Help needed: budget trip to New Orleans

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Poking for any tips or suggestions for a budget-ish trip to NOLA or any recommends in general. It's been about 10years so I know a lot of my old haunts are probably not the same.

I'm taking somebody who has never been so I have the usually touristy stuff on my list.

Thanks!!

 

[melissalee]

Just watch where you stay. Don't pick a hotel near Tulane ave. As far a budget New Orleans is easy to find low cost food and entertainment. Lots of bars on Frenchman street have great local bands at night. Just don't walk around alone(like any major city) there has been a huge increase in kidnapping and muggings in the quarter.
I love yelp to find new places. New Orleans is my home town and I'm still discovering things. Taking a ride all the way up and down on the street car is cheap. You can get off at Loyola university and there a Audubon park across the street. You can walk around and enjoy the oak trees.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Is the streetcar still as inconsistent as it was when I lived there? Lol. I got a pretty great rate ($125) at the courtyard on St. Charles which is an easy walk to Bourbon st.

Since you're local, is Verti Marte still there? Is it still a little questionable looking but delicious? I loved that place!

 

[melissalee]

I mean almost all public transit is inconsistent. They have been fixing all of the tracks in the past 2 years. Looks like online it's still open. I'm out in California right now as a travel nurse.

 

[Tigerlulu]

We always do the name your own price on Priceline for Nola. It's usually easy to get a rate of $50-75 per night in the business district or warehouse district. Totally within walking distance!
Acme oyster is wonderful but often crowded. I have been going to the Gumbo Shop on St. Peter's for 30 years. Also Fleurty Girl is a fun store to hit up, which is right next door. Around the corner on Royal is Forever New Orleans--another favorite store.
I grew up around there and now live 3 hrs away. We go every chance we get. Look into broadway across America shows--there is usually something playing.
Audubon Park is amazing and we love the zoo!

 

[jeffbear]

Is the streetcar still as inconsistent as it was when I lived there? Lol.

Well ... I go there fairly regularly and it certainly hasn't improved any. Last spring they were working on the lines down St Charles and a lot of the time you had to get off the car and transfer on a bus. Public transport in NOLA is cheap, but it's NEVER going to be reliable.

And as for saving money ... hotels are the big ticket IMO and the rates are so steep for anything in the Frecnh Quarter that I generally recommend that people explore the Central Business District. You can still hoof it to the FQ, but the rates are MUCH better and there are still some old school classic hotels like La Pavillon to go with all the national chain normalness.

 

[NotUrsula]

Time of year has a huge impact on hotel prices in NOLA, and not just for Mardi Gras and the Sugar Bowl these days.

At this time of year, rates are jacked up for Jazz Fest and the Crescent City Classic run. July 4th weekend is the Essence Music Festival, and Labor Day weekend is also now very expensive because of Southern Decadence.

The best time to get the best bang for your buck is early December, when the Papa Noel and Reveillon rates are in effect.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Thanks for all the input and advice!

Late July (when I'll be going) rates seemed pretty great. $125 seemed like a good rate (though I may end up using points and splurging at the ritz lol--not budget at all haha).

I know I may be paying a premium to be in the French quarter but I have no interest in hiking all the way back to the CBD after an evening out. Also with walking everywhere location is worth a premium to me, especially in the summer heat. Otherwise, I fear what I save on hotel will go to here and there cab fare. Plus as for published rates, this was lowest anywhere for the caliber of hotel I was willing to take.

Have you had luck bidding on FQ hotels? I looked at what was available in the 4*+ options and felt like it would be too easy to end up somewhere I didn't want. But I've only bid once in Miami where I knew I'd get the JW or 4 seasons so I'm not exactly seasoned.

I do love Audubon park. Having lived just across the street from there, I have very fond memories