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New Orleans

The hubs is orginally from NOLA, so I've been quite a few times.  This past weekend, though, we brought another couple with us so we could show them the city.  This trip was the first time that we have ever stayed downtown.  Here's a rundown of what we did and where we went:

We stayed for 3 nights in the Royal Sonesta, booked through my husband's corporate travel resource = we saved a ton of money.  The hotel is beautiful and right on Bourbon Street.  We were lucky enough to get a courtyard room on the 4th floor, which meant that we didn't hear the outside noise.  The room was a nice size, and the bathroom was great, too.  Two things to keep in mind if you decide to stay here: 1) There is an extra person charge when there are 4 people sharing a double room ($80 per night) and 2) SUV parking (we have a Ford Escape) was $36 per night valeted.  Another tip: The Royal Sonesta's underground parking garage has two entrances (one on Bienville, the other on Conti).

We ate at the following places (all of which are good and reasonably priced): Cafe Pontalba (at Jackson Square), The Old Coffee Pot Restaurant (featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on Food Network - the stuffed portabello mushroom salad was AMAZING!), and Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar.

If this is your first time in The Big Easy, go to Cafe du Monde for beignets.  If you've been there, done that, try River Walk's beignet shop.  MUCH better there.  Of course, if you have a car and leave the city, look for small beinet joints (they are better and cheaper outside of the French Quarter) and sno-ball (ice cream-stuffed slushies - trust me on this) stands.

Based on recommendations from The Nest's Travel board, we visited Oak Alley Plantation, which is about an hour or so west of the city.  The house and the property were breathtaking.  Definitely worth the drive out there.

We also visited the Old New Orleans Rum distillery.  If you like rum, it'd be a good stop.  If you don't, pass this one up.  The building is neat, and the tour is educational, but the sweet smell from the molasses made me so nauseous I didn't even taste the rum samples.

On Bourbon Street, I recommend visiting Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop bar - fantastic atmosphere and friendly staff.

If you have never been to NOLA and plan to hit Bourbon Street, here a couple tips: ignore the panhandlers, stay with your group, and dress wisely.  The streets get really disgusting as the night goes on, so I would never wear open-toed shoes, high heels, or expensive clothing.  You never know when you are going to step into a crack on the side walk, have someone fall into you, or be splashed by a sticky drink.

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