hi,
although not in anyway an expert on 'Nawlins', we have been going there pretty frequently for 30 years.
For tourists the two areas most traveled are the French Quarter and The Garden District. I would urge one to stay in the French quarter (FQ) on their first visit. It's about a mile or so square area along the river. There are many hotel choices of varying quality and prices. Keep in mind "boutique" or "historic" usually means "small rooms and small bathrooms", sometimes quite thin walls. As is the case in most locations events and conventions have a tremendous effect on hotel rates. Unfortunately in NO there is often something going on.
We often stay at what is now the Courtyard Iberville, a Marriot hotel that shares a huge building with a sister property, The ritz Carleton. It's a medium priced hotel for the area. We like it because it is an all "suite" hotel and has a nice living area and bedroom. We especially liked it last weekend because they have two large flat screens. My spouse has never quite developed a taste for college football other than following the team where we went to school. I don't think that will change so when in room two TVs were nice.
It's on a street near the top of the quarter running parallel with Canal street that is the boundary of the FQ. It is a block away from the famed bourbon street where many a lass has earned her cheap beads and many lads and lassies have consumed waay to many spirits. One of the purveyors advertises "Big A$$ Beers", so it's probably not a gourmet drinker's cup o tea. For most I think once is enough. Though there are some great spots with good music along Bourbon. A block over and parallel to Bourbon is Royal street. One of my favorite places for a walk. It runs the length of the quarter and is filled with antique stores and art galleries and has a number of street performers..it's the big leagues for street performers and some are quite good. This year there was a hound dog that pretended to be passed out with her feet sticking in the air and a hurricane glass in her paws as her owner gave a spiel and people dropped money in her hat. Acrobats, musicians, trick cyclists are common.
On a visit some things I would do. Take a guided Cemetery tour. Walk the quarter . take St. Charles Street car out to Washington Avenue, walk down and do a guided or self guided tour of Garden district. Old beautiful homes with history. Get reservations for lunch at Commanders Palace. A three course lunch of delicious food...highly recommend the turtle soup and bread pudding soufflé. It's about 25 $, a tremendous deal compared to dinner prices at a 4 star restaurant. Also they have 25 cent martinis limit of 3 (that's enough they say on menu) at lunch.
I'd go to Central grocery on Decatur one day and get a Muffaletta to share. It's an amazing sandwich of charcuterie, cheese and an olive salad on a round of French bread. Other places sell them,.Central grocery invented them..there is a difference. Get a couple Of beers and walk up on the levee a block away and find a park bench or set on the steps down to river. Watch the goins on on the river and enjoy.
Go to Cafe DuMond and get some beignets. Tasty little donuts. There deal is "chicory coffee". Has to be an acquired taste..I can't stand it. But they will fix it aulait. Still not my thing..but great place for people watching.
Across the street is the starting place for carriage rides ..I'd do that once. Kind of fun and depending on driver, very informative.
There are river boat cruises that include plantations. There are motor coach tours to plantations and a great restaurant a friend of ours enjoys..name escapes me but if interested I'll look it up. ..
coming from fla I can't imagine you would want a swamp tour..available on both pontoon and air boats. Unless marginally cold weather you will see gators.
favorite eating spots not mentioned.
Favorite Emerils restaurant..Delmonicos .. $$$$. But great..Steakhouse/seafood/creole
Favorite restaurant currently in NO?..GW FINS... Best seafood in city... "Scalibut" and "Salty Malty" dessert.. All Ya need to know.
Another High end ..Restaurant August ..John Besh's signature restaurant. great cuisine..$$$$.. lunch a more economical but tasty option.
Mr. B's Bistro. ..a NO standard that is also a great lunch stop..cheap martinis and 3 course lunch options. Famous for their BBQ Shrimp..in NO that means a Brown garlic butter sauce ..INCREDIBLE .
Another favorite in NO are "chargrilled oysters". These are oysters that are incredibly tasty. The oysters arge grilled and then laced with butter and Parma cheese ..served salted and piping hot. my favorite is Acme Oyster House.. A block down Iberville from where we usually stay.. Others like Felix or the restaurant in the Hilton..Dragos . Got to try em!
The old creole restaurants are Arnauds, Antoines , Gallatories..old school .all have their proponents...Arnauds and Gallitories have lunch..the latter is a strange see and be seen local phenomenon.
Do go to WWII museum..at least take in the Tom Hanks narrated video presentation..but the whole exhibit is more than worth your time. John Besh's has American Cafe there as well.
Probably TMI but is one of our favorite places to visit along with many others we have been lucky to experience.