40th bday trip to Nola help

[mtquinn]

Yes, the big 4-0 is coming in October. I have never been to Nola and decided that is where I want to go with my friends...girls trip!

My sister-in-law loves the Royal Sonesta hotel. Has anyone stayed there? How was it?

Is October a good month to go weather-wise? I have teacher friends, and August would be ideal for them, but I think the heat may be unbearable.

Any advice on good places to go at night for drinks would be great, as well as other general advice or opinions. Thanks!

 

[SnowWhite607]

well, you never know about October, it can be hot still or chilly, most likely still warm but not oppressive like July or August.

Get beignets at Cafe du Monde

Walk around St Louis Cathedral and see the streets artists and musicians. You can even get your portrait painted!

The patio at Pat O Briens is a perfect place to unwind with a drink (or 2!)

Of course a stroll down Bourbon Street is a must do

Royal Sonesta

Remember that October is during hurricane season although we rarely get a storm that late in the season. Bring a rain jacket though or an umbrella.

We also have the zoo, the aquarium, the D Day museum, a riverboat ride between the zoo and aquarium, the Riverwalk has lots of shops and restaurants, the French Market (kind of like a flea market) for crafty things and sometimes fresh fruits and veggies.

You can do a horse and buggy ride thru the French Quarter.....oh, and ride the street car down St Charles Avenue.

Happy Birthday and I hope you enjoy it here!!

 

[LoraJ]

I really have enjoyed my stays at the Royal Sonesta.
Just note, it can be loud at night with all of the activities out on Bourbon. But if you get a courtyard room, it should be quiet. But it's the same case at just about any NO hotel in the quarter.

 

[TallyTutter]

New Orleans & October are made for each other!! If you could manage to be there for Halloween that would be even better!! Bourbon Street really rocks on Halloween!

My husband & I honeymooned in NO, we stayed at the Bourbon Orleans. When our 4 nights was up we didn't want to leave so we found a small guest house on Bourbon Street called Bon Maison and stayed another 4 days. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Bon Maison!! It's right on Bourbon Street and prices start around $135 with a kitchenette. No smoking (in rooms) & no children allowed.

 

[mtquinn]

well, you never know about October, it can be hot still or chilly, most likely still warm but not oppressive like July or August.

Get beignets at Cafe du Monde

Walk around St Louis Cathedral and see the streets artists and musicians. You can even get your portrait painted!

The patio at Pat O Briens is a perfect place to unwind with a drink (or 2!)

Of course a stroll down Bourbon Street is a must do

Royal Sonesta

Remember that October is during hurricane season although we rarely get a storm that late in the season. Bring a rain jacket though or an umbrella.

We also have the zoo, the aquarium, the D Day museum, a riverboat ride between the zoo and aquarium, the Riverwalk has lots of shops and restaurants, the French Market (kind of like a flea market) for crafty things and sometimes fresh fruits and veggies.

You can do a horse and buggy ride thru the French Quarter.....oh, and ride the street car down St Charles Avenue.

Happy Birthday and I hope you enjoy it here!!

so, would you say it's better, or "safer" to go in August to insure warm weather? i don't mind temps in the 70's in Oct, but my traveling gals like warm weather. they think, coming from philly, that spending money to travel to a warm-weather destination and NOT getting said warm weather is just short of a crime.

 

[Planogirl]

The Royal Sonesta is nice but New Orleans is blessed with many great hotels. And restaurants! Eating out is a joy in NOLA.

Just don't expect a lot of peace and quiet in the evenings so you won't be shocked if there is some noise. If it is quiet so much the better.

Definitely go to Pat O'briens for drinks. An interesting place is the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel. There's also a Margaritaville in the French Market if you will have any parrot heads with you.

It can be fun to take a haunted tour (I like http://www.hauntedhistorytours.com/ ) and seeing St Louis Cemetery #1 is a must-do for many. Never go to the old cemeteries without a guide though!

 

[ilovejack02]

so, would you say it's better, or "safer" to go in August to insure warm weather? i don't mind temps in the 70's in Oct, but my traveling gals like warm weather. they think, coming from philly, that spending money to travel to a warm-weather destination and NOT getting said warm weather is just short of a crime.

New Orleans in Aug is really NOT fun, the humidity is a killer , I just wouldnt do it. Heck I only live an hour away and try to stay away from having to walk the quarter during that time lol. I would at least shoot for late Sept early Oct.

 

[mtquinn]

New Orleans in Aug is really NOT fun, the humidity is a killer , I just wouldnt do it. Heck I only live an hour away and try to stay away from having to walk the quarter during that time lol. I would at least shoot for late Sept early Oct.

that's what i thought. yes, i think we'll stick with Oct for sure. i'd take 70's and little humidity over 90's and tons of it. we get enough moisture up here in august as it is.

thanks for the advice!

 

[AndreaDM]

I just celebrated my 40th there this past Oct.! It was just DH and I, but we had a blast!! The weekend we went it was unseasonably chilly, had been hot just before we got there and got hot again the day we left, so we ended up buying some sweatshirts because we weren't prepared for the cold temps. You HAVE to go to Cat's Meow on Bourbon at least one night, we went 3 nights in a row, lol! The best kareoke ever, the hosts were great, the beers were buy one, get 2 free, we just had a blast there. Had my birthday lunch at Commander's Palace, outstanding! We did lunch instead of dinner because it's so much cheaper AND they have 25 cent martinis for lunch! We stayed at the Greenhoue Inn, a B&B which was beautiful, but next time we'll stay right in the quarter so we're not taking as many taxis and stuff.

HAVE FUN! It's our new favorite city!!

 

[SnowWhite607]

so, would you say it's better, or "safer" to go in August to insure warm weather? i don't mind temps in the 70's in Oct, but my traveling gals like warm weather. they think, coming from philly, that spending money to travel to a warm-weather destination and NOT getting said warm weather is just short of a crime.

Oh no, you'll be fine weather wise. It wont be cold or anything like that. If you come in August, you run a higher risk of tropical activity, as most storms happen in August/September around here. It was a little chilly this past Halloween but I am not sure when in October you would be coming.

 

[SnowWhite607]

Here is a chart that shows the average temps for New Orleans....highs 80, lows 60. Plus you will get a lot less rain in October than in the summer.

http://www.rssweather.com/climate/Louisiana/New Orleans/

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We went for Halloween a few years ago and it was warm. Not unbearable but definitely warm! It was SOOOOO much fun! We had read online that people dressed in costume but actually went out in street clothes and realized that we were drastically underdressed and headed back over to our hotel to change into costumes!

I have stayed in the Quarter and outside the Quarter (Royal Sonesta is really nice btw) and prefer to stay outside the Quarter. My favorite was the Sheraton. It's at 500 Canal so it's RIGHT outside the Quarter but far enough away to be quiet at night. The Wyndham Riverfront is also very nice but it's a little walk to the Quarter.

 

[opus_00]

I was born and raised in NOLA. Lived there for 37 years until moving to Houston 4 years ago for work. October and April were always my favorite months weather-wise in New Orleans. October is really when the season changes there. The weather may be warm or cool in October, but it is rare that you have to deal with oppressive heat like in June, July, or August. Go for it!

Sorry that I can't be a lot of help as far as places to go for drinks. I'm not much of a bar person. Pat O'Briens is certainly the big tourist draw for a bar and music atmosphere (my husband even loves it, and he was born and raised there, too). There are so many wonderful restaurants that I don't even know where to start. The Gumbo Shop is one of our favorites, so I would highly recommend you try to make it there.

Happy Birthday, and have a wonderful time!

 

[ShannonMB]

What a great idea for a 40th! I'm turning 39 in 9 days, so maybe I should start planning a little trip for my 40th next year!!! I have been to NO several times, but all before my 9 year old daughter was born, so it's been awhile! I keep telling myself I need to get back down there and rediscover that feeling the place gives me. I think you might have just inspired my excuse!

Have a GREAT time on your trip. I don't see how you could NOT!!!