Paul Litwin's Blog

Here are some suggestions on what to do or see while at TechEd in New Orleans

• Muffeletta at Central Grocery -- 923 Decatur. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Grocery
  If you eat meat (I don't) and you like sandwiches, then you won't want to miss having a muffeletta. And the place to get the original muffeletta is the Central Grocery right across the street from the farmer's market on Decatur street. This sandwich was created in 1906 by Frank Tusa.
• French Market -- Decatur. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Market
  Check out the flea market. Great place to buy produce, t-shirts, or masks. Great prices. Just down from Cafe du Monde.
• Beignets and Cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde -- 1039 Decatur. http://www.cafedumonde.com/main.html
  Open 24 hours a day (except Christmas), this is the place to start and end each day while in New Orleans. Yes, it's a little seedy in there and crowded but the beignets (freshly fried donuts with a pile of powdered sugar) are to die for. Tip: don't wear black.
• A Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's -- 718 St. Peter street.  http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens2/neworleans/default.asp
  If you drink alcohol, you can't leave New Orleans without a hurricane. Basically fruit juice with 4 shots of rum. Invented in 1933 by Pat himeself. Notice that I typed "A hurricane" since I don't recommend more than one. Tip: eat dinner first!
• Preservation Hall at 726 St. Peter street. http://www.preservationhall.com/hall/index.aspx
  Founded in 1961 to preserve New Orleans Jazz, this is an all-ages place to see some of the best New Oleans has to offer.
• St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square -- 751 Decatur street.
  Right next to Cafe du Monde, this is a pretty park that sits in front of St. Louis Cathedral. The cathedral was built in 1727.
• Self-Guided Walking Tour of French Quarter and New Orleans. http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/257/sectionID/1/subsectionID/0
  While you can pay for a walking tour of the French Quarter, you can also download a free self-guided tour with plenty of information about the history of New Orleans at this URL.
• Take a Ride on St. Charles Streetcar -- Canal and Carondelet. http://www.norta.com/StCharles/
  Enjoy a wonderful ride down the entire length of New Orleans’ celebrated St. Charles Avenue, and through the neighborhoods of South Carrollton to Claiborne Avenue. Pick it up at Canal and Carondelet (across Canal, Bourbon becomes Caroldenet). Only costs $1.25.
• Visit Historic St. Louis Cemetary -- 3421 Esplanade Ave. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Louis_Cemetery
  Sometimes history can best be viewed from cemetaries and this one and its neighbor cemetaries are fun to walk through. If this creeps you out, you may want to do this before it gets dark.
• Stroll Down Bourbon Street at Night.
  No visit to New Orleans is complete without a stroll down the infamous bourbon street after dark. Be prepared for a cacuphony of sounds and sights. Stop at a jazz bar, throw or catch some beads, and let your hair down. (Adult content advisory.)