New Orleans?

[SylviaL]

We just got back and had a lovely time. Thank you, DISboarders, for your help! We loved it so much that DH and I are planning to return in the fall.

We (DH, DS10, DS9, DD5 and I) stayed at the Bourbon Orleans which was a fabulous location. We would stay there again but I wouldn't mind being just a block or two more south (near the Hotel Monteleone). We never really felt unsafe. We generally stuck to the busy streets and since we had kids, ate an early dinner and returned to the hotel. We visited the zoo (loved the reptile house), Insectarium (DS9 got his wish--to eat bugs), aquarium (loved feeding the birds), took Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp tour, rode the Steamboat Natchez, boys went to the WWII Museum, and explored the French Market.

Cabs to the airport are around $14 per person and I think it takes about 30 minutes. We had a car for a few days (to go to the zoo and swamp) and then returned it. I would definitely do that again.

I'd be happy to answer any questions. It's a beautiful city--so much character!

 

[everylastbreath]

Since you just returned, can you help me? Going for 1st time- staying at Harrahs, going in May for a long weekend- Tell me all that I need to know- I see cab is approx $14 from airport to hotel (is Harrah's near where you stayed?) is it in a good location- tell me anything you think I need to know! How is the weather? Is it safe to go out at night there? Is there anyplace to avoid and try to stick to?

Appreciate any info you got!

 

[ocalla]

I was in NOLA a couple of weekends ago to run the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon. Thank you for all the suggestions!!! I had a great time visiting NOLA and I will be back to run again!

We stayed on the corner of Canal and Bourbon! Such a central location, a little "seedy" at night, but nothing we weren't used to seeing...coming from San Francisco, California. I was able to walk to the start line of the race, and we were pretty much walking distance to everything!

Bourbon St. was not our place to hang out, it smelled and looked like a frat party exploded on that street, but I had to experience it!

Loved the food, the culture and the music. We didn't get to see and do everything that was suggested, which is the main reason I would like to go back to visit NOLA.

Three girls just visiting a different area of the US and we didn't feel threated at all walking around at 2am by ourselves. We were aware of our surroundings and had a great time! Thank You for all your suggestions!

That is such a GREAT description!!!

 

[ocalla]

We just got back and had a lovely time. Thank you, DISboarders, for your help! We loved it so much that DH and I are planning to return in the fall.

We (DH, DS10, DS9, DD5 and I) stayed at the Bourbon Orleans which was a fabulous location. We would stay there again but I wouldn't mind being just a block or two more south (near the Hotel Monteleone). We never really felt unsafe. We generally stuck to the busy streets and since we had kids, ate an early dinner and returned to the hotel. We visited the zoo (loved the reptile house), Insectarium (DS9 got his wish--to eat bugs), aquarium (loved feeding the birds), took Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp tour, rode the Steamboat Natchez, boys went to the WWII Museum, and explored the French Market.

Cabs to the airport are around $14 per person and I think it takes about 30 minutes. We had a car for a few days (to go to the zoo and swamp) and then returned it. I would definitely do that again.

I'd be happy to answer any questions. It's a beautiful city--so much character!

So glad you saw all the wonderful Positive things that makes NOLA what it is!!

 

[SylviaL]

everylastbreath--I am not sure what the weather is like in May. Harrah's is pretty centrally located--you will be on the Canal Street Streetcar line and close to other streetcars and buses. As I mentioned, because we have young children, we really weren't out at night. We completely avoided Bourbon and walked a lot on Royal. We went through a lot of cash, too--in fact, DH ran out on the last day.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I have to say that I am repeating someone else that posted previously. I think one either really likes the area or they would not return. We fall in the would not return category. We visited over the Easter break. We stayed on Charles Street, the garden district, Best Western St Charles Inn. The hotel has private parking in the back tho it only holds 20 cars, so the first night despite saying we could park there, we could not. If you can park there, they give you a clicker to the gated parking area. The hotel was cute, small room, efficient and clean. The elevator hardly fit the rolling cart for luggage (which youll pull yourself and load and unload) and two adults. We also had a teen with us, he ran up the stairs, I wound up doing this several times. The hotel gave free breakfast each morning, good food and plenty offered, seating area in and outside, you look upon the street cars that are right on St charles, lovely. The homes are beautiful, all gated but you can peek and see the architecture and the styles. The sidewalks are rather crazy with tree roots so beware. We felt safe in this area, enough to walk around, take the street car down to either end (get the jazzy pass ? which is cheaper to get on and off all day long, or be prepared with exact change 1.30 for each embarkment. Some of the operators are not very friendly, guess they are really on a schedule, others were funny and fabulous. Oh, the hotel uses a doctor parking garage two blocks away and they pay for that. I did not feel comfortable at night walking there.a mexican restaurant was right next door, got busy at night, took reservations, we ate there, enjoyed it and the atmosphere was friendly and family for the most part. The other side of the hotel was a hampton inn. They were the only two places available that were in this immediate area, other wise there were apartments, and other places further away, closer to downtown area.
We LOVED the wwii museum, which also has a special exhibit for 911 going on. I live in NY and had not been downtown since 9 11, took me getting to New orleans and I have to say it was a very emotional day for me...difficult and yet very humbling..the veterans at the museum were amazing, the stories, the experience was awesome. It takes several hours if you have a family that read each and every sign and item
we went to bourbon street, the dh and ds did not like it at all, it smelled awful, like urine, yes, our shoes stuck to the street, it was gross, but i loved it, got to see and participate in the easter parade..the artists were out, the tarot readers, plenty of drinking people . the dirty smell had a impact on them and we ate and left. as far as food, we ate at a restaurant after walking the river walk. My dh had a poboy, it was nothing more than a sausage hero with lettuce on it, he was disappointed, the ds got a jambalaya ..we thought it looked and tasted like zatarans out of a box and it became the joke of our trip, i ordered a shrimp and crabmeat salad. I got iceberg lettuce with 1 large shrimp and a bunch of those little tiny ones that look like they came out of a can, then a scoop of crabment with NO mayo or anything, just raw, it was gross and I ate very little, with 2 sodas and 1 beer it was almost 65. give or take..not worth the cost and they complained of the urine smell as we sat near an open window area. I wanted a benet (sp?) at cafe du monde...but the line was down the block and that was not worth it...we did walk around, sightseeing and people watching (that was interesting). I would not walk alone down there, thats just me, and certainly not down some of the off streets. the little shops were cute, but its the same stuff in each store really, much like disney same stuff everywhere we were told by our hotel not to go off on our own, but use a tour company. We ate at a cute fun place on st charles, a burger company place, with free ice creams, I had an excellent stacked sandwich and the guys had burgers they really enjoyed. I have to say the garden district is really beautiful. However the surrounding area, was run down and felt unsafe to us, really sad and broken down homes everywhere, boarded up, derelict area, wed not walk anywhere on those side streets. We did visit Tulane...reason we actually went...we were so excited to visit, they were quite generous with their offer and our online research was all so positive. We chose to not attend the university. None of us thought it was a good fit at all. The park, audobon is across the street, has a zoo in it, lovely during weekday, weekends were packed and did not feel like it was a place wed hang out more than once. The people we met for the most part were really wonderful...its funny cause my family has been there several times and love it, I think they enjoy the jazz the bar scene, the drinks and the whole "theme" of it KWIM, they also fly in and out and do not see all the devastation that still exists. Its different when you drive thru and around in it, very sad...for family travel....for us, it was just not what we like to feel/do/exxperience
so, overall, I am Glad we visited and saw it but just as glad to leave it as a One Time experience. Thats just our take and experience.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Because there is a fairly good chance that you could end up a permanent resident. The crypts are above ground and some are quite large -- they attract the homeless population and those who wish to hide out from the police. They also make a very good place to hide a body, if one is so inclined.

Oh, I think people are pretty safe on a Saturday or Sunday in nice weather at St. Louis #1. (We go then by ourselves; it's usually jam packed with tourists!) But I still wouldn't skip a good, knowledgeable tour guide, even then. And I wouldn't go by myself at any other time!

 

[kamom]

Leave next Saturday for a business trip with a day and half added on for fun. Staying at the Hilton Riverside. What is an absolute - can't miss?

 

[bookgirl]

Glad to find this thread. I'm going to be there over memorial day weekend to watch my nephews at an event. I'll really only have all day Friday to sightsee so I have to pick and choose. Thanks for all the great info. I think we'll be staying a few nights at Harrahs (my mom gets rooms from this company) but then we'll be with all the other families at the convention center or one of the marriotts by it. So I think we'll actually be pretty close to a lot of the touristy stuff.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Just home Wednesday afternoon from a fabulous 3 night stay for my DH's 40th birthday. This was the first visit for both of us.

We stayed at the Roosevelt. Absolutely beautiful hotel with a pretty great location. Our room was very small, but it was just the two of us and the rest of the hotel made up for the tiny space. The bed was extraordinarily comfortable and the room was spotless.

We had fabulous meals at Three Muses (our favorite), Domenica, Mr. B's, and Court of Two Sisters. I found Johnny Po Boys to be a disappointment but devoured our beignets from Cafe du Monde...and didn't have a wait! We did a cemetery tour through French Quarter Phantoms (got the $16 Groupon for two!!) and would highly recommend them to anyone. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and was a very thorough tour of the Quarter as well. We wanted to do their ghost tour but the weather did not cooperate.

I never once felt unsafe. Walking down Bourbon was an experience and I don't have a desire to spend a whole lot of time there, but I am glad we did it. Saw a great street performance group...break dancers that were on America's Got Talent. We spent a good bit of time on Royal and Jackson Square listening to street performers and looking at great art pieces. Loved the Cathedral. We did not do the carriage ride because I thought $75 for 30 min. was pretty steep...especially since we had already done the cemetery tour.

We did the Streetcar to Washington and walked back to the Hotel along Magazine St. That was probably the biggest waste of our time. Sure, we had a nice 2 mile walk, but not really sure why it was recommended. The highlight, however, was WINO (Wine Institute of New Orleans). OMG! That place is a gem. I need one here in Pensacola!

We had a wonderful trip and I look forward to going back. Think I am going to do a day trip with the kids in June. Just gonna stay off Bourbon.