<p>there is definitely a large feral cat population in new orleans and near/on tulane’s campus. you’re right meg, it’s kind of funny but it doesn’t actually affect anyone’s day to day life. just another thing that makes new orleans a “european-like” city.</p>
<p>The cats must have invited all their friends and relatives to chow down on any leftovers from Crawfest!!</p>
<p>As the OP who asked for help, I wanted to first say thanks again to all those that offered advice in advance of our trip.</p>
<p>I will start with a BIG PROBLEM I had with New Orleans </p>
<p>There simply wasnt enough time in the day, and my metabolism has slowed down far too much, for me to eat at as many places I would have liked to have tried over the course of our visit. I simply wasnt able to figure out how to have 6 8 meals a day! Other than that, it was a great trip.</p>
<p>We arrived Thursday evening. I did end up renting a car, but more because of our ongoing travel to Nashville (Vanderbilt) and St. Louis (WUSTL). Ultimately the savings of doing without a car at the start of our trip and returning to the airport or elsewhere to get a rental car on Sunday wasnt worth it to me. Having the car helped with one busy day to get to where we needed to be, but otherwise we walked and took the streetcar and cabs as needed. It was very easy to get around. </p>
<p>Upon arrival, we unpacked, got cleaned up and headed to the French Quarter for dinner at The Gumbo Shop, a walk around the French Quarter, beignets at Café DuMonde and then the 10:00 performance at Preservation Hall. The food was good at The Gumbo Shop, they had a nice combination platter of several items, so we were able to try a lot of items. Beignets at Café DuMonde were great. The French Quarter/Bourbon street started off interesting, but quite frankly, just seemed to get tacky and seedy as time went on (my high school son was invited by one colorful lady to come in to a strip club and get your freak on). I had been there before a couple of times many years ago and I felt it was worthwhile for my high school boys (16 & 17) to see what all the fuss was about. I learned later that by the time we left, my eldest was really turned off by his initial impression of New Orleans. </p>
<p>For Preservation Hall, I had purchased BIG SHOT tickets online at $25/person before we left home as I was concerned about attending a late show and waiting in line and thought the expense was worth having a guaranteed good seat. I dont know if Preservation Hall is still doing this, but at the time, there were only four passes available for each show. When we arrived, we did not need to wait in line. We were ushered right in to the common area while the band finished their second set. We were given large garish laminated passes to wear around our necks that said BIG SHOT on them. This provided for a lot of laughs out of embarrassment which only got worse when we were shown to our seats. We were not close to the stage, we were ON THE STAGE, immediately to the right of the musicians. Given drum sticks, I could have easily joined in, albeit not very well.</p>
<p>In retrospect, it is a very small venue and every seat in the place is close and our side view, while very close, was not as good of a seat as those facing the musicians, so I would not recommend buying the passes if they are still being sold. I am not quite sure where else we may be able to wear our Big Shot passes, but given what I spent, we need to wear them again. The show was great, the band and crowd was very enthusiastic and it was a great way to start the trip.</p>
<p>Next (Day 2 - Garden District & Tulane)</p>
<p>For music checkout Frenchmen street near the French Quarter ([Frenchmen</a> St., New Orleans, Louisiana Jazz, Music, Clubs](<a href=“http://frenchmenst.com/]Frenchmen”>http://frenchmenst.com/)). Just walking around the area one will hear many varieties of music.</p>
<p>I have found having a car to be quite beneficial, but I tend to be the impatient type. And prepare to eat yourself into a coma.</p>
<p>I am still full from all the food we ate last weekend, and we got back 3 days ago! Wish I’d seen Tulane Jeff’s blog about Mid City before we went-- I’d have tried to get to many of the places he recommends [Tulane</a> University Admission Blog - Jeff](<a href=“http://tuadmissionjeff.blogspot.com/]Tulane”>http://tuadmissionjeff.blogspot.com/)</p>
<p>We stayed at Quality Inn & Suites St. Charles. It was a great location with easy in and out parking. The hotel is a collection of buildings set around little courtyards. The hotel had seen better days and may have been feeling the effects of being a few weeks post-Mardi Gras, but it was comfortable, safe and clean. Despite the mid-80 degree weather, we did not use the small pool, but it looked inviting. They had a basic breakfast, mostly continental in nature each morning. The St. Charles streetcar was right out in front and Emerils Delmonico (steak house didnt try it, but was tempted) was right across the street. There were other options within walking distance as well.</p>
<p>Friday morning, we took the St. Charles streetcar to the Camellia Grill near Tulane (I understand there is another location near the French Quarter). I had fond memories of having eaten there as a hung over, 20 year old Mardi Gras visitor many years ago. It too showed its age, but the food was great, given the right expectations for what it is essentially a low cost diner with a lot of history and an entertaining staff. It was fun to be there again and a great place to feed high school boys who can really put it away. The streetcar is a great way to travel through the Garden District. Fast enough to get you where you are going, slow enough to see a lot of beautiful homes along the way.</p>
<p>After breakfast, we walked to Tulane. It is a really pretty, in what felt like an expansive, yet easy to get around campus. We were early for the scheduled information session and tour, so we wondered around. As we paused to look at campus maps, we were repeatedly asked by students if they could help us get to a particular place. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The formal campus tour and information session were also great and whatever misgivings my son had with respect to New Orleans based on our visit to the French Quarter were long gone. We were all very impressed with Tulane.</p>
<p>For dinner, we went to Pascals Manale, an Italian Creole restaurant which has been around since 1913. Their signature dish is BBQ shrimp, which they purportedly created. My wife ordered it and it lived up to its reputation. It consisted of twelve extremely large shrimp with heads still on, so it took some work to pop the heads off and peel them (make sure you avail yourself of the bibs). It was well worth the work. For dessert, we headed over to The Creole Creamery for really great ice cream. They had traditional and some very unique flavors and to my delight, they offered a three scoop sampler of your choice so we could mix and match. I would highly recommend both places.</p>
<p>Next (Day 3 - WWII Museum, Confederacy of Cruisers & Frenchman Street)</p>
<p>Follow Up Trip Report (3/31 4/3) Day 3 - WWII Museum, Confederacy of Cruisers & Frenchman Street</p>
<p>We began day three by visiting the National WWII Museum. My youngest son is a big fan of Band of Brothers (book and mini-series) and The Pacific and absolutely loved it. My wife and elder son, who had not watched these mini-series also thought it was a great museum. It had a great mix of multi-media stations. Do allow ample time. We had allotted two hours and it was not near enough. Do make sure you purchase a companion ticket to the Beyond All Boundaries movie. It is described as a 4D movie experience. It was extremely well done.</p>
<p>For lunch, I had made reservations at the American Sector restaurant, which is on site. It is set up like a 40s diner. While convenient, I am sorry to say it was not a very good meal. I would not recommend it.</p>
<p>After lunch, we drove about 10 minutes to a park near Frenchman Street to meet our guide for a Confederacy of Cruisers bike tour. This was a fantastic time (thanks vitrac for the recommendation). Coming from the Pacific Northwest, we knew very little about the history of New Orleans. This was a great way to get an introduction into the history and culture that makes New Orleans a very special place. It cost $45/person. It was a three hour tour, which may sound long for some, but the time flew by. Essentially you ride from point A to B and the guide would then talk for a few minutes, then on to point C, more talk, etc, so you are not riding for three full hours. New Orleans is very flat and it was a very easy ride. You are off in neighborhoods so traffic was not really an issue. Our guide was very informative, educational, funny and overall just very interesting. We had a group of seven, I believe 8 is the maximum. Whatever reluctance my son had with New Orleans after the French Quarter was long gone after our day at Tulane and this tour. I would highly, highly recommend this tour.</p>
<p>Based on the recommendation of our guide, we returned to Frenchman street to Three Muses. It was a great combination of food, drink and live music. The food was excellent. We worked our way through numerous small plates. It was wonderful. After that, we wandered along Frenchman street, which seemed to have as much great live music out in the street on various corners as it had inside the various clubs and restaurants. </p>
<p>We had a great time in New Orleans and left very impressed with Tulane.</p>
<p>twoby2013, this is a great report. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>nice little piece on NOLA places to see:
[New</a> Orleans: The other streets of New Orleans - chicagotribune.com](<a href=“Travel News & Articles - Chicago Tribune”>Un-Bourbon Street is where it's at in New Orleans)</p>
<p>My D and I visited last winter. The walking tour in and around the french quarter is not to be missed. About $15 per person and covers history, architecture, etc. One amusing fact is that in the 1800’s they were afraid to build buildings taller than 3 stories because they were convinced it would fall down of its own weight.</p>
<p>We didn’t do the Culinary tour, which was written up in Southern Living but as noted above in
Day 3 Trip Report, we thought this tour company was a lot of fun and a great way to introduce yourself to New Orleans: </p>
<p>[New</a> Orleans Bike Tours - Southern Living](<a href=“http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/new-orleans-bike-tours-00417000072657/]New”>http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/new-orleans-bike-tours-00417000072657/)</p>