Traveling to New Orleans - late July

Visit one of the old cemeteries, hang out in the French Quarter (LOTS of cool restaurants, shops, little museums), stroll around the Garden District, take a steamboat cruise. If you have access to a car, consider venturing out to Biloxi (MS) and the Mississippi River Delta.

It will be deadly humid at that time of year.

Air boats in the swamp. It was cool and the guy brought a small gator onto the boat for some close up pics.

It'll be really hot.

Eat lots of crawfish. They are like little lobsters. A specialties in that area.

Echo the it'll be really hot and humid.

By July, live crawfish will be out of season, so you won't be able to try out their amazing crawfish boil. But you can still order the fried crawfish, and crawfish etoufee.

As for things to do, depending on your age and preferences. If you are into the partying thing, everyday is mardi gras in New Orleans. walking along Bourbon street and surronding areas of the French Quarters is a scene to behold.

On the quieter side of things, take an airboat tour of the swamps. We used Cajun Encounters for the tour. They will pick you up at the hotel. But if you have your own car, you can drive directly to the boat launch area, and the price is half price for just the airboat ride without hotel transfers.
Also do visit one of the nearby plantations. The one i like is called Houmas, very nice historic buildings and grounds.

Lastly, enjoy the food in Nola. Its one of the great things to do in the area, just sample all the cajun and creole food.

make reservations for Commanders Place and tour the cemetery in the daytime around the restaurant
check out Davenport at the Ritz

Op, how was your trip?

Thinking of going to NOLA for our first time.

I came back from NOLA last week. Very hot and humid this time of year. Did a lot of walking anyway.Enjoyed Garden District more than French Quarter. The best street performer I saw was a Pavarotti imitator who had the street corner blocked off for him, and he was amazing. Saw a traditional New Orleans wedding marching down the Quarter.

We bought a Groupon for the swamp tour for $12 for two people. Was quite fun. Rented a car for the day to get to the swamp tour as a way to save a lot of money.

We had great meals at Royal Oyster House, Ruby Slippers Cafe and Jimmy Js. And of course beignets at Cafe du Monde.

We found a great deal thru Hotwire staying at Hilton. $90 a night (70 us).

Should have said... our plan is to go around X'mas time... to avoid the heat.

I'm currently in NOLA and it's still hot and humid. There is lots to see and do and while bourbon street is happening I prefer Frenchman street....less tourists and better music. Visiting the plantations in Vacherie is a must and the architecture in the garden district is beautiful. There are lots of restaurants to choose from in the FQ and most are good.

The National World War 2 museum is really amazing!!

And i think it's free after a certain hour too (true RFD spirit!) - needs to be confirmed though cos their website doesn't mention it!. It was in 2009 when i went there!