What I'd like to request is suggestions for some place air-conditioned to go during the day. Is there a zoo? A historical museum? A street with lots of air-conditioned shops?

I'm very, very excited about seeing New Orleans, but I need entertainment that would bore Spike. I go to sleep early, I don't drink much, and I hate loud noises. I still had a great time at the Chicago and LA F2Fs, because there were non-decadent amusements.

I'm with Aimee. Let's move on.

There is a very cool zoo, and I have to assume we can track down the rest.

1. Accept that NO is the city, it was chosen.

I passionately support this. We bullshit-consensed that we'd do a non-ranked vote, then we voted. Time to go with it.

What Betsy Said.

I think we should plan to stay inside 'til after dark -- perhaps viewing parties?

Also, it stays cooler on the bayou -- perhaps we could take a field trip and go see gators, nutria and wading birds?

I don't know about the zoo but there is an aquarium that is supposed to be really good -- devoted to fish of the Americas.

My way is not Matt's way (that is, the sleeping during the day thing; Matt himself is aces with me). Not with all the fabulous food, funky shopping and, hell, everything there is to do. I'll be maximizing daytime as well as nighttime hours.

Heather, I love your home. Love it. Only ever been there in July and August, and I am a complete weather wimp, and I loved every second of it. It is fabulous.

ETA: Yes, agreeing with the moving along and starting the fun planning portion of the adventure.

Betsy, The second half of this post has non-decadent stuff . There's also Faulkner house- all the historical buildings, antique and clothing shops. -t and I were going to put a list together of outings and stuff to go with the hotels.

Betsy, I'm sure there are city trolley/buggy/bus tours. There seem to be in most major cities. And prolly cemetary tours as well.

I've never been to NO.

Well, but New Orleans bars are destinations unto themselves. We're talking about places that have been around since the early 19th century. One's even from the 18th century.

It's not like sitting at a sports bar pounding down shooters.

It's sitting at the Napoleon House bar in the late afternoon, with the golden light filtering in and sipping your very refreshing and barely alcoholic Pimm's Cup.

It's taking a drink at the gorgeous old Columns Hotel, and watching the St. Charles Street car rumble by.

It's nibbling on an order of shrimp remoulade at the bar at Arnaud's.