Turkey Legs to Go is FanHouse's complete travel guide for all of the 2008-2009 college bowl games. Here, we cover the Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, Louisiana), which pits Utah against Alabama.Overview/Matchup: Say what you want about Utah deserving to be in the BCS (and you might be correct) but they didn't do anything so wrong as to deserve a game at the hands of an angry and previously undefeated Alabama team. Nick Saban probably knows there is no real shot for the Crimson Tide to win the national title, but he won't let them overlook the Utes in this BCS affair, and if it's anything short of a blowout, it would be a tremendous surprise.
Hotels: The stadium is close enough to the center of New Orleans that you could stay anywhere in the French Quarter or central downtown and only be a short cab ride away. The Omni Royal Orleans Hotel features a rooftop pool that's open year round. Even if you're not much of a swimmer, the views are worth a trip topside. The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is located just across from the Harrah's and the Riverwalk Festival Marketplace. It offers the best all around value for bowl travelers. Budget-minded fans should consider the Chateau Dupre French Quarter. The Chateau has nice accommodations for the price and is adjacent to the House of Blues.
Restaurants: Our only advice about visiting New Orleans... eat, eat and eat some more. New Orleans is one of the only cities in America with a truly unique blend of cultures and cuisines you can't find anywhere else in the world. Bon Ton Café serves great Creole food, specifically crab, crawfish, redfish and bread pudding. Brennan's Restaurant is a New Orleans landmark. The trout Almandine and shrimp Sardou are particularly superb. For dessert the Bananas foster is a must. For lunch, try a muffuletta at Central Grocery. They're spectacular and a half sandwich is more than enough for one person.
Nightlife: As for drinking, if you want a little southern decadence enjoy a cool cocktail on the porch at Columns Hotel. If it's a rowdier time you're after, head straight for Pat O'Brien's. Supposedly the New Orleans landmark sells more rum than any other bar in the world. And, of course, there's always something to do if you just wander around Bourbon Street.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-02-2009 @ 6:12AM
Unforgivable Wetness said...
Strip Clubs: While New Orleans rivals Las Vegas as the most decadent city in the country, the strip club scene is no contest: The Big Easy lacks when it comes to atmosphere, attractiveness of the girls, or lapdance contact. With ordinary women willing to flash for beads, there is little incentive for anyone to pay jacked-up cover charges and drink prices for the same thing. In the French Quarter,p robably your best bet is Temptations, although all the clubs there are topless and (obviously) serve alcohol. If you have a car, however, you might want to try out Visions, which is close to I-10. Be forewarned -- places outside of the Quarter were dangerous even before Hurricane Katrina crippled the town.
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