New Orleans Hotels

[DLgeeks]

We just jumped on one of the Magic Sailings out of New Orleans next Feb and I'd like to add a couple of days exploring the city before we get on board. Any recommendations for hotels that are more family friendly (kids will be 10 & 15 so not too little)? Also fun things to do besides eat our weight in beignets and gumbo?

 

[Pixie Dust Believer]

We really enjoyed Le Méridien. It was a few blocks away from the main Canal street. Also do not sleep on their hotel bar food. The best grits we had in New Orleans.

While we did spend a lot of time having delicious drinks and food, we also really enjoyed the museums in New Orleans. They have quite a few.

 

[wabbott]

Our favorite is the Drury on Poydras Street. It's directly on the Carondolet (eastbound) streetcar and one block from the St. Charles (westbound) streetcar. The French Quarter is a 6 block walk (about 10 minutest) from the hotel. If you can do WDW walking, this is a snap. Reasonable prices, and since its not in the middle of the French Quarter it's a bit quieter.

Best Restaurant in NOLA - Commander's Palace
Best to people watch - Desire Oyster Bar on Bourbon
Best desert - Banana's Foster at Brennan's
Best museum - D-Day Museum, world class

 

[butterscotchcollins]

The Hotel Monteleone is one of the most hospitable and welcoming places we’ve ever stayed. It’s our go-to in New Orleans. And the location is perfect because it’s French Quarter but also right by the street car to get into the Garden District.

 

[wabbott]

The Hotel Monteleone is one of the most hospitable and welcoming places we’ve ever stayed. It’s our go-to in New Orleans. And the location is perfect because it’s French Quarter but also right by the street car to get into the Garden District.

I agree. Has a very good onsite bar & restaurant, too.
https://www.criollonola.com/

 

[anjuan]

Definitely recommend Ruby Slipper Cafe for breakfast. They have multiple locations. They had amazing eggs benedict (and very different than typical ones) while my daughter had pancakes that were the best I have ever tried. If you go, make sure to get on their wait list online because they can get busy.

Also, I don't know if you are flying in, but we had a later flight after our cruise. There is a an organization called Advance Check-in at the port that will take your bags to the airport for you so that you can explore the city more. We had tickets to Mardi Gras World which was within easy walking distance of the port on the same street. Afterwards, Mardi Gras World had a free shuttle to downtown that we took. Then we took an Uber to the airport where we met the Advance Check-in staff that had our luggage in a truck. It really made things easy.

Even if you don't have a late flight, Mardi Gras World would be a fun thing to do with kids before the cruise.

 

[Disneyfam854]

Not super close to port but Place d’ Armes is a great stay for a New Orleans trip! Right in Jackson Square. Walking distance to Cafe du Mond, Cafe Beignet, markets, and Gumbo Shop.

 

[Engineman02]

Will you have a vehicle? The zoo is great (especially when the Roman Candyman is there, go for strawberry), but could also take the streetcar if no car, just would be a little walk through Audubon Park to get to the zoo.

 

[FWRR3]

Check out The Higggins at the WWII Museum. Very nice and like new. You can also park in the garage for the cruise but not the cheapest around.

 

[anricat]

Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center is well-priced, clean, comfortable and in an area that felt safe to me. I was there for a solo trip, not a cruise, but I parked in Fulton Garage, which is one of the cruise parking garages and it was very close to the port. Easy to Uber to various places you might want to go. Lots of restaurants in the area.

 

[crauen]

I stayed at the Fairfield Inn and Suites New Orleans Downtown about a month ago. Clean and nice hotel. About two blocks off Canal opposite the French Quarter and I felt you could walk to a lot of the sights. We were an adult only trip but did a ghost tour in the French Quarter which was really cool and I think some of those are available for older kids.

 

[DLgeeks]

Not super close to port but Place d’ Armes is a great stay for a New Orleans trip! Right in Jackson Square. Walking distance to Cafe du Mond, Cafe Beignet, markets, and Gumbo Shop.

This is one of the places I was looking at, how were the rooms? We are flying in and won't be bothering with a car, so the walkable location is appealing. The plan at the moment is just to Uber to the port the morning we embark.

 

[Disneyfam854]

We had a room without windows as we didn’t plan on being in room a lot and it saved some money - it was really dark at night so we needed bathroom light on for kids but other than that it was great! Loved the pool and courtyard. So easy to get everywhere we wanted to go by just walking! Would stay again in a heartbeat. Oh- Elevator is very small so just a heads up! Almost comically small!!

Hilton New Orleans riverside is also easy access to port specifically (and Dragos is right next inside!)- but it isn’t as close to Jackson Square and doesn’t have the historic New Orleans vibe if that is what you are seeking.

 

[sponica]

So I don't remember much of my New Orleans trip, it was a wedding there were hurricanes involved (the fruity alcohol kind not the terrible weather kind). I vaguely remember going to a pretty decent aquarium? We were in the French Quarter. I think we stayed at a Hyatt?

What I do remember is having the best fried catfish at this place called Mena's Palace. If I ever make it back to NOLA, I'm going there.