New Orleans in late March?

[distherapy]

I think we will spend a night or two in Memphis, coming or going. DH is a big Elvis fan and has always wanted to take us to Graceland...lucky me! We don't need a beach, I just thought since we were near the coast it would be something to do one day. Is there anything in Jackson MS? I think we go thru there, too...

We live in Memphis and had a great trip to NOLA last Spring Break. Our kids loved the aquarium and insectarium. While you're in Memphis (welcome , by the way!) definitely check out the Memphis Zoo - one of only 4 zoos in the country to have pandas - there are also newer exhibits with polar bears where you can watch them swim) and grizzly bears. http://www.memphiszoo.org/

PM me if you want some Memphis restaurant recommendations or ideas of other things to do. Graceland is cool to see, but be aware that the area around it is not lovely.

 

[disneygram11]

Coming to New Orleans at that time of year will Be great. They have many festivals and of course the fr qtr - zOO - AQUAR -OF COURSE THE FOOD IS GREAT - TRY MANDINA'S ON CANAL STREET - PARKWAY BAKERY FOR PO BOYS AND DOMILISE'S THEY SO MANY GOOD RESTAURANTS NOT THE TOURIST ONES ENJOY YOUR TRIP
* THE SEAFOOD IS FINE

 

[Soupermom]

Bumping for more suggestions, comments, etc. I have 5 nights booked at the Prytania Park Hotel. I chose this location for the price, reviews and the fact that it has a loft with 2 twin beds for the kids.

Now, I just don't know what exactly to do there! Everyone's suggestions have been great, but I just don't know where to start. I am really struggling with this trip; I usually have all of our other vacations planned out in great detail, but not this one. I think maybe because DH is on the fence as to if this is a good location choice or not. So, help me plan to keep him entertained!

How early do I need to make reservations for things such as ghost/swamp tours? Are there Katrina tours that are historical/interesting/not cheesy? DS LOVES to fish...would this be an option? My daughter has mentioned wanting a "cocaine ring", which I gather is some type of old ring they used to smuggle drugs in? A friend of hers got one there and she finds it rather interesting. Are these legit? Where do you find them?

So far the only items I have listed to do for sure are: Cafe Du Monde (multiple times!), Insectarium, swamp tour?

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...How early do I need to make reservations for things such as ghost/swamp tours? Are there Katrina tours that are historical/interesting/not cheesy? DS LOVES to fish...would this be an option? My daughter has mentioned wanting a "cocaine ring", which I gather is some type of old ring they used to smuggle drugs in? A friend of hers got one there and she finds it rather interesting. Are these legit? Where do you find them?

So far the only items I have listed to do for sure are: Cafe Du Monde (multiple times!), Insectarium, swamp tour?

Thanks for any help you can give!

You can sign up for tours after you get there. Take a daytime cemetary tour. Fascinating.

 

[NotUrsula]

My daughter has mentioned wanting a "cocaine ring", which I gather is some type of old ring they used to smuggle drugs in? A friend of hers got one there and she finds it rather interesting. Are these legit? Where do you find them?

Not smuggle, exactly -- there wouldn't be much point to smuggling coke in such a small container. In the disco era they were used to carry one's stash at parties without having to carry a handbag. They are more traditionally known as "poison rings", and you can easily find them at the antique jewelry stores on Royal and Magazine Streets.

One thing about the Prytania Park -- it's uptown (Lower Garden District, technically.) If you are taking your own vehicle, be sure to use their secure parking, and be careful walking around the neighborhood at night. St. Charles Avenue is usually fairly safe, but uptown side streets can be dicey at night. (BTW, about those side streets. The Prytania Park is right in the middle of the "Muse streets" area, and in New Orleans, the pronunciations are not traditional. Terpsichore is "TERP-SEE-CORE", Melpomene is "MEL-PO-MEAN", Clio is "C-L-TEN", and Euterpe is "YOU-TERP".)

As you won't be there for Mardi Gras, I would suggest taking the ferry over to Algiers to do the tour at Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. The kids will probably like it quite a bit, including the ferry ride itself, which they always seem to love. (It's too bad that the Mardi Gras history exhibit at the Presbytere is closed for renovation -- it is beautiful and explains a lot about what Mardi Gras really is, beyond just parades.)

 

[Soupermom]

Is the trolley safe to ride at night? I know this hotel is close to the trolley line. Thanks for your input!

 

[Soupermom]

Can someone tell me...are most "attractions" open on Sundays? That will be our first full day there, and one of the two days my sister will be joining us. Are the museums open? Do the tours run on weekends?

Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

The St. Charles streetcar line (they have never been called trolleys in New Orleans) runs through the neutral ground on St. Charles Avenue, and St. Charles is busy enough to be pretty safe. You are unlikely to encounter crime on the streetcar itself; they have an airy well-lit design, and it's tough to hide any activity from the driver. (Though of course, normal big-city precautions always apply. And yes, I know New Orleans isn't really a big city, but you should treat it like one when it comes to safety.)

If you decide to be out in the wee hours, call a cab; the streetcar runs infrequently after 10:00 pm., and it's just as well not to be standing on a corner waiting for a long time.

(Neutral ground is the New Orleans term for what in other cities is usually called a median. Locals will also refer to a sidewalk as a banquette ("BANK-IT"). These are kind of important to know because if you ask for directions from a local, you are likely to hear them).

Yes, most attractions are open on Sundays, but several of them are closed on Mondays instead, including the State Museum Complex and the Historic New Orleans Collection on Royal St. Privately operated tours usually run on Mondays, however.

 

[Soupermom]

One more question...is there a "good" (safe location, not too much emphasis on alcohol) place to go as a family (2 kids) where we can experience and enjoy the local music (Jazz or Cajun). Maybe for dinner? Someplace not so loud that you can't talk and someplace that isn't a full-fledged bar? Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

Preservation Hall in the Quarter is strictly a music venue; they don't serve alcohol (or anything else), and all ages are welcome. The music is always traditional New Orleans Jazz; no dixieland and no zydeco. They also have no running water in the building, so no restrooms or air conditioning, either.

For Zydeco, the easiest place is probably Mulate's, a restaurant in the Warehouse district that has a band of some kind most evenings.