Loacal Opinions -- planning a trip to New Orleans

[Jahya]

My g/f and I are planning a trip to New Orleans August 1 - 4 and I was hoping some of the locals could clue me in on some places to go besides the usual tourist traps. We'll be staying at the Pontchartrain Hotel and will have a rental car.

Names/locations of some places to do the following would be really appreciated:

Shopping (especially local specialty shops -- voodoo, witchcraft, gothic, headshops, etc)
Swimming/Beaches/Water Parks
Bars & other drinkning establiments
Good Vampire/Haunted Tours

Also am trying to find out about The Sanctuary(??)... open midnight til 6 am or something like that.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[NuclearSmegma]

I work with 2 guys who grew up there - I'll ask them tomorrow and get back to you.

 

[Jahya]

*BuMp*

I found out about The Sanctuary which is actually The Dungeon but I am still looking for any other info the locals can provide