NOLA/Baton Rouge suggestions!

[Sycamore Chins]

A couple friends and I are heading down to New Orleans/Baton Rouge for spring break/vet student symposium. We'll have almost 3 full days before the symposium to get our tourist on.
Any suggestions from those that have been before? What to do, what to eat, where to go, where NOT to go?

We will probably have a day and a half in New Orleans, and a day and a half in Baton Rouge, with one night spent in New Orleans.

Plans so far:
Cafe du Monde (just something 2 of us have to check off our to-do list, i've heard it's hit or miss)
Audubon Zoo/Aquarium
Swamp Tour
Casino/Riverboat in Baton Rouge (we're staying there for 4 nights)

Thanks guys!

 

[Spoof]

Don't know how much driving you want to do but there are a lot of old plantation homes around BTR.

Maps: http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/louisiana/mainmap.htm

Most of the touristy stuff I take people on is around Lafayette (~45 min west of BTR). I usually hit the Tabasco factory/Avery island (my favorite places, been there dozens of times), any festivals in season - there is a never-ending stream of them.

I don't know when your spring break is but the Festival International is worth the drive to Lafayette if you like music.

For the swamp tours, no two are the same. Some are on air boats, some are on paddle or pontoon boats, some are on mud jumpers. Look up several and see if one suits your style. I've been on everything but an air boat.

Definitely hit some of the good old cajun eating places. I don't know of many in BTR because it is more of a modern place, but start heading east or west and you will get into some good cooking. As far as where not to go, BTR/Lafayette/Opelousas is pretty safe, especially if you stay around the college areas. NO can get scary in certain parts and stinks like *** year round in the popular areas. (Burbon Street/Downtown/French Quarter)

Of course, you are always welcome to swing by my place and visit. I've got swamp, good food and chinchillas.