New Orleans Journals

Weekend in New Orleans

An August 2007 trip to New Orleans by kimbis

Front of th Provincial Hotel Photo - Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, Louisiana More Photos
Quote: Sad that I never saw the city before Katrina, I decided I *needed* to go down for a long weekend.

Hotel Provincial

Hotel | "Provincial"

Front of th Provincial Hotel Photo - Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, Louisiana
Quote:
I detest hotel chains. I will stay at the glass and steel monsters only when there are no other options. Why travel if your room looks just like the room in any other city?The Provincial is precisely the kind of place I try to find.My room allowed me to walk directly out to the wonderful pool area and take a dip upon rising or just before going to bed. Te room was clean, the air conditioning up to the task of staving off the heat in New Orleans in summer time. The staff were very friendly and helpful.You could not ASK for a better location either. It's a bit out of the way as far as the party-goers are concerned...unless you are with a group doing their own partying you aren't going to...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 22, 2007

Hotel Provincial
1024 Rue Chartres
New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
(800) 535-7922

Camellia Grill

Restaurant | "Camilla Grill"

The Camilla Grill Photo - Camellia Grill, New Orleans, Louisiana
Quote:
The Camilla Grill is a New Orleans mainstay...JUST opening back up in mid 2007 after being closed since hurricane Katrina. It's the kind of place locals adore, and some tourists just don't quite get.The Camilla Grill is a diner...29 round stools bolted to the floor along a counter. You wait outside until there is a place for your party available. (Locals tell me the line can be quite long at times.) The cooks work in front of your eyes at a rapid pace. The server keeps things moving and the customers happy.You don't go to the Camilla Grill for the food, really. My pecan waffle was good, the hamburgers smelled great, but the main attraction is the people...both customers and staff. It's...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 22, 2007

Camellia Grill
626 S Carrollton Ave
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
(504) 866-9573

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville

Restaurant | "Margaritaville"

Life is a Tire Swing Photo - Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, New Orleans, Louisiana
Quote:
If you are interested in going to Margaritaville, you already know what to expect...cheeseburgers in paradise, a little alcohol, a lot of kitsch, and fun. The food is OK, but you go for the experience. Just watching folks with a couple of drinks in them trying to get in and out of the tire swing chairs in the upper level is worth the effort of going down there.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 22, 2007

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
1104 Decatur Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
(504) 592-2565

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

Attraction | "Audubon Aquarium"

Aquarium of the Americas Photo - Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans, Louisiana
Quote:
Even if you have been to many other aquariums, you owe it to yourself to see this one. They have exhibits about the wetlands and environments around the Gulf Coast that you are not going to see anywhere else. I found the white alligator particularly interesting.There are gift shops scattered all through the aquarium. You are not going to be able to avoid them altogether. They do have reasonable prices, however, so you should be able to find something cheap to keep even an insistent kid happy.There are special discount coupons readily available at most hotels, as well as AAA discounts. For the most bang for the buck, combine with the IMAX or zoo ticket....Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 22, 2007

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
1 Canal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(800) 774-7394