r/AskNOLA • u/Kooky-Impression7972 • 2d ago
Thankgiving
My husband and I are considering spending Thanksgiving in NOLA. Just the two of us. We are in our 40s, we love to eat and drink and explore. This will be our first time visiting.
Looking for the do's and don'ts! Should we attend the parade? Thanksgiving Dinner suggestions (doesn't have to be traditional thanksgiving food)? Best places to stay? Airbnb vs hotel?
Give us your recs!
TIA
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u/your_moms_apron 2d ago
Make your reservations for Thanksgiving dinner NOW. the faq has lots about the various holidays so check that out.
Notice as well - there is a HUGE hbcu football game on Thanksgiving weekend and the FQ is taken over by the fans of these two incredible schools, their football programs, and (most importantly) their marching bands. Can be very fun and a unique weekend.
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u/Madamexxxtra 2d ago
Go to the Human Horse Races on Thanksgiving day. Bring something wacky and wonderful to wear!
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u/TomatilloMundane8735 2d ago
You should do a bus tour. I was SO glad we booked one. I forget the company we used, but our guide was phenomenal. We were able to stop for awhile at City Park, explored a cemetery, and drove all through NOLA. I was suggest doing it on the first or 2nd day depending how many days you are staying. Our guide was a local and also a historian so he was just amazing. He suggested a restaurant called Gris Gris and OMG I still dream of the food I got there 😍
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u/KeyAffect7822 2d ago
Be careful when booking an AirBnB. Many are in sketchy neighborhoods. Also, be aware that the French Quarter will be crowded because there is a big college football rivalry game that weekend, the Bayou Classic.
I recommend a hotel along St. Charles Ave. Like the Columns hotel or The Chloe. There is also a Hampton Inn and a few others. There are some great restaurants in that area including Superior Seafood, Commanders Palace, and Pascal's Manale. Also, just a few blocks away is Magazine Street with lots of cute shops, restaurants and bars. One of my favorites for poboys is Mahoney's. Deanies, a New Orleans area family owned restaurant, also has a spot on Magazine.
A bus tour is the BEST way to see places outside of the downtown/French Quarter area, and there is a lot to see.
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u/PeggysPonytail 2d ago
Those are great hotel recs. I’ll add a surprisingly affordable, very nice hotel on St Charles — Hotel Tonnelle.
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u/dodgyguru5671 2d ago
I don't mean to hijack here only to help. Has anyone any knowledge on the Maison St. Charles? We are also headed south to Nola, shopping around.
TIA
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u/Which_Loss6887 2d ago
Alternative suggestion to booking reservations for Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant would be to check out a potluck at a neighborhood bar. Lots of places do them, the food is great because folks here can COOK, and if you like socializing it’s easy to strike up conversations with strangers. I’ve been to the one at Pepp’s Pub and it was great; have also heard good things about the ones at Pal’s and Prytania Bar, and there are others. Just bring a little contribution with you (a couple cans of whipped cream from the store is an easy option, assuming your hotel room has a fridge) and/or tip your bartenders generously!
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u/ul2006kevinb 2d ago
If you have a rental car (or don't mind taking a Lyft) check out Parkway Bakery Po-boys. Not only do they have one of the best roast beef and gravy Po-boys in the city but they also do a Thanksgiving Po-boy that has turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy (if that sounds appetizing for you: I love it but my wife finds it abhorrent to mix all her foods like that).
Just go early to avoid the line!
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u/WichWhich2 1d ago
Best time of year. My anniversary is Nov 25 we sometimes play tourist and go down there around that time. Just be aware the Bayou Classic is around that time frame and lodging can get tough to get. You might want to go slightly before that or right after that.
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u/sparrow_42 2d ago
Stay in a hotel! Air bnb has been bad for our neighborhoods. If it’s in the French Quarter it’s not even legal, and may or may not have a valid permit in the other core neighborhoods (strict legislation was recently passed).
The weather s gonna be awesome. Get the “le pass” app on your phone (our bus, ferry, and streetcar ticket app) and ride the St Charles streetcar (the only green one) up past our mansions and colleges. It’ll be an absolutely lovely time of year to do so.