Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Tips Requested

Regular readers will remember that I visited Biloxi this Spring and enjoyed a weekend of gambling, eating, imbibing and being adopted by Asians while playing Pai Gow Poker.

Harrah’s apparently appreciated my business as I get an Email and a flier in the mail about twice a month with free nights, free food and other stuff. (Note to Harrah’s: Being a special guest at the Jackie Collins book signing in Biloxi is not quite the draw you might think. You might want to tweak the computer program.)

Since I’m not a high roller, my offers were for free nights, Sunday through Thursday, not days that really work for me, as, desipite the title of the blog, I have to work.

Then last week, I got a flier that offered me two free nights, any night at Harrah’s New Orleans, plus about half off at the hotel’s steakhouse. I bit.

The interesting thing about the casino is that it isn’t attached to the hotel, it’s across the street. From what I gather it was finished early last year. Before that, “guests” were put up at the Hilton, Sheraton, Loews, and Windsor Court. There was no room at the Harrah’s Hotel and they gave me my choice of the other hotels. The very nice reservation lady and I chose the Windsor Court, across the street from the casino.

So, beyond the obvious gambling, and taking advantage of the cheap steak one night, suggestions will be appreciated. The last time I was in the Big Easy was in about ’96 or ’97, and then only for the day. I went to the Aquarium and had lunch at Antoine’s.

I’m thinking of taking the trolley around, taking the cemetery tour and maybe walk down Bourbon Street, though the latter, at a time that the street would be hopping, isn’t within my security comfort zone.

7 comments:

Posol'stvo the Medved said...

My experience is that the French Quarter is a very lovely, very campy tourist trap. The only place that I would say that I "recommend" is Cafe du Monde (800 Decatur Street). But if you've been to Nawlins before, you've probably been there before. And you probably know more about the place than I do.

Bourbon Street was fun, but we left the kids at the hotel when we went, and we went in the middle of the day, after lent began, so it wasn't so nutso.

Maybe Molly has more/better recs than me.

SonjaB said...

The cemetery tour is cool. We also took a plantation tour that was cool.

Anonymous said...

"Nawlins!" (Debo squeals, excitedly smacking her lips)How can you miss Cafe du Monde and it's rich coffees and powdered biscuits? The Po Boys? The Cajun foods? The etoufee?

Of course Bourbon street on Friday night when we were supposed to be in church was eye-opening and not to be missed. We ate at one of the many restaurants that night and had a blast looking at everything we never thought we'd see publicly displayed.

Dave said...

Well, so far Cafe du Monde seems to be it. I also looked at a tour that combines Lafeatte (sp?) cemetetry with the Garden District.

Lifehiker said...

Cafe du Monde definitely lives up to its reputation! You will love the cemetery and Garden District tour. "Hurricanes" are over-rated. Don't wander too near the Superdome unless you want to get mugged. Them crawfish are pretty good! Have fun, Dave. Save bus fare home.

Dave said...

LF,

I've already bought a round trip ticket.

The current plan is the in-house discounted Besh Steak on Friday night, Cafe du Monde Saturday morning, walk the Quarter with lunch at Antoine's, Garden District in the afternoon, Dinner at August and Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Windsor Court Hotel where I'm staying.

I'd put some money in my sock to get to the airport if I planned on wearing them.

molly gras said...

Dave, sounds like a fabulous itinerary! And having just been home myself, it's the food you really need to focus on there.

And maybe indulge in one of those alcoholic slurpy-machine concoctions they have available in just about EVERY bar (which are located roughly every 125 feet!) My favorite was the pina colada, but while I was home I had this purple-y, grape flavored one that was call Tiger Bait. It packed quite a little frozen wallop!

And another tourist-y option may be to take a river boat ride late afternoon -- touring the Mississippi River is pretty awesome on a big ole' paddle wheel boat!

Best of luck with your adventure and I can't wait to hear all about your trip.