Visiting New Orleans early January - help!

[The Octagon]

Hi guys,

I am visiting New Orleans on my honeymoon from Australia in early January to coincide with the homestand against the Spurs, Rockets and T'Wolves. We are currently looking to book a hotel, and i was hoping you might be able to point me in the direction of good areas to stay in that are safe bus reasonably close to the action.

Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers

Geaux Hornets!
CK

[WhoDatPelican]

I did a "staycation" honeymoon last year and went to a monday night saints game. We stayed here http://therooseveltneworleans.com/
It's walking distance to the Arena/Dome and the French Quarter.
There is a restaurant in the bottom floor called "Domenica" which is DELICIOUS and a pretty famous bar called "The Sazerac" where the sazerac (famous drink) was invented.
Dunno how much you are looking to spend but it is by far one of the nicest places i've ever stayed.

(also if you inform them when booking the room that its your honeymoon you'll get some nice surprises)

[WhoDatPelican]

Did some SERIOUS digging (from back in 2009!)... found this post .. i listed TONS of restaurants/things to do/places to go.
http://www.pelicansreport.com/HRForu...siting+orleans

Enjoy your stay!

Make sure you get some Beignets from Cafe Du Monde (in the french quarter) http://www.cafedumonde.com/

if you want some great food and a quirky new orleans atmosphere go to
Jaques-Imo's (its on oak street) http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/
Get the Alligator Cheesecake (trust me its amazing...its one of their best apps!)

Also Dick and Jenny's has some great new orleans food
http://dickandjennys.com/

If you want a good new orleans Po-Boy try Parkway Bakery and Tavern
http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/

alternatively

Mother's Restaurant has some HUGE po-boys and some tasty new orleans food http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/


And for good music/nightlife GO TO FRENCHMEN STREET (its on the outskirt of the french quarter...where the locals go) Great jazz, funk, blues on that street on any given night. http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/no/default.asp

est in 1856 Tujaques Restaurant http://www.tujaguesrestaurant.com/
it doesn't get more new orleans then this! This place is delicious and about as old school as it gets. (in the french quarter)

Matt and Naddies Restaurant http://www.matandnaddies.com/web/

Best Burgers in the city PORT OF CALL (winner of best burger for many years and running) http://portofcallnola.com/ On Esplanade in the quarter. "that's some good burgers walter"

Central Grocery Muffulleta
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=122

The Gumbo Shop http://www.gumboshop.com/
In the french quarter. Pretty good gumbo nice patio area if its a nice day

Muriels http://www.muriels.com/
In jackson square (the french quarter)

Pascal's Manale http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/pascalsmanale/

Acme Oyster House http://www.acmeoyster.com/

Drago's Restaurant http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/
Really good charbroiled Oysters! highly recommended!

Evan's Famous Creole Candy http://www.evanscreolecandy.com/
get yourself some Pralines. yum

Crescent City Brewhouse http://www.crescentcitybrewhouse.com/
Micro-Brewery in the french quarter. Serves food and has a live jazz band at night.

Camellia Grill http://www.camelliagrill.net/
Great diner food in the riverbend area. Make sure you get one of their famous "freezes"

The Columns Hotel http://www.thecolumns.com/

BARS:
Cooter Browns http://www.cooterbrowns.com/
Uptown in the the "riverbend" area. Tons of great beer on draft and pretty good food too! Lots of tv with all different kinds of sports on.

The Maple Leaf Bar http://mapleleafbar.com/
On Oak Street (next door to jaques-imo's mentioned above) Great local music every night!

Tipitina's http://www.tipitinas.com/
Great live music! Local and touring acts

Dos Jefes http://dosjefescigarbar.com/

Pat O'Briens http://patobriens.com/patobriens/
Located in the french quarter. home of the famous Hurricane.

Tropical Isle http://tropicalisle.com/
home of the "hand grenade"

on the fancier side of things
Antonie's Restaurant http://www.antoines.com/
and
Commander's Palace http://www.commanderspalace.com/
The Court of Two Sister http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/


Things to see/do:

Audubon Zoo & Aquarium of the Americas http://www.auduboninstitute.org/ The zoo is located "uptown" and the aquarium is right by the french quarter. Both are top quality!

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World http://www.mardigrasworld.com/

Jackson Square http://www.jackson-square.com/

The Cabildo http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/cabildo/cabildo.htm
the site of the Louisiana Purchase Transfer ceremonies in 1803 and our State's most important historical building

The New Orleans Museum of Art http://www.noma.org/
Located in beautiful City Park. Check out the sculpture garden right outside its a great thing to do on a nice day!

Hope this helps. Hit us back if you want more info. Always down to point you in the right direction

[kinglio21093]

I visited New Orleans back in March, and I stayed in the Marriott on Canal Street. It's right in the middle of the city, not exactly walking distance from the Arena but is about a 5 minute drive away. It was a very nice place to stay in. Very comfortable, great lobby, good service, etc.

Make sure whenever you go out to eat, check out Pat O'Brien's in the French Quarter. I was immediately hooked to it as soon as I ate there.

Hope I helped.

[bojangles837]

the hyatt is the closest you can possibly get to staying near the area