PSP Expo Senior Conference Manager Brandi McElhaney has a secret advantage when it comes to this year's Expo: she grew up in N'awlins. For those new to the Crescent City, she compiled this list of favorite sights, savors and sounds — consider this your guide to an awesome time.
Taste NOLA
Café du Monde
1. Café du Monde
Open 24 hours, so this is a great place to end an evening. Wear white so the beignets' powdered sugar blends in with your clothes.
2. Casamento's
Serving oyster sandwiches and specialties for over 90 years.
3. Cooter Brown's
Over 400 beers and the best cheese fries you'll ever taste!
4. Deanie's Seafood
A personal favorite. Great gumbo and crabmeat au gratin.
Cooter Brown's
5. Desi Vega's Steakhouse
Sizzilin' steaks — Desi was groomed by culinary experts including Emeril Lagasse.
6. Drago's Seafood
Famous charbroiled oysters.
7. Gumbo Shop
Award-winning gumbo!
8. Jacques Imo's
Feeling adventurous? Try the alligator cheesecake.
9. Mother's Restaurant
Down-home Southern fare since 1938.
Little Gem Saloon
10. Mulate's
Zydeco music paired with a delicious barbeque shrimp po-boy. Walking distance from the show.
11. Palace Café
Contemporary Creole food in an upbeat and lively grand café.
12. Port of Call
Stop in for a late night burger. Beware of the Monsoon, a fantastic rum-based concoction.
Maple Leaf Bar
13. Tommy's Cuisine
With more than a decade of rich New Orleans history, this elegant stop attracts several famous faces.
Hear NOLA
1. Funky 544
Dance the night away with live rhythm and blues.
2. Famous Door
Live music in the heart of the French Quarter.
French Market
3. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
Beer and frozen drinks since the 1700s and live piano.
4. Little Gem Saloon
An intimate space to honor the city's jazz roots.
5. Maple Leaf Bar
Where local up-and-comers play new material.
See NOLA
Steamboat Natchez Boat Ride
1. French Market
Flea market shopping and food.
2. Frenchmen Art Market
Local handmade goods and jewelry for sale on weekend evenings.
3. Jackson Square
Weekend street performers and art, near Café du Monde.
4. Riverwalk New Orleans Shopping
Outlet shopping right by the convention center.
5. Steamboat Natchez Boat Ride
Enjoy New Orleans hospitality, steamboat style!
Home Away From Home
Looking for a place to stay during the show? Check out these official show hotels, which you can book through the show website: poolspapatio.com. 1. New Orleans Marriott | 555 Canal Street 2. Astor Crowne Plaza | 739 Canal St. @ Bourbon 3. Courtyard New Orleans Convention Center by Marriott | 300 Julia Street 4. Doubletree by Hilton New Orleans | 300 Canal Street 5. Embassy Suites New Orleans – Convention Center | 315 Julia Street 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Convention Center New Orleans | 1201 Convention Center Blvd 7. Hilton New Orleans Riverside | 2 Poydras Street 8. Hotel Le Marais | 717 Conti Street 9. Hyatt Place New Orleans Convention Center | 881 Convention Center Blvd. 10. Le Meridien New Orleans | 333 Poydras Street 11. Loews New Orleans Hotel | 300 Poydras Street 12. New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center | 859 Convention Center Blvd. 13. Omni Riverfront New Orleans | 701 Convention Center Blvd. 14. Royal Sonesta Hotel | 300 Bourbon Street 15. Sheraton New Orleans | 500 Canal Street 16. SpringHill Suites New Orleans Convention Center by Marriott | 301 St. Joseph Street |
