Vacation to New Orleans

I usually stay at the Hilton Garden Inn French Quarter. It's not actually in the french quarter, but it's only a few blocks away and the rooms are pretty decent and reasonably priced. There are also quite a few Bed and Breakfast places in the garden district that are nice if you want something a little more personal. Do not stay at a hotel on bourbon street, they are usually over priced and trashy, plus bourbon street stinks.

You do not need a car when visiting, eveything you want to see in NOLA is within walking distance in the quarter of a short cab/trolly car ride away.

As for food, a lot of people will recommend Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee, it's a huge tourist trap and the wait usually makes it not worth it IMO. Go to Cafe Beignet off of royal street right next to the court house, their beignets are just as good if not better and you can actually find a table to enjoy them. Also, their Cajun hashbrowns are the bomb. As mentioned above, New Orleans Grocery Muffalettas are damn good, Also mother's off of Poydras has good breakfast, bloody mary's and Poboys for lunch. Also, Port of Call has good burgers. I usually hit up ACME oyster house for dinner if the wait isn't that bad. If i want fancy and have the $$$ I eat at Arnaud's

Night life... Most people will tell your Bourbon Street! Bourbon Street!.... Bourbon street sucks! IMO.. Its packed, dirty, stinky and over priced. Don't get me wronge, If it's your first time check it out, but I would limit it to the following drink stops..tropical isle for a hand grenade, Pat O's for a hurricane (you can actually chill here, it's not that bad). New Orleans Blues Company for the live music and The Barely Legal Club for the titays.

Off the beaten path places i like...

Molly's at the market, I actually spend most of my time drinking here. Never that packed, Abita amber on tap, great bloody marys (they use guinnes) and good juke box selections.

Ryan's Irish Pub, basically the same as Molly's just a little closer to Canal street.

Gold Mine, signature drink flaming Dr. Pepper.. Get one here. There is also good dance music for the ladies and arcade games for the nerds (me).

Lafitte's Black smith shop.. It's on Bourbon, but way past all the crap. It is the oldest bar in the US and just really cool.

What else... Hit up the aquarium, Audubon zoo (where da all ax for you!), WWII museum, Pharmacy Museum, Louisianan State Museum.... too much to list.

Anyway, I'm getting tired of typing this lol.. NOLA is awesome, have fun!