New Orleans Things to Do Tips by moirholj

Pat O'Brien's Bourbon Street Review

Yes, yes, I know, this has tourist trap written all over it. Well guess what, I didn't care. All three times I've visited I've made Pat O's a stop on my list. Each time it has been worth it.

This place is fun because there are many different types of atmospheres all rolled into on big establishment. My favorite area is the outdoor courtyard that features the Flaming Fountain. This fixture is awesome to look at in the dark of night. Get your picture taken next to it! I have had many a romantic night engrosed in deep conversation with my husband. Of course we were also deeply engrosed in the Hurricanes that we were drinking.

In case you aren't familiar, the Hurricane is the signature drink fo Pat O's. Here's a little tip for you: THEY WILL MESS YOU UP. Oh I'm sure you think you're different and you can hold your booze, but chances are if you are that confident in your drinking ability, you might be able to have 3 Hurricanes and then you'll be as wasted as the rest of us after having 1 or 2.

Other areas of the bar include a piano bar area and a regular bar room with the usual bar scene. The piano bar is also a must at least once, just to say you were in there. There is a very good chance that it will be crowded, but it's still fun, so just make your way in and find a table. If your timing is right you will be able to see an old old gentleman perform with the dueling pianos. This guy plays the silver patter with metal thimbles on his fingers. He plays quite a beat and has been there for years and years. It is considered a treat to see him.

Another tip: If you order your Hurricanes 'to go' you will get them in a syrofoam cup that you can throw away, and you will only pay for the drink (I think about $7). However, if you order a Hurricane in the regular glass they will charge you for the drink AND the glass. Don't worry, you can turn your glass in at the end of the night and get your money back. But you can also let them keep the money and keep the glass as a souvineir.

Address: 718 St. Peter Street, New Orleans LA

Directions: Actually, you can also enter Pat O's from Bourbon street, but the main entrance is on St. Peter. You'll know you're there when the sidewalk and curbs start to turn pink. hahah.

Phone: (504) 525-4823

New Orleans Audubon Zoo Audubon Zoo Review

Besides the animal exhibits, the one thing I remember about my trip to the Zoo was that it was HOT. Hot, hot, hot. I sweated from the time I got there until the time I left and there was not a whole lot I could do about it. Was this a reflection on the Zoo? No. I happened to visit the zoo in the dead heat of the month of July in 2001! My bad. haha. Seriously though, I had a great time here and took some wonderful photographs of the resident animals.

Of particular note is the exhibits featuring local wildlife. I ask you, have you ever been to a zoo where the feature RECIPES in which to cook the animals you are viewing?? Probably not. Well, welcome to the uniquness that is the New Orleans Aududon Zoo. It goes something like this:

"Hey kids look, there are some catfish. Catfish are a local water creature that can be found in Louisiana. What's that you say? How would one cook a catfish? Well, right here next to the TANK THAT HOLDS THE CATFISH IN THE ZOO is a very good recipe for how to cook the suckers up and eat them for dinner."

Serioulsy people, they have recipes featured next to the habitats of animals found in the local Louisana Bayou. This is the ONLY ZOO I have ever been to that featured recipes on how to cook the animals that it held on display.

Good Times.

Address: 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans LA

Other Contact: air@auduboninstitute.org

Phone: 866-ITS-AZOO

New Orleans Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Review

The New Orleans Audubon Aquarium is amazing. I lived in Boston for two years and visited the New England Aquarium often, however, the best aquarium expereince I've had so far has been in New Orleans.

The most visually impressive sight is the "tunnel of ocean" (pictured here) that you can walk through as you see all manner of wildlife swimming over, and beside you.

There are rotating exhibits as well as a glass top amazon rain forrest replica. Children of all ages will learn something here at the Audubon Aquarium all while being entertained at the highest level.

Yes, yes, I know about the people falling into the shark tank here. As a matter of fact that happened only one day after I visited the exhibit. No one was hurt though, and as I understand it, the sharks were more scared of the people then vice versa. :-)

Address: 1 Canal Street, New Orleans LA

Directions: Canal Street at the River

Other Contact: air@auduboninstitute.org

Phone: 800-774-7394

Creative Cultural Cooking Class! New Orleans School of Cooking Review

Coming Soon...

Address: 524 St. Louis Street, New Orleans

Directions: between Decatur and Chartres

Phone: 1-800-237-4841

Website: http://www.thelouisianageneralstore.com/Merchant/h

Cities of the Dead Ghost - Haunted - Cemetery Tour Review

I know that some people might consider guided tour of the New Orleans cemetaries a tourist trap, but its one of those things that i think you just have to do. I personally love to look at old cemetaries, so I wasn't going to miss this one.

The cemetaries right by the French Quarter (like St. Louis #1) I would recommend you don't go in there alone. These above ground graves are the perfect place for someone to hide and mug you. Please be safe and go with a tour group. I saw the cemetaries around the French Quarter in a Cemetary/VooDoo tour which not only covered the graveyard, but Louis Armstrong park and Priestess Miriam's Spiritual Temple as well.

There was a cemetary in the Garden District that I did go through alone because there were many other tourists in there, including another tour group, and the Garden district is a much safer area on the whole.

These cities of the Dead are just so interesting. It's amazing the amount of time put into the craftsmanship of the mosouliums and grave markers. Enjoy a leisurly stroll through here and take some creative pictures.

Oh, and there are cats everywhere in the graveyards. I don't want to know who they're hanging out with!

Please see my New Orleans Travelogue titled "Cities of the Dead - New Orleans" for some pictures I took in the cemetaries in 2001.

Address: all over New Orleans

Directions: Find the tour that's right for you.

Priestess Miriam - Voodoo Spiritual Temple Voodoo Review

I was introduced to Priestess Miriam and her temple through a cemetary/voodoo tour that I took on the recomendation of my Bed and Breakfast hosts. They said that she was the real deal, and was she ever. I had a wonderful experience with her and even if it is a buch of crap, I don't care, because for the time I spent there I was buying into it and having a good time.

The voodoo spiritual temple contains a shop in the front, and an area in the back where Priestess Miriam will perform many types of rituals which are detailed on her website if you are interested.

I was lucky enough to relax in her courtyard and hear her tells stories (she does ramble randomly, so pay attention) and make merry with her visitors. She then invited us back into her special room where she conducts rituals. We met her snake, and then she did a general 'reading' for our group, speaking to everyone on different matters.

Crazy as this sounds, I felt as if the things that she was saying were just for me. Maybe I was just caught up in the moment, who knows. What I do know is that it was quite the experience, and I quite enjoyed her company and the glimpse into her life of practicing Voodoo.

You need not be on a tour to visit her or have her conduct rituals for you. Just stop by or call.

Address: 828 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans

Directions: On N. Rampart Street across from Louis Armstrong Park

Phone: (504) 522-9627

Website: http://www.voodoospiritualtemple.org/voodoospiritualtemplepriestessmiriam.htm