Welcome to New Orleans! We put together an itinerary for our out of town guests that includes some fun activities to enjoy while you’re here visiting with us. There are also some recommendations of places to eat and drink that are local favorites. If you have any questions on the day of the wedding please contact Scheherezade Daftary (310-280-8704) or Shannin Moody (504-952-6010) and not the Bride or the Groom unless it’s critical to do so. Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!
----------------Weekend Itinerary----------------
Friday
Louisiana Swamp tour with Cajun Encounters. Reservations are required -
max reservation is for 22 people. $49 dollars per person. Picking up at
Hilton Riverside at 10:30am. Contact Cedric Angeles 917-514-0372.
Other options for Friday:
Confederacy of Cruisers: $85 per person. (504) 400-5468. These 3 hour slow paced tours wind through an easy 6 miles of several scenic traditionally Creole neighborhoods. Routes are chosen for each group, and explore the architecture and history of the city, unraveling the mysteries and oddities that, when finally seen as a whole, will give you a glimpse into the heart and meaning of our unique local culture. http://confederacyofcruisers.com/
Horse and Carriage Ride at Jackson Square: about $15 per person. There are always carriages lined up on the Decatur side of Jackson Square, ready to take you on an entertaining and educational tour of the French Quarter.
New Orleans Museum of Art and the Botanical Gardens - One Collins Diboll Circle, City Park
New Orleans, LA 70124 Tel. 504-658-4100. http://www.noma.org/. Mia is not just a beautiful blushing bride but also a very talented artist who was an Artist in Residence at the Botanical Gardens. You can see her work on display there! The Botanical Gardens are right next door to the museum http://garden.neworleanscitypark.com/.
Saturday
10am and 1:30pm - French Quarter walking tours. These walking tours are run by The Friends of the Cabildo. The tours are lead by licensed guides and emphasize the history, architecture, and folklore of this fascinating city. It’s $15 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Tours start at 523 St. Ann Street / Jackson Square. Contact Gala Daftary 985-960-3434http://friendsofthecabildo.org/tours_about.html
2pm - Champion’s League Finals: Barcelona vs. Manchester United. There are a number of soccer/football fans in the family so they will be gathering to watch the game at Finn McCool’s in Midtown (3701 Banks Street). Contact Darius Daftary 917-374-4647http://finnmccools.com/
http://youtu.be/k209yea1Vqs
6pm - Wedding Time!
Location of wedding - 2018 Jena Street. New Orleans, Louisiana 70115.
Shuttle bus will be picking up guests at 5:15 (leaving at 5:30) from the Hilton Riverside.
Reservations for the bus are required, call Cedric Angeles to book your seat 917-514-0372 (only 33 people will fit in the bus). Taxis are also a great option for those not staying at the Hilton Riverside. Shuttle will transport guests back to the Hilton Riverside. It will leave the wedding reception (Jena St) at 9:30pm.
Sunday
10:30 AM - 2 pm - Audubon Insectarium and Aquarium of the America’s tour. There will be a group of folks doing a tour of both the insectarium and the aquarium on Sunday. Groups of 10 or more people get a group rate that includes entrance to both facilities ($28.75 for Adults, $18 for children). Please contact Scheherezade Daftary in advance if you are interested in joining the group! 310-280-8704 scheherezade.daftary@gmail.com
http://www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/aquarium
Restaurants in the French Quarter
Chartres House: 601 Chartres Street http://www.chartreshousecafe.com/ This is a great casual and kid friendly local’s place that serves great authentic local food. The bloody mary’s are fantastic.
Felix’s: 739 Iberville http://www.felixs.com/ This place is across the street from the famous Acme Oyster House and it hardly ever has a line. The oysters are just as good and you don’t have to wait in that crazy line to get them! It’s a best kept local secret... you’re welcome :-)
Bourbon House: 144 Bourbon St http://www.bourbonhouse.com/ This place is a little more upscale but still casual. The food is fantastic. The oysters with caviar are not to be missed.
Clover Grill: 900 Bourbon St http://www.clovergrill.com/ If you find yourself stumbling down the far end of Bourbon St with an appetite then this is the perfect place. The surly service and cramped space is part of the charm.
The Camellia Grill: 540 Chartres St. http://www.camelliagrill.net/home.htm some of the best, fluffiest omelets in the city. Also home of the hubcap burger.
Coops: 1109 Decatur Street New Orleans. Grundgy yet delicious. Laid back and open late. http://www.coopsplace.net/
Luke’s: One of John Besh’s places. The Express Lunch Menu is very fairly priced and there are no corkage fees. 333 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 504.378.2840 http://www.lukeneworleans.com/
Mona Lisa: 1212 Royal Street. Great food in a local casual environment. This place is very highly reviewed on every foodie site.
Antione’s: 713 Rue St Louis http://www.antoines.com/. This fine dining establishment has been around since 1860 and with good reason... it’s amazing. Try the potatoes soufflee.
Cafe Amalie: 912 Royal Street. For a beautiful New Orleans Courtyard experience and great food, this place can’t be beat.http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/cafe_amelie/?q=cafeamelie/
Cafe du Monde: 1039 Decatur (across from Jackson Square) http://www.cafedumonde.com/ No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Cafe du Monde to sample their coffee and world famous beignets. It is local tradition that you blow powdered sugar all over your companions.
Bars
There’s always Bourbon Street, but if you are looking for a more local experience Frenchmen Street has a great bar scene with lots of live music and an eclectic choice of watering holes that are more low-key and aren’t as crowded as Bourbon. Some other local haunts are Mae Baily’s, Molly’s at the Market, Pravda, and R Bar.
Here are some specific recommendations:
Laffite’s Blacksmith Shop
941 Bourbon St
New Orleans, LA 70116
This is a little hole in the wall bar farther down Bourbon St off the main track. It’s one of the oldest bars in the US (a National Historic Landmark) and they also have a piano player there who takes requests. https://www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com/AboutUs.html
The Carousel Bar in the Monteleone Hotel
214 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
The bar is a carousel! For real, it slowly spins around. It’s a nice bar and sitting at the carousel bar while having a drink is fun.http://hotelmonteleone.com/dining-entertainment/
Bar Tonique
820 North Rampart Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 324-6045http://bartonique.com/
(Unique, well made hand-crafted cocktails.)
DBA
618 Frenchmen Street New Orleans, LA 70116-2002 - (504) 942-3731
Open Mon-Thu 5pm-4am; Fri-Sat 4pm-5am; Sun 4pm-4am
(Over 50 beers on tap) http://dbabars.com/dbano/
For the Winos
The Grapevine
720 Orleans Ave
New Orleans, LA 70116-3111
(504) 523-1930
(Awesome wine flights really cheap)
W.I.N.O.
(Wine Institute of New Orleans)
610 Tchoupitoulas St
New Orleans, LA 70130
504.324.8000http://www.winoschool.com/
