Our Libguide includes lots of suggestions about places to eat and things to do here. So much history and culture is within walking distance that a guide book is highly recommended--so you can spend your free time doing exactly what interests you, be it touring historic houses, listening to jazz, or wandering through art galleries and museums. The information on this Libguide is taken from the DK Eyewitness New Orleans, Frommer's EasyGuide to New Orleans 2015 and Barri Bronston's Walking New Orleans.
New Orleanians believe they offer the best food in the world, so we have included many great Creole and Cajun restaurants. What's the difference between Creole and Cajun? Creoles were the descendants of the original French and Spanish colonists. Their cooking features fancier, more refined sauces. Think Crawfish etoufee, Oysters Bienville, Oysters Rockefeller, Shrimp Remoulade, Turtle Soup, and Pompano en Papillote. Cajun dishes are a contribution of the Acadians who settled in southwest Louisiana during the eighteenth century. This is country cooking--Boudin, Gumbo, Jambalaya, tasso and andouille sausages, crawfish pies, and maque choux. Much of Cajun cooking begins with a roux (a sauteed mixture of bacon fat or butter and flour) to which peppers, onions, and tomatoes are added. There is much overlap between the two cuisines, because New Orleanians eat what tastes good.
Like all big cities, New Orleans has its share of crime. While exploring the city, be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. You should be fine exploring the French Quarter alone during the day, but we strongly advise sticking with a group at night. If you stay out late, take a cab or Uber back to the hotel.