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Post by Kay Faban on Mar 12, 2014 1:38:58 GMT -5
Who is making the trip? I figured this would be a good idea to figure out, plus I think sharing plans would be fun. New Orleans is a great city and there is a lot to do besides the wrestling.
This will be my 4th trip to Mania (X-Seven, XXV (I'm from Houston) & XXVI) and my 6th trip to the Big Easy. Here my advice/story on NOLA.
The french quarter is where it's at. Yes it's touristy in spots, but it's a unique place worth the exploring. Bourbon street is it's most famous, and most debatroruos street, but there are other good places to be found. I always have fun hanging out around Jackson Square and seeing the art and street performers. As long as you stay in populated areas I would not worry about the crime that is associated sometimes with the city. I have never had an issue in my trips.
There is so much good food there. Do some research on Yelp and pre plan some places. One "hidden" gem I'll give y'all is the peanut butter bacon burger at Yo Mammas grille in the french quarter. Also Jaqes-Imo's (which is not in the quarter) was home of my favorite meal ever.
I'd be happy to give advice on the city, or even experiencing a Mania and I'm sure many others would as well. Hopefully this can serve as good guide to what should be an awesome time.
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Optimax
Mephisto
"I came here to hunt ghost and chew bubble gum, and im all out of bubble gum!"
Posts: 728
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Post by Optimax on Mar 12, 2014 2:06:07 GMT -5
The peanut butter and bacon burger is fantastic, the French quarter is amazing and without a doubt the best part is Jackson square.
And like you Kay Fabian, every as a tourist (Australian one at that) I had absolutely no issue with locals or any sort of crime.
Can only imagine that Wrestlemania in NOLA would be absolutely kick ass!!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 2:23:47 GMT -5
I love Nola visited a friend there last summer. I'll just make a list it's easier, some of this is a bit touristy.
Things to see/do
Audubon Zoo/Aquarium/Insectnarium
French Quarter/Jackson Sqaure/French Market
Bourbon st.
Ghost Tour
Swamp Tour
Mardi Gras World
Things to eat and where to eat:
Dat Dog
Central Grocery (Muffeletta)
Cafe Du Monde
Luizzas (Shimp Po Boy)
Abita Beer
Things to ride:
The Ferry (it's free!)
Bike Taxi
Streetcars
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Johnny Flamingo
Hank Scorpio
Killing the business one post at a time
Posts: 6,495
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Post by Johnny Flamingo on Mar 12, 2014 3:35:22 GMT -5
I live near New Orleans so I'll be making my first Wrestlemania. It is a fun city to go to so any out of towners should enjoy it. I highly recommend Fiorella's Cafe in the french quarters. Their prices are very reasonable and the food is awesome. They cater more to local customers as opposed to tourists so it won't be as packed as some other places. IF you don't mind walking a little bit but want to avoid traffic, which can be horrible around the Superdome for big events park near the convention center. Easiest way to get there is by taking I-10 Eastbound (coming from the West) and exiting the Tchoupitoulas/South Peters Street exit. It is the last exit before the bridge. If the convention/Riverwalk parking lot is full the "Shops at Canal Place" mall/hotel parking garage is much cheaper than anywhere else and is just down the road from the convention center. The walk isn't too bad. After parking walk either to Julia Street and take it down to the Dome or you can find Harrah's Casino and then walk down Poydras Street to the Dome. Not too bad of a walk and even with the walk you will still get out just as fast as opposed to waiting to get out of a Dome parking garage. The parking lot I am talking about is on the other side of Julia Street near the convention center as shown on this map.  |
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Post by HoganBai on Mar 12, 2014 6:22:54 GMT -5
I'm making the trip over, 5th Mania for me. If you told 10 year old me I'd go to 5 Mania's my head would have exploded.
Never been to NOLA before, I'm not intending on sobering up all week haha
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Post by blake6905 on Mar 12, 2014 9:39:25 GMT -5
My first mania trip... Thanks for the restaurant tips!
As far as plans we are gonna check out Evolve/ dragon gate/ ROH and Wrestlecon Thursday Friday and Saturday. We also got axxess tickets Saturday as well.
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Post by jamofpearls on Mar 12, 2014 9:46:27 GMT -5
There's a pizza place on Decatur, if its still there, definitely go. We eat there at least twice every time we go.
Follow your nose too. Pierre Maspero's is an awesome place for sandwiches. I can't remember for the life of me which street its on, but I can always find it when we're down there.
If you like alcoholic drinks, definitely get a 190 Octane. Almost everyplace has them.
The awesome thing is, everything is in walking distance. So I suggest exploring. There's usually a great market scene on the weekends, and I've been there when people were selling bowls of gumbo, or gator or whatever. Those are some of the best.
Also, if you are a girl, carry a purse that you can keep very close to you, or at best in your hands while walking thought the crowded Bourbon. Guys, I suggest putting your wallet in your front pocket. I hate to even bring this part up, but its just something that happens when it gets crowded. My wife got her wallet taken directly out of her purse, and it was only because she had to let it down to her hip for just a min.
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Post by Kay Faban on Mar 12, 2014 11:15:02 GMT -5
Getting a Hurricane from Pat OBriens is also sorts required at least once. I also go have a hand grenade and request a song from the house band there at Tropical Isle, too.
The 2 for 1 and 3 for 1 drink specials are for real. My first couple times I thought there was some catch, but there's not. It's highly competitive on bourbon for your patronage so you can find some good deals. 3 for 1 has been my down fall many times though.
I also strongly suggest sticking around the upstairs of a bar long enough to get out on the balcony. Hasn't got old to me yet looking out over the sea of people from up there.
I'm imagining we will get lots of yes chants. The quarter always gets taken over by what group is there. I've been twice for New Years, which means the fans of the Sugar Bowl teams are there, and you would hear various school chants alllll night.
The bars don't close and you can drink on the streets (as long as it's not glass)
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Post by dudebusterfan91 on Mar 12, 2014 17:45:54 GMT -5
going as well plan on staying a week
going to mania , hall of fame and wrestlecon
not sure on axcess
would be my 3rd mania
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Post by HisRoyalGreeness on Mar 12, 2014 18:12:55 GMT -5
I'll be there and I'm a local (Slidell is about 35 min away and I go to the quarter pretty often). I wish I could be more help as far as tourist traps go but honestly I go there for drinking purposes. Hit up the Dungeon if you're into metal. That's my shit. Saints and Sinners isn't bad either. Regardless, I'm gonna be there all weekend and can't wait for Bourbon to be taken over by yes chants.
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Post by HisRoyalGreeness on Mar 12, 2014 18:36:37 GMT -5
While I'm on the subject, does anyone think a who dat say they gonna beat d bry chant would catch on?
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Post by kingbookermark on Mar 12, 2014 18:55:49 GMT -5
This is my 4th Wrestlemania ever! I'm driving from Los Angeles to be there! Glad to see this page & all the great advice so far. Maybe we should arrange a meet ups on Sunday the 6th before the show?
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saintpat
El Dandy
Release the hounds!!!
Posts: 7,664
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Post by saintpat on Mar 12, 2014 19:28:24 GMT -5
I'll be there, my second WM.
Also have tix to two ROH shows and a DGUSA/Evolve show.
WM is like a convention, you'll run into fans everywhere ... especially on the French Quarter.
I recommend some on-the-beaten-path spots lke Acme Oyster Bar for seafood, Cafe du Monde for beignets (of course), Drago's for chargrilled oysters (everything else is pretty average but those are fantastic) -- I'm pretty sure that's in the Hilton, across from Harrah's casino.
On the Quarter, if you want something a little different and highly entertaining, Maison Bourbon is on Boubon Street (duh) several blocks back on the left if you're coming from Canal -- it's the preservation hall for real Dixieland jazz. No cover any time I've been (one drink minimum per set I think, and the sets aren't too short) and you'll catch some fantastic and very authentic NOLA musicianship that you pretty much can't find anywhere else.
There is also an Argentenian steak house, La Boca, behind the Marriott on Convention Center Blvd. that is really, really good -- usually need reservations, a bit pricey but worth it.
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MiLB Fan
Fry's dog Seymour
Posts: 20,394 
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Post by MiLB Fan on Mar 12, 2014 19:51:57 GMT -5
I'll be there! This will be my fourth trip to the Show of Shows and my first visit to New Orleans. My travel package came with a $50 gift card for Pat O'Brien's, so I definitely have to check that place out! I'm pleased that like last year, WWE is setting up a WrestleMania Superstore. It'll be much easier to buy souvenirs there than to do it at one of the events and risk missing part of it. Maybe they'll have someone signing autographs; they did that last year too. WWE set up a website with info about 'Mania's host city. www.nolawrestlemania.com |
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MWC
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,824
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Post by MWC on Mar 12, 2014 23:33:19 GMT -5
So ready for this. Going to be my 4th Mania, both ROH shows, and the HOF.
Couple of questions for those that know the area:
1) From MSY to Downtown, what's the best travel option? We aren't getting a rental car. Is that best way really by the Airport Shuttle that is explained on that Nolawrestlemania.com site?
2) Is a taxi going to be the best way to get to ROH from the downtown/Superdome area?
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Post by jamofpearls on Mar 13, 2014 8:28:51 GMT -5
I'll be there and I'm a local (Slidell is about 35 min away and I go to the quarter pretty often). I wish I could be more help as far as tourist traps go but honestly I go there for drinking purposes. Hit up the Dungeon if you're into metal. That's my shit. Saints and Sinners isn't bad either. Regardless, I'm gonna be there all weekend and can't wait for Bourbon to be taken over by yes chants. We got a flat tire in Slidell once when leaving New Orleans. Then got turned around, and turned around again. It was like we entered some parallel universe that we couldn't get out of. Kept passing the same damned landmarks some how. |
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Post by The King of Memphis Tennessee on Mar 13, 2014 8:41:21 GMT -5
I've been to one Mania, 27 in Atlanta. Not the best Wrestlemania but still the experience of a lifetime. Haven't really planned much of my trip yet, I've been preoccupied since my wife delivered our third child just three weeks ago (go ahead and say it, "she's letting you go to Wrestlemania for a week and leave her alone with a new baby???" Yes she is. She hates wrestling but knows how much it means to me, she's an awesome wife!) I've been to New Orleans once before, for a one night band trip back in college. I know I'll visit Bourbon Street at least once, aside from that I'll have to do more research. Wrestling-wise, I'll be attending both ROH shows, two Axxess sessions, HOF, Mania and Raw. I went to only one ROH show last time, the second show. I have to say that it was the greatest wrestling show I've witnessed live in my life, but I kept hearing that the first night was better, so I got tickets to both shows this time so I don't miss anything. Wanted to go to the Mid-South Legends convention but don't know if I'll have time to see the Cornette Q&A, which is my biggest reason for wanting to go in the first place. going as well plan on staying a week going to mania , hall of fame and wrestlecon not sure on axcess would be my 3rd mania I definitely recommend Axxess. In my experience, I waited in lines for an hour or so at a time, but it was so worth it to meet Ted DiBiase Sr and Jr, Sgt. Slaughter, Jim Ross (and get a signed bottle of BBQ sauce), Christian, etc etc the list goes on. I was late for the Paul Bearer session, and words can't express my regret on that. VIP tix are sold out by now so you'll wish you had one (again, based on my first experience, I hopped on the first one I could and got the Bret Hart session), but even general admission is worth it. I'd have to say that the moment I walked into Axxess, I truly felt Wrestlemania for the first time in a way I never knew existed. |
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Post by The King of Memphis Tennessee on Mar 13, 2014 8:55:03 GMT -5
I'll be there! This will be my fourth trip to the Show of Shows and my first visit to New Orleans. My travel package came with a $50 gift card for Pat O'Brien's, so I definitely have to check that place out! I'm pleased that like last year, WWE is setting up a WrestleMania Superstore. It'll be much easier to buy souvenirs there than to do it at one of the events and risk missing part of it. Maybe they'll have someone signing autographs; they did that last year too. WWE set up a website with info about 'Mania's host city. www.nolawrestlemania.comThanks for posting that link, as well as mentioning the Superstore. I knew nothing about those, that'll be a big help! |
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Post by Kay Faban on Mar 13, 2014 18:31:45 GMT -5
So ready for this. Going to be my 4th Mania, both ROH shows, and the HOF. Couple of questions for those that know the area: 1) From MSY to Downtown, what's the best travel option? We aren't getting a rental car. Is that best way really by the Airport Shuttle that is explained on that Nolawrestlemania.com site? 2) Is a taxi going to be the best way to get to ROH from the downtown/Superdome area? Where is the ROH show? Just google map the distance. It's a very walkable city. |
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Post by dudebusterfan91 on Mar 14, 2014 0:23:17 GMT -5
I've been to one Mania, 27 in Atlanta. Not the best Wrestlemania but still the experience of a lifetime. Haven't really planned much of my trip yet, I've been preoccupied since my wife delivered our third child just three weeks ago (go ahead and say it, "she's letting you go to Wrestlemania for a week and leave her alone with a new baby???" Yes she is. She hates wrestling but knows how much it means to me, she's an awesome wife!) I've been to New Orleans once before, for a one night band trip back in college. I know I'll visit Bourbon Street at least once, aside from that I'll have to do more research. Wrestling-wise, I'll be attending both ROH shows, two Axxess sessions, HOF, Mania and Raw. I went to only one ROH show last time, the second show. I have to say that it was the greatest wrestling show I've witnessed live in my life, but I kept hearing that the first night was better, so I got tickets to both shows this time so I don't miss anything. Wanted to go to the Mid-South Legends convention but don't know if I'll have time to see the Cornette Q&A, which is my biggest reason for wanting to go in the first place. going as well plan on staying a week going to mania , hall of fame and wrestlecon not sure on axcess would be my 3rd mania I definitely recommend Axxess. In my experience, I waited in lines for an hour or so at a time, but it was so worth it to meet Ted DiBiase Sr and Jr, Sgt. Slaughter, Jim Ross (and get a signed bottle of BBQ sauce), Christian, etc etc the list goes on. I was late for the Paul Bearer session, and words can't express my regret on that. VIP tix are sold out by now so you'll wish you had one (again, based on my first experience, I hopped on the first one I could and got the Bret Hart session), but even general admission is worth it. I'd have to say that the moment I walked into Axxess, I truly felt Wrestlemania for the first time in a way I never knew existed. i was atl as well I was also on that ted line lol I plan on doing axcess just not sure witch days axcess is a lot fun |
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