ATTRACTIONS, what to wear, WEATHER, PLUS useful  HYPERLINKS 

Some day, I'll figure out the html code so you can search this sections and not have to scroll down forever.

Yep. This is the section with information about: 

←←←   See section to left for our event calendar (calendar of events) for FESTIVALS, like French Quarter Fest, JazzFest, Satchmo Fest (Louis Armstrong festival, ,

POST KATRINA: YEP, for tourists, it's hard to notice a difference in the historic areas or in the weekend nightlife. N'Awlins continues to be a great place to kick back and relax, to party, and to sightsee.  Please help spread the word that the French Quarter, Warehouse & Arts Districts, Riverfront, Magazine St., Uptown, Algiers Point and many  other historic districts  are BETTER THAN EVER NOW -- a great place to visit and have fun, in an easy to walk to everything environment.

Here is a video clip from a national destination host that offers a great overview of the city, history, restaurants, music, sightseeing opportunities, etc.  Although we don't agree with all his recommendations (and competitor ads), we decided the video was more important than other considerations, especially since we fill up so far in advance, we aren't going to worry about promoting the competition: http://www.erikhastings.com/Destinations/dest_new_orleans/dest_new_orleans-carriage.asp

PERSONAL NOTE: We were VERY lucky compared to some. Those darned ladies (Katrina and Rita) fortunately left Banana Courtyard high and dry (never flooded). The historic districts (French QUARTER, Garden District, Magazine St., St. Charles Avenue), mostly 'dodged the bullet,' too. "Ain't" like it used to be for many small businesses, who  are struggling to keep service level as good as ever, 'cause owners often are doing work themselves, that they used to pay others to do.  SOOOOOOOO, please support small, neighborhood businesses. We are working hard!

    We 'hit the pavement running' being the 1st New Orleans B&B to reopen, so  PHOOEY. Haven't had much time to update our web site, event calendar, OR even our Eguides (What's new?  The banana lady is always behind on stuff like this!)   Please be understanding  and call to confirm open, hours, etc., from lists below and our EGuides.

   In addition to all the information we provide in this section, to help our guests plan THEIR trip, prior to arrival, we TRY to email arrival instructions AND attach SEVERAL helpful EGuides (proprietary guides). (We are 6-8 weeks behind on sending these out, let it be a pleasant surprise if you DO receive this - no promises. If we don't get them out, copies are in a 3 ring binder on the dining room table. Stuff on bulletin board is actually up to date!!!!!)

We used to have ALL these EGuides on our web site, but they are so darned LONG, they slow down load time too much.

To whet your appetite for the French Quarter, and for folks who think they've seen everything, here is some food for thought. Click on photo to enlarge.

◄ In left frame, click on USEFUL INFO: French Quarter for lots more extremely helpful info.

 

'Wanna' boogie? Check out this hyperlink of the New Orleans Po Boy festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GdAM3aJeTU

ATTRACTIONS:

 From the B&B,  you can walk to all the French Quarter's attractions:

 

 AND it's an EASY, quick WALK from the B&B to other nearby attractions and sites (the banana lady walks from one end of the French Quarter to the other in 15 minutes, MAX, but I'm not peeking into courtyards, and looking through shop windows): BY historic St. Charles streetcar or Canal Streetcars, Mississippi River passenger ferry, bicycle, or other city bus, trolley or streetcar: Further afield (by car, taxicab or tour bus):  

 

WEATHER AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING:

Tropical and humid April through September (unfortunately, it can be humid on some Winter days). Tourist organizations refer to this period as "balmy"  -- we'd say it is HOT. Bring cool, casual clothes (it's not unusual for CEOs of major firms to wear no coat or jacket to dinner). Also, bring an umbrella (there can be daily showers and thunderstorms July through September). If you have a water  'spritzer", bring it. Spray mist on YOU for refreshing evaporative cooling when you're outside in the heat all day. Some guests pack a raincoat or mac', but you can buy cheap rain gear at almost any souvenir store (or ask the banana lady for a disposable Bourbon St. Treat's raincoat, if other guests left them behind). At the main B&B, we keep umbrellas handy for guests to borrow. October and November, March and April are peak weather months in New Orleans - cool evenings and moderately warm days, with limited humidity. If coming during those months, consider packing Summer AND Fall clothing as the temperature changes can be rapid. Winter is cool, but usually not bitterly cold. A coat should be adequate. Expect some rain and mist in February.

Temperature expressed in Fahrenheit ('cause the banana lady would goof it up if she tried to convert to centigrade)

Jan - Feb.: bring Winter and Spring clothes, as the weather can change every 3-4 days.

Mar. - May: glorious weather begins, but can sometimes be warm and humid

June - Sept: ALWAYS hot & humid June through Aug. (our tourist bureau calls the weather 'balmy')

Oct: glorious weather, finally

Nov - Dec: cool weather begins (Bring Winter and Spring clothes, as the weather can change every 3-4 days.)

Weather Channel: New Orleans 70116

 

At last! New Orleans/French Quarter HYPERLINKS (Just click-on hyperlink for  things to do, places to go and see)  Please help us keep these up to date.  If you find a dead link, please email us to change it.

CEMETERIES (historic), VOODOO, Halloween, and HAUNTED New Orleans:

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS (see Event Calendar/ Calendar of Events section, as these are only a couple out of hundreds of events):

FOOD AND RESTAURANTS (click on section at left: Lingo, Food, Recipes, Restaurants)

COOKING, etc.:

 

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE:

LOUISIANA SITES THAT SHOW A LITTLE OF OUR LOCAL HUMOR:

MISCELLANEOUS:

 

MUSIC (guests are provided with our music EGuide):

MUSEUMS (just a few listed here.  MANY MORE listed in alphabetical section at bottom of this page):

OTHER STUFF NOT IN NEW ORLEANS (Need car to go there):

PHOTOGRAPHS of New Orleans and the French Quarter:

 

PLANTATIONS (tour info listed in alphabetical section at bottom of this page. Links HERE are hyperlinks for a few plantations:

Oops.  I just hit the wrong key and deleted all the plantation hyperlinks. Some day I'll reconstruct the list and reinsert here (in banana talk, that means 'in the next life') .

    ALPHABETICAL LIST of THINGS TO DO AND SEE (attractions, general sightseeing and tour info, museums, art galleries, and VARIOUS other stuff).

Nope. This "ain't" up to date, last ONLINE update done 2006. We are FULL so often, that we decided to put this on web site so EVERYONE can use it, even if you CAN'T stay with us.

It's the banana lady speaking: Going to places owned by locals and attending neighborhood events gives you a glimpse of what N'Awlins is all about. Our hearts are big and can carry a heavy burden. We WILL NOT go away. Our cultural heritage and diversity is TOO important. Please help support our community: We ALL need your support in our REBIRTH, especially small businesses and organizations.

I can't figure out formatting for this section.  The original documents has several sections where info is in a big text box by category, like thrift shops.  That formatting gets stripped out when I paste document here.  Oh well.

THINK TWICE before you PRINT this. It goes on forever. ( Into the alphabetical section at the end of the document, we’re trying to incorporate of items like book stores, thrift and antique shops, etc., but it’s a never ending ‘labor of love’ from the banana lady. As I’m doing it, some sections will be bullet item and other sections will be table/column format.)

INCLUDES:
• THINGS TO DO AND SEE: suggested 3-day itinerary for sightseeing,
• alphabetical listings of attractions, general sightseeing and tour info, museums, art galleries, some bars and music clubs, and VARIOUS other stuff
• Ann Rice fan info (she is selling Garden District house, so this info will be out of date, soon)
• Car: things to do and see if you have one.
• FOR CHILDREN/families
• discount coupons
• Food: regional dishes
• Free stuff
• French Quarter history
• locals joints
• Music clubs (list is here. Info about music clubs and musicians, is in separate document)
• Rainy day indoor venues
• Shopping
• Things folks say you MUST go to or see when you visit New Orleans.
• Voodoo


 

The Banana Courtyard Guide: "SIGHTS, SOUNDS and FLAVOR of New Orleans and the French Quarter"

(that means fun stuff to do and see)

Provided courtesy of 1870 Banana Courtyard: French Quarter/New Orleans B&B and Beyond, your host to N’Awlins

bananacour@aol.com 800-842-4748 504-947-4475, fax 504-949-5689

THINK TWICE before you PRINT this. It goes on forever. ( Into the alphabetical section at the end of the document, we’re trying to incorporate of items like book stores, thrift and antique shops, etc., but it’s a never ending ‘labor of love’ from the banana lady. As I’m doing it, some sections will be bullet item and other sections will be table/column format.)

Since we don’t have time to do double data entry, we cross reference stuff. Example. Isabelle has City, Plantation, and Swamp tours. We listed each of her tours under "Tours" then the type OF TOUR.

Going to places owned by locals +attending neighborhood events gives you a glimpse of what N'Awlins is about. Our hearts are big and can carry a heavy burden. We WILL NOT go away. Our cultural heritage &diversity is TOO important. Please help support our community: We ALL need your support in our REBIRTH, especially small businesses and organizations.

MONEY SAVING IDEAS:

>> Audubon Experience combo Ticket If you plan to go to the Aquarium of the America’s, IMAX, Insectarium, Audubon Zoo, you can get a 5 day discount pass for about $33 for adults, $20 for children or seniors.. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/audubon_experience.html

>> NOLA free admission ValuePass: If you pan to go to 4 or more museums/attractions in or near the French Quarter, you might consider this pass. We sell them at the B&B or you can order them from us, in advance. Just let us know and we’ll give you more details. It is an ALL INCLUSIVE 1 day pass that gives you free admission to the most popular sightseeing attractions +museums (includes a cooking class, steamboat ride, entry to most museums & attractions). $63 adults, $40 child.

This document INCLUDES:

THINGS TO DO AND SEE: suggested 3-day itinerary for sightseeing,

alphabetical listings of attractions, general sightseeing and tour info, museums, art galleries, some bars and music clubs, and VARIOUS other stuff

Car: things to do and see if you have one.

FOR CHILDREN/families

discount coupons

FOOD, REGIONAL –. WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST (NOT IN THIS DOCUMENT.) SEE: WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST Food - regional dishes section in the "RESTAURANT SUGGEST" document. RESTAURANT INFO document contains address, etc., for food related places)

Free stuff

French Quarter history

locals joints

Music clubs (some club listings are here, but MORE info about music clubs and musicians, is in separate document, named "MUSIC: Wanna Dance or Hear some Great Live Music?".)

Rainy day indoor venues

Shopping

Things folks say you MUST go to or see when you visit New Orleans.

Voodoo

INFORMATION (more than you EVER wanted to know): At the B&B, we have notebooks full of brochures and detail on all sightseeing and restaurant suggestions mentioned, plus lots more on history and culture of New Orleans. LOOK ON THE TALL< HUGE CHEST IN THE DINING ROOM. There are so many books there about N’Awlins that you could spend your whole trip here, just looking at BOOKS about things to do and see in New Orleans or day trips by car to things, nearby. Not a planner? GREAT! N’Awlins is the perfect place to NOT be type "A" like the banana lady. Non type "A"ers can just kick back and let the moment happen.

 

"MUST DO" stuff (Still editing this section): THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE SAY, "If you only have a couple of days in N’Awlins, YOU MUST DO or SEE THESE THINGS . . . " (You’ll soon see how focused on food everything is?)

View creatures of the deep @ the AQUARIUM of the Americas

eat BEIGNETS and drink chicory coffee @ Café du Monde, Decatur St. across from Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral

If you DRINK alcoholic beverages: At Pat O’Briens try a world-famous Hurricane cocktail or Mint Julep: 718 St. Peter St, 525-4823. At Port of Call, try the Monsoon (it’s lethal). Dauphine @ Esplanade.

INSECTORIUM: see the creepy, crawlies

take a HORSE (MULE) AND BUGGY tour from Jackson Square @St. Louis Cathedral (NOT cheap!)

Listen to JAZZ at Preservation Hall 726 St. Peter St. 522-2841.

see the historic, above ground CEMETERIES (St. Louis #1 near the French quarter or Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District)

go on a SWAMP tour (see TOUR section)

or see the Louisiana swamp section @AUDUBON ZOO

eat some BREAD PUDDING with whiskey sauce (Gumbo Shop or Palace Cafe)

Eat a MUFFULETTA sandwich made on special sesame seed round bread, with olive salad (green olives, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, and olive oil), salami, cheese. Central Grocery on Decatur St. (if raining, Napoleon House).

go to the WWII ( D-DAY) MUSEUM

SHOP for collectibles, antiques, art or crafts on lower end of Decatur St., Frenchman @ Decatur St., Royal St. or Magazine St.

take the free pedestrian FERRY shuttle to the 2nd oldest neighborhood in New Orleans (5 min. ride): Algiers Point

take the free PEDESTRIAN ferry shuttle service to historic Grenta, of German hertiage.(20 minute ride)

ride the STREETCARS: on historic St. Charles Ave., or the Riverfront or Canal St.

FOOD: Eat some boiled crawfish, red beans and rice, or dirty rice (when you are here, we’ll tell you the history of the red beans & rice "wash day" dish). The best (and cheapest) red beans and rice and dirty rice are at Popeye’s Fried Chicken. Crawfish = Acme Oyster or Deanie’s Seafood. Red beans and rice and lots of other New Orleans Creole and Cajun Food = Gumbo Shop at 630 St. Peter St. A block toward the river from Pat O’s.

"PO-BOY" SANDWICH: Try a seafood or roast beef po’ boy @ Johnnie’s poboy shop (ain’t what it used to be), Parkway Tavern is GREAT, but not in the French Quarter.

Learn about MARDI GRAS @ Mardi Gras World or the one of LA State museums, the Presbytere.

Go to a GOSPEL MASS Sundays. SEE GOSPEL, below, in alphabetical section.

Visit the historic FRENCH MARKET and the flea market(up N. Peters St. @ Esplanade Ave.)

visit CENTRAL GROCERY for a trip back in time to when folks shopped daily. An old fashioned Italian store, has barrels with dried peas, etc., you scoop and pour what you want into a paper bag.

Take a photo of a Lucky Dog street cart vendor (personally, we don’t think they are much to write home about, but they ARE a New Orleans tradition)

Have a "2nd line" UMBRELLA custom made to display at home (SEE UMBRELLAS & parasols, in alphabetical section below) or buy one ready made at the French Market flea market.

Like generations of New Orleanians, eat some hand pulled taffy by the ROMAN CANDY MAN in his mule drawn cart in Audubon Zoo or buy some online (see alphabetical section).

ICE CREAM: Since 1902, locals have enjoyed eating Italian ices or ice cream at Angelo Brocato’s ice cream parlour on N. Carrollton Ave, near Canal St. On both the Canal Streetcar routes.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

ALPHABETICAL LIST of THINGS TO DO AND SEE

(attractions, general sightseeing and tour info, museums, art galleries, and VARIOUS other stuff).

There is no way we can keep this ‘monster’ document up to date, so please call to verify open/closed days and hours:

1850 House: Part of the Louisiana State Museums. 523 St Ann St. in the Lower Pontalba Building, the 1850 House is a recreation of an ante-bellum New Orleans town home furnished with museum collection items. Self-directed tours. Tuesday - Sunday 9am-5pm. 800-568-6968 or 504-568-6968. $5 tour. Http://lsm.crt.state.la.us.

Abita Brewing Company (1 hour drive from B&B): Great beer, fantastic tasting tour Wednesday through Saturday. 166 Barbee Rd., Covington, LA. 985-893-3142. Getting there means you will travel over the US’ longest bridge, 24 miles over Lake Ponchartrain. NEARBY: Lakeshore of Mandeville is handsome with its huge live oak trees, Madisonville is on the Tchefuncta River, Abita Spring has darling houses, and Folsum large horse breeding ranches. http://www.abita.com/

Absinthe House: 238 Bourbon St. - Built in 1806 for Spaniards Pedro Font and Francisco Juncadella for their joint importing business, the building remained in their families for over 100 years. In 1890 it became the Old Absinthe House, famous for its drink, the Absinthe Frappe. Absinthe was a strong, licorice tasting liqueur, made from wormwood and herbs, which was outlawed in the USA in 1905, when it was thought that it caused brain damage. When Anisette replaced Absinthe. BUT WAIT. Extensive new studies presented to the FDA show that it only produced dypsomaniacs (alcoholics), so now it’s back on the market, again Yippee!

African American MUSEUM of Art, Culture and History (The Villa): The museum is housed in a recently renovated 1800s home, the Meilleur-Goldthwaite House. Built of brick in 1828-29 by Simon Meilleur, the Treme Villa was the site of the city’s first brickyard. A leading New Orleans architecture book said it is probably the finest example of Creole villa construction in the city. Open Wednesday - Saturday 11am-4pm. Admission fee. 1410-18 Governor Nicholls St. 504 566-1136. http://www.noaam.org/. OR Http://africanamericanheritagetrail.com

Alligator Farms: By Car, 1-hr. Drive.

>>>>> Kliebert’s Turtle and Alligator Farm. Also a bird sanctuary. Open March 1-October 31, 7-days, noon-dark. 41083 West Yellow Water Road, Hammond. 800-854-9164, 504-345-3617.

>>> Insta Gator Ranch and Hatchery. 985-982-3669. 23340 Lowe Davis Dr., Covington. http://insta-gatorranch.comhttp://insta-gatorranch.com

Amistad Research Center: African American archives and museum. FREE. Monday through Saturday, 9:30am-4:30pm, 865-5535. 6823 St. Charles Avenue. Tulane University@ Tilton Hall.

ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES AND JUNK (tell them the banana lady sent you there):

>> Royal St. THERE ARE antique shops galore, but VERYYYYY EXPENSIVE. The closer you get to Canal St., the ritzier the shops. (Some of the prices will ‘knock your socks off!’).

>> antiques and collectibles we ‘mere mortals’ might be able to afford are at the lower end of Decatur St. near Esplanade – vintage clothing, collectibles, junk shops.

>> ANTIQUES, Silk Road: This shop is a treasure you’ll never forget, even if you just go to take a peek at their exotic collection of handcrafted Chinese and Tibetan antique furniture. Other wonderful finds include Chinese silk and gold thread tapestry, fresh water pearl jewelry, blue and white porcelain, lacquered ware, sacred figures and shipwreck pottery. Open 7 days. 3714 Magazine Street, 894-8540. http://www.silkroadcollection.com/

>> Antiques: David’s, Wonderful place to browse for reasonably priced "found" objects/collectibles. 568-1197, 1319 Decatur St.. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. email: D1319dec@cox.net

>> Junque Shop, 421 Frenchman St. @ Decatur, 504-453-2199. Http://thejunqueshop.com

>> Antiques, Patout’s, 481-4790, 1111 Bourbon St., by appointment only. Mostly Louisiana antique furniture. Ask for Peter Patout. Email: peterpatout@yahoo.com.

>>> ANTIQUES, Magazine Street: You could spend the day hopping from shop to shop, on this 6 mile long ‘shopper’s street of dreams’, by car, taxicab bus or streetcar.

Apple Barrel Bar: blues/jazz, 949-9399, 609 Frenchman St., walk from main B&B.

Aquarium of the Americas. $40 million was spent to make it the best in the US. Located on the levee beside the Mississippi River @ the foot of Canal St. The Aquarium harbors more than 7,500 species of fish, ranging from tiny, four-eyed anableps to 450-pound sharks. The half-million gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit teems with sharks and all the undersea life that thrives around the barnacled pilings of a simulated oil rig. A wide acrylic tunnel allows visitors to walk "inside" a Caribbean coral reef. There's a walk through Mississippi River habitat, replete with indigenous river creatures like the prehistoric garfish, our very own glitch in evolution. A mist rises in the Amazon rain forest where a 20-foot waterfall and tropical foliage provide the ideal climate for Anaconda snakes, poisonous frogs and stunning, exotic birds. The Aquarium also offers a microlab where visitors can feel the blade of a swordfish and the teeth of a sawfish; a touch pool where sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, and baby sharks are available for hands-on inspection; and a discovery pool, where magnifiers enable close-up viewing of anemones, sea urchins and other creatures that don't much lend themselves to touching. Canal St. at the MS River. 581-4629. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/aoa/index.htm

Archbishop Antoine Blank Memorial: See "Ursuline Convent"

ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE,,,

>> Architectural Antiques,523-2702, 800-2-shutter,1824 Felicity St.,Mat James = Antique HARDWARE.

>> Armadillo South,486-1150,4801 Washington Ave.,antique heart of pine flooring, bricks, cast iron gates & fences, cypress doors, columns, stained glass, brackets, mantels, etc.

www.armadillosouth.com

>> Architectural & Collectibles Salvage,891-6080,,custom cypress furniture with architectural details, doors, mantels, windows, iron gates, fencing, doorbells, brackets, mirrors, marble, stained glass, finials

dbajunkman@aol.com

>> The Bank: Doors , Flooring , Tables, Cabinets, Cornices, Shutters , Stair Parts, Armoires, Beds, Iron Gates, Mantels , Original Antique Hardware 523-2702. 1824 Felicity St. http://www.thebankantiques.com/

>> Carrollton Wrecking,861-3681,2938 Leonidas @ Earhardt near S. Carrollton,cast iron, old doors, windows, door knobs, mantels, and everything you can imagine. Reasonably priced.

>> Crescent City Architecturals,899-0500

877-245-0500,3101 Tchoupitoulas St.,cast iron, old doors, windows, door knobs, mantels, heart of pine flooring, virgin cypress lumber, http://www.achitectural-salvage.com

http://www.achitectural-salvage.com>> Green Project, 2831 Marais St., 945-0240

>> Habitat Restore, 2830 Royal St., 943-2240

>> Ricca’s, Broad @Toulouse and 511 Solomon @Bienville,Peter Ricca. old wood. Rewires and replaces sockets on old brass light fixtures. Recondition old door locks. Stripping. Stained glass,, fireplace mantels. Brass and porcelain doorknobs. Brackets. Iron fences.

>>> Kenneth S. Udin,891-6080,3965 Tchoupitoulas St.,architectural salvage, collectibles, and custom cypress furniture

Archives, Historical: see Historic New Collection, Williams Research Center, and Old New Orleans Mint, and Notarial Archives, and LA State Museum.

ARNAUD’S Restaurant: Upstairs MUSEUM: Authentic Mardi Gras ball/court gowns from Germaine Cazenave Wells’ collection, Mardi Gras memorabilia, and photographs. 523-5433 toll free 866-230-8892. 813 Bienville @Royal St. (Cross referenced in restaurant alpha list.)

ART: The French Quarter and Arts and Warehouse District AND Magazine St. abound with art galleries. In the French Quarter, Royal Street is called, "art and antique alley".

<< Bryant Galleries, 525-5584.,316 Royal,

>> Anton Haardt Gallery,891-7770,2700 Coliseum,

<< Posters, Royal Gallery,524-2463,610 Royal,

>> Barristers: folk and ethnographic art. This is where you find unique stuff. Open afternoons, Tuesday - Saturday, but call to be really open! Ask for Andy Antippas. Tell him the banana lady sent you. 525-2767, 2331 St. Claude Ave. @ Spain. http://www.barristersgallery.com/history.htmlhttp://www.barristersgallery.com/history.html

Folk Art Gallery: Todd Williams.,598-3655,636 St. Ann. St.; Dr Bob Folk, Southern Folk Artist, famous for "Be Nice or Leave". http://drbobart.net/

ATHLETIC club: New Orleans Athletic Club is the 2nd oldest club in the USA, founded in 1872. 222 N. Rampart St., 525-2375. Reciprocal privileges with clubs nationwide. We are members, so sometimes can get guests a pass. Can’t remember daily visit charge, though. http://www.neworleansathleticclub.com/

Audubon Zoo: Audubon Zoological Garden. Closed Mondays. Open HOURS are seasonal, so call before going. You can easily spend the day there. Their swamp area is just like being in swamp. Be sure to try some of the hand pulled taffy from the mule drawn cart of the Roman Candy Man. Take St. Charles Streetcar to Park, then walk 1.5 miles through the park to zoo. Most weekends, they have a shuttle from St. Charles Streetcar to the zoo. NOPE. They no longer have the John James Audubon Boat going from the French Quarter to the zoo. Gone with the wind (Katrina). For single attraction and combo ticket prices for the Zoo, Aquarium, IMAX, Insectarium, and Zoo shuttle bus information, call (504) 581-4629 or 1-800-774-7394. 6500 Magazine Street.

Audubon Nature Center: see Nature Center, Audubon

AUTO IMPOUND: Yep. Lots of folks have their car towed in New Orleans, ‘cause signage is confusing and often yellow lines have faded with age.

AUTO and motorcycle RENTAL (be SURE to ask about ‘add-ons’ like state tax, city tax, airport tax, drop off fees, insurance, etc., as they can drive rate up from $29/day to $50). Several have free pickup at main B&B.

Alamo Rent a Car,469-0532,800-327-9633,airport only, no downtown office

Avis,523-4317,800-331-1212,

Budget,467-2277 (A/P), 565-5600,800-527-0700,most competitive rates

Dollar,524-1800,800-800-4000,

Enterprise,522-7900,800-261-7331,most competitive rates

Hertz,568-1645,800-654-3131,

National,525-0416,800-328-4567,

Nifty,525-4551,800-979-1899,most competitive rates

Motorcycles and Scooters : Big Easy Scooters.,332. Baronne St. Http://Bigeasyscooters.net., 561-6005. ,

BABYSITTING SERVICE: SEE Child Care:

Backstreet Cultural Museum: 6/7/08: Haven’t seen it open for a while. # disconnected, but neighbors say, "He’s in there," when I knock at the door. Maybe he is just on vacation. I can’t descibe the place better than their web site: A powerhouse of knowledge, the Backstreet Cultural Museum is the essence of New Orleans. Its historic location is filled with exhibits reflecting aspects of the unique cultural traditions and institutions of African-American culture in New Orleans – Mardi Gras Indians, Jazz Funerals and Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs.

More importantly, Backstreet reflects the spirit and soul of our treasured city. You never know when you will find Mardi Gras Indians, Jazz musicians, community leaders, and others devoted to the endurance of New Orleans’ culture flowing in and out of the Museum. The Museum also serves as a focal point for meeting and organizing cultural events for the Treme neighborhood. From Second Line parades to conjuring Mardi Gras Indian spirits, everyday is a celebration of cultural traditions for the residents of the area WHO WANT YOU to come and experience a glimpse of the culture on the back streets of New Orleans. Exhibit lovingly collected and preserved with the help of Sylvester Francis. There is no open/close schedule, as he opens when he feels like it. 1116 St. Claude Ave. (504) 522-4806. http://www.backstreetmuseum.org/

Balcony Music Club: Serves food, delivers food, and offers live music, too. 504 Esplanade Avenue @ Decatur St. It’s in a location that has hosted numerous clubs. Hope this one stays open. 699-5767.

Barber shop Aidan Gill for Men (specialize in old fashioned shaves with straight edge razor and boy’s 1st haircut): Men and boys only salon revives the forgotten art of barbering, that I remember from my great grandfather (we actually have some of his barber things in a box. Some day I'll have time to display them). An old-fashioned English barbershop that offers full barbering services. Impeccably groomed staff wears suspenders and bow ties. Ask and they'll explain what makes a high-quality shave brush so expensive. Passers-by stop in to check the museum quality barbershop artifacts and the city's trend setting collection of ties. They stock hard to find delicately scented European shave lotions. 2026 Magazine St. Between Jackson Avenue and Felicity Street (504) 587-9090.

BARS, off the beaten path (see individual listings for address, etc.): R-Bar, d.b.a., Rivershack Tavern (in next Parish), Saturn Bar (urban area), Carousel Piano bar and lounge, Mimi’s in the Marigny, Coop’s Place, the Columns, Napoleon House bar (food too), Finn McCools, Maple Leaf, Old Point Bar, Vaughns. Golly. I just realized there are too many. Some other day, perhaps.

BARS, SPORTS (see Sports Bars)

(Bead Shop): Bodacious Beads of Beautie: hand blown glass beads and more. 1228 Decatur St., 561-0046.

(Bead Shop): Here is one a guest wrote in our book: Timbo Beads, jewelry weaving, true artisian, unique & reasonable prices in the French Market near upper end toward Mojo’s Restaurant. Worth going to.

Bead Shop, The: Make your own at 4612 Magazine St., 895-6161.

:Beauregard-Keyes House (1826)– 1113 Chartres St - One time residence of Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard and later the home of novelist Frances Parkinson Keyes. The home features a French formal garden. Operated by the Keyes Foundation. Guided tours each hour Mon-Sat from 10am til 3pm. 523-7257. http://www.hgghh.org/

Beauty Salon: see hair salon

Beer and places to drink: It’s great fun. http://www.pubcrawler.com

Beignets and coffee: SEE CAFÉ DU MONDE

BICYCLE RENTAL: Bicycle Michael’s always accommodating to our guests, 945-9505, 618 Frenchman St. (the staff there is EXTREMELY Bohemian, so don’t count on them keeping hours posted on door) http://www.bicyclemichaels.com. http://www.fqbikes.com.Ask ANY rental company about add-ons like lock up devices, helmets, etc.

Binders Bakery: 940 Frenchmen St., (504) 947-1111

Black Arts National Diaspora Museum – 1530 N. Claiborne Ave – 949-2263 – Contemporary African and African-American paintings, wood carvings and sculpture showcasing the heritage of Brazil, Haiti, Africa and other countries of the African Diaspora. Mon-Fri – 10am-6pm; Sat 9am-2pm. Admission: $3.00

Bloody Mary’s Voodoo tour: SEE Tours, Voodoo

BOAT, CANOE< KAYAK RENTAL: The Bayou Barn, in nearby Crown Point, has kayak and canoe rentals mostly WEEKENDS. 800-862-2968, 504-689-2663, or 419-4224. http://bayoubarn.com/. Canoe tour reservations @ Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge 985-882-3881. Canoe and Trail has MOONLIGHT in the bayou, only during FULL MOON. http://www.canoeandtrail.com/moonlight/index.html I know someone is renting canoes and kayaks and taking them on Bayou St. John, I seem to never be there when their trailer is, though. Some day . . .

BOOKS: This is a tough one. I have a list of antiquarian and used bookstores, so never had tme to update, nor type it, so I’ll just start with this one. Faulkner House Books, 624 Pirate’s Alley, 524-2940.

Botanical Garden, see City Park

Buggy rides, see CARRIAGES

BUS: see transportation

Cabildo MUSEUM (1799) – 701 Chartres St – Renowned as the site of transference of Louisiana Purchase. Cabildo exhibits trace Louisiana history from exploration through the Civil War to modern times using a multi cultural perspective. Damaged by fire in 1988, restored in 1994. (504) 568- 6968, 800-568-6968.

Cabildo Walking Tours – Walking tours lasting approximately two hours emphasize the history, folklore and exterior architecture of the Vieux Carre. Tours begin at the 1850 House daily (except Monday) 523-3939. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/visitor.htm

Café Brasil: dance, 949-0851, Frenchman @ Chartres St. Walk from main B&B.

Café du Monde: What can I say. This is a place to eat beignets and drink Café ole, but it’s a ‘gotta’ do thing so I’ve put it on this list, too. 800 Decatur across from Jackson Square, river side. 525-4544

Cajun Pride Swamp Tours; SEE TOURS

CANOE< RENTAL: see BOAT, CANOE< KAYAK RENTAL

CAR (MORE things you can do IF YOU HAVE A CAR while you’re here):

If you are here long enough to make renting a car viable, there are lots of places to go that are among the places listed in the alphabetical section at the end of this document. Also, you can take a day trip to visit Acadiana, the plantations, and also a swamp/bayou tour. Ask us for THAT document if you are interested.

CAR RENTAL, see AUTO RENTAL

Carousel Bar: Writers such as Ernest Hemingway helped bring New Orleans' Carousel Bar world class fame. The Carousel Bar has a vivid circus motif, and the customers are just as colorful. The Carousel Bar is the center of a carousel and the stools revolve around the bar itself so drinking there is a delight. Order a Sazerac (rye, Pechaud’s Bitters, pastis, sugar, lemon twist), and relax with some fine music. Ask the bartender to make the house special Vieux Carré. This cocktail, served on the rocks, has equal parts of rye, cognac and vermouth and a few special ingredients. In Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St. 523-3341. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/neworleans/N25421.html

Carriages (mule/horse and buggy): These tend to be pricey, especially if reserved in advance to pick you up at a particular location. Prices seem to go up and down according to demand. $60 for 30 minutes seems to be the norm. Royal Carriages, 943-8820. One of their drivers who has a cell ‘phone and guests especially liked is Edward Toups, 504-432-0924, http://www.royalcarriagesneworleans.com/. Mid City Carriages 581-4415, Good Old Times Buggies 523-0804.

Casino, Harrah’s French Quarter: 100,000 square feet of nonstop gaming and entertainment at the intersection of Canal and Poydras streets. 512 S. Peters. 1-800-VIP-JAZZ. http://www.harrahsneworleans.com

Casino: Boomtown: Westbank of river.

Casino, Treasure Chest Casino (NEED CAR): Near the airport. Weekends, they have an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. 5050 Williams Blvd. @ Lake Pontchartrain, Kenner, LA 70065. (504) 443-8000, 800-298-0711. Http://www.treasurechest.com

Catholic Archdiocese Cemetery Administration for most historic cemeteries: 1000 Howard Ave. 596-3050

Cemeteries: There are MANY in New Orleans. In our "sightseeing" notebook at the B&B, we have a whole section devoted just to cemeteries +an interesting book with photographs (the author also does walking tour of the cemeteries (SEE TOURS in alpha section below). The historic cemeteries nearest the French Quarter are St. Louis #1 and #2 (NOT SAFE). Part of their fame is because of the tomb of the queen of voodoo, Marie LaVeau, in Sat. Louis #1. You’ll be more comfortable going with a group or tour (entry signs say, "Enter at your own risk", as both cemeteries are beside a public housing development). These cemeteries are on Basin St. between Basin (runs parallel to N. Rampart), Conti, Treme & St. Louis Sts. Open Monday through Saturday, 9am-3pm. Sundays and some holidays, 9am-noon. Lafayette Cemetery is just across the street from Commander’s Palace. It is open Mon.- Fri. 7:30am-2:30pm, Sat. 7:30am-noon, Closed Sun. Lafayette Cemetery: http://groups.msn.com/LafayetteCemeteryNewOrleansLA/ St. Louis #3 is near city park (usually open 7 days) and is in a very safe neighborhood, and the opulent Metairie cemeteries are nearby. Both can be reached by traveling on Canal Streetcar. An NPR interview with Friends of New Orleans Cemeteries, talking about Musicians Grave in St. Louis Cemetery #1 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3913015

Chalmette Battlefield: 8606 West St. Bernard Highway, Meraux

504-589-2636. The battlefield grounds and public restrooms are open Mondays through Thursdays 7:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Grounds, restrooms, and visitor center are open Fridays-Saturdays 9:00a.m.-4:30p.m. http://www.nps.gov/jela/chalmette-battlefield.htm

Checkpoint Charlie’s: Alternative music, food, laundry, 947-0979, 501 Esplanade Av., walk from main B&B.

.CHILD CARE: Dependable. 504-486-5044, 800-862-5806.

CHILDREN/families: details on each of the places listed in this bullet list, had further detail within this alphabetical list, (or ask the banana lady):

>> Alligator and turtle farms (by car)

>> Aquarium (walk from B&B)

>>Audubon Zoo and park (by St. Charles streetcar or Magazine St. shoppers shuttle)

>> Café du Monde: Beignets and milk are always a hit with children (and grown ups, too, but you will replace milk with coffee, probably)

>>Children’s Museum (by Riverfront Streetcar or Canal Streetcar, catch either at MS River @ end of Esplanade Ave., or you could walk, but it’s about 25 blocks - 1.5 miles.)

>> City Park Storyland amusement area, small amusement park with antique carousel and miniature train ride through park, feed the ducks in the lagoons, play in the playground by the old casino building or get a snack there, fishing, sometimes in Summer, canoe and paddleboat rental. Call re open hours/days, as they are NOT open off season. (Canal/Museum Streetcar, MS River @ end of Esplanade Ave. goes to City Park)

>> cruise boats, river boats and paddlewheel boats on Mississippi River (walk from main B&B)

>> FERRY RIDE: ride the free pedestrian ferry shuttle to historic Algiers Pointe (walk from main B&B)

>> French Market/flea market (walk from main B&B)

>> ghost/haunted tour (walk from main B&B)

>. Global Wildlife Center (car)

>> ice cream parlour ITALIAN in Mid City – Angelo Brocato’s (walk to catch the Canal MUSEUM Streetcar from main B&B) Try some hand made Canole, ice cream, Italian ice (yum, yum) check open/close days

>> Jackson Square area has pantomime artists, taro card readers, artists, and street entertainers (walk from main B&B)

>> Lake Ponchartrain (By car or bicycle) and Mardi Gras Fountain (under repair) playground and picnic area, beautiful view of lake

>> Mardi Gras World (walk from main B&B to Canal St. to get on Algiers Point free pedestrian ferry shuttle)

>> Mississippi River (walk from main B&B) left to Esplanade, right on Decatur, left on St. Philip St@ Joan of Arc Statue)

>> nature center (by car)

>> railroad museum

>> Roman Candy: (seasonal) visit the Roman Candy man in his cart at the Zoo and see him make taffy onboard (see alphabetical section below and follow hyperlink, to be sure he hasn’t moved location and what his hours are.

>> streetcar ride (walk from main B&B)

>> swamp tour (by car or tours pick up at B&B)

>> sno-ball stands (see alpha list below for 2 of the cities oldest)

>>> Train Garden at New Orleans Botanical Garden at City Park (walk to Canal MUSEUM Streetcar. From main B&B: left out our gate, then left on Esplanade to streetcar stand at MS River)

>> Train, children’s that goes through City Park (call 1st: Summer, weekends) from main B&B: left from front gate, then left on Esplanade to streetcar stand at MS River walk to Canal MUSEUM Streetcar)

>> wildlife refuge/safari (by car)

>> insectorium

Children’s Museum: It’ll ‘knock your socks off’. 523-1357. 420 Julia St. http://www.lcm.org/

Chris Owens Club: 500 Bourbon St. @ St. Louis St. 523-6400. Sets usually at 9 and 10:30pm. http://www.chrisowensclub.net/pages/home.html

cigars: Crescent City Cigar Shop: 730 Orleans Ave., between Bourbon and Royal Sts. 522-4427. Cigar Factor 415 Decatur St. 568-1003 or 206 Bourbon St. 568-0168

City Park: New Orleans' City Park is the fifth largest urban park in America. It is 1,500 acres of magnificent, centuries-old Live Oak trees heavily laden with Spanish Moss (look for the famous Dueling Oak), Bestoff Sculpture Garden, sleepy lagoons, and Botanical Garden(483-9488), StoryVille children’s amusement area with antique carousel and miniature train in the amusement park there (open weekends high season only) with nature trails, jogging and bicycle paths open year round. I do NOT think the Train exhibit has reopened, though it was preserved. CALL TO CONFIRM open and hours as they DO NOT operate all facilities OFF SEASON. 504-482-4888. http://www.neworleanscitypark.com

Clock Bar: In Chateau Sonesta Hotel, 800 Iberville St. 553,2208, check for live music (piano player, weekends).

CLOTHING: Too many shops to list. One of our guests’ favorites for lingerie, corsets, and vintage reproduction silky dresses is Trashy Diva, 829 Chartres St., 581-4555, http://www.trashydiva.com

Cocktail anyone? MUSEUM of the American Cocktail opens 1/12/05, temporarily housed in the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, 514 Chartres St., 565-8027 . Closed Mondays. Admission fee.

COCKTAIL TOUR: Walking tour operated by Grayline Tours. Lots of history and stories about the people, customs, and and circumstances that brought many famous cocktails into being (The Sazerac, Pimm’s Cup, Mint Julep, Hurricane, Monsoon, Absynthe, that was once banned from the USA). With the French Quarter’s uneven sidewalks and streets, wear comfortable shoes! And during warmer months, try to wear light colored clothing; caps or hats, and be like a local: bring along an umbrellas not necessarily for the rain, but to keep the blazing sun off your head. It really makes a difference in heat.. 504-569-1401, 800-535-7786

http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/us/neworleans.go?mode=activityDetail&apid=1353&sid=528

The Columns Verandah bar: Take the St. Charles Streetcar there and while away an afternoon on the sprawling veranda sipping a glass of wine, iced tea, Mint Julep, or whatever you like to drink.

Confederate MUSEUM(also called Civil War MUSEUM) – Civil War uniforms, flags, weapons, paintings and other memorabilia. Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm. Admission. 929 Camp St. 504-523-4522.

Cookbooks: Kitchen Witch specializes in hard to find cookbooks & culinary literature. Philipe La Mancusa. 631 Toulouse St. 528-8382.

Cooking Schools: New Orleans School of Cooking: Guests always rave about how much fun they have at this cooking demo. Go to morning session if you can, as that’s when they serve the most food. 504-525-2665, 800-237-4841. 524 St. Louis St. http://www.nosoc.com/. Savvy Gourmet has a school lots of locals attend.

Coops Place: 1109 Decatur, 525-9053 waiters have an ‘attitude and service is slow, but it’s worth the wait for the food!, http://www.coopsplace.net/menu.hlmt

Cornstalk Fence: 915 Royal St. - This famous cast iron fence is woven with ears of corn and Morning Glories. It was shipped from Philadelphia around 1850 by a Dr. Joseph Biamenti whose wife missed the rural scenery from the Midwest.

Crescent City BrewHouse (microbrewery): 1st Thurs. of each mo. Art show: Complimentary beer, hors d’oeuvres + live music "open to the public" reception for artists from 5-7pm. Every evening, Mon. - Fri "Hoppy Hour" From 5-7pm. Live jazz and 2 for 1 one beer. 527 Decatur St. 522-0571

Crescent City Farmers Market: Every Sat. 8am to noon, rain or shine. Cooking demonstrations by city’s premier chefs. Horticultural tips. Fresh vegetable and fruit stalls. Home baked goods. Sometimes music. Rain or shine, 8am-noon @ 700 Magazine St. in downtown New Orleans. 504-861-5898 http://crescentfarmersmarket.com.

CHRISTMAS: Festival of the Bonfires in Lutcher/Gramercy mid- December AND Christmas Eve! (Bonfires on the MS levee riverbank.) Celebration in the Oaks, City Park. Reveillon meals at many restaurants. Louisiana Living History Reenactments throughout the French Quarter. Historic tour houses ‘dressed’ in period decoration. Cooking demonstrations, Caroling, Christmas concerts at St. Louis Cathedral. Candlelight Tour of Homes.

Cruises: see RIVER BOAT cruises

Culinary History, see TOURS, culinary history.

Cutters Bar: Owned by locals, they will be your gracious hosts to N’Awlins. Monday, they offer free red beans and rice to the elderly in the neighborhood to help them through rough economic times. Please try to support this bar, if you can. 706 Franklin Ave.(504) 948-4200 http://www.cuttersbar.biz/

d.b.a. Bar. 942-3731, 618 Frenchman St., walk from main B&B. http://www.drinkgoodstff.com

D-Day MUSEUM, see World War II MUSEUM

Day Spas: SEE hair salons/spas

Deutsches Hause. OktoberFest every Friday and Saturday night in October. Celebrating with German food & drink, schnapps, the chicken dance as well as polka dancing, usually to live music. Pub and music open Wed., Thurs., Friday. 200 S. Galvez St. near Canal Streetcar line. MID CITY. 504-522-8014. http://www.deutscheshaus.org

DISCOUNT COUPONS:

NOT VALID until 2008. A number of guests, lately, have ordered the Entertainment discount book before coming. You save on restaurants, tours, etc. Check it out at: http://www.entertainment.com or call 800-374-4464. Don't forget to visit http://www.neworleanscoupons.com for free coupons for a lot of the attractions we recommend!

Dixie Brewing Company: 504-822-9711. No tours, but great beer.http://www.threedog.com/

DOG BOARDING: @ Camp Bow Wow: 2731 Tchoupitoulas, 504-891-3647 http://www.campbowwow.com/neworleans and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Dr Mike's Animal House, 1120 N Rampart St., 504 523-4455

Donna's Bar and Grill: Place looks funky, but good, local music and really cheap plate dinner (Charlie knows how to cook that BBQ and lots more, Thursday - Sunday night). You’ll rarely see a tourist there, just we locals or true music enthusiasts! 800 North Rampart. 596-6914 http://www.donnasbarandgrill.com/

DRINKS, local specialties: Pimms Cup, Sazerac, Mint Julep. Ferne Branca, Hurricane, Moonsoon, Hand Granade.

DRUG STORES: see pharmacy

Fais Do Do: The Bayou Barn, in nearby Crown Point, has an authentic Cajun Fais Do Do, which to Cajuns means a dance or party. Every Sunday from the Sunday after Mardi Gras to about the middle of December doors open at noon with food and drinks. Band plays at 2 pm until dusk. Cajun bands and facilities available for private parties. Kayak and canoe rentals also. 800-862-2968, 504-689-2663. http://bayoubarn.com/index.htm.

FARMER's MARKETS operate rain or shine.

>> The Crescent City Farmers Market: Saturday 8am-noon at 700 Magazine St.@ Girod St. 861-5898. http://www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org/

>> The Upper Ninth Ward Market: Saturday from 1-4pm @ Frederick Douglass High School, 3820 St. Claude Avenue corner Pauline Street (504) 482-5722. http://www.dnmc.org/

>> The Lower Ninth Ward Market is Sunday from 10am-1pm. at corner of St. Claude and Caffin Avenues, in front of St. David's Church. http

Faulkner's House: 624 Pirates Alley - William Faulkner (1949 Nobel Literary Prize Winner) lived in this four story building in 1925 where he penned his first novel, Soldier's Pay. Faulkner often wrote about his experiences in New Orleans and today New Orleans continues to be a mecca of inspiration for many artists, writers and musicians.

FREE FERRY SHUTTLES ACROSS THE MS RIVER: to Gretna and Historic Algiers Pointe (376-8114/8100, call to verify schedules - they are notorious for changing things with little or no public notice): Both depart from and return to the foot of Canal Street at the Mississippi River (before Poydras St. And the Hilton Hotel). One goes to historic Algiers Point (5 min. ride $1 for car, pedestrians free). The other to historic Gretna (20 min. ride no cars, pedestrians free).

>>> GRETNA FERRY runs Monday - Thursday 6:30-10:30am, then 3-7pm. Friday 6:30am -10:30am, 3-11pm, Saturday 10am-midnight. Sunday 10am-10pm.

>>>ALGIERS POINT FERRY: runs from 6am-12:15am, from our side of river every 1/4 and 3/4 hour, from westbank, every ½ and full hour

Finn McCool’s (Mid City): the towering giant and warrior of Celtic myth, is an apt namesake for this Irish , run by a family of Belfast natives. It’s the unofficial clubhouse for the city's expat’s, who gather at the oddest hours for live sports broadcasts from overseas. Dartboards for you die hards.. 3701 Banks St., 486-9080; http://www.finnmccools.com

FISHING (info is so old that NONE may be in business still)

>> SALTWATER FLY FISHING SPECIALISTS, Louisiana Fishing Charter Service (ask for Peck Hayne, fly fisher extraordinaire): 504-529-3597 http://www.uptownangler.com/louisiana-fishing-charter-peck-hayne.html

>> Reel Peace Charters (deep sea), 985-534-2278, Bret "Peace" Falterman

>> Bourgeois Charters, 504-341-5614, www.neworleansfishing.com, Theophile Bourgeous

>> Griffin Fishing +Nature Tours (intercoastal), 800-741-1340, Lafitte, LA, Belinda and Raymond Griffin

Florist: Tommy’s. 522-6563

Flowers: See florist

Folk Art Gallery: Barristers Southern folk art and interesting things from Africa, including African primitive &tribal art. Andy Antippas, owner. If he has someone else to "mind the shop", he sometimes picks guests up at the B&B. If you go there, be sure to eat at Café Reconcile, across the street.1724 O.C. Haley Blvd. 525-2767. Aantippas@aol.com.

Folk Art Gallery: Todd Williams. 636 St. Ann. St., 598-folk (cutesie numbers bother me, what about you?!)

Folk Art: Dr. Bob. He is EVERYWHERE. Dr Bob is an original New Orleans folk artist, who is infamous for his trademarked art work, as seen on MTV cribs, Be Nice or Leave and also Be Gay or Leave. 3027 Chartres ~ New Orleans, Louisiana 70117 ~ Studio 504 945-2225 ~ Cell 504 905-6910. http://drbobart.net/

(Southern) Food and Beverage Museum: Grand openong, ribbon cutting ceremonies Saturday, June 7, 2008, 10am. Entrance is the Julia St. Side of Riverwalk Marketplace. Open Monday – Saturday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Sunday Noon to 6:00 pm. 504-430-5619. http://southernfood.org/

FREE STUFF (see alphabetical section at end of this document for detailed info on location, telephone numbers, etc.):

>> French Quarter walking tour: see TOURS, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park/Folklife and French Quarter Visitor Center

>> Louisiana Music Factory: free live music party

>> Crescent City Farmers Market: free cooking demonstrations

>> Historic New Orleans Collection:

>> Jazz National Historical Park:

French Market: - Originally said to be the site where Choctaw Indians came to sell the wares, it later became the first known market constructed here by the Spanish in the late 1700's. Stretching along Decatur St. from Esplanade Avenue on the North of Jackson Square on the South, the French Market remained a multi-purpose market for meat, fish, vegetables and fruit until well into this century. Today, it remains a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors. Between Decatur and N. Peters, Ursulines &Dumaine, 522-2621. (Office 1008 N. Peters)

FRENCH QUARTER HISTORY:

The French Quarter is the most historic area in all of New Orleans. It is very small, only 6 X 12 blocks, which were laid out in 1722 as the original City of New Orleans.

In 1699 two French brothers, Iberville and Bienville, decided to try their luck colonizing the New World: in 1704 Iberville built a fort at Lake Pontchartrain, now called the "Old Spanish Fort", and wanted to establish a town on Bayou St. John near the river portage. Bienville preferred the Mississippi River end of the portage, so in 1718 he started building a town at what is now Conti Street. From 1721 to 1722 Bienville teamed up with two French engineers to design a city street plan, making New Orleans one of the first planned cities in America. This plan, which has remained to this day, featured a central square (now called Jackson Square) surrounded by a grid of city blocks.

In 1762, the Spanish took control of New Orleans for the next 38 years, introducing the first streetlights, newspaper, theatre and police force. in 1788, there was a major fire in which almost the entire French Quarter was burned down; over 850 structures, including the St. Louis Church, the rectory, the prison and other government buildings were destroyed. This is the time period in which the city gained it's Spanish architectural flavor. In 1794 there was another fire. It destroyed the area from Canal Street to Orleans and from the river to Bourbon Street. The Spanish then introduced building codes requiring the use of brick, tile and slate.

The United States purchased Louisiana in 1803, and overnight, Americans began flooding the city. Thanks to cotton and sugar, New Orleans became one of the richest, fastest-growing cities in the U.S. However, New Orleans began to decline during the latter part of the 1800's and into the 1900's, partly due to the ravages of yellow fever epidemics in the 1850's and the Civil War in the 1860's.

By the end of the 1920's, the Vieux Carre began to gain attention and popularity again. Art galleries, theatres and tearooms opened up. The streets were repaired, electric streetlights were installed, and in 1925 the City passed an ordinance to preserve at least 1/3 of the Quarter. In the 1930's the French Market was rebuilt and the Vieux Carre Commission was established to protect the architecture of the various periods.

Funky PIRATE: blues Big Al Carson, 523-1102, 727 Bourbon, also home of the ‘hand grenade’ drink. http://www.tropicalisle.com

Gallier House MUSEUM (1857) 1118-1132 Royal St – Built as his private residence by noted architect James Gallier, Jr. Restored to reflect the taste and lifestyle of mid 19th century New Orleans, including a kitchen and early bathroom. Operated by the Women’s Exchange. Open Monday - Friday 10am-3:30pm. Closed major holidays. Admission: $6.00 for adults, under 8 free, call for other prices. 525-5661. Joint rickets available for Gallier and Hermann-Grima Houses. http://www.hgghh.org/

GARDENS TO PEAK AT: from the street, see 2nd floor gallery 1127 Royal St., or the balcony at 1015 Governor Nichols, or 904 Dauphine St. The corner gallery. All along Chartres St. From St. Ann to Esplanade Ave, lots of balcony gardens. 800-900 blocks of Royal St., river side, fern alley. For walled garden, see Beuaregard Keyes House, free admission to garden maintained by the garden club.

GERMAN-AMERICAN Cultural Center: 519 Huey P. Long Avenue, Gretna. Www.gaacc-nola.com. 363-4204. Limited open days.

GERMAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Museum Complex: Limited open days. 362-3854.

GETTING AROUND: From Banana Courtyard, it’s a short stroll to any part of the French Quarter (FQ), which is only 7 X 12 short blocks.

GHOST TOURS: see TOURS, ghost/haunted/cemetery

GLASS blowing studios: In Algiers Pointe, Rosetree Glass Studio, 446 Vallette St., 366-3602, http://rosetreeglass.com. New Orleans Glassworks, 727 Magazine St., 529-7277. Studio Inferno, 3000 Royal St., 945-1878.

Global Wildlife Center: Need car, 1-hour drive. By reservation, $10 admission. 985-624-9553. Http://Globalwildlife.com.

Golf (10/2006. Golly. I know some are open, but suspect that many MORE will be a while coming back online in 2008):

>> Audubon Park Golf Club, 6500 Magazine St., 212-5290, 800-774-7394, par 62 course, 18 holes, newly refurbished.

>> (2/19/08, Being refurbished). Bayou Oaks @ City Park. 1040 Filmore, 482-4888. Four 18 hole courses, championship course, par 72.>> English Turn, 1 Clubhouse Dr. (Westbank), 392-2200, PGA championship par 71 course, 18 holes.

GOURMET PRODUCTS and cooking equipment:

>> Williams Sonoma in Canal Place Shopping Center, 333 Canal St. 523-3993. http://ww5.williams-sonoma.com

>> Miss Emma’s Green Pirogue. 335 Chartres St. 524-0477. missemmas.com.

GOSPEL Mass: St. Augustine Catholic Church, 10am Sunday @1210 Governor Nichols St. @ St. Claude. Urban neighborhood in Treme district, 1 block from French Quarter off N. Rampart St. ‘Free men of color’ and slaves worshiped here in the 1800s. Stained glass windows depicting French saints and the original hand painted station of the cross from Paris. Original bells from 1800s World Exposition. All seeing eye stained glass. An interesting juxtaposition of contemporary and old. 525-9287, 525-5934. http://www.staugustinecatholicchurch-neworleans.org/ Pre Katrina, Drex Brumfield was conducting tours 524-6782. GOSPEL MASS at 11:30am at Our Lady of Guadeloupe Church 311 N. Rampart St. 525-1551 (The old mortuary church).

GROCERY stores: These are several several scattered around near main B&B and our satellite accommodations. Matassa’s Market 1101 Dauphine @Dumaine 412-8700; A&P 701 Royal @St Ann 523-1353; Central Grocery and home of the muffaletta/muffuletta sandwich 923 Decatur 523-1620; Terranova’s 482-4131 3308 Esplanade Ave. (Make great muffalletta sandwich Saturdays only)

GYM/workout:

>> NEW ORLEANS ATHLETIC CLUB: 2nd oldest athletic club in the USA - stunning place) 222 N Rampart St., 504-525-2375

>> DOWNTOWN FITNESS CENTER, One Canal Place, 525-2956, 592-5631

Hair Salons/SPAS:

>>Head Quarters (hair only) , 900 Dumaine St. 522-2666 takes walk-ins.

>> Salon Diversions is where my daughter used to go (hair services, and also leg waxing): 299-0040, 838 Royal St.

>> Ofadean Salon Spa (full service spa), 536 Bienville St. @ Chartres St. 3 blocks from Canal Place, 504.522.3318 http://www.ofadeansalonspa.com/

>>Beauty Salon &Spa (hair, nails, pedicures) 522-3318 @536 Bienville.

>> Spa Atlantis, 740 Gravier Street, 566-8088, http://spaatlantis.net

>> Hair & Nail Salon (hair, nails, pedicures) 586-9047 @St. Ann St.

>> UPTOWN area Belladonna (full service spa,), 891-4393. http://www.belladonnadayspa.com/dayspa.html

HANDICAP motorized SCOOTER RENTAL: Here is an exciting one that offers TOURS: http://www.cityscootertours.com/neworleans/thetour.htm OR, Mr. Wheelchair 800-548-9672, around $35/day.

HAPPY HOUR (almost any bar has a happy hour, but these are ones with canned music for guests who love to dance):

>> Cat's Meow:

>>Razoo's

HATS: for men, Meyer the Hatter, 120 St. Charles Ave., 504-525-1048, http://www.meyerthehatter.com/meyer/ .For Women Yvonne LaFleur, by St. Charles Streetcar to the Riverbend, 8131 Hampson St., New Orleans, LA 70118, 1-800-749-9666, 504-866-9666, http://www.yvonnelafleur.com/ . Fleur de Paris, 712 Royal Street, 504-525-1899, http://www.fleurdeparis.net

Haunted History Tours: SEE TOURS

Haunted House: 1140 Royal St. - One of several houses in the Quarter said to be haunted, this house was built in 1832. When the house caught on fire, neighbors who rushed in to assist supposedly discovered several slaves who had been tortured, and the owners, Madame Louis Lalaurie and her husband, escaped to France. Writers and tour guides for over a hundred years have reveled in stories of rattling chains and groans of agony.

HAUNTED TOURS: see TOURS, ghost/haunted

Hermann-Grima House (1831) – 820 St. Louis St – Restored home shows "American" influence on New Orleans after the Louisiana Purchase. Operated by the Women’s Exchange. Open hearth cooking demonstrations Thursdays from October thru May. House tours Monday - Friday 10am-3:30pm. Closed major holidays. Admission: Adults $6.00, under 8 free, call for other prices. 525-5661. Joint tickets available for Hermann Grima and Gallier Houses. http://www.hgghh.org/

Hi Ho Lounge: neighborhood place with a cabaret personality. Bluegrass music and red beans every Monday with no cover charge that day. 945-HIHO, 2239 St. Claude Ave., in Faubourg Marigny. http://www.myspace.com/hiholounge

Historic New Orleans Collection MUSEUM and Research Center Gallery/Museum: Changing exhibits on local history and culture. 9:30am-4:30pm Tuesday - Saturday (Museum/Gallery and research center), Sundays (Museum/Gallery only) 10:30am-4:30pm, FREE. 533 Royal St. 523-4662. Http://www.hnoc.org

Historic New Orleans Tours, SEE TOURS

HISTORICAL RESEARCH/ARCHIVES – Family Tree: See Historic New Orleans Collection, Williams Research Center, U.S. Mint, The Notarial Archives, and Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans. Did you also realize that the Mormon Church has an extensive archive?

HONEY: The honey we use at the B&B is from Bernard’s Apiaries in Breaux Bridge, LA. 337-228-7535. You may find his honey in a local store.

Honey Island Swamp Tour: SEE TOURS

HORSEBACK RIDING/RENTAL:" City Park Stables (Equest Farms). 483-9398. There are stables in St. Rose (30 minutes from New Orleans) listed in Yellow Pages phone book.

Horse drawn buggies and horse drawn carriages, see CARRIAGES

Horse Track Racing: SEE RACE TRACK

Hospitality Rangers: 415-1730

IMAX Theatre: Projected onto a 5-story tall screen, many feel if it's not an Imax® film, it's just a movie. Located next to Aquarium of the Americas. Canal St. @ the MS River. 581-4629. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/imax/index.htm

Iggy’s: local dive named after the Great Dane that comes downstairs every night at 11pm for 'guard duty'. Usually free or cheap food, afternoons from grill on sidewalk. BBQ Sundays. Fantastic jukebox. 1493 N. Rampart @ Touro St. 949-3485

Insectarium: 423 Canal St. In old U.S. Customs House. Closed Monday. 378-2665, 504-581-4629 Http://auduboninstitute.org.

Isabelle: SEE TOURS

ITALIAN HALL: In the ate 1800s and early 1900s, musicians played in the theatre in this building, which used to be several buildings, consolidated and then added on in 1900s. Originally, it was built for use by fraternal organizations of the Italian-American community of the city, then several benevolent society’s consolidated, including the Sicilians. The hall hosted events, including dances to such jazz bands as the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. It was also rented out to recording companies which visited New Orleans in the 1920s, and records by jazz, blues, country, etc artists were made here, including sessions by Jimmie Rogers and the Jones-Collins Astoria Hot 8, and Albanian musicians. Now it is condominiums, but reading the historic plaque bring you back to the times when musicians took the leap of crossing the color barrier.

Jackson Square: The heart of the city and originally the Place d'Arms, a drill field for French Soldiers. In 1850, the Baroness Pontalba returned home from a failed marriage in France and determined to beautify the Quarter. It was here, surrounded by an impressive cast iron fence, that citizens congregated for celebration and calamity. In the center of the square stands the statue of Andrew Jackson, who in 1815 commanded the American forces which prevented a British invasion of New Orleans.

JazzFest: (New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival) http://www.nojazzfest.com/

Jazz Hotline: Weekly schedule of what’s happening on the Jazz scene in New Orleans. 504-364-5995

JAZZ MASS Post Katrina, this has been temporarily discontinued (call to check status):

near City Park. @ 6pm Sundays, Our Lady of Rosary Catholic Church, 3368 Esplanade Ave., 488-2659.

Jazz National Historical Park: Jazz National Historical Park Visitors Center, 916. N. Peters St., near the French Market. 9am-5pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. 589-4841, 877-520-0611. http://www.nps.gov/neor/index.htm/ When construction is complete, they will move to new quarters at Armstrong Park. http://www.nps.gov/neor/index.htm

Jazz Tours, see Tours, Jazz

Jazz Walk of Fame: across the river by free pedestrian feryy shuttle. 4/19/08, Severely damaged by Katrina, under repair. On the Algiers Point levee. Stretching from the Algiers ferry shuttle terminal to Mardi Gras World on the West Bank side of the river, the Walk of Fame consists of a statue of Louis Armstrong and 30 lamps, each honoring a different New Orleans jazz musician. The lamps are equipped with multi-media speaker systems; visitors can press a button to hear a brief biography and sample of each musician's playing.

Jean Lafitte Bar, see Lafitte’s Blacksmith shop.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park/Folklife &French Quarter Visitor Center (National Park Service): DAILY: FREE walking tours, SEE TOURS< WALKING

KARIOKE: Cat’s Meow ,523-2788,701 Bourbon @St. Peter

KAYAK RENTAL: see BOAT, CANOE< KAYAK RENTAL

KENNELS: see pet boarding

Kerry Irish Pub: no cover $, 527-5954, 331 Decatur St.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: 941 Bourbon St. @ St. Philip. This late 18th century building, with its five gables and tile roof, was used by Jean Lafitte and his brothers for the Blacksmith Shop that served as a front for their slave smuggling trade. The building serves as an excellent example of early brique-entre-poteaux (brick between post) construction. 581-2677.

Lake Ponchartrain: lakefront park with restaurants and bars, some of which have decks where you can watch the sailboats. Best deck is Joe’s Crab Shack, but We don’t suggest eating there, as they are a chain restaurant and much of their seafood is frozen (why eat frozen when fresh abounds elsewhere?). If you want to eat, go to Brunings for lots of local flavor. Be sure to try their flounder. You won’t meet any other tourists there flavor (see our Restaurant List for particulars)! The Mardi Gras Fountain, on Lakeshore Drive, is of interest and a wonderful photo opportunity. Its fountain spurts when visitors approach. Surrounding the fountain are plaques with the crest and founding date of each Mardi Gras crew.

Lanterns, New Orleans style: Bevolo Lights, 521 Conti St., 522-9485 . Jacks Metal Art, 226 Decatur St., 529-3149 http://www.jacksmetalarts.com/

Le Bon Temps Rouler, Music club that also serves pub food. Sometimes Kermit Ruffins plays here. 4801 Magazine St., 504-895-8117. http://www.myspace.com/4801magazinehttp://www.myspace.com/4801magazine

Le Petit Theater :600 St. Peters - Construction of this Spanish tavern was completed in 1796 after having been disrupted twice by fire. It drew a theater crowd in the early 1900's and was reconstructed in the 1930's to be a permanent theater for "The Drawing Room Players", a successful theater group. Today, Le Petit Theater is the home of the oldest continuous community theater in the United States.

Limousine: Abe Taylor, who is the MOST RELIABLE, honest person you could ever want to meet, and used to be the main taxicab driver we used before the hurricanes. His house was flooded and was destroyed +taxicab was lost, too. Now, he has a lovely white Lincoln Town Car and is a licensed chauffeur. He appreciates any folks we can send his way, as he is still struggling to recover Post Katrina and putting a son through college (you know what that costs these days). His cell ‘phone # is 504-615-5314. If a fancy limo is what you seek, these are some limo companies, from the ‘yellow pages: Bonolo, 523-2666, bonolo@bellsouth.net. London Livery, 586-0700, www.londonlivery.com.

Longview House and Gardens: An historic city estate and gardens. Need car or can take Canal St. or Metairie Rd. city bus. Monday - Saturday 10am-4pm. Sunday 1-4:15pm. Closed major holidays. $7 admission. 7 Bamboo Road. 504-488-5488, fax 486-7015. Http://www.longuevue.com.

Louisiana Loom Works: Walt and Wanda Rose. Hand woven products: rag rugs, custom orders, ship. 616 Chartres St., 800-899-8281, 504-566,7788. Http://customragrugs.com

Louisiana Music Factory: Every Sat. Free, live music party. Usually around 2pm. Sometimes they have free beer. You won't find tourists there, as this is a "locals" thing. Call 504-586-1094 for group name and an exact start time. They have CDs, 78s, 45s, LPs, sheet music, posters, T-shirts, tapes, books & videos on Louisiana musicians. 210 Decatur across from house of Blues. http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com

Louisiana State Museums: An historic complex of several museums operated by the State of Louisiana, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism ( the Cabildo, Presbytere, 1850 House, Old U.S. Mint and Madame John's Legacy.) Most Louisiana State Museum properties are open Tues-Sun, 9am-5pm. But ticket to a single property/museum OR you can buy combination ticket for all buildings. (504) 568- 6968, 800-568-6968. They have a wonderful photographic collection in their archives and online: Kara @568-6976. Http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/index.htm/

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar and Restaurant: In the Warehouse District, 701 Tchoupitoulas St. 523-8995 http://www.lucysretiredsurfers.com/

Madame John’s Legacy: This museum has been open off and on for years - termite damage closed it, lack of staffing, hurricane, you name it. 623 Dumaine St – A rare example of Creole colonial home design. Exhibits works of art by local self-taught artists. Part of Louisiana State Museum system. (504) 568- 6968, 800-568-6968. .

Magazine Street shopping: Trendy area spotlighted by the Utney Reader, it’s popular with tourist AND residents! With more than 6 miles (off and on) of shops, you could spend the day flitting in and out of places. Antiques, collectibles, boutiques, bars, restaurants, barber shop that does razor shaves, architectural details shops, art galleries, everything you can think of you’ll eventually find on this street called SHOPPER’s STREET OF DREAMS. 800-387-8924, http://magazinestreet.com.

Mail packaging/shipping service (also see Post Office): UPS/FedEx drop off, copy machine = Royal Mail Service @ 828 Royal St. 522-8523.

Maple Leaf Bar (Uptown, take St. Chas. streetcar): Music club and dance hall. Rebirth Brass Band Tuesdays, Poetry Sunday, be prepared to be very hot Summertime. 866-9359, 8316 Oak St.,

Mardi Gras beads make your own (SEE Bead Shop, above).

Mardi Gras Indian Museum SEE Backstreet Cultural Museum.

Mardi Gras World: Where floats are made, refurbished and stored (a den). Shuttle is free from Casino/Hilton, since Mradi Gras World has now moved to this side of the river. Call for schdule. Tours include free King Cake & Coffee. No reservations needed. Be sure to take your camera. (800) 362-8213, (504) 361-7821. Penelope is our brochure contact. http://www.mardigrasworld.com/

Mardi Gras Museum: SEE PRESBYTERE

Margaritaville (front bar): blues, 592-2560, 1104 Decatur http://www.margaritavillecafe.com

MARRIAGE: see wedding

Masks: Mask Gallery 636 Royal St. 523-6664. Maskdalili@aol.com. Http://www.neworleansmask.com. Guccione Masks, 504945-2435, in the Bywater http://www.neworleansmasks.com/about.shtml

Maspero's Exchange: 440 Chartres St. - Built circa 1795, this was the site of a famous coffee house where Andrew Jackson and the privateers Jean and Pierre Lafitte supposedly planned for the Battle of New Orleans. Of note is its entresol, the half floor with grated fanlight windows, used like an attic for storage.

Merieult House (1792) – Houses history galleries with original maps, documents, prints, photographs and rare books from the collection’s research departments and reveals Louisiana’s history and culture from the earliest explorers to the 20th century. Guided tours Tues-Sat, 10 & 11am, 2 & 3pm. Admission $.

Mimi’s: For the adventurous, who seek a place ONLY locals go. Bar with food – tapas. Downstairs deliberately looks like a ‘disheveled dive’, upstairs is a dance hall. Bartenders and Marigny hipsters, and Bywater hippies, street punks, whatever you wanna call them. 2601 Royal @Franklin, 942-0690, open 7 days, late. http://www.mimisinthemarigny.com/

Mint, U.S. (1838) – 400 Esplanade Ave – United States coins were minted here for 71 years. The building currently houses the museum’s permanent exhibits on jazz and Mardi Gras, as well as on the historic operation of the Mint. The New Orleans Jazz Collection, includes the world's largest collection of instruments owned and played by important figures in jazz, including Louis Armstrong. 568-6968. Katherine Page and Dale Richard may still be there. If so, they are very helpful in doing archival research. 568-8214. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/visitor.htm

Mississippi riverboat cruises: see riverboat cruises

Mississippi River Bottom music club: 515 St. Philip St. 524-2558.

Motorcycle/Scooter rental: Big Easy Scooters. 504-561-6005. 322-24 Baronne St. Mike Bowler. Http://bigeasyscooters.net

MOPEDs: See motorcycle rental

Mulate’s (touristy) : Cajun, dance+food, 522-1492, 201 Julia

MUSIC: Guests are emailed our Eguide to music. Music club list (BLUE PAPER) is posted on the bulleting board in the dining room at the main B&B. On your bed, is an OffBeat magazine. Before you come, you might want to go online to listen to music on WWOZ: http://www.wwoz.org. The variety of music they offer is astounding. While you are here, tune in to 90.7FM to enjoy their programming. If interested, we have a separate document about music and dancing in New Orleans. Advance reservations are especially necessary at Snug Harbor and House of Blues.

>> MUSIC FOR YOUR EARS? DO you know what a calliope is? If you're strolling through the Quarter or in your room, listen for the calliope at about 10:45 am and 1:45pm. It's an organ powered by steam atop the riverboat. Click here to listen: http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/music/calliope2.htm

>> MUSIC FOR YOUR EARS and Tummy???????? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GdAM3aJeTU

MUSIC LEGENDS PARK: 311 Bourbon St. 2 level, pocket parks and oasis in the French Quarter and showacse for local music legends. Café Beignet is tucked away at the back of the park for snack food.

Musee Conti Historical Wax Museum: 1/12/09. Open Monday, Friday, Saturday. 917 Conti St – 525-2605 – Wax figures depict scenes from local history, including the Battle of New Orleans and Napoleon selling the Louisiana Territory to the United States.

 

MUSEUMS (and historical exhibits) are listed ALPHABETICALLY, individually by name, throughout *document (*in 3 ring binder on dining room table @ main B&B). POST-Katrina, most museums close MONDAYS, and many are also closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Please find them on alphabetical list, then call them for their hours, BEFORE YOU GO. We can’t keep list updated, because they all keep changing back and forth on hours!!!!!!! Here are a few you can look for alphabetically, in *document: 1850 House, African American Culture and History Museum, (Treme Villa), African American Museum of Art, American Italian Museum, Amistad Research Center, Antoine’s Restaurant (ask if they will let you peek in the Mardi Gras Krewe Banquet Room), Arnaud’s Restaurant (dinner only, ask to go upstairs to see their Mardi Gras costumes), Audubon Nature Institute (Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Insectorium), Backstreet Cultural Museum (Mardi Gras Indians), Beauregard Keyes House, Cabildo, Children’s Museum, Confederate Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, D-Day Museum (now WWII Museum), Degas House, Fireman’s Museum, Gallier House, Hermann Grima House, Historic New Orleans Collection, Jazz National Historic Park, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Longue Vue House and Garden, Louisiana Museum of African American History, Louisiana State Museums (Arsenal, Cabildo, 1850 House, U.S. Mint, Presbytere), Loyola University - Diboll Gallery, Madame’s John’s Legacy, Mardi Gras WORLD, Miniature Train Garden (see City Park), Musee Conti Wax Museum, New Orleans ftlineMuseum of Art, Newcomb Art Museum, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Pharmacy Museum, Pitot House, Presbytere, Preservation Resource Center, Tulane University Museum of Natural History, Ursuline Convent, U.S. Mint Museum, World War II (WWII) Museum (formerly D-Day Museum). Http://neworleansmuseums.com has hyperlinks to each and brief description.. If I have skipped any museums, PLEASE let me know so we can add it to this list!!!!

Museum of the American Cocktail: http://www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org/

MUSIC and dance clubs: Staying at main B&B? See separate document in your binder on bed or posted on bulletin board in our dining room. If you already know the name of the club you seek, many "locals" clubs are listed alphabetically in this document.

Music: See Jazz Walk of Fame

Music Legends Park: Open to pubic, 311 Bourbon St., 2 levels of pocket parks. An oasis showcase forlocal music legends. Café Beignet is tucked away at the back of the park.

MUST DO STUFF: see beginning of this document.

Napoleon House: 500 Chartres St. - Built in 1814 and topped by an original tile roof, this structure is an outstanding example of French influence on architectural design in post-colonial New Orleans. Tradition has it that its original owner, Mayor Nicholas Girod, intended it as a refuge for Napoleon, should his supporters be able to free him from exile on St. Helena. Nationally rated as one of the most interesting bars in America. They serve good Muffalettas, too (Bah, humbug. Muffulettas - no one seems to agree on spelling).

Nature Center, Audubon: 5601 Read Boulevard, Joe W. Brown Memorial Park. (504) 246-5672 or 800-774-7394

http://www.auduboninstitute.org

NEON art and sculpture: Amazing stuff there. 943-7446. 2601 Chartres. Http://Venusiangardens.com

New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA): 10am-5pm Wed. through Sunday (7/23/08, temporarily open until 8pm Wed.). Closed Monday, Tuesday. #1 Collin C. Diboll Circle at end of Esplanade Avenue @ N. Carrollton Ave., lake side. (504) 488-2631. Fax 484-6662 (Brochures: Wanda Ochello 658-4103).

New Orleans School of Cooking: Fun cooking demonstration with samples of LA cuisine. Classes are held daily 10am-12:30pm. About $27 per person. Classes include recipes and generous samplings of the demonstrated items, coffee, iced tea (or beer???). To reserve, complete a reservation request online or call (504) 525-2665 (local) or 1-800-237-4841. http://www.nosoc.com/

Notarial Archives: 421 Loyola St. 568-8577.

OffBeat Magazine: Local music scene magazine published monthly. Also available online at http://offbeat.com

Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world, and a unique and innovative destination to "See the South." Early THURSDAY evenings, they have special events called "Ogden After Hours". . Call of details. 925 Camp Street. 504.539.9600. http://ogdenmuseum.org

Old Point Bar, (ALGIERS POINT, take free pedestrian ferry shuttle): 545 Patterson Street (corner of Olivier): (504) 364-0950, Don’t go unless you like dogs. Call for hours and live music schedule. http://www.oldpointbar.com

Old U.S. Mint, see MINT

Oz (800 Bourbon St., 593-9491; www.ozneworleans.com)best gay bar

Palm Court: Seeking traditional Jazz and dinner in a beautiful setting? You’ve found it and a dance floor, too. Low cover charge, plus a la carte menu. 1104 Decatur St., 525-0200. Usually closed most of Summer. 2008 season closes 6/28. http://www.palmcourtjazzcafe.com/

Parasols SEE UMBRELLA

PARKING: What everyone else in USA calls medians, we call "neutral ground" (long story behind it’s history, with Canal St. As demarkation between Creole and American section). NEUTRAL GROUND: Don’t park on them. PARKING CAUTIONS: Curbside NO parking areas are usually designated by yellow paint on curbs from corner. Many have worn off and your car will be towed if you’re not VERY cautious. If you see a curbside space marked by yellow lines, that makes you think you’ve FINALLY found a free parking space. Nope! That means DO NOT park there. Beware of parking in the French Quarter. There are few legal places. Many are "resident permit parking’ while time limit is 2 hours. Pay attention to street cleaning signs or your car may be towed. You must park at least 3' from any driveway. You can’t park car partially on sidewalk. Meter parking. You don’t pay weekends. Most meters are also free after 6pm. Car must be AT LEAST 15' from fire hydrant. Traffic signals, street corner intersections and crosswalks? Park at least 20' from them.

Parking lots, French Quarter : Canal Place Parking 100 Iberville. Central Parking Badine Lots Enter at Iberville and N. Peters. Jax Brewery I Parking, enter at Conti and N. Peters. Jax Parking II Enter at Toulouse and Decatur. French Market Parking, enter at St. Peter and Decatur. French Market Marigny lot, enter at Elysian Fields and Decatur.

Pat O’Brien’s Bar: famous for Hurricane drink and Mint Juleps, dueling piano’s. 525-4823. 817 St. Peter St. http://www.patobriens.com

Perfume:

> Bourbon French Parfume, 805 Bourbon St. 522-4480

>> Parfume Hove, 824 Royal St., 525-7827.

Pet Boarding: Dr. Mike’s Animal House 523-4455, 1120 N. Rampart St.

PHARMACY: Walgreens @ 619 Decatur St. 525-7260, open late 7-days. Walgreens 134 Royal @ Iberville 525-2180 NO pharmacy. HOLIDAY? call for hours.

Pharmacy Museum: Housed in a fascinating townhouse built in 1823. Constructed for Louis Joseph Dufilho, Jr., America’s first licensed pharmacist (1816). Ground floor portrays a mid-nineteenth century apothecary shop with medicines, surgical instruments, journals, a rare 1855 soda fountain, a courtyard herb garden, hangover remedies, voodoo potions, absinthe, opium and examples of "questionable medical practices." Operated by the Friends of Historical Pharmacy Open Tues-Sat. 10am-2pm. Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays. Admission fee. Jen Gick curator extraordinaire. 514 Chartres St., 565-8027. Http://pharmacymuseum.org.

PHOTO DEVELOPING, throw away cameras, AND DOWNLOAD SITES: Walgreens Drug Store (see ‘pharmacy’), and several film developing places are on Decatur St. And Canal. There are several sites you can download photo’s from your camera to the web of you don’t want to buy another disk. This is the one I have used: http://www.picasa.google.com/

PHOTO’s you wanted to take, but never got around to it?: NEW ORLEANS PHOTO SCRAPBOOK may come to your rescue. If you are like us when you travel, many times our photo’s don’t turn out or we miss taking a photo of something we would enjoy looking at later, or we meant to buy a postcard to use in our photo album, but either could not find one or forgot to buy it. Here is info on a company that has come up with what we feel is a unique approach: Buy their CD that has 1,000 photo’s of New Orleans. We haven’t had time to look through it yet, but they have examples online: http://www.neworleansscrapbook.com. Their toll free # is 877-city-pic. Local # is 235-5441. Let us know what YOU think. ALSO, guests have had some ‘fun’ photo’s taken in period costumes by OLDE TIME PHOTOS. 636 St. Ann St. near St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square 504-566-9876.

Pitot House Museum: 18th century plantation house on Bayou St. John. During convention season, the Pitot House is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1440 Moss St., 482-0312. Http://www.neworleans.com/museum/pitot

Plantation Tours: see TOURS by Isabelle.

PLANTATIONS: Ask us for separate Plantation, Acadiana, Nature document. Info on River Road Plantations only: 866-204-7782. www.takemetotheriver.com

Plaza D'Italia: Lafayette & Commerce Streets. Monuments, Statues, murals, sculpture, Fountains. A tucked away treasure of roman columns, no one seems to come to this exuberant, post-modern plaza tucked away between the Loews Hotel and a parking lot. The plaza, designed by architect Charles Moore to honor the Italian-American community of New Orleans, is peaceful, with fountains, pools of water, and Roman columns framing a St. Joseph Altar. The only time people actually seem to use the plaza is on March 19th, when it becomes host to the country’s largest celebration of St. Joseph Day, an Italian-American holidaay with offerings of food placed upon the St. Joseph Altar. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM14Z3

POLICE: Non emergency 821-2222. Emergency, dial 911.

Pontalba Buildings: Jackson Square - Baroness Micaela Almonaster de Pontalba built these two buildings-two rows of four story townhouses which flank Jackson Square. Note the ornate cast-iron gallery railings into which are woven the baroness's initials- "A" for Almonaster and "P" for Pontalba.

Post Office (also see mail service): Mail drop (blue box) Esplanade @Royal, St. Phillip @N. Rampart. Main post office 701 Loyola Av., 589-1175, 7 days.

pottery exhibit at Tulane University’s Newcomb College. Take St. Charles Streetcar there.

PRALINES: Loretta’s. Where she MAKES them is 2905 N. Rampart. 944-7068. Http://www.loretta.pralines.com

Presbytere (some call it the Mardi Gras Museum) (built 1791) 751 Chartres St.: Begun as a priest’s residence by the Spanish, but never used by the priests. The structure was completed by Americans in 1813. It houses changing exhibits on Louisiana Culture and heritage. The most interesting exhibit is on Mardi Gras. They also have many black and white photo’s of historic cemeteries. Part of the LA State Museum system. 568-6968. Toll free 1-800-568-6968. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/visitor.htm

Preservation Hall: Real traditional Jazz and Dixieland. Building circa 1817, notice the wrought iron gates on this picturesque building. Since 1961, Preservation Hall has been the stage-home of traditional New Orleans Jazz players including many of the old time legends and their apprentices. Dixieland. The old guys passing on their tradition to the new. Usually standing room only. No reservations, NO AIR CONDITIONING. 726 St. Peter St. 522-2841. www.preservationhall.com

PRIMATE CENTER: Tulane’s project in Covington is research only, not recreational.

Quilt Shops: Quilt Cottage, 801 Nashville St., uptown. Take Magazine St. shoppers shuttle or walk down from St. Charles Streetcar.

R Bar: Talk about eclectic and bohemian. This is a REAL ‘locals’ place. Milk on bar for neighborhood cats, antique barber chair for barber who comes to do haircuts once weekly, Skeleton on bicycle hanging upside down, at happy hour some weekends, free oysters or boiled crawfish. The later it is, the more lively.

Race Track, New Orleans Fairgrounds (horse racing): Thoroughbred horse racing and site of annual JazzFest. Season is usually Thanksgiving Day through end of March. You can catch the Esplanade bus there or take a taxicab. 1751 Gentilly (there is also an entrance off Esplanade Ave. Telephone: (504) 944-5515. Fpor 11/23/06 activities, see

clipping on bulletin board. Web site: http://www.fgno.com

Radio Station: WWOZ,: : 90.7 on your FM dial. Local and Internet radio station with wide variety on music. Volunteer DJs welcome on the air musicians visits. On the air, every hour on the ODD hour, they offer music schedule for the city. 504-568-1238. Call Livewire for daily details: 780-3222. http://www.wwoz.org.

RAINY DAY STUFF TO DO (see alphabetical listing, for telephone numbers and location) If you’re staying at the main B&B, we keep umbrellas for guests in a stand close to the front door.

>> Aquarium

>> IMAX theatre

>> Insectarium

>> Mardi Gras World

>> Museums, state and city

>> Tour Houses, like Hermann Grima, 1850s House

RELIGIOUS:

>> It’s an ethereal experience, at night, to walk up Orleans St. from Dauphine St. towards St. Anthony’s Garden, behind St. Louis Cathedral. The way the light shines on the statue and casts a shadow on the garden wall is amazing. www.stlouiscathedral.org/VirtualAr.htm

>> Our Lady of Guadelope church on N. Rampart St. Just before St. Louis. During the yellow fever epidemic in 1800s, this was built as the mortuary church. Now they have a Jazz Mass at 11:30am Sundays. It also is the International of St. Jude. http://www.saintjudeshrine.com/history.htm

>> St. Mary’s Church is a beautiful, old one, with its vaulted ceilings hand painted. Next door is Ursulines Convent (see alphabetical list below). www.neworleanschurches.com/stmaryitalian/ursulchap.htm

>> St. Augustine Church. Before its opening in 1842, "free people of color," who were often Catholic, could not openly worship with white Catholics. Instead they had to stand or kneel in the rear of churches. Free black people in Faubourg Treme, home then to many "gens de couleur libres," provided money and labor to build St. Aug. 1st racially mixed congregation in the city, with black and white congregants -- French, Spanish, English and Creole -- sitting together, but it also was the first to allow black slaves to worship with those not in bondage. Shorter pews on each side of the church were reserved for them. www.staugustinecatholicchurch-neworleans.org/

River Shack Tavern: A ‘local’s’ haunt, designed bar stools are ‘dressed’ with mannikin legs. Good seafood poboys. Live music nightly. 3449 River Road, 837.7118. http://www.therivershacktavern.com/rivershack/ (Also listed in restaurant document)

RIVERBOAT CRUISES/TOURS: SEE TOURS< RIVERBOAT.

Rock ‘N Bowl. Best dance bands in the city. Rock, Zydeco, Swing blues & R&B. 482-3133, 3016 South Carrollton (at Earhart Blvd) http://rocknbowl.com/

ROMAN CANDY MAN and his mule drawn cart: They used to go throughout the uptown neighborhoods. I guess the mule died, or they got tired of being in our steamy summer heat! His cart in parked at Audubon Zoo, but we haven’t seen him selling there. Maybe he is just online now. Be sure to try some of his hand pulled chewing taffy, eaten by generations of New Orleanians. http://www.romancandy.com504-897-3937 http://romancandy.gourmetfoodmall.com/

Rosy’s Music Club: 500 Valance St. 896-7697

Rum Distillery: Celebration Distillation, 1st premium rum distillery on US mainland. Rum is distilled from sugar cane molasses. 504-945-9400. Tours by appointment only, Monday - Friday, 10am-5pm. 2815 Frenchman St.

Saint Louis Cathedral – 721 Chartres St. – 525-9585 – The original 1724 structure was destroyed in the great fire of 1788; the rebuilt Spanish-style basilica narrowly escaped being destroyed in the devastating 1794 fire. Guided tours are available Monday through Saturday 9:30am-5pm, Sunday from 1:30pm.

SALON and SPA services: See Hair

Saturn Bar: A funky, dive bar: art, junk, part hunting lodge, part collections archive from an alien spacecraft's Human Museum, this 9th Ward spot is an appropriate interplanetary namesake. Walls are dotted with photos of past and current clientele. - what a place! 3067 St. Claude Ave. (Clouet St.), 504-949-7532

SAZERAC DRINK: Order one at the Sazerac bar at the Roosevelt Hotel, which recently reopened. Drink’s history: In 1859, a Royal Street pharmacist, A. A. Peychaud, created a drink that was a sensation. To a shot of brandy Peychaud had begun adding his family formula for bitters, a tonic compound that was offered as a cure for various maladies. The bitters, when added to the brandy, gave a kick to the drink. Then John B. Schiller, who importated a Cognac manufactured by the firm of Sazerac-de-Forge et fils of Limoge, France. The same year, Schiller opened a place on Exchange Alley in the French Quarter calling it the "Sazerac Coffeehouse." He was the exclusive purveyor of the Sazerac brand cognac (remember, cognac is a form of brandy), which he also served with bitters to create the world's first Sazerac cocktail. As the city became more American and less French, tastes shifted. In 1870, the business was sold and name changed to "Sazerac House." He kept the bitters in the recipe, but replaced the cognac with rye whiskey. Around that same time, Leon Lamothe, a bartender began adding a splash of absinthe (a licorice-tasting liquor) to the drink. It became a standard ingredient. If you want, ask us for receipe. 123 Baronne St. 504-648-1200.

Scooter rental: see MOTORCYCLE RENTAL or HANDICAPPED SCOOTER RENTAL

Segway Tours: Not reopened as of 3/30/09. 877-734-8687.

SHOPPING, inside, like a mall: The RiverWalk (Canal at the river. Small shops offering better quality merchandise than on Bourbon St.), Canal Place (Canal St. at Decatur. upscale shops such as Saks 5th Avenue, Pottery Barn, and Brooks Brothers, and boutiques).

Shopping: All throughout the French Quarter. United Apparel Liquidators, 518 Chartres St., 301-4437, open 7 days 10am-6pm. Deluxe label discounts.

SNO-BALLS: (Not like a snow cone, these are shaved ice and unique. Plum Street Snoball Stand, Plum @ 1300 Burdette Street (near Tulane University in between Broadway and Carrolton), by St. Charles streetcar. http://www.eteamz.com/plumstreetsnoball/. Hansen's SnoBliz SnoBall Stand, in the same family since the grandfather invented the machine in the '30s. 4801 Tchoupitoulas St. (by car or bus)

Snug Harbor: Best Contemporary Jazz club in the city. Serve good food, too (hamburgers are the best deal). The following frequently play there --Marsallis family, Germain Bazzle, Charmaine Neville (typically $15-25 cover charge for club). Our favorite seats are upstairs, Good value for money, especially since you can eat and listen to music. Cover charge in music club section. Music piped into restaurant section. Open 7 days a week. Kitchen opens at 5pm and closes around 10pm (later weekends). Walk from main B&B to 626 Frenchman St. http://www.snugjazz.com

SOUVENIRS, presents, gift ideas: The Flea Market near the French Market has the largest variety, concentrated in a small area. When you are here, feel free to ask us where to buy stuff. Other interesting, inexpensive gifts would be:

>> beer, regional: Abita or Dixie

>> boxed food mixes, like beignet mix, red beans and rice, seafood boil, Jambalaya, Shrimp or Crawfish Ettoufee

>> coffee, New Orleans blend

>> feather masks like we have on doors and walls at B&B

>> pralines

>> refrigerator magnets

>> sausage, local: Boudin, Andouille (packed for travel, but can also be shipped)

>> seafood (packed for travel, but can also be shipped)

>> Seasonings and rubs, regional

>> Voodoo beer

>>>> Vampire wine http://store.vampire.com/ (800-310-VAMPIRE)

>> watercolor prints, either preframed or mounted and packed to travel

SPAS: see hair salons/spas

SPEED LIMITS, surface streets, in town: Please bear in mind that speed limit signs are hard to find. The speed limit on divided streets is 35mph, on 1-way and non divided streets it’s 25mph.

SPORTS BAR mostly WITH BIG SCREEN TV: This changes from time to time, so call to be sure they are still in business and have the TVs. Johnnie Whites, 524-4909, 720 Bourbon @ Orleans. Kabbie’s @Hilton Hotel, 561-0500. Three-Legged Dog: 400 Burgundy St; 412-8335.. • Hooters has large screen, 301 N. Peters St; 522-9222.

SPORTS BAR SOCCER GAMES AND RUGBY: If you are a rugby fan, you will need to go out of the French Quarter, into Mid City to Finn McCool's, 3701 Banks St in Mid-City, by car, taxicab, or daytime only, take Canal Streetcar stop is Telemachas, turn left walk 3 blocks to Banks St. 486-9080 - be sure you have exact change for streetcar or buy and unlimited use pass onboard

Spring Fiesta Home – 826 St Ann St- 581-1367. Restored 1840 French Quarter townhouse and courtyard. By appointment only. Admission.

STREETCARS, see TRANSPORTATION.

SWAMP tours: see TOURS, swamp

TANNING: Planet Beach: Bienville at 301 Burgundy, 525-8266.

TAX FREE SHOPPING for guests from other countries visiting USA. Most of the businesses on Canal St. or in the Riverwalk Shopping Center, 1 Canal Place, or cheapest prices probably at WalMart on Tchoupitoulas St. Ask for Tax Free form before you shop.

TAXICAB Bureau: Complaints, 565-6272.

THEATRE, Live (Seasonal): Southern Rep (Canal Place, 333 Canal St., third floor, 522-6545; www.southernrep.com), Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré (616 St. Peter St., 522-2081; www.lepetittheatre.com) , Performing Arts Center, and Saenger Theatre (has not repopened since hurricane).

Tiles, souvenir: Arius Gallery, 504 St. Peter St. @Jackson Square.504-529-1665 Http://jacksonsquaretiles.com

Tipitina’s UPTOWN (the original) music club: Take St. Charles Streetcar there. 501 Napoleon Avenue. 895-8477.For a while, post Katrina, it’s a special treat to listen to Mardi Gras Indian practice session, Sundays (see their online calendar for dates/times) . Http://www.tipitinas.com

Tourist information Centers (these are OFFICIAL ones. There are bunches of ‘fake’, misleading ones that promote a certain tour company’s tours and are not associated with the City, Convention Bureau, or State or City Tourist Bureau):

>> Convention Center 2020 St. Charles Ave. on streetcar line 566-5011. Closed Sunday, Monday.

>> French Quarter Tourist Center is at 529 St. Ann St. 566-5031.

>> National Park Service Visitor Center listed below under ‘Tour, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park/Folklife Visitor Center’ 419 Decatur St. 504-589-2636

TOURS (see suggestions below): Since we haven't been on many of the tours personally, our recommendations mostly come from guests, which is probably the best method, anyway. After we get consistent, positive feedback from multiple guests, only then do we recommend a tour. There is a NEW AUDIO tour for ‘hip/young’ folks listed there, too (let us know what you think about it). Make reservations in advance for most tours and please mention that Banana Courtyard sent you.

TOURS, self guided CRUISER talking car tour: 504-523-9890, #2 Poydras St. @ Hilton Riverside Hotel.

TOUR, WALKING, AUDIO: There is a NEW AUDIO tour for ‘hip/young’ folks that you can download from the internet or your IPOD. . http://www.audisseyguides.com. Let us know what you think about it. The guests who have used this RAVE about how it covers basics and ‘insider ‘ info they never would have learned on a traditional tour.

TOURS by Isabelle (miscellaneous tours by small van: city, plantation, swamp): They offer pick up at the main B&B. Highly recommended by guests. Guests have raved about their plantation tours, city tour, in addition to Pre Katrina, recovery tour. They have been in business for more than 25 years and still main excellent quality of tour, even with all the competition. Advance reservations are necessary. They also have bilingual guides. Call 888-223-2093 or 504-391-3544 (John), web site: http://www.toursbyisabelle.com.

TOURS (WALKING), Culinary History: Please give us feedback on this tour. None of our guests have taken one yet. Tasting tours usually offered Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 2pm. $40/person. Advance reservation REQUIRED. 504-427-9595. http://www.noculinarytours.com/

TOUR (WALKING) of the French Quarter FREE: Start @ Jean Lafitte National Historical Park/Folklife and French Quarter Visitor Center: Historic and cultural exhibits and folklife programs are complimented by FREE guided walking tour of the French Quarter, provided by the Park Rangers. Daily, at 9am, you can go to their office to wait in line for a ticket (1st come, 1st served, 25 people daily). Go Back at 9:30am to join their tour that acquaints you with the Spanish and French occupations of the city, our architecture, culture and history. They also have historic and cultural exhibits plus folklife programs. 419 Decatur St., 589-2636. Center is open daily 9am-5pm. Closed Dec. 25 + Mardi Gras. 589-2636 ext. 1. http://www.nps.gov/jelahttp://www.nps.gov/jela/planyourvisit/events.htm

TOURS (walking) HAUNTED/GHOST, VOODOO, French Quarter, Garden District: http://tourNO@TourNewOrleans.com

>> GHOST EXPEDITIONS™ : I have had NO feedback from guests on this, but since many guests are interested in paranormal rather than ghost stuff, this seemed appropriate. 718 Orleans Ave. directly behind the St. Louis Cathedral between Royal & Bourbon Streets. Call 585-9408. (Dr. Larry Montz). Be sure to check re holiday, special event closings.

>> HAUNTED HISTORY TOURS, 504-861-2727, http://www.hauntedhistorytours.com Best for ghost/haunted tours. (Owned by Sidney Smith).

>> Best for CEMETERY tours - HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS TOURS, 504-947-2120. Web site is http://www.tourneworleans.com (Owned by Rob Florence). NOTE: CEMETERY COFFEE TABLE BOOK: Rob Florence, has a wonderful coffee table book that is a great conversation piece "Life in the Cities of the Dead"! Call him re where to buy it, 504-949-2785.

>> BLOODY MARY Vampire TOURS: Best for VAMPIRE TOURS, 523-7684. See online review: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60864-d676826-r45076028-Bloody_Mary_s_Tours-New_Orleans_Louisiana.htmlhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60864-d676826-r45076028-Bloody_Mary_s_Tours-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html tour web site Http://www.bloodymarystours.com

Tours, cemeteries: The following organization has tours, but not every day: http://saveourcemeteries.org/ for tour every day, SEE TOURS (WALKING) HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS TOUR

TOUR of the French Quarter (walking): LeMonde Creole. Tours focus on Creole heritage and include some private French Quarter courtyards. Group or individual tours, reasonably priced. Bill Coble, owner. They also have bilingual guides German, French. 624 Royal St., 568-1801. Creolwrld@yahoo.com. Tell them the BANANA LADY sent you.

TOURS, JAZZ (walking): I THINK he is on hiatus for a while.

If you are a real Jazz enthusiast, Kevin Herridge is a Jazz historian. He lives in Algiers Pointe and conducts tours of the neighborhood, where many of the Jazz musicians lived in the 1800s and early 1900s. He also researched and wrote the walking tour brochure for the local historical society, of which he is President. You can contact him at 367-8461 (‘phone/fax) or email him at: cockney@bellsouth.net

TOURS, miscellaneous by BIG BUS: city, plantation, swamp, – Grayline Tours: For the budget conscious. Ticket kiosk is at #1 Toulouse St. behind Jax Brewery, on the river levee where the Steamboat Natchez docks. Remember that old saying, ". . . you get what you pay for". Guests have mentioned that the brochure says 3 hours on the water for the swamp tour, but they actually are only in the boat about an hour and a half. Please give us your feedback. If they are not giving value for money, we want to take them off our list and brochures off the table. 569-1401, 800-535-7786. http://www.graylineneworleans.com/

TOURS< RIVERBOAT. Remember, most of our riverfront is wharves and oil refineries, not what most visitors expect, so your image of the Marc Twain and Huckleberry Finn’s Mighty Mississippi River is not what you will see. Even as far out as the plantations, there are only ‘pockets’ of lush beauty many visitors seek. Being on a paddlewheel boat is always interesting. Those are on the RIVER. Bayou or swamp cruise boats enable you to see more of our lush, tropical vegetation, wildlife: ‘gators, birds, nutria, etc.

>>>> One paddle-wheel boat is Creole Queen (504) 529-4567, 504-524-0814, 800-445-4109. If it’s a paddlewheel boat you seek, ask them which one they are running for harbor (daily) or dinner cruise (NOT daily). They ALSO have Dinner Jazz Cruise 4 to 5 nights a week which boards 7pm to 8pm and cruises 8pm to 10pm, you can do this with or without dinner, which decreases the overall cost. Http://www.neworleanspaddlewheels.com

.>>>> Steamboat Natchez is the only paddlewheel "steamboat" (paddle wheel vessels seem to be a BIG issue with some folks). Daytime, they have harbor cruises. Nighttime (I am told NOT DAILY) they have a buffet dinner with New Orleans food and a Jazz band (enjoy the river, music, and food)! If you're strolling through the Quarter or in your room, listen for its calliope at about 10:45 am and 1:45pm. It's an organ powered by steam atop the riverboat. Print the coupon from http://www.steamboatnatchez.com for a discount. Guests who have taken the dinner cruise say, to avoid lines, either get your food before the boat takes off, or wait a little while into the cruise to avoid the buffet lines. Buffet food is simple, but guests say the ambiance makes up for it. 6pm board, 7pm, sail (504) 586-8777 (800) 233-2628. DOES NOT run daily. http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/

TOURS, SWAMP: OK. Lots of competition and very confusing. If you want to just RENT a canoe or boat, GO BACK and SEE BOAT section. If you want a guided tour, see this section, below.

TOURS, SWAMP/BAYOU, LOUISIANA TOURS : Both airboat and regular boat tours (covered boats with bathrooms - a big plus!). Recently, we’ve had very good feedback from guests about these tours. They seem to be the closest to the French Quarter, a little more than 30 minutes. Guests say the ‘best deal on value for money’. I think their BIG AIRBOAT TOUR is the least expensive one tour. 888-30SWAMP. If you drive to the swamp, rates are cheaper, but they pick up at our doorstep. 504-689-3599. http://www.louisianaswamp.com/

TOURS, SWAMP/BAYOU: DR. WAGNER’S HONEY ISLAND SWAMP TOUR. – if you have a car. They consistently do a good job, they pickup at the main B&B and are relatively close, if you have a car (Slidell). Owner is a wetland environmentalist and ecologist, so the tour guides know the swamp and all things living and growing in them. 985-641-1769. http://www.honeyislandswamp.com/

TOUR GUIDES< Closed, Private tours: Madeline Axtman, "New Orleans Lady" is current President of Tour Guide Association, 392-2180. Other folks who have been recommended to us for INDIVIDUAL TOURS: Lloyd Sensat 250-6681, Don Downs or Harry Bale 944-8966 427-4091, John Hall 220-7913, Gwen Redus 812-85002, Adam Stevenson 554-1533. Tell them the BANANA LADY sent you.

Train Garden, see City Park

TRANSPORTATION: (Knote to myself. Copy and paste text from this document to transportation cover pages in 3 ring binder)

(We keep bus/streetcar schedule posted on bulletin board at the main B&B.) 1 day VisiTour pass. Is sold on board any streetcar.

WALK or streetcar?: Walking is the ONLY way to see the French Quarter. If you want to explore OTHER parts of New Orleans, use the streetcar, trolley or bus. They are cheap, especially for ‘seniors! A car is usually a hindrance in the FQ, as there are few legal parking spaces for nonresidents. If you want to know more about the pros and cons, just ask.

TRANSPORTATION, public: NORTA is our Regional Transit Authority (RTA) that provides service throughout New Orleans and Orleans Parish (http://norta.com). Rideline/information: 504-827-7802.

>> Remember drivers carry no money, so EXACT CHANGE ONLY. Fares are cheap, especially for seniors OR if you buy a 1 or 3 day pass. Pass is for unlimited use on all public transport (1-day pass MEANS one day, not 24-hours, so purchase on a day you plan to use it ALL day). Many of the streetcars, trolleys and busses DO NOT OPERATE on holidays or have modified schedules. Many ALSO and have different schedules on SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

Both CANAL streetcars are only a 6 minute walk from the main B&B.#47 AND #48 begin at Esplanade Ave. at the Mississippi River, running on the same line as the Riverfront Streetcar, or you can catch them at Canal St. And N. Rampart .

#47 goes through Mid City, then to the Metairie Cemeteries

#48 goes through Mid City, then to City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art.

If you want to SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES, and go to off beaten path local places along the streetcar line (or just a few blocks away), consider these:

>>>> Angelo Brocato’s Italian Ice Cream Parlour, on N. Carrolton @Canal) that has outstanding hand packed gelato (ice cream), canole, and Italian ice (sherbert/sorbet), and all sorts of Italian baked specialties

>>>> Lola’s Café (Spanish)

>>>>Café Degas

>>>> Parkway Tavern (poboy sandwiches)

>>>> and if you LOVE Italian (Sicilian) food, Venesia is an restaurant not to miss (see RESTAURANT alphabetical list for details)

>>>> RIVERFRONT STREETCAR (#2), starts at end of Esplanade Ave. 6 minutes from main B&B and goes past French Quarter, Convention Center, into Warehouse and Arts District to cruise docks, back and forth all day long. Service ends around 10:30pm.

>> >> ST. CHARLES STREETCAR (#12): The historic St. Charles streetcar starts at Canal St. (Royal St. In the French Quarter, becomes St. Charles Ave. When it crosses Canal St.) and takes you along the avenue where you can enjoy the majestic live oak trees and mansions in the Garden District (Jackson Avenue to Louisiana Ave.), then through the Uptown and Carrollton neighborhoods. Things of interest along the way:

>>>> Columns Hotel where you take a break and can sit on the verandah and sip on a cold drink,

>>>> Audubon Park and Zoo, Tulane and Loyola University

>>>> Camellia Grill where everyone queues up for a long wait to get into this popular diner.

>>>> Riverbend area is near Brightsen’s, Jacques Imo, and Jamilla’s Restaurants and Maple Leaf Bar.

>>>> FYI: In the 2200 block of St. Charles Ave, the streetcar stops, free, at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors center (ask for get back on pass), where you can stock up on any brochures or maps you didn’t get from the official tourist bureau on St. Anne at Jackson Square by St. Louis Cathedral.

>>Vieux Carre Shuttle #3 (No explanation as to why this was cancelled in 2004 and never reinstated! They never bothered to remove the signs, so don’t stand at its bus stop sign in the French Quarter Esplanade @ Dauphine, or you will have quite a wait!

>> The MAGAZINE St. shopper’s bus (#11) takes you from the Canal St. @ Magazine St. (Decatur St. In the French Quarter, becomes Magazine St. When it crosses Canal St.), commercial end of the French Quarter, along the 6-miles of "shoppers dream street" (fine art, antique & junk shops, boutiques, gifts, jewelry, furniture, glass blowing studios, etc., shopping area, through the Garden district, past Audubon Park in Uptown.

Typical holiday schedule:
Independence Day (July 4th) Sunday Schedule; Labor Day (September 1st) Sunday Schedule; Thanksgiving Day (November 27th) Sunday Schedule; Day After Thanksgiving (November 28th) Saturday Schedule; Christmas Day (December 25th) Sunday Schedule. Mardi Gras, 2 hours before and after parades, Canal St. and St. Charles Ave. buses and streetcars don’t operate. On all other holidays, your guess is as good as mine! SEE 3 RING BINDER IN DINING ROOM the by the bulletin board or their web site: http://norta.com/

U.S. Customs House: This imposing Egyptian Revival Style structure was built in 1848. The engineer in charge, P.G.T. Beauregard, became a famous Confederate General. During the Union occupation of New Orleans, the Customs House served as a headquarters for General Butler and as a prison for Confederate officers. 504/589-6731

U.S. Mint Museum, see MINT

UMBRELLAS & parasols: Have a "2nd line" umbrella custom made to display at home. Unique Umbrellas & Parasols, 636 St. Ann St. 523-1063. A new source we’ve found is Tpya Townsend 957-2951. Currently she has a booth at Flea Market 121A. A guest had a parasol made by her for her wedding here. There are several more shops that have parasols in their inventory. You’ll see them near the French Market/Flea Market area.

Ursuline Convent (circa 1745): 1100 Chartres St., 529-3040. REOPENS MARCH 2009. The Archbishop Antoine Blank Memorial houses 6-edifices including the Old Ursuline Convent, the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley (the only one to survive from French colonial times), and Our Lady of Victory Church, built in 1845 as the chapel of the Archbishops. Operated by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, it now houses their archives. Guided tours, Monday = Saturday, 10am-4pm, by admission fee. Ask also to see St. Mary’s Italian church, next door. Gorgeous wood arched dome ceiling, hand painted. To schedule an appointment to visit the archives, call (504) 529-3040.

Van Benthuysen Mansion and Gardens: 3029 St. Charles Avenue, 504-895-9200. http://www.elmsmansion.com

Vaughan’s (Bywater Urban area, take taxicab there): plays Thurs. Any serious New Orleans drinker knows Thursday is night Kermit Ruffins night at this bar. There's tree-stump seating outside, a split-level interior that boasts a ping-pong table down below and an inexpensive bar up top, but it's the age-ranging crowd that keeps the locals and tourists coming in. 947-5562, 800 Lesseps. http://www.myspace.com/kermitruffinsmusic

Vineyard: Need car. Ponchartrain Vineyards: LA Hwy. 1082, Old Military Road, north of Covington across the 24-mile Lake Ponchartrain bridge. 504-892-9742.

Vintage clothing shops:

>> There are several on the lower end of Decatur St., near Esplanade Ave.

>> Lili Vintage Boutique, 4514 Magazine St., 504 931.6848 http://www.lilivintage.com

Visitor information centers: SEE Tourist information centers

Voodoo Spiritual Temple: 828 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. 504.522.9627. This is the real thing: chickens in coops, snakes, etc. Sister Miriam Williams is the Voodoo priestess there. http://www.access.avernus.com/~rogue/templevoodoo@gnofn.org

Voodoo Museum: 724 Dumaine St. between Bourbon and Royal. Open 7 days, except holidays. 523-7685. http://www.artcom.com/Museums/vs/mr/70116-31.htm

WWI MUSEUM: See World War II Museum

WWOZ: 90.7 Local radio station that is on Internet and broadcasts (every odd-hour) music scene info:568-1239 http://www.wwoz.org

WEATHER and clothing: AVERAGE Temperature expressed in Fahrenheit ('cause the banana lady would goof it up if she tried to convert to centigrade)

January through February: bring Winter and Spring clothes, as the weather can change every 3-4 days. Some days, I can be in shorts. Other days weather might hover in 30s - Brrrrrrrrr.

January: 43-63,

February: 45-65

March through May: glorious weather begins, but can sometimes be warm and humid

March: 52-72 Nights, especially, will need a sweater or jacket

April: 59-79 some coolish nights, very pleasant days

May: 65-85 (temperature starts to creep up towards 90) shorts weather for sure!

June through September: ALWAYS hot & humid June through August

June: 74 to mid-90s

July and August: 74 to mid 90s

September: 70-87

October: glorious weather, finally

October: 59-79 (don't get too excited. Occasionally, it's 80 degrees F on Halloween!)

Nov ember through December: cool weather begins (Bring Winter and Spring clothes, as the weather can change every 3-4 days.)

November: 50-70

December: 45-64 (there are still a few days we can wear shorts -70 degrees, other days it's cold).

Weather Channel: New Orleans 70116

WAX MUSEUM: see Musee Conti Historical Wax Museum

WEDDING ceremony: We can recommend a judge performs a lovely ceremony in her chambers, then courthouse bells are rung to announce the event. We can also provide you with our state statutes for getting a license. A guest recently was married in the French Quarter Wedding Chapel. They said it was "nothing special" but convenient. 333 Burgundy St. 866-933-3864, 504-598-6808.

WHERE WE LOCALS HANG OUT: Frenchman Street, Esplanade Ave., +the "dives" on RAMPART. You'll fall in love with FRENCHMAN ST. It's fun, day &night: Snug Harbor (best Jazz club in city w/food), DBA, Apple Barrel, Adolfo’s (Italian restaurant above a bar), Praline Connection (soul food), Mona’s Café (Middle Eastern), Café Negril (Carribean), an Indian place calle Hookah Cafe, Café Brasil, Spotted Cat, and more.

>ESPLANADE AVE. @Burgundy St. is Port of Call restaurant, which usually has a waiting line around to the corner street, because it has the best hamburgers & baked potatoes in the city AND a killer drink, named the Monsoon (beware!).

>N. RAMPART St. has GREAT places residents enjoy: Peristyle Restaurant, Donna’s Bar & Grill.

Wildlife/Safari: (By car, at least 1 hour)

>> Global Wildlife Center. 985-wild. 26389 Highway 40, Folsum. globalwildlife.com

Williams Residence (1889): In the Historic New Orleans Collection Building. 533 Royal St – 523-4662 – This late 19th century house was remodeled in the 1940s by Kemper and Leila Williams, founders of the Historic New Orleans Collection. Its elegant appointments reflect the lifestyle of post-World War II French Quarter society. Chinese porcelains and pieces of Louisiana origin. $4 Tours Tues-Sat. 10 & 11am, 2 & 3pm. Http://www.hnoc.org.

Williams Research Center – 410 Chartres St – The reading room provides state –of-the-art access to extensive research collection about the history of New Orleans and Louisiana 10am-4:30pm Tues-Sat 532-4662, 598-7171.

World War II MUSEUM: historical museum includes a Higgins landing craft, aircraft, vehicles, weapons, uniforms, interactive galleries and oral history stations. Lunchtime lectures, photograph showings (call for specific information) OPEN Monday - Sunday, 9am-5pm. Closed New Years Day, Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 945 Magazine St., (504) 527-6012. Email: info@ddaymuseum.org. WEB SITE: http://www.ddaymuseum.org/intropage.htm (My brochure contact: alan raphael 527-6012 ; EXT. 359, Alan.Raphael@nationalww2museum.org)

 



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REFER TO SEPARATE DOCUMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING (documents are located at the B&B or SOMETIMES, we can email them to you, just before you come to stay with us):
• Banana Courtyard’s Guide to Best Bet Restaurants
More on Magazine Street and its ANTIQUES and small SHOPS/BOUTIQUES
MUSIC (List of nearby dance AND music clubs had telephone numbers and location.)
• historic cemeteries
NEARBY things to see and do if you have a car (includes information on swamps, nature and Acadiana, and plantations).
• Garden District Walking Tour
• French Quarter Walking tour
• REVEILLON dinners during Christmas.: If you are interested in going to one of these special dinners, We have a separate documents about the history of Reveillon meals and restaurants that participate.

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Miscellaneous hyperlinks:

  • http://www.lanierbb.com/linkback.htnl
  • http://www.rentalo.com
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  • http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60864-d76969-Reviews-1870_Banana_Courtyard_French_Quarter_New_Orleans_B_B-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html
    •
    Directory of bed and breakfasts
    BED AND BREAKFASTS
    www.iloveinns.com

     

    Named top bed and breakfast site by Yahoo! Internet Life
    Bed and Breakfast Directory

    URL: http://www.wegoplaces.com/LANewOrleans_Region_63.aspx?ID=1237