New Orleans, Louisiana travel information links for the tourist help

After the Katrina - the city started coming back. But then the thugs came back. New Orleans is still one of the most beautiful cities in world and also one of the most violent.

BUT - WATCH OUT - there are hundreds of thugs roaming the city killing people. The killings are no longer gang versus gang violence. The politicians have been useless with this issue. Musicians and artists are now targets as well as anyone at anytime. Recently over 1000 New Orleanians staged a "Stop The Murders" protest march.

Helen Hill was murdered in her home on 1/4/07. More about Helen can be found HERE. Helen is an angel.

The French Quarter is still the somewhat safe - but on any night in the city you can hear gunfire. One some days there are more murders of Americans in New Orleans then there are in Iraq. Come visit but watch out. We certainly need the money.

Click Here for the Mardi Gras Insiders Guide

Click Here for information on where to hear REAL New Orleans Jazz while visiting the city.

It's rich and colorful - Eccentric New Orleans.

Attractions
The Historic New Orleans Collection - A very classy museum for the city.

The Louisiana State Museum - Every state has one, but this one is really good.

The Audubon Zoo and Aquarium - Two things that the city does right. I like the landscaping as much as the animals. The Aquarium of the Americas - 1 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Home of more than 7500 aquatic specimens. Four major habitats including the Caribbean Reef and one of the world's largest collections of sharks. (504) 861-2537 ext. 340.

The Audubon Zoological Gardens - 6500 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70118. One of the top zoos in the country. Over 1500 animals in their natural habitat settings, including white alligators in the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit. (504) 861-2537 ext. 340.

The Super Dome - Louisiana Super dome - 1500 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70112. Home of super events. From sports events to rock concerts to Mardi Gras parades. Guided tours daily. (504) 587-3808.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - The biggest festival in Louisiana. They let me exhibit my work sometimes. Many people plan their life around this festival. Last year I heard Pete Fountain and was blown away - there's a reason he is a jazz cliche. Pete is a colorful character and very well liked in the community. He should be more appreciated for his music. He is one person that I would have liked to be good friends with.

NEW Bobby Lounge - Bobby enjoys writing songs about the south and about people with robust lifestyles. He chooses to avoid the limelight when not performing on stage. However, on stage, Bobby is a energetic entertainer in the tradition of Little Richard, Bobby Marchand, and Jerry Lee Lewis. His song writing style has been described as "Randy Newman with bite." Some songs are not appropriate for children.

Gambit - A lively New Orleans weekly newspaper. Every city has a hip weekly, and this is it. They have a good listing of area restaurants.

Greater New Orleans Black Tourism Network - 1520 Sugar Bowl Dr., New Orleans, LA 70112. . (800) 725-5652.

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau - 1520 Sugar Bowl Dr., New Orleans, LA 70112. (504) 566-5005, e-mail tourism@nawlins.com

New Orleans Visitors Information Center - 7450 Paris Rd., New Orleans, LA 70128. Maps,brochures, discount coupons (504) 246-5666, (504) 246-5511.

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge - 1010 Gause Blvd., Bldg. 936, Slidell, LA 70458.Fish, hike, bike or canoe the wildest part of New Orleans. Free tours every weekend in a prime birding area. These scenic wetlands are 20 mins. from the French Quarter. (504) 646-7555.

Biloxi Wildlife Management Area - 39,583 acres of productive brackish and saline marsh. St. Bernard Parish, 40 miles east of New Orleans. Accessible by boat only. Birding, boating, shrimping, crabbing, fishing, hunting. (504) 556-9890.

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World - 233 Newton St., New Orleans, LA 70114. See Floats, Costumes, Carnival Gift Shop, Video Theater. (504) 361-7821.

Krewe of Bacchus - Official Website of the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade, here you can see a lot about their floats and the parade

Krewe of Pegasus - Another official site of an old New Orleans Mardi Gras Organization with a lot of information about Mardi Gras

Visitor Magazine - For the New Orleans tourist - here's a pretty good site that is based on their print magazine.

Cabildo - 701 Chartres, New Orleans, LA 70116. The site of transfer ceremonies for the Louisiana Purchase, the Cabildo houses exhibits tracing Louisiana's past from exploration through Reconstruction presented from a multi-cultural perspective. (504) 568-6968.

Cafe Du Monde - 800 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70116. Since 1862, New Orleans' original French Market Cafe. Serving beignets (hot French doughnuts) and cafe au lait. (504) 581-2914.

Carousel Gardens/Storyland - City Park - Victory Ave., New Orleans, LA 70124. City Park Amusement area is well known for its historic carved wooden carousel, mini trains and other rides. Storyland - a fairy tale theme park with exhibits and puppet shows. (504) 488-2896, (504) 483-9382.

City Park Boating & Fishing - Dreyfous Ave., New Orleans, LA 70124. Canoes and pedal boats can be rented for excursions on the Park's lagoons - home to bass, catfish and perch. Call for hours/fees. (504) 488-2896, (504) 483-9371.

Confederate Museum - 929 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Louisiana's oldest museum. Collection consists of uniforms, weapons, oil paintings, flags, and other memorabilia of the Civil War. (504) 523-4522.

The Dive Inn - An really cool B&B in New Orleans with a swimming pool!

1850 House - 523 St. Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116. This re-created ante-bellum row house, located in the Baroness Pontalba's famous building, depicts mid-19th-century family life through period furniture and artifacts. (504) 568-6968.

The Entergy IMAX Theatre, at the Aquarium, New Orleans - 1 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130. A 51/2-story x 74 ft. screen with 11,600 watts of sound will immerse you in a BIG screen adventure. Advance reservations, call (504) 581-IMAX.

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans - 900 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70130. World class center (504) 582-3023.

Faulkner's House 624 Pirates Alley - William Faulkner 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.

Flamingo Casino - Located downtown at Riverwalk behind the Hilton. Offering the nostalgia of the turn-of-the-century riverboats with the excitement of modern gaming. Full casino. Live entertainment. Information: (800) 587-LUCK, (504) 587-7777.

Gallier House Museum - 1118-1132 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70116. Restored 1857 home of architect James Gallier, Jr. Elegant Victorian interiors, courtyards, exhibits, films, gift shop. Free parking. National Historic Landmark. Mon-Sat, 10-4:30. Last tour, 4 pm. Open selected Sundays. MC, V. Admission. (504)523-6722.

Hermann-Grima Historic House - 820 St. Louis St., New Orleans, LA 70112. National Historic Landmark depicts lifestyle of 1830s French Quarter Creole family. Cooking demonstrations, tours of elegantly restored house, stable and outbuildings. (504) 525-5661.

Jackson Barracks Military Museum -6400 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA 70146. Weapons, aircraft, tanks & memorabilia from American Revolution to Desert Storm. (504) 278-6242, (504) 278-6338.

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.

Longue Vue House and Gardens - #7 Bamboo Road, New Orleans, LA 70124-1065. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. City estate. Original furnishings. Eight acres of gardens. (504) 488-5488, fax (504) 486-7015.

NEW Lookout Inn - The Lookout Inn is a newly renovated, historic building that was commandeered by the Navy and used as a lookout over the Mississippi River during WWI.

Louisiana Children's Museum - 420 Julia St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Over 45,000 sq. ft. of colorful and electrifying hands-on exhibits where children and their families learn together by playing together. Interactive exhibit centers and live performances. (504) 523-1357.

Louisiana State Museum - French Quarter, New Orleans, LA 70116. One of New Orleans' top ten attractions, the State Museum is comprised of several landmarks including the Cabildo, Presbytere, 1850 House, and Old U.S. Mint. (504) 568-6968.

Musee Conti Wax Museum - Historical Wax Museum - 917 Conti St., New Orleans, LA 70112. Discover the story of New Orleans. Meet Napoleon, Andrew Jackson, Jean Lafitte, Marie Laveau, Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain and many more. Plus the Haunted Dungeon. (504) 525-2605.

New Orleans Botanical Garden - Victory Ave., New Orleans, LA 70124. Art Deco fountains, ponds & sculptures are set in roses, camellias & azaleas. The Pavilion of the Two Sisters inside the garden serves as a horticultural education center. (504) 488-2896, (504) 483-9386.

New Orleans Fair Grounds - 1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119. Live thoroughbred racing and home of the Jazz Festival. (504) 944-5515.

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum - 724 Dumaine St., New Orleans, LA 70116. See artifacts and sacred objects in guided tour through museum. (504) 523-7685.

New Orleans Museum of Art - 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, New Orleans, LA 70124.Collections include the Arts of Western Civilization, Africa, Asia and Pre-Columbian America. (504) 488-2631, fax (504) 484-6662.

New Orleans Paddlewheels, Inc. - Canal Street Dock/Aquarium Dock, 27 Poydras Street Wharf,New Orleans, LA 70130. Daily River and Plantation/Battlefield cruises aboard the authentic Paddlewheeler Creole Queen and the Riverboat Cajun Queen. Nightly Dinner Jazz Cruise. (504) 524-0814, (800) 445-4109.

Old U.S. Mint - 400 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116. Located across from the French Market, this 1835 landmark was both a Federal and Confederate Mint. Today, it houses popular, permanent exhibits on Jazz and Mardi Gras. (504) 586-6968.

Pass A Loutre Wildlife Management Area - Plaquemines Parish, 10 miles south of Venice.66,000 acres of marsh, open ponds and canals. Accessible by boat only. Waterfowl hunting, fresh- and saltwater fishing, birding.(504) 568-5885.

Pharmacy Museum 541 Chartres St. - This building housed one of the earliest pharmacies in the city. Originally opened in 1823, the existing building was built in 1836 and is now a museum, open to the public.

Presbytere - 751 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70116. Built in 1795, the Presbytere houses various exhibits showcasing Louisiana's cultural heritage. Exhibits include maritime history, decorative arts, and costumes.(504) 568-6968.

Riverboat John James Audubon Aquarium/Zoo Cruise - Aquarium of the Americas Dock,New Orleans, LA 70130. 1-hour Mississippi River cruise between the Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Zoo. (800) 233-2628, (504) 586-8777,

Salvador Wildlife Management Area- St. Charles Parish, 12 miles southwest of New Orleans. Access by boat only. 30,600 acres primarily fresh-water marsh.Waterfowl hunting, watchable wildlife, fishing, boating, canoeing. (504) 568-5885.

Steamboat Natchez - Toulouse St. Wharf at JAX Brewery, New Orleans, LA 70130. The only authentic steampowered sternwheeler. (800) 233-2628, (504) 586-8777

Westwego Historical Museum - opened in the summer of 2000 and features an old time hardware store (early 1900s), upstairs living quarters complete with antique furniture, an outside cistern and outhouse. 275 Sala Avenue Westwego, LA 70094 Phone (504) 341-3161 Fax(504) 341-2570

Tours

Tour-New-Orleans.com Experience the historic city of New Orleans on informative, entertaining, and relaxing sight-seeing tours. See the city as natives do. Recommended

Southern Seaplane, Inc. - 1 Coquille Dr., Belle Chasse, LA 70037. See New Orleans and its surroundings from the air. All tours feature a water landing. (504)394-5633.

Swamp Monster Tours - 108 Indian Village Rd., Slidell, LA 70461. Two-hour narrated boat tour through the beautiful Honey Island Swamp. See the true beauty of Louisiana. (504) 641-5106, (800) 245-1132.

Cajun Pride Swamp Tour - I-10 & La. Hwy. 51, New Orleans, LA. Informative boat tour into scenic swamp & wildlife refuge. (504)467-0758, (800) 467-0758.

Gray Line of New Orleans, Inc. - #2 Canal St., Ste. 1300, New Orleans, LA 70130-1857 Tours: City (5 times daily), Trolley Tours, Plantations (twice daily), French Quarter & Garden District Walking Tours, City/Riverboat cruise combinations, Swamp & Bayou tours. (504) 587-0861, (800) 535-7786.

Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour - Crown Point, 27 Poydras St. Wharf, New Orleans, LA 70130. Only 20 minutes from New Orleans! Experience the exotic plant and animal life of this privately-owned swampland. Covered Boat; Restroom Facilities; Snacks. (504) 689-4186 or (800) 445-4109.

Louisiana Swamp Tours - Rt. 1, Box 406, Crown Pt., LA 70072. See swamps, gators, Indian burial mound, cemetery & more. Large removable Lexan windows for cold or rainy weather. 2 boats. (504) 467-8020, fax (504) 689-3380.

Machu Picchu Travel Services, Inc. - 4480 General De Gaulle Dr., Suite 205, New Orleans, LA 70114. Daily city tours, River Road Plantation tours, swamp tours. Full service ground transportation and bus charter available in French-German, Italian and Spanish. (504) 392-5118, fax (504) 393-6404.

Magic Walking Tours - 1015 Iberville St., New Orleans, LA 70112. World renowned alternative Cemetery, Garden District & Voodoo tours. Night time Vampire and Ghost Hunt and Garden District Tours. (504) 593-9693.

New Orleans Street Map & Visitor Guide - 1616 Soniat St., Ste. D, Dept. L, New Orleans, LA 70115-4984. (504) 891-0990.

New Orleans Tours, Inc. - 4220 Howard Ave., New Orleans, LA 70125. Daily river cruises, city, river/city combination, plantation, swamp and nightlife tours. (504) 592-0560, (800) 543-6332.

Roots of New Orleans, a Heritage City Tour - 1750 St. Charles Ave. #202, New Orleans, LA 70130. “Roots of New Orleans, a Heritage City Tour” tells the African American contributions to America's most interesting city (504) 596-6889.

Steppin' Out Tours - 4761 Major Dr., New Orleans, LA 70128. Complete tour service for groups, individuals (504) 246-1006, fax (504) 244-3929.

Tours By Isabelle - P.O. Box 740972, New Orleans, LA 70174. Personalized van sightseeing tours in small groups. Historical city tours, half-day & all day Plantation tours with lunch, Cajun Country swamps. (504) 391-3544, fax (504) 391-3564.

Music Places
House of Blues 225 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Featuring the finest regional cuisine in a casual “juke joint” setting. Live music in the showroom & gospel brunch on Sun. (504) 529-BLUE, concert line (504) 529-3480

Preservation Hall - 726 St. Peter Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. 504-522-2841 -- 1-800-785-5772 -- FAX 504-558-9192 If you are going to hear traditional jazz from any one place, this is it.

Tipitina's - New Orleans music, uptown or in the Quarter

Before Katrina a study found that half of the adult males in New Orelans have no job - unemployed. Plus there was killing almost every day. This is no longer true - jobs are everywhere and the city is safe.

Restaurants and Cafes
New Orleans School of Cooking & Louisiana General Store New Orleans

Alex Patout's Louisiana Restaurant - 221 Royal, New Orleans, LA 70130. Located in French Quarter. “At Alex Patout's the lighting is subdued, the service polished, the linen impeccable and the food and wine superior.” Gourmet magazine. (504) 525-7788, fax (504) 525-7809.

Antoine's Restaurant - 713 St. Louis St., New Orleans, LA 70130. A landmark restaurant - owned and operated for 153 years by the same family - classical French & Creole Cuisine - many world famous creations. Extensive wine cellar. (504) 581-4422.

Arnaud's Restaurant - 813 Bienville St., New Orleans, LA 70112. Arnaud's offers wonderful French Creole cuisine as well as first class service. Visit our Mardi Gras museum. (504) 523-0611.

Brennan's Restaurant - 417 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Historic building in heart of French Quarter. Specializing in French/Creole cuisine. We cater to groups and individuals. (504) 525-9711.

Broussard's Restaurant - 819 Rue Conti, New Orleans, LA 70112. Built in 1824. 3 elegantly appointed dining rooms overlooking the French Quarter's grandest, most exquisite courtyard. Delightful blend of French/Creole cuisine (504) 581-3866.

Chart House on Jackson Square - 801 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70116. Overlooking Jackson Square, combines history, charm and the finest in steaks, prime rib and seafood. (504) 523-2015.

Christian's Restaurant - 3835 Iberville St., New Orleans, LA 70119. French/Creole. (504) 482-4924, fax (504) 482-6852. [The former head chef came over to my yard to pick mushrooms - John]

Commander's Palace Restaurant - 1403 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130. (504) 899-8221. [I can't afford it but everyone that this is one of the best John]

Copeland's of New Orleans - 4338 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130. a casual restaurant offering a pasta, seafood, fish, chicken & beef. (504) 830-1000, (800) 401-0401. [a good place for tourist and locals, the guy that put Coleland's together is the guy who invented Popeye's Chicken]]

The Court of Two Sisters Restaurant - 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Largest courtyard dining in New Orleans. (504) 522-7273, fax (504) 581-5804.

Crescent City Brewhouse - 527 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Restaurant & Handcrafted beers brewed in house. Historic French Quarter property.(504) 522-0571, fax (504) 522-0577.

Drago's Seafood Restaurant - This place is famous for their oysters. They are always freshly shucked and prepared to order. They are best known for their "Oysters Drago" - , left on the half shell the little animals or seasoned and char-broiled into a masterpiece for the taste buds. In the subburbs West of the city - 232 N. Arnoult Rd. Metairie, LA 888-9254

Emeril's - Emeril Lagasse has taken his adopted home New Orleans with a whirlwind of fresh adaptations of classic Creole cuisine. (504)522-6652

Gumbo Shop
630 Saint Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70116. Traditional and contemporary Creole cuisine served in casual elegance of restored 1795 French Quarter cottage and patio. (504) 525-1486.

House of Blues 225 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130. This is one of the first HOB in the country. They seem to be doing something right. The interior is decorated with art from "outsider artists." Featuring decent food in a casual “juke joint” setting. They don't give anything away here - I guess they are trying to recoup their pricey investment they put in this place. As a venue to hear live music, it pretty good. Their is a gospel brunch on Sunday. (504) 529-BLUE, concert line (504) 529-3480

La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe - 547 St. Ann St. (Jackson Square), 601 S. Carrollton Ave. (Riverbend), New Orleans, LA 70116/70118. Popular with the locals - lots of salads. Caesar salad, soups, sandwiches, pastas, rotisserie chicken, pastries, coffee (504) 568-9950

Michaul's on St. Charles - 840 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130. A good place to experience a Cajun Restaurant - they offer live Cajun & Zydeco music, plus free Cajun and Line dance instructions nightly. Authentic Cajun food. (504) 522-5517. Tourists think the Cajun stuff is common to New Orleans - it is not - the center for Cajun culture is about 3 hours west down I-10. Anything Cajun in New Orleans is imported.

Mike Anderson's Seafood - 215 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Serving the freshest Louisiana seafood, this place is one of the best values in the quarter. (504) 524-3884.

Mother's Restaurant - 401 Poydras, New Orleans, La 70130, (504) 523-9656 fax: (504) 525-7671 A good place, polular with the locals, sometimes there is a wait because it is now on a lot of tourist "must do." There's recipes on their site!

Mulate's, The World's Most Famous Cajun Restaurant - 201 Julia St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Every day 11 am-1 pm. Mulate's offers Cajun cuisine and live traditional Cajun music nightly. (504) 522-1492, (800) 854-9149.

Napoleon House 500 Chartres St. - Built in 1814 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. One of the most interesting bars in America - it is often quiet and a good place to relax.

O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Pub - 514 Toulouse St., New Orleans, LA 70130. An authentic Irish pubs on this side of the Atlantic! Traditional music nightly, lunch, light dinner. (504) 529-1317.

Olde N'awlins Cookery - 729 Conti Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. Daily 8 am-11 pm. Cajun cookin' in the French Quarter. Casual attire. Credit cards: V, MC, AE. Courtyard dining available. (504) 529-3663.

The Original Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar - 3636 Bienville at the corner of Telemachus, New Orleans, LA 70119. Step back in time and visit Liuzza's. A family owned and operated rest. w/generous portions at affordable prices, featuring fresh seafood and Italian dishes. More l++ocals do eat here than tourists - which could make it a fun place if you can find it. This is a real New Orleans neighborhood place with down home cooking that is typical of many establishments in NOLA. (504) 482-9120, (504) 488-3714.

Pascal's Manale Restaurant - 1838 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115. This uptown restaurant, since 1913, looks simple from the curb. However their famous bar-b-que shrimp are very special. Not many tourists, lots of locals. [the The word 'bar-b-que' is used very casually. (504) 895-4877.

Pat O'Brien's Bar - 718 St. Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70116. Piano Lounge where vocalists entertain nightly popular with all ages of college students and dropouts. This is the place the hurricane glass/drink comes from. (504) 525-4823

Red Fish Grill- 115 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA; 504-598-1200 There's good info about the French Quarter at this site

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro - 626 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA 70116. Jazz club. (504) 949-0696.

Tujague's Restaurant - 823 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70116. Serving the tastes of New Orleans since 1856. (504) 525-8676, fax (504) 525-8785.

Ye Olde College Inn - 3016 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118. Family restaurant on historic Carrollton Ave. “Where the locals go for down-home style cookin'.” Run by the same Rufin family for over 60 years. (504) 866-3683.

Jackson Brewery - 600 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130. This multi-level Riverfront shopping and dining destination is located in the French Quarter adjacent to Jackson Square. The Limited, Bayou Country General Store plus 50 other shops/restaurants provide the authentic New Orleans shopping experience. (504) 566-7245.

Magazine Street - P.O. Box 15028, New Orleans, LA 70115. Magazine St., the Street of Dreams. 6 miles of antique shops, art galleries, restaurants & specialty shops. Call (504) 891-4191 or write for free shoppers guide.

Riverwalk Marketplace - #1 Poydras, New Orleans, LA 70130. 140 stores & restaurants on the Mississippi at Poydras, Canal & Julia, between the Aquarium of the Americas & the Convention Center. Steps away from major hotels & the French Quarter. (504) 522-1555.

Misc.

French Quarter Festival - 100 Conti St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Free event in French Quarter. Outdoor concerts, “world's largest jazz brunch,” second-line parade & fireworks. April 12-14, 1996. (504) 522-5730..

Wetland Guides & Outfitters, Ltd. - 2237 Royal St. #3, New Orleans, LA 70117. Shallow water, light tackle fishing in the marshes and wetlands of Louisiana. Our completely outfitted adventures are legendary and provide memories that last! Lodging, groups, transportation. (504) 581-3768, (800) 299-3768.

City Park - #1 Palm Dr., New Orleans, LA 70124. Historic 1500-acre park. Home to a restored wooden carousel. Amusements, Storyland, Botanical Gardens, tennis, golf, boating/fishing, world's largest collection of live oaks. (504) 482-4888, (504) 488-2896.

Fort Pike State Commemorative Area - Rt. 6, Box 194, New Orleans, LA 70129. Features a large masonry fort which was constructed between 1819 and 1827 to protect New Orleans from foreign invasion. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places. (504) 662-5703.

New Orleans Unit, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve - French Market, New Orleans, LA 70116. Interprets the history and cultural diversity of the Mississippi Delta region. French Quarter Visitor Center, ranger-led walking tours in French Quarter and Garden District.

Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce - 1048 Canal Blvd., Thibodaux, LA 70301. Victorian homes, sugar plantations, numerous beautiful churches filled with history this is Thibodaux. French is widely spoken. (504) 446-1187, fax (504) 446-1191.

Laura: A Creole Plantation - 2247 LA Hwy. 18 (The Great River Road), Vacherie, LA 70090. Home of Br'er Rabbit. Built 1805; 12 bldgs. on Nat'l Reg., slave quarters. Memoirs of Laura tells true-life stories of owners, slaves, women and children. (504) 265-7690, (504) 488-8709.

Oak Alley Plantation, Restaurant & Inn - 3645 Hwy. 18 (River Rd.), Vacherie, LA 70090. Between New Orleans & Baton Rouge on Mississippi River. National Historic Landmark, c.1839. Famous 1/4-mile alley of 300-yr.-old live oak trees. . (504) 265-2151, (800) 44-ALLEY.

Oak Alley Plantation, Restaurant & Inn - 3645 Hwy. 18 (River Rd.), Vacherie, LA 70090. Turn-of-century Creole cottages on grounds of plantation, near Oak Alley antebellum mansion, a National Historic Landmark. Quaint, country decor. Continental breakfast included. No TV or Telephones. (504) 265-2151, (800) 44-ALLEY.

Bayou Segnette State Park - 7777 Westbank Expwy., Westwego, LA 70094. Wave pool, picnic area, large boat launch, cabins, camping area and group camp complex. Situated where marsh meet woodlands. (504) 736-7140.

Nottoway - P.O. Box 160, White Castle, LA 70788. Blend of Greek Revival & Italian architecture, built in 1859. (225) 545-2730. Scarlett O'Hara fashioned her dress from drapes very similar to those seen hanging in the Randolph study. [When we were there (1997?) one of the heirs to the place, a very old lady, sold chewing gum in the basement - we doubled our pleasure.]

Victoria Inn & Gardens Bed and Breakfast on the bayou near Jean Lafitte National Park, 22 miles South of New Orleans 1-800-689-4797

Madewood Plantation in Napoleonville - about an hour from NOLA. This is our FAVORITE plantation because our friends own it. But also because they have kept the modern world out of it. Plus - when you tour or spend the night here, you experience the real thing, i.e. you can touch the furniture, you can sit in it, you can grasp how people once lived - you can experience it. It is a Greek Revival home and perhaps the classiest plantation in Louisiana. Highly recommended by everyone!

Fig Street Guest House - a guest house in an old New Orleans neighborhood. The inn keeper is an artist and world traveler.