New Orleans with an attitude
Written: Jan 21 '00 (Updated Jan 23 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: no tourist traps
Cons: none noted
The Bottom Line: Here's a selection of unique and different NOLA attractions that the tourists seldom see.
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: New Orleans |
New Orleans is without doubt the most fascinating city in North America. The meeting place of French (creole), Spanish (criollo), African-American, Native American, and Southern cultures. Repository of more than two hundred years of colorful, noisy, vibrant history. Home of jazz, the southern anchor of the blues highway (from the delta to Chicago), showplace for Cajun/Zydecco music, muse/inspiration of writers, photographers,and artists. Beautiful architecture, fantastic food, and a thriving "street" life, are all part of the Big Easy. What follows is a short listing of some of New Orleans most unique and interesting locales.
Mid-City Bowling Lanes (4133 S. Carrolton Ave. 489-3133) the home of "Rock 'N' Bowl" a late night stop for fans of dancing, live rock, Zydecco music, and bowling; seven nights a week. An upbeat, fun, down-to-earth crowd, great music, and a straight ahead no frills atmosphere combine to make this one of the best nite spots in the Crescent City. Since the Seven Seas (a French Quarter LIVE MUSIC institution in the "old" days) closed, this is my favorite place in New Orleans for live music.
F&F Botanicals (801 N. Broad St.) This funky, colorful, one of a kind, little shop sells herbs, ready made spells/potions for a variety of problems/needs (win the lottery, luck in love, prevail in court, and protection from various and sundry evils), Catholic, Voodoo, Santeria, etc. religious items, "baths and Floorwashes" to solve or cure almost any problem, and a variety of other weird and wonderful items too numerous to list. This one is the "real McCoy", not a tourist trap.
Dunbar's Restaurant (4927 Freret St. 899-0734) is NOLA's premiere "soul food" restaurant...great food, great prices, and the most entertaining staff in town.
The Hummingbird Grill (804 St. Charles Ave. 523-9165) cheap, open 24 hours every day, wealthy locals, office workers, blue collar types, and grungy street people come for the best "Greasy Spoon" fare in New Orleans.
Hines Carousel (City Park, 1 Palm Dr. 483-9415) Classic wooden carousel animals (more than 50 of them) since 1906...a child's dream. This may be the only carnival ride in the country that is on the national register of historic places.
Cemetery Row, follow Canal Street until it intersects with City Park Avenue. Here are many of New Orleans famous cemeteries (St. Louis #1 and #2, the cities oldest cemeteries, are risky unless you visit with an organized tour) Cypress Grove, Greenwood, and Odd Fellows. All can be seen in an afternoon. All are within a one block area, and parking is available (though not plentiful) on the surrounding streets.
If you are hungry after exploring the "Cities of the Dead" look for Bud's Broiler just a block down City Park Avenue (from the intersection with Canal St.), some of the best burgers and comfort food to be found anywhere in NOLA. The restaurant is cramped, funky, and short on table space....usually filled with students and locals....no tourists.
Beckam's Bookshop (228 Decatur St. 522-9875) Two floors of dusty musty shelves jammed with used books of every description. A French Quarter institution for more than twenty five years. This is a great place to find those first editions by many of NOLA's finest writers, like John Kennedy Toole, James Sallis, Walker Percy, and scores of others. Less pretentious (cheaper) and more relaxed than the MSBS.
Hove Parfumeur (824 Royal St. 525-7827) A New Orleans tradition for half a century, this tiny shop features (made on the spot) perfumes, colognes, and soaps like none you've ever smelled before. The friendly staff will help you choose scents that will re-awaken memories of New Orleans long after your visit. Be sure to try the Vettivert. The Hove staff, on my first visit in 1980, was able to suggest a scent, based on my description of my wife, that turned out to be one of her all time favorites.
Last, but certainly not least...Angelo Brocato's Italian Sweet Shop (214 N. Carrolton Ave. 486-0078) a New Orleans tradition for almost one hundred years, Brocato's creates the finest gelato (Italian ice cream), cookies, cannoli's, cakes, and pastries imaginable. Espresso, cappucino, and Italian Sodas, plus many gourmet items imported from Italy. Nice place to take a break, eat your cannoli and drink your cappucino at the small ice cream parlour tables. If you have a sweet tooth, don't miss this friendly little shop.
If you enjoyed reading this Louisiana travel review, please read my other Louisiana travel reviews:
New Orleans
Off the Beaten Path in New Orleans
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-1C6C-B84F727-39485E6B-prod2
New Orleans With an Attitude
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-27B-148CC64-3888A033-bd1
On the Trail of Jean Lafitte
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-7BA1-779DB91-389871D2-prod1
Louisiana Highway One
Exploring Louisiana’s Enchanted Backroads
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-23C0-71FABF8-395BAC56-prod2
Traveling back in Time
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-55C9-1846C465-39691684-prod5
Into the Cajun Heartland
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-206C-260B35E8-398C54E8-prod5
Cajun Country
A Pilgrimage to the Musical Heart of Louisiana
http://www.epinions.com/content_51310136964
A South Louisiana Journey
http://www.epinions.com/content_43274440324
Evangeline Parish, Real Cajun Country
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-4AE2-BA4E605-39229E55-prod4
A Quick Tour of Cajun Country
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-3AF1-245F61E-38970F4B-prod2
Rendevous Des Cajuns
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-42C-C0FA2A-38874480-bd1
Florida Parishes
St. Francisville the Capital of English Louisiana
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-1B91-51748AE-391D72B3-prod6
Southwest Louisiana
Creole Nature Trail
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-69F8-47FAB2-388DE015-bd3
Just “cut’n’paste” the URL into your browser’s address window
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 334
Trusted by: 1276 members
About Me:
Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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