Is the French Market , Cafe w/ Benigns, River Walk Mall area up and running?

Question

A group of us are planning on taking the trip that we had to cancel last year,,,, We want to shop at the market, mall, stay, and eat in that area.

Are the residents o.k. w/ visitors coming to the city to tour? ( we will only be in and around Jackson Square btw)

I also welcome any places to eat and visit.
(traveling w/ a few single girls who will need to stick to a budget)

Where should we stay?

What areas should we avoid due to crime etc.

Answer 1

The French Market, Cafe Du Monde (home of the beignets) and entire French Quarter are indeed up and running. I was there in April and it was a wonderful visit. The locals were so friendly and so delighted to have tourists back in town -- I've never felt more welcome, and I've been going there for years.

Here's a list of stores at the River Walk mall that are open for business: http://www.z-comm.com/riverwalk/stores.html

Some of my favorite places to eat and visit there are:
Herbsaint Restaurant -- Amazingly fine cuisine at incredibly reasonable prices. Two people can have cocktails, wine, and a three course meal for about $120. One of the city's best! http://herbsaint.com/

Mother's Restaurant -- one of my favorite po boys; two people can split one sandwich easily http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/the_location.htm

Central Grocery -- $12 for a delicious muffaletta sandwich that two people or more can split

Ogden Museum of Southern Art -- a branch of The Smithsonian http://www.ogdenmuseum.org/

Robert Florence's company, Historic Walking Tours, leads the best "Haunted New Orleans" tour (their other tours are outstanding, too, but I love all the ghost stories) http://www.tourneworleans.com/

I know that through September, The Hotel Monteleone (a very nice place, right in the heart of the French Quarter) has a special for $85 per night. You have to call the hotel directly to get that rate.

You should avoid Treme, and, in general, stay in the French Quarter or Warehouse District at night if you're walking. If you go beyond those areas, get a taxi. Cabs are plentiful. All the bars & restaurants will be happy to call a cab for you.

Have fun!

Answer 2

Yes, those places are open and doing fine. Yes, we want people to come visit, spend money, support local businesses. Check out the Gumbo Shoppe right next to the St. Louis Cathedral; fantastic food. I do want you to see more of the city than just the French Quarter, though. You may consider one of the tours to see the remaining disaster areas. As for crime, be very careful with your purses or don't even carry them. Try not to look like you are lost. Stay out of the projects and stay away from the Uptown area at night. There is lots of crime lately, but most of it is black youths and gang members targeting each other. I'm not trying to be racist, just telling you what the statistics show.

Have fun.

Answer 3

A good hotel to stay is Chateau Sonesta....It is one block north of Bourbon, expedia offers really good rates and it is a really nice hotel. I have stayed there twoce already this year. Also President Bush is going there next week, and there will be protests.

Answer 4

50 mall

Answer 5

Yes they are I just got back this weekend.

It's awesome.