New Orleans

13 Monaghan

An Irish themed bar and grill, squeezed into an odd warehouse space. Good Irish beers and late-night grub, including Huevos Rancheros and pulled pork sandwich. Vegan options available.

11AM-4AM daily

Acme Oyster House

No ambiance, but good oysters and other southern delights. Be ready to wait in line. Great food, Great price. 1/2 dozen chargrilled oysters for $9.99 simply can't be beat, especially since Louisiana oysters are far superior in size to those from anyplace else. For an entertaining and social experience, sit at the bar, where you can talk to the oyster shuckers about the celebrities and pro athletes who have visited in the restaurant.

Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM

Adolfo's

Cozy, slightly quirky yet charming Italian. Let the waiters guide you to the nightly specials.

5:30PM-10:30PM daily

AllWays

Lounge in the front, small theater in the back. The hub of fringe theater, plays, bands, and variety shows often. Very friendly and comfortable for all.

Antoine's

Antoine's lays claim to being the oldest same family owned restaurant in the country. Opening in 1840, this French Creole restaurant is where Oysters Rockefeller was invented in the 1890s -- and the only restaurant where the original authentic Oysters Rockefeller can be eaten, as the recipe is a closely guarded secret. Your waiter is your guide here; treat them well and ask their recommendations. Before dining, ask your server for a tour of the historic restaurant. There are more than 15 dining rooms, all of which reek of tradition and are steeped in history. Make sure to take a peek down the vast and cavernous wine cellar, which can take the breath away from a true wine lover. Antoine's has opened a beautiful new bar. Step off of St. Louis and step into history.

Mon-Sat 11:30AM-2PM and 5:30-9PM, Sun 11AM-2PM

Apple Barrel

Sometimes has live music too. Local characters, low prices, no attitude.

Aquarium of the Americas

The only aquarium in New Orleans. In the French Quarter. Features an IMAX theatre. 10AM-5PM daily.

Arcadian Books & Art Prints

With stacks of books filling every available surface, this is a sight to be seen (and maybe some photos posted so your friends will believe you when you get home and try to describe it to them). This is a good choice if you're love browsing through used books and don't mind packed-full shelves and partially blocked aisles in your search for a possibly overlooked treasure. Some non-English books. Staff is helpful and speak French, and while it looks disorganized, the owner seems to know where every book is. Cash only.

Mon–Sat 10AM–5PM

Ashé Cultural Center

Ashé's mission, essentially, is to be a community gathering space for the creation of art, but also to help drive community renewal. You'll need to check the website, but they have occasional events that would appeal to a visitor, like drum workshops, film screenings, etc.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

A fine aquarium at the foot of Canal Street. Take advantage of the combination ticket, which enables access to the Aquarium, the adjoining Entergy IMAX Theatre, and the Audubon Zoo which is uptown (shuttle provided).

Audubon Insectarium

An attraction opened in 2008 in the historic old Custom House Building on Canal Street. As it's in a Federal building, you'll pass through a metal detector.

Tue-Sun 10AM - 430PM

Audubon Zoo

Very good zoo, see the rare white alligators, at the upper end of Magazine Street. Riverboats connect the Zoo to the Central Business District; also accessible from the St. Charles Streetcar via a shuttle bus that runs back and forth from the main entrance to Audubon Park on St. Charles to the Zoo.

Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-6PM

BJ's Lounge

Friendly neighborhood dive with a colorful cast of characters. Beer and booze bar-you're not gonna get an apple martini here. Cookoffs and potlucks are fairly frequent, occasional live music. If you are at Vaughan's Lounge, hop on in and get a bit stronger dose of Bywater.

Lunchtime-very late

Bacchanal

Wine shop, offers wine by the glass—and irregularly has visiting chefs prepare gourmet treats. Now offers lunch too.

11AM-midnight daily

Backstreet Cultural Museum

Costumes of "Mardi Gras Indians" and other artifacts of Tremé culture. An easy walk a block and a half from the French Quarter; well worth the $8 admission fee not only for the displays but also for fascinating narration about local culture by the neighborhood curators.

Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM · Standard $20; Locals, Seniors & Veterans $15; Children 12 & Under $10

Bar Redux

Bar Redux is an off the beaten track hidden at the end of the world in the Bywater area of New Orleans. The bar's slogan says it all, "Come as you are.... Stay as you like". The interior is decorated with personal items of music memorabilia and retro pop culture treasures. The Bar's exterior features a unique art mural by Street Artist, Michael Roman. The vintage 1936 red neon BAR sign invites you in. Inside you will find a seductively lit area dominated by the infamous 100-year-old (Joe Arones Bar) U-shaped bar from Minneapolis, MN. The bar has a partly covered patio that is decorated with architectural salvage and original art. Homemade pub food and creole classics come out of the kitchen till around 1AM.

Mon-Fri 4PM till close, Sat Sun 2PM till close · inexpensive

Basin Street Station

The old Southern Railway train station has been remodeled; the ground floor has a visitors information center with gift shop, informative film and local museum exhibits free of charge.

9AM-5PM

Bayona

Incredible French/Euro/NOLA food by esteemed chef, Susan Spicer. Fabulous wine selections. Many locals' favorite. Must RSVP.

Mon Tue 6-11PM, Wed-Sat 11:30AM-2PM and 6-11PM

Bennachin

African food. Good lunch specials. Many vegetarian and vegan options.

Sun-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM

Blue Nile

A staple of the Frenchmen Street set of music venues, Blue Nile serves up funk, blues, jazz, and New Orleans-style brass bands. A plus is the big dance floor. Unlike most places in Marigny, though, it often charges a cover, so be sure to sample the music from outside before making the decision to go in.

Bourbon Street

Some 8 blocks of Bourbon from Canal Street down are given over to catering to the hard drinking tourists. If getting drunk with other tourists is the goal of your vacation, this is the place for you. Even otherwise, this notorious strip of tourist traps is worth at least a quick look for its gaudy sleaziness. Bourbon has not only countless bars but also many fine restaurants featuring delicious local cuisine for people who want to experience the local foods.

Breakaway's R & B

Your Favorite Creole Cookhouse in The Marigny. New Orleans Unofficial Rock & Roll Hall of Fame From the Chef of Green Goddess. The name is inspired by Irma Thomas’ song “Breakaway.” The R&B means restaurant and bar more than rhythm and blues, but the Artigues liked the idea of a reference to local music to help set the tone for their neighborhood place.

13-22USD

Brennan's

One of the famous local traditions; fine Creole cuisine, known for their gourmet breakfasts. Ask to sit in the courtyard, on the balcony, or in one of the upstairs rooms. Be sure to try the Bananas Foster, which was invented here. Great for upscale New Orleans breakfast.

Mon-Fri 9AM-1PM and 6-9PM, Sat Sun 9AM-2PM and 6-9PM

Brieux Carre

Small craft brewery located off of Frenchman St. Has a good selection with a primary focus on sours and stouts. Good pilsners.

Buffa's Lounge

Small bar room in the front; the big room in the back (also accessible from the side door on Burgundy Street) hosts live music and other events, including a popular jazz brunch on Sundays.

CC's Coffee House

Lower Quarter

The lower French Quarter branch of a small local chain. Great iced coffee drinks for hot days.

daily 7AM-9PM

Cabildo

Colonial city hall, now a museum; Louisiana Purchase agreements transferring the city from France to the USA were signed here.

Tue-Sun 9AM-4PM (last ticket sales 3:30pm) · $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under

Caesars New Orleans

The state's only land-based casino (there are riverboat gambling venues in the suburbs).

Caesars Superdome

It was built as the Louisiana Superdome, and is home of the NFL's New Orleans Saints. When no games or events are scheduled, you can take tours.

Cafe Envie

Sandwiches, salads, omelets, quiches. Wireless internet access.

Sun-Thu 7AM-midnight, Fri Sat 7AM-1AM