Top 5 Super Bowl XLVII sights to see

Super Bowl XLVII is coming February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana, but other than going to the biggest sporting event in the United States. There are five things you have to do before you take your seat at the big game. However whether you are going to Super Bowl XLVII or just watching it on CBS, New Orleans, LA has a lot to offer. Some would say too much for a top five, but these are the top five Super Bowl XLVII sights to see.

5. Audubon Zoo and the Aquarium of the Americas

Whether you have children or not, the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium of the Americas is awesome. The Zoo covers 58 acres, over 2,000 animals. They have just about every animal you could think of including gorillas, orangutans, white tigers, albino alligators, elephants, leopards, Komodo Dragons, lions, you name it. Then you have the Aquarium of the Americas. The aquarium holds over 10,000 animals with notable exhibits including the Caribbean, Amazon, Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. It is also at the edge of French Quarter off Canal Street, which is walking distance from the hotels in the Quarter if you plan on staying in that area. Whether you go to the Zoo or Aquarium, it’s highly recommended.

4. Kiss an Alligator

Whenever you go near Cajun country, the opportunity to see an alligator, pet an alligator and even eat an alligator is easily done, but if you want to break from the mold. You have to kiss an alligator. Now I’m not sanctioning you to go out on an alligator tour, jump out of the boat and pucker up, but there are many reputable alligator farms that you can convince to let you do it safely. If that fails, you can even go to a fake alligator and take a picture kissing it. No one will tell the difference and you’ll have a story to tell either way.

3. Plantations

It doesn’t cross people’s minds to visit the many plantations that surround New Orleans, LA, but if you get a chance to visit. It’s a must see no matter how young or old. Whether it’s The Myrtles, Oak Alley, San Francisco, Belle Alliance, Madewood and Nottoway are some of the largest and jaw-dropping plantations near New Orleans. Stepping onto a plantation is equivalent to going into a time machine and basking in the ambiance of the old south. Many of the plantations have tours, restaurants and places to just get a drink if that’s your cup of tea. However all you need to know is that seeing a plantation in New Orleans is something you’ll never forget.

2. Garden District

Everybody goes to the French Quarter and there is nothing wrong with that, but the Garden District is very much underrated. The area was developed between 1832-1900 and is considered one of the most preserved historic southern mansions in the United States. The reason for that anomaly is because the Garden District was built by the wealthy residents of New Orleans that didn’t want to live in the French Quarter anymore. That wealth is reflected in the architecture, but that doesn’t mean the people who inhabit the Garden District are snotty. You’ll find just as many restaurants to frequent in the Garden District as the French Quarter, but without all of the hustle and bustle.  It’s for the tourists that want to enjoy their time and sit back enjoying the scenery

1. French Quarter

The French Quarter is a love hate relationship with the locals in New Orleans. Locals love it as a historic part of the city, but hate it, because it’s sometimes the only place tourists go to. You will not see everything there is to see in New Orleans on one trip, but there is a reason the Quarter is where every tourist goes to. The restaurants in the Quarter are some of the best in the city, but don’t be fooled by every place you go. However I’ll make it easy for you as someone who has visited New Orleans numerous times since my childhood.

The Quarter deserves its own top 5 things to do and I’m going to give them to you.

5. Stay at the Hotel Provincial on Chartres Street

The Hotel Provincial is smack dab in near the middle of the Quarter and is walking distance from everything. The room prices are more reasonable than the other hotels and the biggest benefit is its privacy. It’s designed in such a way that you can actually find some privacy to rest after a long day hitting the block. Other amenities include a pool and a restaurant. It’s the biggest steal of a hotel in the Quarter and that’s why if you’re staying, you have to stay there.

4. The best beignets are at Café Du Monde

Café Du Monde is a little generic, but the beignets are just that good. It’s busy morning, noon and night. So drop in anytime and get an order with Café au lait or whatever drink you prefer. I will warn you though, they are addicting and you’ll probably come back two, three, even four times before you leave. It’s just that good.

3. The best Po Boys are at Johnny’s Po Boys

Every Po Boy joint in the Quarter has that special New Orleans style French bread that is crispy, yet chewy, yet pillowy, but Johnny’s Po Boys is the best. No offense to the Po Boy shops in the Quarter, but some of them don’t know how to make a good Roast Beef Po Boy. Johnny’s Po Boys do it right with meat that is melt in your mouth good. The other benefit to Johnny’s is the price. Some Po Boy shops sell their Po Boys for as much as 18 dollars. Johnny’s Po Boys are at most 10 dollars and 10 dollars for one Po Boy is a cheap for the prices in the Quarter.

2. The best Gumbo is at Red Gravy

You’ll find many places in the French Quarter that make good gumbo and just as many that don’t. Red Gravy is the place that does it the right way. Don’t let Red Gravy throw you off, because it’s an Italian restaurant, but the Gumbo is the best in the city. Red Gravy is also technically not in the French Quarter, but the Central Business District. However Red Gravy is only a few blocks away from the Quarter and is worth it.

1. Bourbon Street

If you go to the Quarter, you have to walk down Bourbon Street. Don’t bring your kids, but expect to have a good time. Bar hop, check out the sights and keep an open mind. You never know what you might see or experience, but if you’ve come to party. Bourbon Street is the place to be. Just don’t go there the night before the game, because you may be indisposed at kickoff, but after the game that’s where you everyone will be.

These are my top 5 things to do in New Orleans, LA if you’re planning on going to Super Bowl XLVII, but the best advice I can give you is to take these top 5 activities as suggestions. There is more to New Orleans than just the 5 things and that is why if you have an opportunity, go explore the city. Make your visit your own special experience and the Super Bowl will just be the icing on the cake.

James Cobern is a Featured Journalist for TPF and can be contacted at JCobern@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com.