MNF Guide: New Orleans

This weeks Monday Night Football Game takes us to New Orleans, where Drew Brees and the Saints host Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.  This is a big divisional game.  While New Orleans is undefeated, they have yet to face an NFC South opponent.  A win in this one should mean a clear path to the division title.  Atlanta is the only team close in the division (4-2) and a victory will put them 3 games up, including a head-to-head victory.  Still, I expect Matt Ryan to play a hard, tough game, and keep the ball out of the New Orleans offensive hands and make a good game out of it.  Here is a Look at New Orleans and the Superdome.

Capacity: 65,000

City Guide: New Orleans is famous as a party town, and for good reason. No matter what day or what time it is, there are always people partying in the Big Easy. New Orleans is home to the Saints of the NFL, who play at the Superdome downtown. The dome hosts the Sugar Bowl each year, and is also a frequent host to the Super Bowland Final Four. The NBA's Hornets play at New Orleans Arena, adjacent to the Superdome. New Orleans is fairly compact, with the airport about 15 miles west. As for expenses, it is not so much the prices but the excess that make the town slightly expensive; even cheap food and beer becomes pricey when consumed in large quantities. Hotels in New Orleans are no more expensive than in other cities (for normal weekends, ie, not Super Bowl or Final Four), and there are plenty of hotels to choose from.  

History: The Superdome, opened in August 1975, is the largest indoor facility in the country for football and with its 20,000 tons of structural steel is the biggest steel-constructed venue. Besides its sheer enormity it might not be much to look at, but, remember, you're only a mile from the French Quarter. The Saints Hall of Fame (415 Williams Blvd., in the Rivertown section of Kenner, La., west of New Orleans, Web site), honors the team with busts and paintings of the 33 inductees, exhibits, memorabilia and videos. The hall really is quite impressive, especially considering the team has never reached the Super Bowl. Close to $140 million was spent to repair damages to the Superdome suffered in August 2005 during Hurricane Katrina; nearly 30,000 people reportedly took refuge in the building following the hurricane.

Parking: The Superdome has a garage attached with paid parking available. For more information, call (504) 587-3805. Tailgating in New Orleans is good but not spectacular, mainly as a result of the hundreds of bars within walking distance of the Superdome. But there are still plenty of diehard tailgaters at Saints games. The main tailgating area is the roof of the parking garage next to the dome. The Superdome has rules prohibiting open fires, but people manage to grill anyway. There is an organized tailgate party, featuring live music. You can bring your own beer or buy it there.

Restaurants/Bars:

Acme Oyster House - Located half a block off Bourbon St, the Acme Oyster House gets very high marks for its raw oysters ($6.95/doz), jambalaya, and other entrees ($7-$15). There is usually a wait outside, but its worth it. Don't miss this place.

Mothers - Mothers has great Cajun cuisine, including breakfast. Po' Boys run $4-$9, and entrees run $10-$18. Located a few blocks from Canal Street, near Riverwalk.

Mr. B's Bistro - Mr. B's is a moderately priced restaurant that serves up authentic Cajun food and also features live music. Located a block from Bourbon Street.
Kerry Irish Pub - Kerry's is a small Irish bar with live music and no cover charge. Relax to some good music and a pint of Guiness.

Other Attractions: The French Quarter is full of shops, in addition to bars that never close. There is a D-Day Museum and a Marti-Gras Museum in town, and the Aquarium and IMAX theater are on the river just outside the Quarter.  The Riverwalk, on the Mississippi at the end of Canal Street, is full of shops and restaurants. Jazzland Theme Park is also nearby. Or, if you want to drink all day, just walk up and down Bourbon Street with a beer in your hand.