New Orleans recommendations needed, what have you done there?

[squirk]

We’re getting there the weekend after Mardi Gras. Will I be able to see anything or is it all going to be tear down of the previous floats? Well I be seeing fourth of July or Thanksgiving floats?

Nothing is happening after Mardi Gras. That's the point of Mardi Gras - "have your fun now, because Lent starts tomorrow." You might see a lot of beads still dangling from the trees along the parade routes, but other than that, everything is pretty much back to normal.

They don't tear down the floats, generally speaking. They are stored and recycled year after year. Sometimes just given a fresh coat of paint, sometimes mildly re-themed.

For example, a float featuring a giant gorilla might be a "King Kong" float one year, and then repurposed as a "Planet of the Apes" float the next year. One year's "Peter Pan" could be the next year's "Robin Hood", and so on.

 

[salittle]

We went a few weeks after Mardi Gras and they had the floats that were just used, they weren't in tear down mode yet. But there are so many and there's always some neat floats no matter what time of year. I went the weekend following Mardi Gras in 2017. It was the best time I've ever had. Decorations were up but crowds (relatively speaking) were gone.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I’ve made a reservation with Disney at the Hilton New Orleans on St. Charles Avenue on both ends of our 4 day cruise. Anyone know which other hotel they offer? I know I took the lesser of the two, but just can’t remember the name of the higher end hotel. I’m considering a change for location purposes since we will be there weekends before and after my cruise

 

[jennyturin]

We wanted a few days before and after our cruise to visit the area just after Mardi Gras. We are a party of 5 adults. Probably have to bring the scooter for my parents. Might choose 2 hotels, one before and a different one after the cruise.

If you have recommendations for kids, I will pass it on to the group we will be traveling with. So any recommendations or heads up would be appreciated.

Can anyone share their experience is good or bad?

NOLA is my favorite city in the world. I LOVE the beignets and there is a Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street is my favorite. If you can catch some live free jazz while eating your powdered sugared heaven do it! I like taking a carriage ride with the kiddos. There a haunted cemetery tours. Literally almost anywhere you eat the food is going to be amazing but get you some cajun food and a muffaleta at some point for sure. There is literally no food in the world like NOLA has. I mean gas stations have good po'boys. You're going to have to try to eat poorly. Central Grocery has good muffalettas. There is a little market down by the river near Central Grocery with local artists crafts to buy. If you want a fancy french dinner date night or brunch this is also the city for it. I love the Garden District and the French Quarter the most. Do a tour in one or the other and just oooh and aaah over the absolutely stunning architecture and storied history of this amazing city. Catch some live jazz; check out Preservation Hall. If you don't love this city, my heart will break LOL

 

[jennyturin]

I’ve made a reservation with Disney at the Hilton New Orleans on St. Charles Avenue on both ends of our 4 day cruise. Anyone know which other hotel they offer? I know I took the lesser of the two, but just can’t remember the name of the higher end hotel. I’m considering a change for location purposes since we will be there weekends before and after my cruise

I'd say stay in the French Quarter or Garden District if you can. If you want the lively 'hood pick French Quarter. A little more peace and elegance Garden District. Lots of parts of the Business District are within walking distance of the French Quarter for a fraction of the price. I liked the location of Intercontinental and got a good rate once on hotwire. The location of the Sonesta is grand! Right across from my favorite beignets with the live jazz courtyard!

 

[jennyturin]

There are many good restaurants. The bars have great music. DD and I did a swamp tour outside of town. The WWII museum is incredible—don’t miss it. DH and I also loved the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. It’s in the museum district which was also very interesting. Get a muffuletta from Central Grocery. Get beignets and coffee from Cafe du Monde and people watch. We also took a buggy tour around town—very touristy but it was fun.

Unfortunately, my last visit after getting off a ship it was very hot. I couldn’t stand the smell and we cut our part day short as I felt sick.

I would disagree about Cafe du Monde....I vote for Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street in the courtyard with the live jazz. I prefer that to the people watching and less than beignets imho. I know they are famous but Cafe Beignets are better!

 

[jennyturin]

There are many good restaurants. The bars have great music. DD and I did a swamp tour outside of town. The WWII museum is incredible—don’t miss it. DH and I also loved the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. It’s in the museum district which was also very interesting. Get a muffuletta from Central Grocery. Get beignets and coffee from Cafe du Monde and people watch. We also took a buggy tour around town—very touristy but it was fun.

Unfortunately, my last visit after getting off a ship it was very hot. I couldn’t stand the smell and we cut our part day short as I felt sick.

But you are dead on about muffaletta from Central Grocery!

 

[jennyturin]

We ate at Mambo's last time and the food was incredible: https://www.neworleansrestaurants.c...e room at Mambo's has,you come to New Orleans.

 

[jennyturin]

Thanks! You were the second to mention Waldorf, and the price was about the same, so I went ahead and made the switch.

This information was very helpful.

One more question for you or others - should I rent a car, or just use Uber/Taxis?

I find it super difficult to park in the French Quarter so I leave my car at the hotel parking garage and take Ubers/Lyfts even when I rent one or drive in (I live in Austin so it's only an 8 hour drive for me)

 

[jennyturin]

Can you tell that I hate driving in New Orleans?

I mean....it's awful in the French Quarter especially. I cannot parallel park to save my life. The funny thing is I used to do it in college in a Ford F150 extended cab and I was the master of it. I could squeeze into the tiniest look spaces in one swing in. NOW with my regular plain old full size car it takes me like five tries! LOL So yes, I park my car at the hotel (I always drive from Austin) and I walk or Lyft if it's too far to walk everywhere

 

[squirk]

I mean....it's awful in the French Quarter especially. I cannot parallel park to save my life. The funny thing is I used to do it in college in a Ford F150 extended cab and I was the master of it. I could squeeze into the tiniest look spaces in one swing in. NOW with my regular plain old full size car it takes me like five tries! LOL So yes, I park my car at the hotel (I always drive from Austin) and I walk or Lyft if it's too far to walk everywhere

Unless I am quickly running in and out of a store on a weekday, I don’t street-park in the Quarter. And I would never leave my car on a FQ street on any night. It’s “garage or bust” for me.

 

[Breezer4]

The Louisiana Children’s Museum in City Park is great if you have kids. We go several times a year. The Jazz Museum in the old US Mint Building just outside the French Quarter is also good for kids and adults.

 

[Breezer4]

Unless I am quickly running in and out of a store on a weekday, I don’t street-park in the Quarter. And I would never leave my car on a FQ street on any night. It’s “garage or bust” for me.

We park in the lot off Decatur behind Canal Place when we drive in for the day.

 

[squirk]

We park in the lot off Decatur behind Canal Place when we drive in for the day.

I almost always park in Canal Place, out of the sun. But, yes, I would gladly use that lot behind CP vs. leaving my car parked curbside on a FQ street at night.