Anyone been to New Orleans? TX, Grand Canyon...

I tried to post this in the LA section but I don't think it's active so I am posting it here. Running out of time for planning so any help is appreciated.

We are driving back to Nor CA from FL after an extended work trip. We are going through Louisiana and have never been to NO and want to stop in the French Quarter.

Can anyone recommend great places to eat, things to see? Also, a good hotel/motel?

Note: We won't be camping anywhere, just hotels/motels.

We will also be driving through TX (Houston, SA), so any recommendations along the way there.

We want to stop in the Grand Canyon, then to Vegas to see some friends. Haven't been to the GC since I was a little kid so any tips there would be good too.

Thanks for the tips!

 

If you're stopping in the french quarter, there's a bunch of good places to eat. There's a little bar I like off of Esplanade near Burbon St. It's called Port of Call, IIRC. They have amazing burgers

Johnny's poboys is really good. I can't remember what street it's on, but still in the french quarter.

Hopefully somebody closer will chime in

 

And of course it's in 2nd Gen

 

Definitely stop by Cafe du Monde and try some Beignets! Jackson Square is really cool down in the French Quarter. Swamp tours are always fun if you have the time. Most of the food down in NO is really good, lots of good options for eating.

 

Keep em coming guys, I am making a list!

 

I've stopped at the Grand Canyon when driving from CA-OK. At the turnoff for the canyon, there is a little city with a place called Bearizona. Check it out if ya can, it was pretty cool. We even got to play with baby bear cubs . It was basically a drive-thru wildlife preserve/sanctuary. They give you a little radio/gps thing that plays as you go through the different parts.

 

Stayed at the Crown Plaza on the corner of Bourbon and Canal streets. Nice place and walking distance to everywhere you want to see. Only problem is the valet will take your vehicle away and you won't see it until you leave..Maybe you can make arrangements to park prior to arriving

 

Cafe du Monde is on the top of my list too It is a MUST! (And do sneeze and blow sugar all over the place while your at it)

 

Mother's for breakfast.
Port of Call or YoMamas for burgers.
GW Fins for seafood.
Take a vampire or cemetery or ghost tour.
Spend time in the french market. GET A TABLE at Cafe du Monde.
Ride the street cars.
People watch ( and watch your wallet and keys) on Bourbon.



If you have time-Do a plantation tour out to the west.

 

Near the Canyon is Monument Valley. One of the most beautiful places in the USA. It's on the Navajo Nation reservation. Go the the View Hotel and try the frybread, it's great. Also, drive the 17 mile dirt road that goes out from the hotel around some of the monuments.

 

I love NO! I spent a couple days there last year the French Quarter was lots of fun!
Def go to Cafe du Monde, people watch and my favotite was listening and watching the local kids play jazz everywhere.
And remember you can drink on public!

 

I've stayed here too ... I little more pricey, but definitely the best choice if you want to be near the action and still stay in a nice place. Sure, the valet will take your car, but for most visiting the French Quarter of New Orleans, you won't need it until you're ready to leave anyway.

This is a great time to visit -- not as many college kids, and the hotel prices and crowds are smaller because it's hot as shit. Just find some a/c during the daylight hours and you'll be fine.

 

houston sucks hahaha not really much reccomendations here, but it takes 5 hours flat from NO to houston if you dont stop

 

Just spent last Wednesday and Thursday in NO. There was a youth group convention from churches all over, and still was not to crowded. Heat/humidity was not unbearable, but the nightly 3" per hour rains are intense. We could of swam down Bourbon Street last Wednesday night.
Nice old cemetary on north side of French Quarter on Rampart. The voodoo high priestess is entombed there. Had no issue's with homeless or pick pockets. Lots of musicians and artist across from market. And no need to sneeze powdered sugar, it is already everywhere!

 

Not many know this, but you can drive to bottom of the Grand Canyon from Peach Springs, AZ. I was there last month, and recommend it.

 

New Orleans is an awesome city to visit. Here are some food recs:

Nice/Expensive Places:
My favorite is Galatoire's. It is pretty old-fashioned, but I think the food is excellent. Men must wear a jacket at dinner. http://www.galatoires.com/

Emeril's is good and I liked Nola, which is a little louder and trendier. http://www.emerils.com/restaurants/index.html

My Mom and Grandpa swear by Commander's Palace, in the Garden District, but I haven't been there. If I were going to New Orleans to try a new place, this would be it. http://www.commanderspalace.com/new_orleans/index.php

I think Brennan's is over-rated (although the Bannanas Foster is outstanding).

Mid-Range: I really like Mandina's, a neighborhood type restaurant on Canal, and also the Napoleon House (in the Quarter). Both are good for a more casual dinner or lunch.

Cheap Eats: I like the Acme Oyster House and Felix (for po-boys) and the Central Grocery (for muffellatta's).

Mother's (on 401 Poydras at Tchoupitoulas). Good, greasy breakfast, delicious ham and roast beef po-boys and good crawfish etouffe
http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/

Snacks: Angelo Brocato's and of course the obligatory Cafe du Monde.

 

Well, since you surf, you could check this out when coming thru Houston.

http://tankersurfcharters.com/

 

Bearizona is a great place, check that out for sure

Monument Valley is 2 - 3 hours north of the Grand Canyon bordering Utah,
if you have extra time its a cool place to check out, there is a time limit on when you can take your own car into the valley (before 4pm or something) on the dirt road, you can stay in as long as sunset i think, (they save the late afternoon / sunset time for tours to enter only)

from Flagstaff, AZ go north on 89 (15 min) until you see the loop for Sunset Crater take a right (nice loop road) after the loop turn right (north) 89 until you get to Cameron, tiny a&% town, turn left torwards GC (there will be signs) then you can follow along the canyon until you pretty much drive out the other end of it and that road will take you back to Williams (where Bearizona is as well).

 

drive as fast as you can through n.o. and texas, start to enjoy ride in albequerque so you can slow down, stay night there or in flagstaff, go to g-canyon and enjoy for 1-2 days. Then to VEGAS dude!!! 24 party with lots of cool, hip people who dont shout god with southern drawl while they take all your money!! the Cosmopolitan is Vegas' newest and best casino/hotel to stay at, and close to everything. pricey, though. the Tropicana is across the street and cheaper, as is the Monte Carlo, New York New York, The Excaliber and The MGM Grand. or you could go futher north on the Strip and stay at Planet Hollywood, Caesers Palace, Bellagio, THE Venitian, Palazzo, The Paris, The Mirage, Treasure Island or Harrah's. I lived there for 13 years and my favorites were Cosmopolitan, P-Hollywood, Caesars Palace(and Bill's casino for cheap drinks) and Harrah's(cheap drinks and entertainment). the best thing about Vegas to me was the unlimited 4-wheeling trails in all directions from the strip and the mountain bike trails at Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, and the world reknowned downhill trails in Boulder City(rent bike at All Mountain Cyclerly in Boulder City).but, Vegas is pure desert with mountain bike trails everywhere, just need good bike and skills and lots of WATER!! have fun, my friend and tell em' Bill sent ya'....Peace

 

Vacationed a lot in Santa Fe and used to live in Vegas for months on end playing cards so I know those places well. Never been to NO and the only times I was in TX it pretty much sucked. I went to GC twice as a Boy Scout but don't remember it really. So, I am taking all these places down and we'll see what I have time for. I look forward to NO, and the food!