing" recently. The entire place is awesome! (And is walking distance from where you're staying.) Nice little coffee shop inside too.

P.S.S. Tag, where do you shoot at? I like Jefferson Indoor.
 
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tag

New member
I live in New Orleans. So long as you use your common sense and stay aware of your surroundings, you should be ok.

You could feel pretty safe walking from the Hilton to the Quarter, so long as it is not too late. With the casino now between Poydras and Canal, there are a good number of people around that area. You can walk through the casino to get from the Hilton to Canal if you prefer.

Don't talk to panhandlers or bums. Don't talk to anyone who knows where you "got them shoes." (You got them on Bourbon Street, get it?)

Stay off of side streets. Most of the violent crime in the Quarter happens on these side streets

If you get lost, ask directions in a restaurant, hotel, or from a cop. Most of the people on the street are tourists and probably have no idea what they are talking about.

Don't drink too much. Most tourists that get themselves in trouble are really drunk at the time. You can enjoy yourself, just do so in moderation.

Don't visit the garden district at night. It is very easy to get lost and end up in a REALLY bad neighborhood. This is definitely a trip to take during the day.

I highly recommend visiting the D-Day Museum. It is very well done.

If you want to do something gun-related, visit James Cohen Antique Firearms at 437 Royal. They are open 7 days a week and have a great collection of firearms from pre-1898. It is a very neat building.

Elliots is a gun store like many others. It is not worth the drive.

Have a good time in the Big Easy!

Edited to add: There are no locals at Pat O'Briens. Quite honestly, you won't find too many locals in any French Quarter watering hole. ;)

Oh yeah, try to fit in the Aquarium. I think it is currently the largest in the world and it is very cool.
 
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tag

New member
One more thing...since you are into blues and jazz, I would highly recommend Preservation Hall on S. Peters. They feature local jazz and blues artists. No food, no drinks and you may have to sit on the floor or stand in the back, but it is one of the best places to hear true local talent in the Quarter. I think they play from 8-12 on the weekends, but you should call to be sure.
 
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d`leasha

New member
surely i just missed it, because someone MUST have mentioned the zoo? has been a number of years since i was in n.o., and no doubt they've continued to make improvements and such, but the zoo was really terrific, with great habitat areas and such.
 
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enfwago

New member
If you are a drinker....you have to swing by Burbon Street. I haven't been there in about 4 yrs, but from what I can remember it was a good time.
 
D

DCR

New member
TOO COOL!:cool:

Thanks for the ideas of the museums, clubs, aquarium, zoo and gun shop/collections!! I love the thought of seeing these! Hope I can convince my bride to take time from shopping to see these!
If I get to the D-Day museum I'll definitely give a report.

Keep 'em coming! I'll keep checking this thread until Thursday p.m.

Thanks to a great bunch of people who have contributed; I feel lucky having a group of friends, none of whom I have met, who want us to have fun and be safe on our trip and have undoubtedly helped us do just that. I am honored.

DCR
 
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tombread

New member
Go to Brennan's for 2nd breakfast and have Bananas Foster, after having fresh fried beignets in the market on Jackson Square.

If Jean Lafitte's bar is still open, it is worth a visit, but probably not after dark.

By all means visit St Louis #2 cemetery, but not at dusk.

The Court of Two Sisters is worth a visit. Plenty of antique shops and places to eat, more than you can possibly visit in several days. Great food and music in NO.

And of course Preservation Hall, though it has gotten touristy. You will be packed into the smallish rundown hall, touted for souvenirs and CDs, but hopefully will hear some good jazz played by old musicians, thought the originals have passed away. I think they do several shows each night.

And nothin is cheap.
 
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johnbt

New member
Jazz Fest has got to be the best thing that ever happened anywhere music wise. I've never done both weekends the same year - but it's on my list.

Before I went the first time a friend from the area gave me a fine piece of advice about the French Quarter. And she was right.

NEVER walk by a free restroom and think "I don't need to go yet."
The next ten bars will charge you an admission fee to get in (or make you buy a $5 beer) and the restaurants will make you wait in line to get in.

Stay with the crowds and be safe.

One time I asked a security guard if there was really a problem walking from the riverboat casino back into the French Quarter to my hotel. They'd just made an announcement in the casino about not taking some shortcut due to 'problems'. While he was eyeballing me to decide if I had a clue about being out after dark, I added that I grew up in Baltimore and D.C. That did it - he broke out laughing and said that the warnings weren't for people like me.

John
 
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Monkeyleg

New member
My wife and I have been in New Orleans a few times, most recently two years ago. We only left the French Quarter once, to go to the Garden District. That was during the day and, after looking at some of the surrounding areas, I know we wouldn't go there at night. As others have said, the "tourist" areas of the French Quarter seem pretty safe. There were police on just about every block when we were there.

One of my favorite places to just sit during the afternoon is Napoleon's (if I can get a table by the sidewalk).
 
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