Thanksgiving in New Orleans

Nearly 75 percent of Tulane’s undergraduates come to New Orleans from a home more than 500 miles away, which only speaks to the school’s magnetic draw. The statistic admittedly looks fantastic printed on admissions brochures, but what it also means — and what’s not as advertised — is that it’s impossible for everyone to get home for Thanksgiving break.

So here you are, a proud Green Wave whose parents didn’t buy them a ticket back home for vacation. But don’t despair, this isn’t one of the greatest college towns for nothing. Embrace the charm of the city, and take advantage of your days off.

Food
With Bruff closed Nov. 25-28, you’ll have to live without Akoo for a few days. This is probably for the best, though, because most historians question the presence of “Thriller” and “Never Gonna Give You Up” during a celebration of the pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving dinner. While Bruff is offering a Thanksgiving meal Nov. 24, try to use the break as a reason to eat off campus and sample some of the amazing cuisine of the city. Since everyday is a feast here anyway, there’ll be no shortage of fantastic food.

Ralph’s on the Park
For a classy, traditional Thanksgiving dinner, try Ralph’s on the Park. Located across the street from City Park, Ralph’s is serving a holiday meal featuring grilled filet mignon, herb paneed veal with jumbo lump crabmeat, roasted turkey or roasted duck. All entrees are served with a choice of appetizer and a dessert. Though it may be a little pricey, the Creole and Cajun cuisine combined with a serene setting among the oaks and Spanish moss is wonderfully unique. Reservations are suggested, but aren’t required.

Café Giovanni
From 12 - 3 p.m. visit Giovanni’s for a delicious Turkey Day buffet. Moist and flavorful turkey, a hot pasta bar, shrimp and mirliton dressing, stuffing, mini cheesecakes, petit fours and cannolis are some of the delicacies you can sample and enjoy. For $45, you’re guaranteed an amazing, personalized meal from Chef Duke. If it’s a little difficult to justify the cost of this meal, just remember you’ll be so satisfied for days to come that you won’t need to buy food for a while after this Thanksgiving feast.

Make it Yourself
Organize with other orphans for the holiday break and cook your own meal. Before everyone ships out, talk with the resident advisers in your building and see if your dorm is sponsoring any Thanksgiving dinners. Students in Josephine Louise Hall, for example, are planning to cook their own meal. If your dorm isn’t doing anything, potluck with friends in the park. And if you can’t pull off a turkey, be creative; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pasta and pizza are just a few alternatives any student can make.

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To Do
With finals looming a few weeks away, you deserve to treat yourself to a couple of days of school-free fun.

Fairgrounds Race Track
Get about as far out of the Tulane bubble as possible, and spend Thanksgiving celebrating the opening day of the horse race track at the fairgrounds. Take the streetcar or ride your bike to the track and enjoy a day outside with great food, a large betting purse and a scene that’s like nothing you’ve seen around campus.

Take a Bike Tour of the City
Pending the fickle weather in this city, pack a camera, some water and a few dollars, grab a friend — or go solo if you’re craving independence — and embark on a bike trip around the city. There’s no more satisfying way to see our city than on a bicycle. As long as you stay in safe areas, you’ll learn more about the nuances of New Orleans by cycling around aimlessly than you ever can in a car or through a textbook. Start on Magazine Street; explore the French Quarter; end up in the Marigny. Or head towards City Park and make the Lakeshore your ultimate destination. Make it a “left-turn only” trip or traverse a neighborhood. Regardless of your route, don’t be afraid to explore and take advantage of your spontaneity.

Speak Some Spoken Word
Spend your Wednesday night at the Yellow Moon Bar in the Bywater doing something that all college students need to experience: a poetry and spoken word night. This free event is hosted by pianist Loren Murrell and features a jumble of local poets. It’s an open-mic format, so you’re more than welcome to compose a piece about the period of loneliness your parents sentenced you to by not buying you a ticket home for the holiday, or you can just bask in the exotic literary talent of the city. Readings start at 9 p.m. and there’s a potluck dinner.

Thanksgiving Zydeco with Geno Delafose
Rock ‘n’ Bowl is the place to be this Thanksgiving evening. As your body succumbs to serotonin-induced fatigue, there’s no better way to jazz it back up than by a classic game of bowling and some peppy zydeco. Musician Geno Delafose is a New Orleans favorite and will make this night sweet and memorable.