Two Days in NOLA- Part 3

Over the past couple weeks we have been sharing our office's ideas for quick itineraries for your visit to Tulane and New Orleans. Whether you like to eat, stay active, or a combination of activities, we hope that one of our ideas will help you make the most of your trip. Next up we've got plans for your academic side.

The Literature Lover- Rachael Thompson Accavitti, Assistant Director

Start with brunch at Restaurant Stanley.

This restaurant, conveniently located right off of Jackson Square, serves its patrons updated versions of comfort foods and creole staples.  It’s the perfect place for a literature lover to start his or her tour of New Orleans, as it is named for Stanley Kowalski—a character made famous in Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire.  Order either the Eggs Stanley with cornmeal-crusted oysters or the Eggs Stella with softshell crab.  And if you just so happen to be visiting during the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, which takes place each spring, give your best shot at winning the “STELLA” shouting contest in the Square.

Eggs Stanley from Restaurant Stanley.

Next, visit 624 Pirate's Alley, the current site of Faulkner House Books and William Faulkner's former residence.

Just around the corner, opposite the Saint Louis Cathedral’s rear garden, is Faulkner House Books.  Designated a National Literary Landmark by the Friends of American Libraries, this building might appear to be simply a charming, albeit very charming, bookstore.  But it also happens to be one of the spots where William Faulkner lived (and made mischief) in New Orleans.  In addition to your average literature lover, famous writers such as Roy Blount Jr., Joan Williams, and Willie Morris have made the mecca to this site.

Grab a Lucky Dog, and check out the Ignatius J. Reilly statue at the 800 block of Canal by the Hyatt French Quarter.

It’s nearly impossible to walk through the French Quarter and not notice these hot dog food carts.  Most popular with late night patrons, literature lovers should also grab a snack from this stand which bears a striking resemblance to the Paradise Vendors that served as a key plot detail in John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces.  As you eat, venture to the 800 block of Canal to see statue of the novel’s main character Ignatius J. Reilly.

Ignatius J. Reilly of A Confederacy of Dunces

Take a walking tour of the Garden District to view Anne Rice’s residences and other places that inspired her works.

Hop on a streetcar at Canal, and ride to the Garden District.  Then, take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Uptown New Orleans, pausing to look at the various gothic homes and guest houses important to Anne Rice, author of such novels as Interview with the Vampire and Queen of the Damned.

See Tulane’s Law School

Next head over to Tulane’s campus to see the Law School where Darby Shaw of John Grisham’s The Pelican Brief was a student.

Tulane's beautiful Law School is right on our Uptown campus.

 Eat at Antoine's, inspiration for Frances Parkinson Keyes's Dinner at Antoine's.

At night, head back to the French Quarter for dinner at the New Orleans institution that is Antoine’s.  In addition to laying claim to the title “Oldest family run restaurant in the United States,” Antoine’s is also the setting for Francis Parkinson Keyes’s murder mystery Dinner at Antoine’s.  Try the Oysters Rockefeller, a dish which Antoine’s supposedly invented.

Cap off the night at Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar.

More than just a watering hole, the Carousel Bar at the beautiful Hotel Monteleone is a fitting last stop on any literature lover’s tour of New Orleans.  The hotel, founded in 1886, has long been a favorite haunt of notable authors including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, and John Grisham.  Some say the place is haunted.  Everyone says it is pretty darn cool.

The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone.

The History Buff- Nora Colman, Admission Counselor and 2015 Tulane Grad

One of the many wonderful things about New Orleans is its rich multicultural history. Whether paying homage to its French and Spanish past or learning about its war effort during WWII, there are lots of great destinations to check out to not only learn about the history of New Orleans, but also American history itself.  Here are some “must-sees”:

Oak Alley Plantation - 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA

Located only about an hour outside of New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation is a breathtaking rewind in history. Visitors can visit the mansion (with mostly original furniture), walk along the Mississippi, and walk through the old slave quarters and farms. Oak Alley Plantation (in typical New Orleans fashion) not only tells us a lot about New Orlean’s past in the Civil War, but is even featured in many Hollywood movies and music videos. The Plantation is famous for its “Oak Alley” – about a hundred oak trees line the path up to the house. It is a trip completely worth making! Bonus: Eat a traditional Louisiana lunch and a world-famous Mint Julep!

The beautiful and historic Oak Alley

Lafayette Cemetery and the Garden District –1427 Sixth street

Lafayette Cemetery, located right across the street from Commander’s Palace, is a great place to go to learn about the history of Voodoo in New Orleans. Not only will you learn about New Orleans culture, but also the history of its people. For example, many of the victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic were buried in this cemetery. During this epidemic, a few doctors got together to study the disease and their efforts helped found Tulane! I recommend taking a walking tour of the Garden District so that you can be guided through the cemetery and learn more about the houses in the Garden District. You’ll even get to see some local celebrity’s houses as well.

New Orleans cemeteries are unique due to our proximity to sea level.

Napoleon House – 500 Chartres street

The Napoleon House, located in the French Quarter, was offered to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1821. A meal in the Napoleon House transports you straight back into the nineteenth century! Don’t miss out on their world-famous Pimm’s Cup as well. Their menu offers a blend of Italian and Cajun food with everything from Poboys to Gelato!

National World War II Museum – 945 Magazine street

The National WWII Museum here is hands down the best museum I’ve ever been to. It’s modern, informational, and encompasses all parts of the war. You can even take a tour of a Higgins boat (made in New Orleans in the 1940s) that actually brought American soldiers into the Mediterranean during the war. You could honestly spend three full days at the museum, but here are the must-sees:
-    Beyond All Boundaries 4D movie – 45 minutes narrated by Tom Hanks, amazing experience!
-    Road to Berlin exhibit – lots of great artifacts and oral histories!
-    USS Tang Submarine experience
-    Higgins boat tour

The exterior of the National WWII Museum. A truly amazing experience.

Being a history major (and history buff myself), I’ve loved exploring the city both within Tulane and on my own. If all you can manage to do is make it to campus, be sure to also check out the Amistad Research Center (located right next to Gibson Hall) – the nation’s oldest collection of African American historical documents and sources. While there are dozens of things that you can do in two days in New Orleans, here are just a few to kick off your historical interests. Happy exploring!

The Art Lover- Becca Greaves, Admission Counselor and 2015 Tulane Grad

New Orleans is home to some top notch galleries and art! As a graduate from Tulane's theater department, I've always enjoyed being able to hit a performance or opening to check out local artists and performers. Here are some of my quick tips to get your art fix in New Orleans!
  
Stroll down Julia Street
 Home to many galleries, spend some time popping in and out before heading to any of these great museums
- World War II Museum
-Contemporary Arts Center
-Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Check out the New Orleans Concert Line
 This website compiles all of the concerts, festivals, theater, and comedy in New Orleans. Many events are free, so take a look before you come down to visit campus!

Tipitina's, home to Free Concert Friday every summer.

Head to the Saenger Theater

 Home to Broadway-level theater, the Saenger is a historic venue that is actually on the National Register of Historic Places!

Two Days in NOLA- Part 2

Last week, we published the first installment in our "Two Days in NOLA" series. These posts are made up of themed itineraries for you and your family to use while you come down to New Orleans and visit us at Tulane! We've seen the Frugal Foodie and the Health Nut, and this week we're on to two more ideas brought to you by our Admissions team.

The Outdoorsy Family- Neill Aguiluz, Admission Counselor & 2009 Tulane Grad

Although New Orleans may not boast the hiking trails of New Hampshire or Colorado, there are still many ways to enjoy the outdoors! Here are some activities that you can take advantage of to get outside and burn off some of those unavoidable New Orleans calories.

1. Big Easy Bayou Tour – 2 hour kayaking tour of Bayou St. John

Take a leisurely paddle through some New Orleans neighborhoods and take in the various architecture. Bayou St. John is also home to the Bayou Boogaloo music festival in May

Taking a paddle though the neighborhoods on Bayou St. John

Bayou Boogaloo!

2. Crescent Park

 This recently-opened park offers unparalleled views of the New Orleans skyline, and is very close to some amazing restaurants like Elizabeth's and The Joint. The Bywater is quickly becoming a hotspot for food and culture in New Orleans.

The view from Crescent Park!

3. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve – Barataria Preserve in Marrero

Jean Lafitte offers a taste of Louisiana's ecosystems and is a great place to check out the swamps, critters, and gators that make Louisiana unique. Over 200 species of birds can be found in the Preserve, along with alligators, nutria, and other wildlife.

 They also have an info center in the Quarter that you could visit before or after Crescent Park. \

The Sports Addict- Adam Griego- Operations Manager and 2014 Tulane Grad

If you are a sports addict like me, there is a lot to do in the city of New Orleans to subdue any cravings you may have. In two days, you can venture to a number of sports related places all around the city that has hosted 10 Super Bowls(including 3 on Tulane’s campus in the 1970s!) For me, I separated my two day sports excursion into Recreation and Food.

Recreation:

City Putt

City Putt is a 36-hole putt-putt complex in the heart of City Park. The two courses themes will teach you a little bit about New Orleans’ streets and their origins or about the history of various parishes around the state of Louisiana. The facility opened up less than 3 years ago and is a great place to spend a few hours participating in some friendly competition.

Fair Grounds

When in season, the Fair Grounds is a great place to spend some free time enjoying some horse racing while also people watching. One night a year, the track hosts a series of exotic animal races including ostriches, zebras, and some of New Orleans’ favorite mascots.

Professional Sports Games

Between the Saints (NFL), Pelicans (NBA), Zephyrs (MiLB AAA-Marlins affiliate), and VooDoo (Arena Football), there is most likely a professional sporting event going on around the city while you are in town. You cannot go wrong going out to support any of these four teams when they are playing at home. If visiting during the summer months, check out the Zephyrs promotion schedule, and you might go home with some nice takeaways or some memories of their incredible Friday night firework shows.

It's hard to beat the atmosphere at a Saints game.

Rock N Bowl

A Tulane student and alumni favorite is a night spent at Rock N Bowl. Rock N Bowl is an 18 lane bowling alley located minutes away from Tulane’s campus. In addition to some family bowling, Rock N Bowl offers live music on various nights ranging from Cajun/Zydeco, Swing, Jazz, Blues, and many others. If you are trying to do anything on this list, Rock N Bowl is a must.

Zydeco Night at Rock N Bowl!

TPC/Audubon/City Park

If you are a golfer at heart and need to get a few swings in while visiting campus, visit TPC(host of the Zurich Classic), Audubon Park (directly across the street), or the City Park driving range/golf course. After every finals week at Tulane and in high school, I would visit the driving range at City Park to transition out of my nocturnal study habits.

Food:

Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon

Bobby Hebert(former Saints QB) has opened up a new restaurant in Metairie which is filled with sports memorabilia that he accumulated through his years in the NFL and the AFL. The menu has a number of items with a Cajun twist that will leave you wanting more.

Bruno’s

 Bruno’s Tavern is a 5 minute walk from campus and offers a great atmosphere to watch any sporting events going on around the country. If Tulane baseball is playing, you better believe Bruno’s will be playing it on the big screen. The tavern is popular among students and alumni, and students with meal plans can use their NolaBucks for some of the great food options. My go to is the Debris Fries. o

Domelise’s

This is not only one of the best po-boy shops in the city, but this is where Archie and Olivia Manning sent their boys for one of their first part-time jobs before making it big at Ole Miss, Tennessee, and the NFL. With a number of signed photos from Archie, Peyton, and Eli, Domelise’s is a great stop to enjoy a delicacy of our city while seeing some candid photos of the young Manning boys.

A delicious Domelise's po-boy

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & RestaurantL

ucy’s is a favorite spot of students and their parents when visiting the city. There is limited outdoor seating available for those traveling with people under 18, but this is one of my go-to places because of the number of Saints players and coaches who stop in for a post-victory drink or bite to eat. From Drew Brees to Rob Ryan, you may have a chance at a run-in with one of our boys in the Black and Gold.

Two Days in NOLA- Part 1

Here in 210 Gibson Hall, the question "what should we do in New Orleans?" is heard almost every day. We love pointing our visitors towards our favorite restaurants, sites, and activities, but we thought it would be fun to take it a step further.

Since so many families come visit New Orleans for just a night or two, we've decided to put together some two-day itineraries for different types of travelers. From the Frugal Foodie to the Sports Addict to the History Buff, our Tulane Admission brain trust came together to provide y'all with different ideas of how to explore our favorite city. In total, we have 8 trips, and we've got the first two for you here today. And of course, they're all about the food!

Hop on the streetcar and go check out these great ideas from our Admission team. Photo by Don Chamblee.

The Frugal Foodie- Owen Knight, Admission Counselor and 2014 Tulane Grad

New Orleans is a food city, and an amazing one at that. However, it can quickly become expensive to try all of these great restaurants you’ve heard of. Fortunately, it is very possible to eat world class food here without breaking the bank. Saving money after flying your family of four down here? Broke college student visiting a friend? Take a look at these happy hour deals and cheap eats!

Lunch: Vietnamese at Lilly's Cafe
New Orleans is home to a large Vietnamese population and thus some great authentic Vietnamese restaurants. I’ve eaten at 7 of the Vietnamese places in New Orleans, and Lilly’s Is the leader of the pack. Definitely treat yourself to some spring rolls ($4/order) and then Vermicelli with Pork or Chicken ($7.95). The pho is also the best I’ve had in New Orleans, and is a bargain and a half at $8.50. Lilly’s location far down Magazine street will allow you to take a nice streetcar ride, or take a drive down one of the best shopping streets in New Orleans.

Pho from Lily's (Chris Granger, nola.com).

Dinner: Pizza Happy Hour at Domenica or Pizza Domenica
You’ve heard of John Besh. Everybody’s heard of John Besh. The charming southern chef owns six of the hottest restaurants in New Orleans. From August to Borgne, you can’t find a bad meal at a Besh restaurant. However, most of the meals ain’t cheap. Fortunately, Domenica has a happy hour that rivals the best. From 2-5pm, pizzas and libations are half price ($9 for a gourmet pizza). Try a couple pies for the table (my favorites include the clam and prosciutto), and you MUST order the cauliflower appetizer. Thank me later.

 Two pizzas and kale from Pizza Domenica (Ken S. on TripAdvisor).

Breakfast: Uptown’s own  Panola Street Cafe
Panola Street Cafe is one of my weekend staples. Just minutes from campus, this neighborhood joint serves up some of the best breakfast and iced coffee in town. It’s also very reasonably priced. You can’t deny a $6 bacon egg and cheese with hash browns, and the California Benedict is the way to go if you’re feeling fancy.

Lunch: America’s Best Fried Chicken at Willie Mae’s
Willie Mae’s Scotch House is a New Orleans staple. By something close to a miracle, they opened a second location just five minutes walking from Tulane’s Gibson Hall. Willie Mae’s Grocery and Deli offers the same amazing chicken and sides at a great price- $10 for a plate. While the tagline of “America’s Best” is often abused, Willie Mae’s certainly worthy of it. Go grab some before your tour!

Who else wants to eat their computer? (Craig Cavallo)

Happy Hour: 50 Cent Oysters at Superior Seafood
The title says it all. 50. Cent. Oysters. Superior Seafood has a great location right on Saint Charles at Napoleon, and Gulf Coast oysters are an absolute steal at this price.

So there you have it- two days of affordable meals that are still delicious. Just because you’re saving money doesn’t mean that you don’t get to treat yo self. Happy eating!

The Health Nut- Rachel Rosenberg, Admission Counselor and 2014 Tulane Grad

While I am in no way claiming to be a health nut myself, I know a lot of people come to New Orleans looking for good food that's not super heavy or fried. I'm here to point y'all in that direction!

Breakfast- Satusma
Popular amongst Tulane students- great salads, sandwiches, and a different “Pancake of the Day” every morning!

Lunch – Seed
A new vegan restaurant with great fresh options for vegans, vegetarians, or gluten free folks.

Raw Veggie Spaghetti (Seed on FB)

Snack – D’Juice
Fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices, all with fresh ingredients. Perfect for a snack, or add whey protein to a smoothie for a meal replacement

Dinner – Carmo
Vegan-friendly restaurant in the Warehouse District – I recommend the banana nut bread for dessert! 

The Rico Salad from Carmo (Lorin Gaudin)

Also make sure to take advantage of Audubon Park’s 2 mile track across the street from campus, or rent bikes or paddle boats at City Park if you’re looking for some activity between meals!

So there you have it, our first two specialized itineraries! Check back soon for the next two. We hope to see you in New Orleans soon!