Having Fun in the French Quarter

You've booked a trip to the Big Easy - now what? In order to have the best time in New Orleans, here are some spots that you can't miss on your visit. Of course, most of these destinations are for visitors over the age of 21, though I will denote family-friendly activities as well. I'll also include prices and expenses for each location. So, get ready to find the most fun you can in one of the most vibrant cities you can imagine!

1. Cat's Meow - The World's Best Karaoke Bar: This has been one spot that I truly can't get enough of. Located at 701 Bourbon St., the Cat's Meow is a nonstop party. This fun bar has been open since 1989, and it features karaoke, an upstairs balcony area, and a big dance floor. There's also a live webcam that guests can watch from home! The show is propelled by the lively emcees, who also perform and get the crowd excited. So, no matter what your singing talent is, sign up and sing your favorite song! There are hundreds of choices, so everyone will be able to find something to sing alone or in a group. For more info, check out: http://701bourbon.com/.

2. As New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in the U.S. (if not the most haunted), no trip would be complete without a Haunted History Tour. Travelers can choose between a Ghost Tour, Vampire Tour, Garden District Tour, Voodoo Tour, and many others. During my trip, I went on the Ghost Tour, which was a fantastic experience. Andy, our tour guide, has great enthusiasm for every story that he covered. The tour lasted about 2 hours and included a stop at Jean LaFitte's (a famous pirate from the 1800's) old warehouse, which is now a bar. Make sure to try a Voodoo when you stop there! This tour is family-friendly, though would be better suited for children who don't scare easily. At $20 a person (with special discounts for students and children), this is one of the best values in the French Quarter. To book a trip, check out http://www.hauntedhistorytours.com.

3. All the walking from the Haunted History Tour has probably you hungry, so it's time to stop for a snack. Café Du Monde, located at 800 Decatur Street, is a bustling joint that's open 24 hours a day. Café Du Monde only serves their specialties, beignets and chicory coffee. A beignet is a fried piece of dough that is covered in powdered sugar; a plate of three is plenty to share. Add an iced coffee as well to cool off from the heat. The best part of Café Du Monde is the price; a quick snack will only run you around $5 with a tip. Plus, the restaurant offers boxed mixes of their beignets and coffee, so you can bring the Southern flavor home as well. Café Du Monde is family friendly; in fact, you may find yourself stopping by many times to have a quick treat. For more information, check out: http://www.cafedumonde.com/.

4. If the beignets weren't filling enough, you can also stop by Johnny's Po-boys for a quick sandwich. Johnny's can be found at 511 St. Louis St. and has around 40 different choices for sandwiches. A Po-boy is a sandwich that consists of bread and meat, so it's a simple yet filling lunch. I'm a big fan of the roast beef po-boy, which has a light gravy paired with the meat. Feel free to bring your family to try a quick sandwich.

5. To cap off a fun evening out (or maybe to get one started), a stop at Pat O'Brien's for a hurricane is a must. Pat O's is located on 718 St. Peter and offers a variety of drinks and menu items. The Hurricane, which is the main drink of New Orleans, is made with Hurricane mix and a hearty dose of rum. It's not for the light drinker or the faint of heart. Pat O'Brien's has a lovely outdoor courtyard and great service as well, so it's the perfect place to relax at night. To find out about other drinks and special events, visit http://www.patobriens.com/home.html.

New Orleans offers a wild variety of activities for all visitors, though the over-21 crowd will have a much different experience than younger guests. The above tours and activities are just a few of my favorite places to check out while traveling. So go out and have fun!