A Different Kind of New Orleans Guide
One of the great joys of traveling is being able to observe the distinctive things and behaviors that are unique to a place. New Orleans is without a doubt one of the most unique cities in the United States. Derived from Spanish, French, and Creole cultural influences wrapped in an Old South tradition, New Orleans’ culture is a magical mix of cultural flavors like a fine dish of Jambalaya. While New Orleans food, music and drink certainly take center stage, these pleasures are just the most popular symbols of a New Orleans style which is etched into many aspects of daily life, sometimes in the most subtle of ways. Having lived in this gem of a city for several years, this author is is well acquainted to the New Orleanian lifestyle, but unless you’re from there, you never quite fully grasp all of its cultural intricacies and, for lack of a better word, its eccentricities. Of course, as a visitor, this give you a wonderful opportunity to explore the inner workings of this world, and the longer you stay the more you learn. The overarching ethos of New Orleans is seemingly contradictory in its unyielding aspiration to be as slow paced as possible (and I mean s-a-a-low) married with an unfettered urgency of equal and opposite proportion to party and have a good time any time of day or night. To put it in perspective, if measured in terms of fundamental human liberties, the right to carry open containers wherever one pleases\wants would certainly stand alongside free speech if not superior to it.
For those looking for more than the usual push, shove, shuffle and drink around the French Quarter, New Orleans has a lot to offer in just its very own way of life. You just have to keep your eyes and ears open, and slow down and get in synch with the heartbeat of the city. Rather than provide a litany of the usual trite recommendations provided by tired internet travel guides, I want to share a few simple treats for the ear. So, instead of a litany of Trip Advisor listings with gripes and praises, I offer you some simple pleasures for the ear. First, one thing you might note if you have a discerning ear is that the New Orleans accent is is not a Cajun accent like the accent popularized in the movies. The authentic New Orleans accent sounds very similar to a Brooklyn accent, strangely enough, with a hint of the Cajun accent. If you have ever heard Harry Connick Junior speak, his accent his a New Orleans accent.
During the course of my stay, I picked up a few fun phrases that you might just hear on your visit, especially if you have the chance to venture into parts of New Orleans other than the French Quarter. Because no New Orleans guide would be complete without a few New Orleans recommendations, I have included a few select New Orleans recommended attractions which offer some truly authentic New Orleans style fun. Before you object that I missed a few or many places, please keep in mind there are many things to see and do, but there is nothing worse than seeing a visitor walking aimlessly in the Quarter fighting the crowds and shopping in a dime a dozen trinket and tee shirt shops. So, I hope my recommendations offer a few worthwhile suggestions to turn New Orleans into a visit of a lifetime.
New Orleans Travel Guide - New Orleans Slang
“Dawlin” – Means darling. If you're in a bar somebody might siddle up next to you and say “Hey deh dawllin, whatch u doin”.
“Fat City” – It is part of Greater New Orleans and located in Metairie, Louisiana. It is basically loaded with bars for locals, and is where Mardi Gras begins.
“Hey Deh Cuz” – Means “hello”.
"Lagniappe” - Means something a little extra, usually for free. It is pronounced “Lan-yop”. Once in a while a chef might bring a dessert on the house. That’s a little lagniappe for ya.
"Makin Groceries" – Of course, means to go to the grocery store.
“Neutral Ground” - This is the street median by the rest of us folk.
“Po-Boy” - A Po-Boy is a New Orleans sandwich. It is like a sub and can be packed with anything.
"Public Service” – This New Orleans transit bus.
"River Bend” – The Mississippi River plays a mighty role in the life of New Orleans folks, and the River Bend is an area of New Orleans which bounds the Garden District. It quite literally is where the river bends and curls from its north south direction to a west to east flow bordering the city as it winds to the Gulf.
“Tchoupitoulas” – Pronounced “Chop – a-toolis", it is a street in New Orleans, but impossible to phonetically pronounce.
“Yat” – means where are you.
New Orleans Recommendations- Restaurants, Bars, Music & Coffee
Here are few places that represent true New Orleans in all its varied eccentricity, majesty and debauchery. As you will note, it mostly is about food, drink and fun.
1. Camellia Grill – 626 South Carrollton Street, New Orleans- This a great local grill where locals love to eat and visitors are treated with great southern hospitality. Sultry with old fashioned counters, you will feel like you have been transported to the past.
2. Take a Ride on the Saint Charles Street Car – Take trip on the Saint Charles Street car from downtown up through the Garden District to the River Bend. It is a beautiful ride which will take you through century old live oak lined streets with majestic antebellum mansions. The Street cars have authentic old fashioned wood seats and pull down windows providing a wonderful gentle breeze as you meander through the city.
3. Commander’s Palace for Sunday Brunch - 1403 Washington Avenue, New Orleans– A true New Orleans dining institution with outstanding food and superb atmosphere, Commanders serves up authentic Creole and local cuisine that will not disappoint. Commander's Palace for Sunday Brunch is a local New Orleans tradition. Reserved for special occasions among locals, but usually an at least once a year treat, Commander's offers top of the line Creole and Louisiana cuisine served with elegance and style.
4. Café du Monde- 1039 Decatur Street, New Orleans – Located along the river in the quarter, the Café du Monde is perfect for a late night beignet (pronounced- “ben-yay” – essentially fried dough with powdered sugar) and a latte. It is not a place to relax during peak tourist hours with long lines and crowded tables. It’s a great place to top off the night and wind down.
5. Muriel’s Jackson Square – 801 Chartres Street, New Orleans - Along with Commander's Palace, I think you fill find Muriel's Jackson Square to be a classic New Orleans restaurant located in the French Quarter. Serving up superb authentic New Orleans cuisine, this French Quarter restaurant is located in a classic french Victorian style building with a sumptuous and rich interior. The atmosphere adds to the experience and will make for a memorable dining experience.
6. Tipitina’s 501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans –Tipitinas is a must do classic New Orleans experience and well worth the visit despite reviews from the newest trend is best generation. Founded by Professor Longhair, a New Orleans Jazz institution himself, this venue offers top notch live jazz music.
7. F&M Patio Bar - 4841 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans– This is an eclectic little local late, late night bar. Things don’t get hopping until late into the night after 11:00 or 12:00 and go until 4 to 5AM in the morning. Frequented by students, writers, professors, and other local eccentrics, the place hops with a diverse group of people all out to have some fun. Some knock it as a college bar, but the truth is the clientele is pretty varied but it can get pretty loud and crazy. Outside and inside dancing to old tunes on a jukebox gives you a sense of this place. If you are in need of a late night food fix, try the cheese fries – they are awesome.
8. Ye Olde Dungeon, 738 Toulouse Street, New Orleans – Warning! This is not for everybody. It is probably the most unique and freaky bar in New Orleans. Expect to see some pretty strange humans roaming around. The bar is built in a Gothic hellish dungeon motif, and has a pretty crazy dance scene. But if you’re looking for something different, give it a try. Order up a Dragon’s Blood drink with care, especially if you have downed a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s. It has 4 shots of liquor.
9. Pat O’Brien’s – I swore I would not include it, but everybody must go and have a world famous Patty O’s hurricane. Located in the French Quarter, I’ll let you have some fun and hunt it out.
Is New Orleans Safe?
The French Quarter is a safe venue for tourists and well policed. However, other areas of New Orleans can be a bit sketchy and you should be careful. New Orleans is a checkerboard city, meaning neighborhoods can quickly change from good to bad very quickly and with no apparent rhyme or reason. If you are moving about the city at night and outside the French Quarter, it is best to take a cab or transit.
About the Author. The author is a Senior Editor for New Orleans Hotels by Roomrate.com , a leader in providing consumer friendly hotel booking services on the web. Roomrate offers up to the minute deals on downtown New Orleans Hotels, including Hotels in the French Quarter, direct from New Orleans hotels with no booking fees, and does not charge its own cancellation fees and penalties like many other travel web sites.
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