First time visiting New Orleans! Help me plan and have fun!! (Jackson: hotel, university)

[Nonameneeded]

Hello,

I'm visiting New Orleans later this month for about 4 or 5 days and I was preparing an itinerary. I've been wanting to go here for at least 6 years and I finally got the opportunity! I'm going to be staying close to the French Quarter. After Googling a ton of places, I came up with the following must-have places for me to visit, and am wondering what else I could add to my list:

A) Barcadia (I love video games -- if there's a better place than this for gamers, please let me know!)

B) Audobon Aquarium (I love aquariums in general and sea animals)

C) New Orleans Jazz Museum (I'm thinking of taking in as much as I can at the museum and then catching a live music performance there -- this place has me so excited!)

D) Tipitinas (I've never been to a venue like this so I'm iffy on it but willing to step out of my comfort zone -- I put this one on my list just in case)

E) The Grille (they have a nice brunch and good food apparently)

Part of this trip is a work trip, so I will not be able to visit a million places a day, and I should also note that my 20 year old nephew is joining me. He (obviously) will not be with me at any event or venue that sells alcoholic drinks.

I thought about visiting University of New Orleans's campus but I assume I wouldn't be able to get into any of the facilities without a UNO ID. I have heard of Bourbon Street and was thinking about it, but I've heard it can be trouble.

Safety: How dangerous is Bourbon Street and how dangerous is New Orleans in general? Anything I should be wary of or stay away from completely? Places to avoid?

Any other places I should check out and add to that list? I'm looking for nice chill spots -- bars/restaurants, and any other cool spots I should check out. I think there is a Jazz National Historical Park I missed? I think that's all for now. Thank you for your time.

- NNN

[mojo101]

Bourbon St is in the French Qtr,there is also Riverwalk near by within walking distance, hop on a street car and ride around.
Harrah's casino is right downtown,lots of good restaurants.

[Nonameneeded]

Thanks, I just checked online. Riverwalk is a giant mall. Seems like a nice place to take in the sea and take good pictures. I didn't hear about street cars. Where can I find them? Are they all over downtown?

[annie_himself]

Barcadia isn't anything special. I wouldn't particularly recommend it, its decent but not worth a stop in New Orleans in my opinion.

Tipitinas is a nice place, it's just a music venue though.

I definitely wouldn't recommend seeing UNO. There's nothing in between there for tourists and its a pretty ugly campus.

You definitely need to walk down Bourbon St once, take your nephew too. Just go before about 10pm. Its normally more dangerous late into the night.
I can't believe you haven't heard of the streetcars! The St. Charles line is the oldest operating streetcar line in the world, and is basically just for tourists at this point, you can take it to Tulane University and Loyola University campuses, which are beautiful. They are right across from Audubon Park as well, the view along that route is quintessential New Orleans. The route to UNO is more like The Wire.
There are streetcars to take you to almost every destination and popular area in the core of the city. Canal St and St. Charles are the main ones you will be using, possibly the Riverfront line.

I used to visit Hot Tin, its a rooftop bar with a view of the skyline in an elegant setting. Right on St. Charles Ave. Monkey Board is another rooftop bar, but in the CBD.
Jackson Square is the iconic Square in the city known for people watching, artists, and performers. Royal St is full of galleries and street performers, much calmer than Bourbon street.
Frenchman St used to be a local destination but now attracts many tourists, its still much much calmer than Bourbon St though.

Also, don't walk alone in dark areas. Stay on streets where people are. And if someone bets you $20 that they can guess where you got your shoes, say "on my feet!"

[Nonameneeded]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Barcadia isn't anything special. I wouldn't particularly recommend it, its decent but not worth a stop in New Orleans in my opinion.

Tipitinas is a nice place, it's just a music venue though.

I definitely wouldn't recommend seeing UNO. There's nothing in between there for tourists and its a pretty ugly campus.

You definitely need to walk down Bourbon St once, take your nephew too. Just go before about 10pm. Its normally more dangerous late into the night.
I can't believe you haven't heard of the streetcars! The St. Charles line is the oldest operating streetcar line in the world, and is basically just for tourists at this point, you can take it to Tulane University and Loyola University campuses, which are beautiful. They are right across from Audubon Park as well, the view along that route is quintessential New Orleans. The route to UNO is more like The Wire.
There are streetcars to take you to almost every destination and popular area in the core of the city. Canal St and St. Charles are the main ones you will be using, possibly the Riverfront line.

I used to visit Hot Tin, its a rooftop bar with a view of the skyline in an elegant setting. Right on St. Charles Ave. Monkey Board is another rooftop bar, but in the CBD.
Jackson Square is the iconic Square in the city known for people watching, artists, and performers. Royal St is full of galleries and street performers, much calmer than Bourbon street.
Frenchman St used to be a local destination but now attracts many tourists, its still much much calmer than Bourbon St though.

Also, don't walk alone in dark areas. Stay on streets where people are. And if someone bets you $20 that they can guess where you got your shoes, say "on my feet!"

Thanks for telling me about UNO. I'll keep that one off my list.

What time is the best time to visit Bourbon Street before it gets crazy?
Also, is there a ticket we need to take those street cars?

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Nonameneeded

Thanks for telling me about UNO. I'll keep that one off my list.

What time is the best time to visit Bourbon Street before it gets crazy?
Also, is there a ticket we need to take those street cars?

Before 10pm, but around sunset should be good too. It can be busy before that but it's nice to see all the lights lit up.
As long as boarding hasn't changed in the years since I left, no, just $1.25 per person.

[SnazzyB]

I love New Orleans. :-)

SOMEDAY, I want to go to the Rock n Bowl, AND I want to see The New Birth Brass Band at the Maple Leaf Bar. Are you in to Museums? I enjoyed the Folk Art Museum. OH...and you need to visit Jackson Square.

[Nonameneeded]

Annie mentioned the Jackson Square as well so I will definitely make it a point to go there. I have not heard of the Maple Leaf Bar, and yes, I am into museums.

[SnazzyB]

Originally Posted by Nonameneeded

Annie mentioned the Jackson Square as well so I will definitely make it a point to go there. I have not heard of the Maple Leaf Bar, and yes, I am into museums.

https://www.mapleleafbar.com/


I've never been to the Maple Leaf Bar...but it's on my wish list.

[EscAlaMike]

If you want to visit a university, Loyola and Tulane are far more interesting than UNO, and are right next to each other.

They are adjacent to Audubon Park which is beautiful. If you don't get to visit that side of town, you're really missing out in my opinion. St. Charles Ave is amazing, and you can take the street car all the way from the French Quarter to Audubon Park.

The National Shrine of Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos is worth a visit too, to learn about the life and legacy of a priest who died in New Orleans while caring for the victims of a cholera epidemic in the 19th century.