Looking to go to New Orleans in July!

[Planogirl]

I think we'll sneak away for a long weekend sometime during the month. We're originally from Houston so the heat shouldn't bother us.

Any thoughts, ideas? I might delay the trip until August if I discover anything special going on. Also, is there anything I should know about how Katrina is still effecting the city? I thought that we'd try to stay in Gretna. It'll be me and a young teen boy and DH if he can get away. The kid is curious to see more of New Orleans (he's only been once just before Katrina) and the area so I'm ready to wander. We're driving down so we'll have a car.

I'd appreciate any input.

[Ms Marigny]

Glad you're coming to visit!

As long as the heat won't bother you, you're good! We stayed in Houston for six weeks after Katrina, and I want to say it was even hotter there than New Orleans! I didn't think that was possible! :laughing:

Anyways, I'm dorky and LOVE going on tours, so of course I suggest going on plantation tours (Oak Alley and Laura are good, not too far away), a cemetery tour, and of course the Haunted History tour is lots of fun too. We also have a very nice zoo, aquarium, and the Insectarium which is just opening in June.

Gretna isn't too far away, but is across the river, so you'd have to cross the Miss. River Bridge to get to New Orleans and pay a toll. Certainly doable, but it is a little further from the touristy stuff than you may want to be. My SIL lives in Gretna, and it takes about 15-20 minutes to get to her house to give you a point of reference (I'm not too far from the touristy stuff).

As far as how Katrina still affecting things goes, the areas that were hit hard still look like hell. :( That's about as blunt as I can be. You won't see it unless you go into those areas specifically, and you may want to just to see these things for yourself (it is depressing though). The area I live in flooded, but is recovering a little better than other areas.

I can't think of much else at the moment- I haven't had my coffee yet (:scared1: ), but feel free to ask any more questions!

[Planogirl]

Thanks for the response.

I'm still mulling Gretna. The reason though is that DH gets free nights at a certain chain and the downtown version charges some unbelievable rate just for parking. And of course Gretna's location doesn't. Plus it looks easy to get to River Road from there. Do you recall how much the toll is?

I was considering the plantations. I've never been to San Francisco. How is that one? And is Laura rebuilt from the fire it suffered? I have seen Oak Alley and Destrehan and some further away.

Insectarium? Ewwwww... DS would love it though. I thought about the aquarium and the Natchez and maybe a cemetary tour. We tried a ghost tour the last time - I don't recall which but I don't think it was the Haunted History tour. If I remember it right, the guides for that one wear costumes don't they? Also, we might visit the Cabildo and Presbytere - I know that one is better than the other but I can't recall which one.

Also, do you know if the street car is going regularly?

[Ms Marigny]

The Miss. River bridge toll is $1.00. The drive from Gretna really isn't bad- just go over the bridge onto I-10 and then take the Camp St exit into the CBD and you're practically in the French Quarter.

San Francisco is a good one- very interesting architecturally. Laura fortunately has been rebuilt since the fire- this tour is great because it give an interesting historical perspective. Houmas House is also a great tour- this home was acquired fairly recently by a new owner and renovated. The grounds and gardens there are absolutely beautiful. The movie "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte" was filmed at Houmas House (just a little trivia for you).

We're so excited about the new Insectarium! We've been waiting years for it to open (Katrina delayed the opening quite a bit). DH and I are bug fans and are going to a member preview next week. :rotfl: I'll have to post a review!

Yes, the Haunted History tour guides wear costumes. And the Cabildo usually has more exhibits available for touring than the Presbytere.

The St Charles streetcar is now running the length of St Charles- I don't believe it is running down South Carrollton yet. The Canal St streetcar is also running- you could take the Canal streetcar to City Park and visit the New Orleans Museum of Art & Sculpture Garden as well.

[Planogirl]

I've never been to City Park except for a quick drive-by. Thanks for the idea!

I did visit Houmas House! But it's been years. We also checked out Nottoway on that trip which was gorgeous and Tezcuco which I understand burned down. I hate to hear about these things so I'm glad that Laura rebuilt.

[JLTraveling]

Jumping in to contribute my two cents on staying in Gretna to save on parking. The problem is that you'll then have to park once you get into the city. Street parking in the Quarter is hit or miss, and is limited to 2 hours. More than likely you'll end up in a paid lot, which could easily be more than whatever the downtown hotel charges. Traffic can also can be nightmare on that stretch, depending on the time of day.

If you do drive in, pay very close attention to parking signs, both on the street and in lots. A good friend got towed once and had her car booted once, within a week of each other!

My advice: stay at the downtown hotel, walk and take public transportation everywhere you want to go except the plantations. Plantation tours w/ bus transportation are expensive, but if you drive, admission is cheap.

Have fun!

[Planogirl]

Parking at the downtown hotel is quoted as $23 a day plus 9% tax. I find that outlandish. But I'll look further into the parking issue before I decide.

I will definitely drive along the River Road. I really enjoy it (except for the ugly refineries) but I love the little towns and sites and I'm always trying to spot the trees that give away possible plantation sites. Great stuff and we'll definitely spend at least part of a day in that area.

[lucas]

Just wanted to say that I'll be in New Orleans in a few weeks. Can't wait! We are going to my brother's wedding but will still have time to do some sightseeing and best of all - hit some of our favorite restaurants! (We'll be staying at my parents house and have them to drive us around.) :thumbsup2

[Loverly]

My 2 cents-no way would I stay in gretna-no way. The cost of parking in the city will come to the same as your hotel parking.
If the downtown version of his hotel is right in the thick of things-I'd stay there-driving in from Gretna is a hassle.
It's especially nice at night, if you have been drinking and partying to just walk back to your hotel.

[arminnie]

If you stay in Gretna you could park your car for free along St. Charles Avenue and take the streetcar in. It's $1.25 per person - no change but they take dollar bills.

I live near Napoleon and St. Charles. Parking is pretty easy along here. On the lake side I would not go more than a block off St. Charles to park.

Magazine is also a fun street to wander down.

[Ms Marigny]

If you stay in Gretna you could park your car for free along St. Charles Avenue and take the streetcar in. It's $1.25 per person - no change but they take dollar bills.

I live near Napoleon and St. Charles. Parking is pretty easy along here. On the lake side I would not go more than a block off St. Charles to park.

Magazine is also a fun street to wander down.

Excellent suggestion. Whenever I go downtown, I take the Canal streetcar (which is close to where I live) to avoid the parking fees.

Also, I just learned that on June 22, the St Charles streetcar will be running to the end of the line (Carrollton & Claiborne) for the first time since Katrina. :woohoo: The Grand Celebration will be June 28.

[Planogirl]

Excellent suggestion. Whenever I go downtown, I take the Canal streetcar (which is close to where I live) to avoid the parking fees.

Also, I just learned that on June 22, the St Charles streetcar will be running to the end of the line (Carrollton & Claiborne) for the first time since Katrina. :woohoo: The Grand Celebration will be June 28.
That is cool! I'd like to ride the thing all the way down if we have time.

Is it pretty clear where it's OK to park along St Charles? I appreciate that suggestion particularly if the quarter is busy.

I'm still waiting to see when I can get off of work before I commit though. I'm considering west of town along I-10 too. I need to decide soon. ;)

[arminnie]

Is it pretty clear where it's OK to park along St Charles? I appreciate that suggestion particularly if the quarter is busy.

I would park outside of Lee Circle but probably not by Audubon Park/Tulane/Loyola. It is very crowded in those areas.

I am looking out my window onto Constantinople right now (about noon) - lots of empty parking places on the street - 1 block off St. Charles and there is a street car stop right there.

I think there is pretty good signage about where not to park. I HATE driving into the quarter.

I was on the West Bank (Gretna) yesterday. I use the Tchoupitoulas entry and exit ramps.

[Planogirl]

I am looking out my window onto Constantinople right now (about noon) - lots of empty parking places on the street - 1 block off St. Charles and there is a street car stop right there.

Can I tell you how heavenly that sounds? There's something special about that city.

Thanks for the advice. Whether we end up in Gretna or somewhere west of town, this will be very useful. :thumbsup2

[thumbalyna]

we would like to make a trip to New Orleans -- have been talking about it prior to Katrina --- the only problem now is i am afraid of what would be said to me if i went into a bar and was carded.

my name is Katrina and my b-day is August 29th

i am sure anything said would just be in joking but i am not sure how much i can take.

i work for a national insurance company in the call center and even when people call in til this day when i say my name comments are made about it

i know i am being paranoid --- maybe i will just wait and go down for mardi gras.

[Muffin]

my name is Katrina and my b-day is August 29th
:eek:

My best friend's niece is named Catrina and her birthday is 8/29 and we all live in New Orleans. She gets a lot of attention for it and it's all good attention believe it or not. A lot of people around here got Katrina themed tattoos afterward.

Please come for a visit. New Orleans misses her tourists.

[shovan]

we would like to make a trip to New Orleans -- have been talking about it prior to Katrina --- the only problem now is i am afraid of what would be said to me if i went into a bar and was carded.

my name is Katrina and my b-day is August 29th

i am sure anything said would just be in joking but i am not sure how much i can take.

i work for a national insurance company in the call center and even when people call in til this day when i say my name comments are made about it

i know i am being paranoid --- maybe i will just wait and go down for mardi gras.


Well, as long as you meet the age requirement, you be fine but will get some jokes! But in New Orleans, it's all good! I really don't think anyone who notices is going to give you a hard time, they will probably comment but it would just be all in fun! Hope you decide to come visit us! You really won't believe our friendly we all are!