ISEP New Orleans Guide SPRING 2010 Welcome to the University of New Orleans INSIDE THIS ISSUE: International Student Exchange Programs! Attractions 2 The ISEP at the University of New known as the birthplace of jazz and we are Orleans would like to welcome all of you famous for our food and our great public Restaurant Guide 3-4 to the exciting and historic city of New parties (like Mardi Gras and the Jazz & Emeril Lagasse Orleans. We know that you are going to Heritage Festival). Like all American Recipes be studying hard over the cities, we have shopping malls upcoming weeks, but we and fast food, but we hope that Ten Things To Do 5 hope that while you are here you will take some time to you will also find time to explore the things which make relax and take advantage of our city special. Night Life 6 all the fun and excitement in This little guide should give and around our city. you some ideas for things to do The history and culture of New while you‘re here. You can always come Local Dictionary 7 Orleans is rather different from that of to the ISEP office for more information. other cities in the United States. We are Museum Guide 8 NEW ORLEANS ATTRACTIONS Phone Numbers French Quarter 4. Café du Monde (587-0833): 800 The New Orleans French Quarter is one of the Decatur Street, across from Jackson Nicknames for oldest neighborhoods in the United States. Square. Beignets (a kind of doughnut New Orleans Originally laid out in 1721, today the Vieux with powdered sugar) and café au lait (part Carré offers museums, historic homes coffee with chicory, part hot milk) and famous landmarks tucked away ―The Crescent City‖ — amongst quaint shops and world- served 24 hours a day, 7 days a renowned restaurants. week ―en plein air.‖ The Mississippi river forms a crescent around 5. Jean Lafitte National Park the city. 1. Jackson Square: Relax in this (589-2636): 419 Decatur St. You historic park or purchase artwork can find a wealth of information ―Paris of the Americas‖ displayed along the park‘s here on the history and culture of – The city is perimeter. the city . Free French Quarter cosmopolitan, with a tours every morning at 9:30 for 2. St. Louis Cathedral: built in French flair. rd first 25 visitors to sign up. 1849, this is the 3 church to stand on this site (the original 6. French Quarter Walking ―The Big Easy‖ – The structure was erected in 1722). Open Tours with Friends of the Cabildo (523- city is known for its laid- for viewing except during Mass. 3939): Meet at 523 St. Ann St.. Two-hour back attitude. 3. French Market Produce and Flea tour conducted by licensed guides, Market: between N. Peters St. and concentrating on history and architecture. ―NOLA‖ — Simply an French Market Place, near the river. Tours at 10 am & 1:30 pm Tues.-Sun. abbreviation for New Local and regional produce and Adults $12; students and seniors $10. Orleans, Louisiana, specialty items, souvenirs, clothing, ―NOLA‖ easily rolls off crafts, and thrift items. the tongue. P AGE 2 Attractions, continued Along the River Riverboats 1. Aquarium of the Americas (581-4629): At the foot of Canal Street, this is one of the top rated aquariums 1. Natchez Steamboat (586-8777): New Orleans‘ only in the United States. authentic steam powered sternwheeler. Daily 2-hr 2. Entergy IMAX Theatre (581-4629): harbor cruises depart from dock behind at the Aquarium of the Americas. JAX Brewery at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Opens daily at 10 am with shows Nightly Dinner & Jazz Cruise boards at 6 hourly. pm. cruises 7-9 pm. 3. The Streetcar: Also known as a tram 2. Creole Queen Paddlewheeler (524- in Europe, this is a quaint way to wind 0814): Narrated tours to site of the Battle your way through New Orleans‘ most of New Orleans, 10:30 am & 2 pm. scenic areas. With newly added routes, Nightly dinner & jazz cruise boards at 7 the Streetcar runs along the Riverfront as well as up pm, cruises 8-10 pm. Departs from Canal Street dock Canal Street to Mid City. Fare is $1.50 one way. behind Riverwalk. 4. Canal Street Ferry: Board the ferry at the foot of 3. John James Audubon Riverboat (586-8777): Canal Street and cross to historic Algiers Point. This Excursions between the Aquarium of the Americas is a great way to see the N.O. skyline at night and and Audubon Zoo with tickets sold at both locations. catch a cool breeze off the river. Free for pedestrians. One way and round trip combination packages are Toll for cars is $1, charged on return only. Note: last available. ferry leaves Canal St. at midnight but does not return until the next day! Plantations Shops 1. Laura, A Creole Plantation (225) 265-7690: French Creole home built in 1804. Tour based on memoirs of 1. Canal Place Shopping Centre (522-9200): 365 Laura Locoul Gore, great-granddaughter of founders. Canal Street. Many world-class shops, including Saks Guided tours daily in English and French. Open 9:30 Fifth Avenue and Gucci, a food court, movie theatre am; last tour begins at 4:00 pm. *1 hour from New and the Southern Repertory Theatre. Open on a Orleans. Damaged by a recent fire, call before going. limited basis. 2. Destrehan Plantation (504) 764-9315: Built in 1787, 2. Riverwalk: Entrances at the foot of Canal Street (via this is the oldest documented plantation house left Spanish Plaza) and along Convention Center Blvd., intact in the lower Mississippi Valley. Open 9:30 am next to the Hilton Hotel. Indoor shopping, food court, – 4 pm. *30 minutes from New Orleans (only 8 miles and great views of the ship traffic on the Mississippi from New Orleans Airport). River. 3. San Francisco Plantation (504) 535-2341: Built in 3. Royal Street Antique Stores: Shop along Royal 1856, outstanding example of mid-Nineteenth century Street, in the French Quarter. Fine antiques, furniture, architecture. Open 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (Mar.-Oct.). coins and vintage guns, rugs, silver, fine art galleries, *45 minutes from New Orleans. and print shops. 4. Warehouse District: Fine art galleries, original This list is meant to furniture & crafts, the Children‘s Museum, National help you, but is by D-Day Museum, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and n o m e a n s Contemporary Arts Center are located between exhaustive. For an entertainment Magazine St. and Convention Center Boulevard, not calendar and far from Lee Circle. To get there from the French detailed listing of Quarter, take the Riverfront Streetcar and get off at nightclubs, Julia Street, or take the St. Charles streetcar and get restaurants and down at Lee Circle. other attractions, buy the Friday edition of The Times- 5. Magazine Street: Lots of cool antique shops, Picayune, and refer to the Lagniappe insert. The Gambit boutiques, coffee shops, etc. Take the bus from Canal Weekly, a free weekly publication available in local businesses Street and get off at various areas for different and bars Sunday night or Monday morning, provides concert shopping experiences. schedules, restaurant listings, and information about things to do in and around the city. N EW O RLEANS G UIDE P AGE 3 NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANTS The restaurants listed in this guide are Commander’s Palace – 1403 Washington Ave., 899- categorized according to locality with the 8221 (courtyard dining; Sunday brunch). E exception of Breakfast/Brunch suggestions and Cooter Brown’s Tavern– 509 South Carrolton Ave., are followed by a price indicator: B (Budget) - 866-9104 (Grill & Oyster Bar) $10 or less for dinner; M (Moderate) - $10 - $25 Country Flame– 620 Iberville St, 522-1138 (Mexican, for dinner; and E (Expensive) – more than $25 Spanish, and Cuban specialties) B for dinner. B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Emeril’s – 800 Tchoupitoulas St., 528-9393 (with chef Dinner. This list is by no means exhaustive. You Emeril Lagasse; L - M-F; D - M-Sat). E can check with ISEP staff for more suggestions. Emeril’s Delmonico-1300 St. Charles Ave, 525-4937 (Contemporary Creole, L M– Fri, D daily, Brunch Sunday). E Acme Oyster & Seafood House – 724 Iberville St., Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar – 739 Iberville, 522-5973 (seafood, poboys; L&D daily). B 522-4440 (seafood, oysters, poboys; L&D daily). B Antoine’s – 713 St. Louis, 581-4422 (L&D; closed Sun., Galatoire’s – 209 Bourbon, 525-2021 (famous Creole reservations recommended). E restaurant; closed Mon., L&D daily). E Arnaud’s - 813 Bienville, 523-5433 (Traditional Gordon Biersch— 200 Poydras, 552-2739, located Creole; L- M-Fri., D – daily; Sunday jazz brunch). E near Harrah‘s Casino, (Known for its home brewed Babylon Café— 7724 Maple Street, 314-0010, (Casual beer and patio seating; L & D daily) M dining, Mediterranean food; excellent homemade pita Gumbo Shop – 630 St. Peter, 525-1486 (traditional bread, open for lunch and dinner) B-M New Orleans; L&D daily). B Bacco– 310 Chartres, 522-2426 (Italian food with local GW Fins– 808 Bienville St, 581-3467 (Seafood, D flare L and D daily), M daily) M Bayona – 430 Dauphine, 525-4455 (Creole cottage w/ House of Blues – 225 Decatur St., 529-2583 (Open courtyard; closed Sunday; L&D M-Fri, D - Sat.). E every day for regular meals. Known for the Sunday Begue’s– 300 Bourbon St, 553-2278 (Unique take Gospel Brunch; 2 sittings; buy tickets in advance). E onlocal cuisine, reservations recommended, B,L, &D Johnny’s Po-Boys – 511 St.