New Orleans in 24 Hours

[f2cdlzrd]

Ok, here's the deal: two weeks ago I was promoted to Varsity Head Coach of the Women's Basketball team at the high school where I teach. I have been the JV coach for 2 years. Anyway, as we all know teachers are not paid the best and I decided to work basketball camps this summer to make a little extra cash. I just returned from North Carolina State University today and I leave for LSU on Saturday. The thing is, I have never been to Louisiana, Mississippi or the Gulf Coast and have longed to visit thanks in part to Jimmy and his music. Basketball camp starts Sunday and runs through Thursday morning. I will have Thursday afternoon, night and part of Friday to see the sights before I have to return home (Asheville, NC 11 1/2 hours from New Orleans) to get ready for another basketball camp which begins on Saturday, July 1 in Chapel Hill.

My question to you is what do I see/do for my limited time in a place I have longed to visit? I know I have poor planning but I am lucky my husband is driving with me to LA and will help with the camp. I will have a travel buddy . I know I am visiting Margaritaville New Orleans, Cafe Du Monde and traveling through Biloxi, Pascagoula, and Mobile. Any help and/or ideas would be much appreciated.

I look forward to a more lengthy visit in the future. Thanks phriends!

[buffettbride]

I have no idea, but I think I like your Jeep.

[Dezdmona]

No real suggestions, take an easy drive.

Can't tell for sure by your description how you want to plan your trip, but... you could... put a stop in Hattiesburg, MS on the trip if you can (it's not on the Interstate, but it's where JB went to College). Just a bump in the road - not much there really, except you can say you passed through - ate a meal at the diner or something.

Another Option would be: If you go from East to West, you could go through Pascagoula, MS (i.e., State Line Bar) then along the Gulf Coast Highway (Highway 1) a beautiful scenic drive into New Orleans.

ahhh... memories.

[jonesbeach10]

I have no idea, but I think I like your Jeep.

I do too.

[conched]

Here are my choices...

http://www.frenchquarter.com/sightseein ... rSense.php

I enjoyed the Streetcar ride down to Camilia Grill in NO.

http://www.atneworleans.com/body/camelliagrill.htm

Try the pecan chocolate pie. I guess this place it still open. Haven't been in a while. Red beans rice and sausage. Burgers. There are other much much better places to eat...Acme or Felix Oyster Bar, Tujaques, NOLA...but none as unique.

If you go through Mobile, you should drive down Shell Road and stop in at the Dew Drop Inn for a chili hamburger. Both places are Jimmy mentions for burgers.

http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/wh ... drop.shtml

Most people wouldn't waste their time doing this, but I thought it was interesting to drive around Mobile and see some of the out of the way neighborhoods.

Like the Conch Train in New Orleans, there is a horse and buggy ride for sightseeing in New Orleans. It will tell you about places you may want to go back and visit on another trip. Be sure to check out the Corn Stalk Fence Hotel. Visit with the folks around Jackson Square. LeMadeleine's yum. It's a chain...but an option

http://www.lamadeleine.com/Locations.aspx

Central Market was interesting for muffalettas.

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

You might just want to go to Lulu's and stay in Gulf Shores ALA. One of the best places on the gulf. Check out the Floribama...nothing's the same since Ivan, but...quite a trip farther south tho!!!

We like to stop in Biloxi at the Beau Rivage for gambling, but I think it is closed until late August. Don't know the casino situation...my favorite, Treasure Bay may already be reopened. We liked staying at a dive called Emerald Beach Quality Inn...can't explain why, except I like to wake up and go out to the beach and watch the lights out on the water at night. The Casino Hotels are much much nicer.

Just the ride down Hwy 90 pre Hurricane Katrina was a treat.

I must head EAST soon.

Enjoy yourself.

[lilsalty]

I like Central Grocery's muffalettas (with a Dixie beer) and be sure to hit Molly's on the Market (across from Margaritaville) for their frozen Irish coffees!MMMMMM
Tujague's is great for lunch. Favorite bar = Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop!

[ToplessRideFL]

Congrats on the promotion!

I can't offer much help as its been many years since I was in the Big Easy! But have a wonderful time!

[OPHarbor]

I like Central Grocery's muffalettas (with a Dixie beer) and be sure to hit Molly's on the Market (across from Margaritaville) for their frozen Irish coffees!MMMMMM
Tujague's is great for lunch. Favorite bar = Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop!

Salty's got it all, can't miss central grocery muffellata, take one down to the river for a nice picnic lunch and get a jar of olive salad, to go ACME OYSTER BAR!!
Check out St Louis cemetary go see Marie Lavoux grave amongst others. Mothers (if its still around) and Cafe DuMonde. Stay away from the Daquiri bars, they put poison in those things! but stop by Pat O'brians for a Hurricane, not the best, but hey ya gotta have one. Also Margaritaville upstairs at the tire swing bar for a really good Mojito, yum. Have a great trip and congratulations.

[DOKKEN88]

all great ideas... but if any of you dont live in this part of the country then you have no idea the devastation from Katrina.. there is no such thinks as hwy 90, most of the casinos are not open.. it looks as if and atomic bomb went off when coming into new orleans from the east. WIth that being said you can still see lots of sites in NO as the tourist area did not really get a lot of damage. Be prepared for restaraunts to have limited menus and long wait times. Be patient-remember there is no place for all the people who were in the service industry to live. Hotels have limited service but it is getting better. I live in P'cola and we are still recovering from IVan who was little in comparison.

[DOKKEN88]

u guys must be middle plains states dwellers having this idea of jimmy buffett. and at one time drove from Mobile to new orleans and think that its some Jimmy buffett nostalgia trip.. hyw 90 or gulf coast hwy 1 as you call it is GONE....not to be nasty.. but I see on this site that some yahoo from des moines iowa(not that theres anything wrong with that) hear about the state line bar and thinks that is some site to see... all that fairy tale jimmy buffett stuff is gone.....just venting... by the way im as middle plains states as it gets...