Let me preface this post by saying I haven’t been to either of these spots in a few years, just before the world imploded. I was in New York during the beginning stages of Covid and that was just a trip. Rumors fly from people who still live as to what remains and what has changed. I find it difficult to believe that either of these places could have changed so drastically that I would dislike them. One thing I know for certain, if you are a foreigner traveling to the U.S. for the first time or live here and just want to explore the United States both New Orleans and New York need to be on the top of your list. No offense to other great U.S. cities like Washington DC, Charleston, or Boston, these are the two best cities America has to offer.

I will break this down by food (of course), history, atmosphere, things to do, and overall feel. Full disclosure I grew up outside of New York so there may be some biased in this writing. Still as of today I don’t know which way I lean, but hopefully (for your sake) when I put words to paper, I will work this all out. Without further ado, let me answer which is the best city New Orleans or New York: First up food!

New York or New Orleans: Food

This is a tough one, both offer some very distinct and outstanding cuisine. Each city has a good Italian scene (NY better), yet I feel this is where they splinter. Let me start with New Orleans, the more unique of the two. Maybe it is just strange to me, since I did not grow up on their cuisine. Creole/Cajun food is something special, when done right. New Orleans, does it right, as you might have guess.

Let me start with Gumbo, a slightly spicy soup/stew which can contain everything from Seafood, Gator, pork chicken, an old shoe, the whole nine. Not something I grew up on, yet something I love. The best place to get it is either Mr. B’s or more expensively Commander’s palace. Locals will tell you the best place is their mom’s kitchen, but we can’t just start knocking on doors. Stay away from the Gumbo Shop, it is a tourist trap.

Jambalaya is an American Creole and Cajun dish of French, African, and Spanish influence, consisting mainly of meat and vegetables mixed with rice (Thank you Wikipedia). Best spot for this is Coop’s Place, at least in this tourist’s opinion. The stuff is truly addictive.

Of course, I need to mention Beignets, Cafe Du monde is the go-to, but Cafe Beignet will do in a pinch. I never had a bad one at either spot. Add to this, all the amazing seafood (best oysters in the world and I tried them on 4 continents). Crawfish if they are in season and my personal favorite Alligator and you have something special.

I will keep going, I can’t forget the Po Boys, especially at Killer Po Boys, the turtle soup, Banana Foster, I am gaining weight just writing this. I know I am forgetting a bunch of fodd items. New Orleans might just have the best food in the country… then again.

New York Food…

As much as I love the food in New Orleans, New York just beats it. Me growing up in New York makes me bias, but there is just so much to offer in this city. I wouldn’t say New York has a unique cuisine the way New Orleans does. Although certain items such as Cheesecake, do feel more New York than any other city. Also, the Pizza is the best in the world, and I love Italy.

What New York does best is having the most authentic version of foreign foods in the country. Italian, best in the country, Chinese top five in the country, Indian, Middle Eastern. You name it they have it and it (almost) tastes like it does in the country of origin.

Now take that, add to this the classic items such as bagels, pizza…. you know the thing (guess that reference). Then we have croughnuts, crazy milkshakes, hell even the BBQ is great. It just out works New Orleans.

On top of all this… New York has the most Michelin star restaurants in the country. Plus, the most 3-star Michelin star restaurants as well. All this and that beautiful egg sandwich on the chewy roll you only get in a New York Deli…Sorry New Orleans your food is awesome, but point New York

History New York or New Orleans

I will keep this section short, if you wanted a middle school history lesson you would Google the history of New York, or New Orleans like I did. New York is a historic city and rightfully so. Wall Street, Ellis Island, not to mention all the major events New York has seen. New York is old, tracing its roots to 1653 (when it was an official city). Even so it has a newer feel. Being the financial capital of the world, everything has a more modern sense. Yes, there is a lot of history in New York, I just don’t feel overwhelmed by it.

Maybe it isn’t that New Orleans has better history, it is about 75 years younger. Perhaps I just find it more interesting (and it is more in your face). Between the pirates and the multiple wars fought over the area there is a lot to learn about. New Orleans sometimes feels like a separate country with its own distinct story.

It can be seen in every nook of the city. From the old, haunted hotels, the houses that look as if they were built 100-years ago. Even the graveyards are interesting and give the city an ancient feel. I am aware that there are entire areas of New Orleans that have a more modern look, but overall, the city feels historic, so if this is something you are interested in than I recommend trying it out.

Point for History buffs: New Orleans

Who has a better Atmosphere New York or New Orleans?

Both cities are not exactly safe these days, but New Orleans has a higher crime rate. I do not think that matters, especially if you’re smart about where and when you go. New York and New Yorkers on a whole were never the friendliest people. In my post here, I wrote that the people were one of the main things I hated about New York. The surroundings of New York are cold, it is a big city, and there are a lot of different looks. Overall, it has a very “get the fuck out of here” attitude.

Times Square is just a mob of people with a million different tourist traps. In fact, it is one of those places that should be avoided all together. There are other neighborhoods that are nicer, but the entire atmosphere is dirty and hectic. Add to this the terrible homeless problem, which seemed a bit more noticeable than New Orleans. I haven’t visited either since Covid I guess ended? Just from the word on the street New York is even dirtier grittier than before.

Outside of Bourbon Street and some of the worse areas the city has a nice atmosphere. First the Garden district gives me a peaceful feeling I just don’t get in New York. The Trolley adds to the environments as do the old homes that line the streets. New Orleans has an old European sense to it, like a blast from the past. Steamboats, interesting graveyards, cobble stone streets all create a great environment to get so drunk you can’t walk. In deciding what is better New York or New Orleans in terms of atmosphere/beauty I give the nod to New Orleans.

What Has More To do New York or New Orleans?

This one isn’t even close… New York. I might as well elaborate you did open this page. I do not see how one could ever get bored in New York. It has everything, including homeless people peeing in the middle of Penn Station, but I digress. Broadway, amazing museums (probably the best in America), hell there is even Coney Island. Plus, the nightlife is second to none, not like New Orleans is lacking in this department either.

The city has something for everyone. Unless you are an avid hunter, ok so not everyone. The best shopping in the country. The best restaurants, the best of so many things. Plus, it is huge, walking around can keep one entertained for days. I didn’t even mention the Speakeasy’s which I still get a kick out of.

New Orleans is fun, do not get me wrong. The World War 2 museum is amazing, and the New Orleans Museum of Art is also spectacular. Neither compared to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Natural history museum in New York. Yes, there are Ghost tours (which I weirdly love) and steamboats to ride, but I mostly start drinking at around 8am. Of course, the music is fantastic in this town, Frenchmen Street is one of the best experiences in the country. Still New York on a whole has a ton more to do. Winner: New York

Overall Feel

Like atmosphere, but not really the same. Which city just feels better? It might sound weird, but I get a sense of a city as soon as I step on the street. Maybe I am turning into a hippy, but every great place has a certain energy about it. That is why Charlotte is not great, there is no energy. Which of these two greats cities has a better energy? Of course, New Orleans.

Let me start with New York to explain further. Yes, New York has awesome food and yes there are a million things to do. The problem is that it is “hard’ for a lack of a better word. I am not sure if it is the crowds or the people mentioned earlier, but there is this stress level that I can’t put my finger on. Being from New York (ok some would call the farm that is Long Island). I have enough experience there. It feels like a never-ending fight, from the brutal winters to the attitudes of the people. Stress comes to mind when I think of New York.

New Orleans is just the opposite, at least in my experience. It is relaxed. I found myself in the most local of local bars, and everyone was welcoming. New Yorkers look down on outsiders yet people from New Orleans welcome them…this is the difference in a nutshell. That realization just hit me. The city has a great feel because on a whole people are nicer. Drivers, bartenders, and the guy drinking next to you.

It also doesn’t hurt that this city feels like it is celebrating every day. Nice, happy people always celebrating with great music. Compared to New York, cold, mean people with an attitude. Sorry New Yorkers, but I can say it, since I was born there.

It is for these reasons that with a heavy heart I have to say if there is a battle of two great cities New Orleans is better. I can’t believe I am writing this myself.

My Personal Choice for the Best City in The Country: New Orleans

The post New York or New Orleans: Battle of My Two Favorite US Cities appeared first on Man in Flight.

Is the French Quarter Safe? I would say for the most part, yes, but it does get sketchier as the night goes on. The area is safer than other parts of the city, but not without its dangers. I have been in the French Quarter at all hours, I never felt unsafe, but have felt uneasy at times. If you think I am playing both sides of the fence with this statement you are right. I do not want to give you the impression that New Orleans is dangerous for tourists, I just don’t want you to think you can let your guard down. There are some not so good people in the French Quarter just waiting to take advantage of those visiting.

I usually stay in the French Quarter, I know there are plenty of better places in the city, but that is where most of us nonlocals stay. Although safe, it is still wise to take some precautions, especially at night. This is due to the excessive amount of drinking and the high volume of visitors. For the most part the people of New Orleans are some of the most wonderful you will meet in the world. There is unfortunately a shady element that will take advantage of circumstances if one lets them. Let us examine this further.

Violent Crime in the French Quarter

Although New Orleans on a whole has been doing better with violent crime, the French quarter has seen a spike in recent years. 2018 saw an increase of 16.5% (source). 2019 was trending better but there were still many high- profile cases of violent crimes. One that stuck in my mind happened in December 2019 when 11 people were shot in the French Quarter during the holiday season. You can read more about that situation at the link here. I personally never witnessed anything of this caliber, but it clearly happens. I do not want to make it out like the French Quarter is the wild, wild west and you shouldn’t go. As I mentioned in this article here, I love this city.

A lot of Drunk People

This is not hometown USA, there is a wonderful amount of excess drinking in this area. New Orleans can be dangerous from tourists as well as to tourists. In fact, on a whole I worry much more about the alcohol invincible dudes than I do about the locals when too much alcohol is involved. New Orleans is a hub for bachelor parties, which can bring a certain level of rambunctiousness. This kind of behavior is pretty much limited to Bourbon street and not the French Quarter on a whole, but it is something to keep an eye out for. I have seen some f-up things on Bourbon street at night, things I cannot unsee, but not much that made me feel unsafe

Scams in the French Quarter

There are a lot of minor scams in the French Quarter. Near Jackson Square you have a slew of fortune tellers, whether you think they are a scam is up to you. Just be careful, there are reports of them working harder and harder to milk you dry. Do not let fun entertainment turn into a $1000 learning lesson.

Another thing to look out for is someone trying to start up a conversation on the street. Be aware there is usually something more at play. They may want to sell you their rap CD, which is fine. If they aren’t trying to lead CHAZ, they are probably harmless. Other, not so harmless people are those who will follow or harass you trying to get you to go somewhere. We had a guy chase us a few blocks because we responded to his pleasantries. Some rules of thumb, don’t let anyone spell your name, guess your shoe size, or play any other game or dare. those that do this are glorified beggars trying to trick you into giving them your cash. Always be nice to people, just be wary of their motives…if something feels off it usually is.

Pickpockets in the French Quarter

I know New Orleans has a European feel, but sometimes there is too much of a good thing. Like Europe, the French Quarter is known for its pickpockets. This is more concentrated on Bourbon street and the bars in it. Bourbon street combines the two things thieves love: drunk people and heavy crowds. With the influx of so many drunken tourists, it is easy pickings for pickpockets.

One unfortunate thing is many bars are either working with the pickpockets or (more likely) just turn a blind eye to them. I do not know what it is about Bourbon Street, unlike the rest of New Orleans people who work there seem to have a contempt for tourists. Maybe they see their fair share of drunken jerks and it breeds a hatred for everyone visiting. I have read many of a TripAdvisor review about certain bars in which multiple people complain they lost their wallet and were not helped at all by the owners. It is unfortunate because most of the city is full of really nice people.

Is the French Quarter Safe at Night?

Is the French Quarter safe at night? Yes and no… I never had a problem, but there are definitely risks to be considered. Let us face it, nothing good ever happens after midnight, and most people who are out and about probably have been overserved. I have walked the French Quarter dozens of times at night, to avoid a violent situation it is probably best to stick to the more touristy (crowded) areas. Also wrap it up by midnight…you most likely have been drinking all day and the hurricanes will be flowing tomorrow early, why risk a problem?

One of the main issues in terms of safety is it is easy to slip into a less populated area. When you have been drinking all day and now it is midnight you may just be wandering from one neighborhood to the next, cocktail in hand. Next thing you know there isn’t a sole around, not the best situation in terms of safety. Once again, I am not trying to scare you, rather just give a bit of caution.

Tips for Safety in The French Quarter

I will end this by giving you a couple of tips on how to stay safe in the French Quarter. Some may seem obvious, but they always bear repeating. There a lot of tourist that come to New Orleans every year. If you take some precaution, someone else will be a victim, not you.

1. Be Careful Going from Neighborhood to Neighborhood: Especially at night, I am thinking of my own experience visiting Frenchmen Street. We went late at night and it is an amazing area. Both the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street are usually crowded. The streets in between are where you must keep your wits about you. Some of the streets can be very iffy.
2. Guard Your Wallet on Bourbon Street: I do not even like Bourbon Street, but most tourist find their way to this area. Do some research, you will find out which bars “allow” crimes to take place. Just avoid those like the plague.
3. Know Where You Are Before Getting Too Drunk: I can tell you not to get too drunk, but I would be a hypocrite. Still set up a plan as to how to get home (or more likely your hotel) in case you are still drinking at 3 AM. This will come in handy when you are too drunk to remember the name of the place you are staying.
4. Stay in Crowded Areas: This might feel like a no brainer, but you are less likely to get robbed if there are a million tourists around. Keep an eye out for your surroundings, if it is late and the population starts to dwindle, maybe turn around.
5. Turn in Early, Start Drinking Early and Go to Bed Early:.. You are not a punk if you go to bed by midnight, if (and only if) you have been drinking since 9 am. At the very least, end the night at your hotel bar (or one close to your hotel) just to stay out of harm’s way.

Conclusion: Is the French Quarter Safe for Tourists?

So, when one asks is the French Quarter Safe, I give mixed messages. I did not mean to give the impression that the French Quarter is a terribly unsafe place. I never had any fearful experiences personally. The occasional scammer following us etc… then again New Orleans is not Japan (read my review here), it is a wonderful city, but not always the safest. Just use common sense and be careful. Day time is safer than night, keep your wits about you and you should be fine.

The post Is The French Quarter Safe? appeared first on Man in Flight.

First, what is a Hurricane Drink? It is a rum based cocktail; the good places use light rum and finish it off with dark rum on top. It is mixed with fruit juice (preferably homemade), commonly passion fruit and orange juice.

The creation of the cocktail is credited to New Orleans tavern owner Pat O’Brien. The bar allegedly started as a speakeasy called Mr. O’Brien’s Club Tipperary and the password was “storm’s brewin'”.

In the 1940s, O’Brien needed to create a new drink to help him get rid of all of the less-popular rum that local distributors forced him to buy before he could get a few cases of more popular liquors such as scotch and other whiskeys. He poured the concoction into hurricane lamp shaped glasses and gave it away to sailors. The drink caught on, and it has been a mainstay in the French Quarter ever since..but today you can only get the original in a few bars.

This isn’t a one-shot drink, good places make it taste like candy, while giving you 4-5 hits of rum. You probably should sip them, I never do…hence my “incident” on my plane ride home. I love these at all times of day. It is best to start them before 9 AM so you can get a nice lunch time nap… All Hurricane Drinks aren’t created equally, the below are my favorites.

Pat O’Brien’s

Hurricane Drink Price: $8.50 (with signature glass)

Not the best Hurricane in New Orleans, probably below average in my opinion, but I have to include them. After all they invented the damn drink, even if they did cheapen it with a thick corn syrup base. Located on Bourbon Street this place is always packed and has a nice patio. They also have food, crappy as it may be, the alligator is a safe choice if you must. Go, have a Hurricane Drink, take a selfie for Instagram and move on. There, I got Pat O Brien’s out of the way, now onto where you should REALLY go….

Curio

Hurricane Drink Price: $9 Happy Hour: $ 6

An unassuming bar right outside of the Hotel Monteleone, it is me and my crews traditional morning Hurricane Drink. So much so, that I am more likely than not, going to grab some and bring the late sleepers one as a wake up call. The cocktails are really a work of art. I was told by the bartender that this is the recipe Pat O’Brien’s used to use, until they swapped real juice with the corn syrup mix mentioned above. The cocktail may take a bit longer to make, but it is worth the wait.

Notice the color, a bit more orange/yellow than most of the other places we visited. Real juice isn’t hot pink, and you can tell by the flavor that this juice is legit (not a mix). What is even better, buy a Hurricane drink at happy hour (3PM-6PM) and you will get it for only $6. They have food also, and it looks delicious, but I only went for the drinks.

Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub

Hurricane Drink Price Varies

This bar is about as ‘divey’ as they come, complete with the hottest bathroom in America. We always end up here on our trips to New Orleans, and always have fun. The Hurricane Drinks are better than most, although their pricing scheme is a bit suspect. The sign outside reads Hurricanes $5, we walk in sit down and get three. The bill was $30, apparently there is a different price for takeaway Hurricanes. My assumption is those aren’t as good…

Having said this, the drinks themselves are great and I always seem to have a good time when I come here, they usually have free music, which never disappoints. Of course, every time I hear music in New Orleans it is good…

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Hurricane Drink Price: Its foggy

Admittedly, it gets a little dicey when remembering the Hurricanes at this old establishment. Lesson: Jurricanes at night are less remembered than daytime Hurricane Drinks. I know I enjoyed it…it was definitely better than Pat O Brien’s, I don’t think they use a mix. It was just past 6 PM in New Orleans, and at this point details start to escape me…

This bar has been around for hundreds of years so they must be doing something right. The also serve something called a Purple Drink, but I was too drunk to remember this when I got there. Just know this…between all the bars on Bourbon Street, gravitate toward this one.

and finally….

The Gazebo Cafe

Hurricane Drink Price: $9

I really love the Gazebo Cafe; they have a little to go window right outside the main restaurant. It is the perfect place to get your second Hurricane when on your way to breakfast in the French Market.

I would say this is a close second in terms of favorite Hurricane Drinks in New Orleans. For about $9, you get an amazing beverage, of which they do the second pour of dark rum to finish it. I hit up this spot every time we pass it, usually on the first morning.

I did eat there one time and listened to the free live music they were playing. It has been a while since I tried the food, but I remember I liked what they served. As usual in this city, I always enjoy the music.

Conclusion on The Best Hurricane Drink

Admittedly, this is almost a best Hurricane Drink in the French Quarter list, not all of New Orleans. Really, where else are you going to drink them? I am not running around the Garden District or the business district with a red Hurricane Drink in my hand. If you are near Frenchmen’s Street, I will give an honorable mention to Iggy’s a local bar that somehow I ended up spending a few hours. The people were friendly, even to those of us that wandered off from the French Quarter.

If it is your first time in New Orleans, and you want to experience a great Hurricane Drink, this list won’t lead you astray… just remember to pace yourself…(drink WATER!).

The post Top Five Best Hurricane Drinks in New Orleans appeared first on Man in Flight.

This trip was also unique, because besides my wife, my nephew came along with us. It was fun watching someone discover the area for the first time, with my wife growing up in Louisiana she was able to give us more of a local perspective. We tried to hit as much as possible in the 3.5 days we were there, and much of the trip is a blur, thanks in no small part to the numerous hurricanes and other adult beverages. Below is my best recollection of my experience in the city.

Day One in New Orleans

Driving in I knew I was in for a long, great weekend. We pulled into the hotel Montelone at around 9 AM, in my mind we were already an hour late for our first drink. Of course, we had a hurricane, it was in a bar across the street whose name escapes me. Everyone has a special twist on the drink, theirs was more citrus forward, a perfect breakfast beverage. After a month of no alcohol I basically told my liver to go F itself and downed the beverage. So before getting to our next destination, Café Du Monde, I needed another…so another I had. Introducing my nephew to some beignets, this spot may be touristy, but I still think they are the best.

Time to walk around a little more, we decided to stroll through the French Market. Round three was approaching so I grabbed another hurricane at a little kiosk on the way. The French Market was a place we loved on our first trip, but not something we really spent much time in this second trip. I was three drinks in and I haven’t even eaten anything substantial, so we made our way back to the hotel. From here we went across the street to Mr. B’s, and had a $1.50 martini, fried oysters and some seafood gumbo. Gumbo is one of those things you can only really get in New Orleans (or in my kitchen, my wife makes a great gumbo). If anyone in the city is close to homemade, it is Mr. B’s, my favorite gumbo of the many I tried in New Orleans.

Pride Weekend

Going to New Orleans is a crazy experience on any weekend. We happened to stumble upon it during pride week, in all its glory (no pun intended). I have no problem with any one’s orientation, you are who you are and no one should be judged poorly for being themselves. I do have something to say about people’s choices. Looking at some of the outfits, I can say that nothing screamed “pride” with the attire worn. It was like I was transported into a episode of Sex in The City. My eyes cannot take back the things I saw. On top of that, some of the men where outright sexual harassing people, which isn’t cool no matter your orientation. The vast majority of people attending the festivities where friendly and respectful. Overall it added to the WTF nature of the city and the weekend.

Bourbon Street

The time has come to go to Bourbon Street, and really act like a tourist. It was here that the aforementioned Pride Week participants really shined. This trip confirmed that Bourbon Street has the worst drinks, and the rudest bartenders. It was this way on my first trip and it wasn’t a fluke. We made our way to the Tropical Isle’ where my nephew wanted a grenade and twist my arm I got one also. My wife on the other hand wanted a hurricane. The response from the bartender was ‘we don’t have hurricanes here, that is another bar, we have a tropical punch.’ This statement was repeated over and over rudely. I felt like saying, “are you f-ing kidding me, pour some rum and some fruit juice call it a hurricane and shut the f- up.”

After Bourbon

As for the grenade, these things lead you to make bad choices…like drinking more. We walked through Bourbon and were making our way to the Marigny neighborhood, ending up in a local bar named Iggy’s.  I was trying to find Frenchmen St, which was one block over, but never made it.. This also confirmed my original opinion that the real locals in this city are great people. I think we were there for two hours, although, at this point my mind is a blur. Now things are getting hazy, I know for a fact we made our first of many trips to the Royal Oyster House shortly after. I know we ate oysters and drank, but I couldn’t tell you if a purple elephant was sitting next to me.

I was told we went to Antoine’s on the first day as well to try the Oysters Rockefeller. My recollection is wavering, but I remember them being tasty, but nothing I would go back for..

We did something else, and I am pretty sure it involved drinking, then found ourselves in the Acme Oyster House, a good place, but not worth the line or hype. Here we did something no one should do…an oyster shooter. A shot of vodka with an oyster and hot sauce in it (to be fair, we added the hot sauce). Yeah, it was as good as it sounds… We ended the night at the Carousel bar in our hotel, that is about as much as I can recall about our first day. I knew that I needed to mix some culture into our second and third day or I may lose my liver altogether.. 

Day 2

I woke up. That’s a good sign, my head hurt slightly, but I knew we would be buffering our drinking. OK, we still grabbed a drink the first thing in the morning mind you (I am only human), but then we hit the Cabildo afterwards (well after two drinks). The museum has a lot of history in and around it, including the room where Plessy v. Ferguson (separate but equal/the birth of Jim Crow) took place as well where the Louisiana Purchase was signed. The museum is exceptional and well worth the small price of admission. Before heading to our next location, we got a classic muffuletta from the Central Grocery. I have had this sandwich many times, but this is the original and the best…

Steamboat 

I highly recommend the steamboat tour, even if their queuing process is a joke. What kind of place gives you a ticket via email, yet makes you wait on line to get paper tickets? Oh well, I got on the boat and was looking forward to seeing an alligator or two while sailing the Mississippi. Grabbing three hurricanes for my crew, I waited in a line that took around 20 minutes. Upon my return, I am told about the 97ft gator that was near the boat, but swam away before I could see it. They think it ate a fisherman it was so big…

The trip itself was about an hour and a half, very relaxing and informative. It is nice to be able to sit back and enjoy the Mississippi coast. Although for some reason my head was pounding. Once again we hit the Royal Oyster House, our meal here got bigger every time we went. After this meal it was back to the hotel room for some rest..

Disaster (almost) Strikes

Trying to nap I notice something; my head was pounding and I had a fever. I couldn’t really move, I felt I was getting sick. I didn’t understand, I drank plenty of liquids and got a full 4 hours of sleep. Still I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. My wife and nephew were nice enough to grab me a All that Jazz sandwich from Verti Marte. I was feeling so lousy I barely ate half of the sandwich filled with shrimp, ham, turkey, and cheese, but I was in for the night, which was more than frustrating..

Day 3: Miracle!

It was 6:30 am and I was ready to go, my sickness gone, and I felt great.  I was ready to hit the open roads, of course everyone else was sleeping so I went solo. I walked the streets and found the only bar open, grabbed a bloody Mary, questioning why no one else was up. Mornings in New Orleans are peaceful, it is not too hot or crowded. There was the occasional leather clad gentleman from pride week. I don’t know who throws on tight leather shorts first thing in the morning, but I digress. I will not entertain “walk of shame ” possibilities. Nothing can slow me down. I wake my family, and we make our way out on the town (SIDE NOTE: IT WAS THIS DAY AND NOT THE DAY BEFORE WE SAW A MAN GET ARRESTED BEFORE 9AM).

World War II Museum

The WWII Museum was one of the best museums I have ever been to, and that is saying something, since I have visited many around the world. The main section of the museum is broken out into two areas, the battle in the Pacific and the battle in Europe. I will say this is a must visit spot for any American. The stories told and what the world was like was truly remarkable. No matter how bad people think the world is today, this shows what true evil looked like. Fortunately, it also showed what true good looks like in the face of humbling adversity. People throw the word hero around today to anyone who can tie their shoes. The men and women who fought in this war are true hero’s, this museum does justice to their stories..

A Day of Debauchery

Walking back from the museum, we make a pit stop at Luke’s, an amazing seafood restaurant, albeit slightly more upscale. Once again New Orleans doesn’t disappoint. Getting the seafood platter and some appetizers we discussed the day. We decided to make the last day about debauchery…with some site seeing. It wasn’t that hot for New Orleans in the summer, but we decided we needed to try the 151 laced slushy all the same. These things are sickeningly sweet, but got the job done. We had no destination, and all day to get there, so we just wandered the French Quarter. Ducking in and out of art galleries and antique stores, in between drinks, we found it to be one of the best ways to spend an afternoon. We also strolled through Louis Armstrong Park, and paused at Congo Square, a great oasis from the craziness. 

I do remember two stops for Po Boys, one at Killer Po Boys, a place with a great roast beef and a pork belly Po Boy. Both were fantastic, but I give the edge to Killer Po Boys.. 

One More Day

Knocking on my nephew’s door, Monday morning, oks, screaming get ready to drink…we all realized something. We were tired. Apparently, nonstop drinking, eating, and exploring takes its toll. Still we had one more half-day to enjoy the freedoms of the city. We got our morning drinks, one more stop at the Royal Oyster House, one more Po Boy…for now. Monday was similar to Sunday in that we roamed around until the end. We had two last drinks at the Carousel bar, grabbing seats at the bar itself and then unfortunately, it was time to go. When it is over it is over, not even our hurricane at the airport could be finished, apparently you can’t bring alcohol on a plane… (yet it is served on the plane).

Conclusion

So why am I telling you about this trip? Well one, I want to document it for my own sake. Two, I hopefully gave you some ideas as to where you can go and what you can eat. Obviously, the French Quarter is popular (touristy, but fun), but there are other neighborhoods to explore. Hit the Royal Oyster House as well as Luke’s. Go to the World War II museum, really just wander. Use this excursion as a loose guide as to what to see in New Orleans. On the other hand, you may do none of these things and still have a great time, that is the beauty of the city..

The post New Orleans: Second Helpings: Experiences from my Second Trip to The City appeared first on Man in Flight.

Many people only know New Orleans as some party town you go to get passed out drunk 40 days before Easter. A place for people to throw up on Bourbon Street and watch some show too much skin for worthless beads (not like I am complaining – I gave that up for Lent..).

I am here to tell you there is a whole city to get wasted in, not just one street! There are a lot of layers to this city, and it is unique to most in the United States. New Orleans at times felt almost foreign, compared to the rest of the country.  I think I said in my last post that it was like New York and Charleston had a baby…I stand by this. New Orleans is probably tied for my favorite city in the United States and even New Orleans in the summer couldn’t damper my good time.

The Great: The Food and Drink in New Orleans

The thing I miss most about the city is the unique cuisine and liberal alcohol laws. Landing in New Orleans at 8 am on a hot August morning (Obviously, New Orleans in the summer is always hot) we caught a cab to our hotel on Royal Street. Time to drop off our bags and grab some Bloody Mary’s.

It took me all of two seconds to find my drink, then we were off to eat. Being a tourist, I did what tourists do and went to Café Du Monde.  Sometimes what is considered a tourist trap is anything but, these beignets were delicious. I made it my mission to try as many spots around the city to compare, all were great, but nothing topped Café Du Monde. It was a great start to a gluttonous trip. If you want to attempt your own beignets, you can buy the mix yourself by hitting the picture below. Good luck trying to duplicate it, tell me if you can.

In addition to the beignets, in the muggy heat of New Orleans; we hit the French Market, for alligator numerous times, in numerous forms. Oysters of course, we consumed by the dozen, shrimp, gumbo (all inferior to my wifes), fried chicken…I pride myself on eating multiple species and New Orleans gave me this spectacular opportunity. The food in New Orleans is a blissful/mouth-watering blend of of different cultures.

My Favorite Spots

For me there are some stand outs in terms of dining experiences.

1) Commanders Palace – Just order anything but get the bread pudding soufflé for dessert. It was so good I am pissed off thinking about it and its distance..

2) Verti Marte – The All That Jazz sandwich is one of those Food Network worthy sandwiches. It is Noah’s Arc in your mouth with shrimp, ham, and turkey (among other things)…a sloppy mess, but worth every bite. The place itself is just grocery store, but they happen to make an incredible sandwich. Some may think a 2 lb sandwich is too heavy for New Orleans in the Summer, I would say you’re wrong!

3) Mr. B’s Bistro– I have better service at places, but the gumbo was fantastic. It may have been the best of the trip. Now, I knew nothing about gumbo before going to New Orleans, but I know what my taste buds like. My wife, on the other hand, is a gumbo expert and it got her stamp of approval. If you can’t get into Mr. B’s, Antoine’s will do in a pinch.

4) French Market– I will mention this place again, it bears repeating, given I was there every morning.  There are a ton of spots to choose from within the market, I continued to go to the place that advertised alligator sausage. Repeatedly I gobbled down alligator po boys, sausage, and egg sandwiches with…alligator. Figured it was about time someone really bite back at those bastards!

5) For oysters we tried both Royal House and Acme Oyster House, we liked both, but the Royal House was our favorite, it was hit multiple times.

6) Nicholas Girod House- Must mention this as well, I had a great muffuletta sandwich here, along with some exceptional boudin. Wash it down with a Pimms Cup and you’re all set. I may be one giant map from sounding like a tourist here, but in this instance, I don’t care.

The Great Things About New Orleans, Entertainment

We stayed in the French Quarter (insert tourist joke) on Royal St., one street away from the barbaric Bourbon Street. Our stay was at the Omni Hotel, in terms of location and quality I will say I really liked the hotel. Read the reviews below and surf the prices if you are planning a trip.

READ TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS FOR THE OMNI

Royal Street gives you the location in the French Quarter, with a lot more class than the other streets. Comparing it to Bourbon Street it is like comparing night and day. Royal Street is the girl at the bar who had two glasses of wine, Bourbon Street is the girl throwing up jelly shots in the corner.

Besides the location, what I loved about Royal Street were the hidden surprises… Art galleries with Picassos for sale, fantastic oyster restaurants, amazing antique stores…The entire city shares this feel, there are a ton of small museums and galleries to explore in every nook we discovered. New Orleans is walkable for the most part. Just a reminder, I am coming at this as a tourist, there are plenty of neighborhoods you don’t want to be strolling through at night …

Having said this, from the seedy (I like seedy) to the sophisticated, New Orleans has it all. If you want a strip club or 5, bars, or a casino you can have it. On the flip side the museums are great as well, whether you go to the New Orleans Museum of Art, WW2 museum or just go to one of the high-end bars (Carousel Bar was my favorite) you will not be disappointed.

The things I liked the most include:

1. The already mentioned New Orleans Museum of Art was one of the better museums outside of New York. The sculpture garden is a nice addition. 
2. The Voodoo Museum, strange, quick, but fun the entrance fee is small…it will give you some reprieve of the heat experienced in New Orleans in the Summer.
3. Louisiana State Museum– Another great place to duck out of the heat, this talks about the extensive history of the city. There is of course a Katrina exhibit, but the history of the town is a lot greater than one terrible storm. I personally loved learning about all the different countries who controlled the area.

The Questionable in New Orleans: Some of the People

Ok we had most of my bad experiences on Bourbon Street, but we had a mix of nice and nasty when we visited this city. Maybe it is just New Orleans in the summer, but a couple of folks were down right rude. I get it, there are a lot of idiots on Bourbon Street, but we weren’t one of them. One bartender acted as if I stole his first born, he spoke to us with such contempt. Even with the place being empty, if he wasn’t ignoring us, he was giving us a condescending attitude. I wasn’t even drunk, so I know I was not being obnoxious. (I was trying to get drunk, but that is irrelevant!)

Many times, I felt the people were either nice or conversely, wouldn’t spit on me if I was on fire. Maybe this trip was an anomaly, but this how I felt. An interesting note, after a certain point, my wife start throwing into conversation with servers that her family was local .. crazy how service would get noticeably better…

The Bad About New Orleans: Bourbon Street

One great thing about New Orleans in the summer is walking through 90-degree weather and having the pleasant smells of vomit wafting through the air. Every good city has one spot that attracts all the mindless tourists. New York has Times Square and New Orleans has Bourbon Street.

People are just ridiculous here, passed out drunk, buying bad pizza and getting into fights. I think I walked it twice at night, (more times during the day) to me there is no good reason spend any significant time there. Plus, I have heard that many of the bars let pickpockets wander free. There are much classier places to drink throughout the city. If want the experience of Bourbon street, grab some beads, drink a gallon of $5 vodka and find a porta potty to hang out in. Ok, it might not be exactly the same, buuut, you won’t lose your wallet or end up with HPV… 

Some Tips for New Orleans in the Summer

I only experienced New Orleans in the summer for a couple of days, some might think I couldn’t offer good tips. I look at it in the opposite way, any local must have ice cubes in their veins to be able to take that kind of heat repeatedly. For someone that is from the north it is a whole different ball game. Still I was able to take the heat, by following a few simple steps

First, I always had a drink in my hand! Probably the worst advice from medical perspective, but a cool hurricane really helped with that mugginess. Plus, when you are walking around with a buzz, heat doesn’t seem so bad. Of course, drink plenty of water (even though it gets in the way).

Secondly, bring extra clothes, you will need them. Packing for New Orleans in the summer is a complex experience. Any day you are there you will need double the clothes of a normal trip. This is because what you put on originally will be soaked with sweat by noon. On the hottest days, you can probably go through three undershirts or more, depending on the hairiness of your back. It is a two shower a day city…

Third, while on the subject of clothes you should be in the right gear. Of course, you should avoid cargo shorts and fanny packs, but that is just for your own self-respect. Light linens and cotton are your friends. Hats and umbrellas are also your friends to keep the sun from punishing you. If you are drinking all day make sure you put on a strong sun screen. Six hurricanes can make you forget that the sun is melting your skin…

Lastly, plan accordingly, we aren’t in 1745, the air conditioner has been invented, use it. Go visit your museums at noon and plan on a nice nap to sleep off your morning drinks by 2; this way you are plenty rested to drink and eat the night away. If any locals read this and can offer additional advice I would love to hear it. Even as an (ex) New Yorker, I don’t think New Orleans in the summer should deter you from going.

Conclusion

I am going to accept the fact that I am looking at this city through tourist’s eyes. I am sure that there is a whole different part of the city that I may not have seen (but of course want to!..wife might not let me…). This site is written for other people looking to travel, so I am not going to discount my experience…

In the short time I stayed, I will say I loved the city and the culture. The food, the atmosphere, and the energy are totally unique to this area. It is my favorite city in the south and an argument can be made it is the best in the country (I still give a slight nod to NYC). I look forward to returning and adding to this post…

Editors Notes

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The post An Honest Review of New Orleans: New Orleans in the Summer appeared first on Man in Flight.