Need lodging, dining, things to do ideas for Memphis and New Orleans

[Retired Engineer Bob]

Hubby and I are taking a Mississippi River cruise in late September. Starts in Memphis, ends in New Orleans. Going to re-read Huckleberry Finn on route. Cruise lasts 8 days, we have two weeks or so before he needs to get back to work.

So I see us spending 1-2 days in Memphis, and 2-3 days in New Orleans. We enjoy music, dining, a degree of partying. Also very interested in history.

Any and all suggestions appreciated.

[Laffy Kat]

1. I grew up in Memphis, although haven't been back in over twenty-five years.

The Mississippi River Museum on Mud Island is interesting. While you're downtown stop by the Peabody Hotel for coffee or a drink. If you get there around 11:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. you can watch the ducks march to or from the lobby fountain and that's cute. There is also the National Civil Rights Museum located around the Lorraine Motel. I still miss the great food in Memphis, of course, and you can't beat the BBQ. If you're an Elvis fan there's Graceland. Have a great river cruise.

Oh, take mosquito repellent!

[kimbutgar]

2. The ducks at the Peabody are so much fun to watch

And of course visit Beale Street. So many different bars to visit and experience. I was surprised also how much I enjoyed Graceland! And Memphis. We went in the mid 90’s it wasn’t so racist as it is now.

The Lorraine hotel and the museum is so insightful. My husband still to this day talks about how visiting that museum changed how he felt about racism and bigotry. I am biracial and he’s white and never had seen racism so upfront. The bus in the museum stayed with him.

[Laffy Kat]

5. I felt that way about a few exhibits at the Mississippi River Museum, too.

Beale Street has been gentrified since I left, as has the entire River Front area.

[Retired Engineer Bob]

3. We're looking forward to the trip

Definitely will visit the Civil Right Museum.

Will need to do the BBQ. Wet or dry?

Been to Beale St once. We arrived late, and had to get up early to continue home to Indianapolis. Had to spring the dogs from the kennel before they closed at 1:00 pm. So we had only 2 hours to check things out.

Graceland? Been thinking about it, but it’s pretty low on the priority list.

Thank you for the suggestions.

[Laffy Kat]

4. At one point in my life I lived a few blocks from Graceland.

And I still never visited, LOL.

As for the wet or dry BBQ: well, both. The best place for dry I can remember (and it's been a long time) is the Rendevous; it's a legend, really. I only eat pork BBQ and IMHO the dry rub is best on ribs and the wet is best on a bun. If you eat BBQ on a bun please try it Memphis style, which is the coleslaw on top of the meat. I know it sounds weird, but it is soooo good that way. Here in Boulder county, the only place I can find Memphis-style BBQ is KT's and I thank the goddesses they are here.

https://hogsfly.com/

[Retired Engineer Bob]

6. Appreciate the input, will Google Rendezvous -n/t

[Major Nikon]

7. This is my favorite hotel in New Orleans

https://www.jcollectionhotels.com/le-richelieu

It’s a decent hotel reasonably priced (for the French Quarter), and it’s convenient to the things which interest me most. Bourbon Street caters to a younger/drunker crowd. The music is good, but the floors are sticky, and the crowds are rowdier. The clubs along Frenchman Street cater to a different crowd and they are cleaner. It’s also close to the French Market, several nice cafes, and still within easy walking distance to everything in the quarter.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. Yes. I lived in Quarter for 3 years and would put people up there

Another nearby hotel which is similar
https://www.hotelprovincial.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjww-CGBhALEiwAQzWxOhPv-xH1G-7rQVgGan-DQTSCgzPhYNAAwVX8X2ZXTNlPLiwgs3n_RRoCLN0QAvD_BwE

[Runningdawg]

8. New Orleans

Stay off Burbon, stay out of cemetaries even with tour groups.
DO take a walking tour of the French Quarter, see Audubon Park/zoo or City Park if you don't have much time, take to the trolley to the Garden Disctrict, find a quiet little French bakery and sip coffee and watch people. Of course the prerequisite is seafood and music, it's everywhere and there is something for everyone.

[Me.]

10. Why Stay Out Of Cemetaries?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. Wonder the same thing myself. I thought it was pretty interesting

[likesmountains 52]

19. Why do you say to avoid cemetaries?

[Runningdawg]

20. Too many places to get mugged too many shady tour operators setting people up

[Retired Engineer Bob]

9. I'll check all the suggestions

Really had no plans for showing off my moobs and trying to collect beads. A bit more laid back is more our speed.

I recently finished The Great Deluge by Brinkley. Has anything been set up to show the Katrina affects?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. When I lived there I took everyone that visited me to the IMAX theater

Which is up by the river. They have an excellent excellent film which started out about the wetlands disappearing. Lots of music because it was musicians who were trying to call light to the problem. Then while they were filming, Katrina hit so they appended the film and the last part is about the horror of it all.

1200 human beings were washed out to sea. That was largely ignored by the mass media. But it adds to the deep soulfulness of the most unique place in our country.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. Not sure if it's showing anymore :(

[Major Nikon]

17. Here's another thing worth doing if you are out that way in New Orleans

Lakefront Airport is east of downtown and is a really nice place for breakfast inside the terminal building. Ask to be seated next to the windows so you can watch the general aviation aircraft arriving and departing. It may take a bit longer to get a window table, so spend 20 minutes touring the terminal building, built in the 30's and restored to all it's original art-deco glory. It's sort of a secret treasure even many if not most people who live in NO don't know about.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

14. Some things I used to recommend for visitors

French Market - outdoor market on Decatur. Huge conglomeration of stuff and food. Tip - souvenirs a fraction of cost compared to gift shops.

French Market Restaurant -. I lived right around the corner from here and used to order takeout many nights. I've always been leery about restaurants in touristy areas. But this place by far had the freshest most tastiest seafood! They're huge fried shrimp is to die for. As well as their fresh shucked oysters. All at a reasonable price. Plus they have a balcony so you can people watch. My claim to fame was eating there one night and JC Riley came in and tried to order crawfish that had already been shelled. Haha. Hope you're there when someone is filming a movie - it's pretty fun

Of course there are at least a thousand restaurants there. Some high-end ones are absolutely out of this world. If you want to splurge commander's Palace is a gorgeous Victorian building in beautiful garden district. But our favorite is always Nola. Emeril's restaurant in the quarter. I think by far Emeril is one of the greatest chefs who ever existed because it is all about how good things taste and not about experimental fru fru

If you love food it's really hard to go wrong most anywhere though. In fact you can get some of the best food you've ever had in a convenience store!

Bourbon Street - after you've been there a while you'll realize you can avoid it at all costs. But, I would definitely recommend walking down at once. Just to experience the smells and nastiness and Street vendors and singers and music and all.

Royal St - parallel with bourbon, it is just a lovely Street to walk down and stop in the shops.

I'd say go to hurricane on the bayou at the IMAX theater but not sure if is there anymore

Jackson Square and Cathedral - in center of Quarter - holds a special place in my heart because that's where we got married . But it's beautiful and you get to see all these local artists who display and try to sell their work. Plus there used to be people who have set up tables that are fortune tellers which is kind of fun. Cathedral is gorgeous and you can walk in and light a candle for someone.

Streetcar - you get on the streetcar on Canal and you take it down St Charles avenue. It's a beautiful tree lined Street and you get to see all the beautiful historic homes. You can hop off at anytime for a restaurant and get back on going the other way.

I hope you post and travel forum all about your trip. I've always been very curious about those riverboats.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. Whatever you do, try and splurge to stay in the French quarter

Lots of people come and stay in the outskirts and try to get in and out. Don't be tempted you only live once lol. You will really appreciate being able to just walk out and be there. Bring some good walking shoes!

Great choices:
Hotel Dupuy
Hotel Provincial
St Helene

[Retired Engineer Bob]

18. Fantastic

Really, really enjoying all the suggestions.

I’m agreeing on staying in the French Quarter. No interest in dealing with a car rental or dealing with Uber to get around. We are planning on being able to walk, or take public transportation to get around. Checked out the hotel suggestions, will discuss 2 of the 3 with travel agent tomorrow. One-11 also popped out as a possibility. I am more used to $80/night at the Antlers motel in Eau Claire WI where dad and I stayed on our way to Canada for fishing. I guess we will need to spend a tad more for a good hotel in the French Quarter.

I’ll definitely keep you folks updated on the trip.

COVID changed so many plans. Had booked a Rhine River cruise that was scheduled for June 2020. It’s been rescheduled through the same travel agent for June ‘21. Same itinerary; Paris, Amsterdam, board boat. Get to Basel, hop a train to Munich and return.

Still fretting about what to do with the fur babies. I’m starting to contemplate an in house service where a person comes several time a day, with an option where they stay overnight. I’m wondering if this will be better than kenneling.

[LNM]

21. A few suggestions

In Memphis go to the National Civil Rights Museum. It's built around the Lorraine Motel and ends in the room MLK was staying in when he was assassinated. It's very informative starting with the slave trade and ending in the era of the 60s civil rights movement.

Also in Memphis - Sun Records!! A fun little museum and listen to some music on Beale Street.

In New Orleans visit the National WWII Museum. It's divided into 2 parts. The war in Europe and the war in the Pacific. You can spend a full day at either one. Get a po-boy at Domilise's near Magazine Street. Yum!

[Retired Engineer Bob]

22. Failure, and a new plan

The cruise down the Mississippi is off. By the time I was ready to book, first available was 3rd week of November. I will not miss another Thanksgiving with the remaining family.

So I started to contemplate a New England cruise. Soon found out they are booked through September 2022. Besides it’s a large 3000+ passenger party boat, with (gasp) CHILDREN.

So, back to the drawing board. Started thinking about COVID-19, it’s variants, the fact we are both vaccinated but so many are not, especially in some regions.

The idea of traveling to New England still appealed. Higher vax rates are a good barometer.

Road trip!

We are taking a two week road trip, will end up on the Atlantic in Harpswell, Maine. Have all accommodations booked through VRBO. It’s basically travel 5-8 hours, stay two nights, and move on. Best part is, I’ve made sure the dogs can come with. We’ll take the truck, no concerns about what comes along, we are bringing our bikes.

I need to to study up on the MJ laws in the states we are passing through. Worst case, stock up in MI a few weeks before.

Here’s the itinerary: Indianapolis to Geneva on the Lake (Ohio Lake Erie), Niagara Falls (been there done that, but…), Hampton, New Hampshire, and Harpswell, Maine. This is feeling more in tune with the hopefully diminishing but on going Covid thing.