What to do in New Orleans before the Rock N' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon?

I arrive this Friday in New Orleans approximately around 4:00 pm. I have all of Saturday to explore New Orleans then on Sunday I'll run it during the Rock n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon. My Team in Training rriends have some  things planned out for a pre race dinner but I don't know the plan.

Other friends told me try Hurricane drinks after the race and have breakfast at Cafe Du Monde. I have to hit up the expo Saturday some time as well. I promised my Dad told that I would have lunch at Mr B.'s Bristro. Can anyone tell me what else to look at or travel too? Is there anything else to do besides eating and drinking?  I'll be staying at the Holiday Inn French Quarter. I want to come back with a lot of pictures.

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Working on my RnR Mardi Gras Marathon Expo Wish List

This Saturday is my 29th birthday. When I'm visiting New Orleans I'll be at the Rock n' Roll Mardi Gras Race Expo picking up my bib & chip. At the expo there will be all sorts of vendors with good deals on running gear. Since it's my birthday I want to pick up some birthday presents. I have a wish list I'm going to hit.

New Sunglasses
I lost my sunglasses I bought at Illinois Marathon last year. I need a new pair.

Compression Socks
Something to help with recovery. I want them for the long plane ride home on Monday.

T-Shirt for Grandma
I love my Granny and she get's a kick when I get her a shirt from one of my races.

Nice technical shirt from the race for me
If the race gives me a cotton shirt I want a running type shirt to wear.

Gus or Power Bar Gels for Race Day
That extra boost of energy during the race.

Patch from Race
I collect patches from races that sell them.

Water bottle for fuel belt
One of my caps and bottles were destroyed on my 20 mile run. I need to replace it.

Rock n Roll Mardi Gras 2 weeks away...Oh crud I have to get ready

The Rock n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon, My seventh marathon, is less then 2 weeks away. The one thing I'm not worried about is the race. I finished my twenty miler run last week, I'm in cutback mode now. Today I run for two hours. I feel pretty confident I'll have a good race.

I'm not ready for the vacation side of things. I have to save up a little bit more money for fun in the Big Easy. Have to pay for food, gifts at the expoo, travel to and from the airport, and the party after the race. It all adds up. If any fellow marathon runner is coming into New Orleans International Expo around 12:30pm Friday February 26 and is going to the French Quarter Area and need transportation too, please contact me. We can set something up.

Plus stupid me is leaving the day after the marathon. Don't remember what I was thinking when I booked my trip. I hope I'll be able to extend my day vacation by one day.