Tell me about new Orleans fun for 3 couples..

[dis2cruise]

We are trying to keep this trip budget friendly since we are all sending our kiddies to college we are thinking of going either in October or November is this time of year the cheaper times to go? If we would stay near the French quarters would we need a rental car and how far is the closest airport? Any info would be great thanks!

 

[Kitty-chan]

Boy, that subject line sure feels like the set-up for an off-color joke!

If you're staying in the French Quarter and just want to hit the tourist spots in that general area, there's absolutely no reason to rent a car. There's plenty to do within walking distance or taking the streetcar.

The airport shuttle costs $38 round trip per person (http://www.airportshuttleneworleans.com/). But given that round-trip cabs would only be about $80 (including tips), for a couple it makes as much sense to get a cab.

 

[jsmla]

We go to NOLA quite often-it's just an hour's drive for us

I like to use Priceline for the hotel. Any of the 4*/French Quarter zones are fine. Unless it's a festival week-end or Mardi Gras I can usually get a room for around $65-100 this way. It's cheapest July-September. You can do a bit more research on Bidding for Travel:

http://biddingfortravel.*********/forums/49/t/Louisiana-New-Orleans.html

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The National Parks Service has a nice visitors center in the Quarter. They have several free programs including a tour and jazz concerts:

http://www.nps.gov/jela/french-quarter-site.htm

http://www.nps.gov/jazz/index.htm

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I've also used coupons that I printed from a couple of online sites:

http://www.neworleanscoupons.com/

http://www.neworleansonline.com/


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We also use restaurant.com for a few places. The best restaurants don't usually show up but you can have a cheap lunch at House of Blues with one of these certificates. Willie Mae's Scotch House shows up too. It's gotten a lot of press on places like the Food Network but is in kind of an iffy neighborhood.

http://www.restaurant.com/rdc_site2...src=&rn=&ct=&cs=0&ne=0&al=&nv=1&pg=1&bsp=1&=&


Hope this helps!

 

[NotUrsula]

If you want budget, go during December so that you can take advantage of the Papa Noel specials on food and lodging. Those are the best deals that the city offers.

PS: There was a thread about a couples' trip to NOLA back in January, but these folks wanted to go right on top of Mardi Gras, so budget was not relevant. Still, the hotel and restaurant recommendations still hold.
http://www.www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2630497

 

[singleinthe city]

October and November are huge convention times so if there is a large convention in town there could be little or no space at hotels. Oct/Nov are great weather, hence so many conferences.

The calendar doesn't go that far out, but if you check back in a few months you can see what is going on and how many people are expected.

http://www.neworleanscvb.com/docs/ccs031011.pdf

 

[jsmla]

If you could manage late September you'd be there for Coolinary New Orleans, a great deal if y'all are foodies! It will be hotter than Hades though and still hurricane season-September is pretty active.

http://www.nomcvb.com/restaurants/index.cfm

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Boy, that subject line sure feels like the set-up for an off-color joke!

I thought the same thing.

Anyway, the Audubon Zoo was beautiful and just a streetcar ride away. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/ In fact, the whole streetcar experience was nice. I agree with a previous poster that there is plenty to do in the French Quarter so a car is definitely not needed. Have a great trip! We're dying to take our kids to New Orleans but want to wait until they're a little older.

 

[disneynp]

I cant say that it would be cheaper because of football season and a lot of colleges play in the superdome. Whatever u do dont go thanksgiving weekend. Thats bayou classic.

 

[rvchat]

We went, loved it, loved it and DID not rent a car.

It was so much better without the damn car.

I thought the same thing.

Anyway, the Audobon Zoo was beautiful and just a streetcar ride away. In fact, the whole streetcar experience was nice. I agree with a previous poster that there is plenty to do in the French Quarter so a car is definitely not needed. Have a great trip! We're dying to take our kids to New Orleans but want to wait until they're a little older.

 

[ilovejack02]

No need to ever rent car as others have said.
The Streetcar system is a great way to get around the city !

http://www.norta.com/?page=fares

I recommend the three day or 5 day jazzy pass depending on how long you stay.

Shuttles to and from airport .
http://www.airportshuttleneworleans.com/

Some hotels do have complimentary shuttle . Not sure if any in the FQ do, but I do know that some in Kenner which is outside NOLA proper do , so worth looking into if any FQ ones have it.

You must see the WWII museum and if you come late Nov , early Dec, which is an AWESOME time to visit , you have to go to Roosevelt hotel , have a Sazerac ( just one ) in the gorgeous wood paneled bar and see the amazing decorations in the lobby and gingerbread house display in the pastry shop.
Also city park at night at Christmas time is a must see. I say come the first week in Dec, you won't regret it , my favorite time of year and usually lots of specials running.

 

[dis2cruise]

Wow thanks so much for all of the info coming in for our trip. the beginning of
December might be doable for us which will help us keep the cost down

Sorry if some eyebrows raised up on my subject line
I didn't mean no harm,

 

[ilovejack02]

Wow thanks so much for all of the info coming in for our trip. the beginning of
December might be doable for us which will help us keep the cost down

Sorry if some eyebrows raised up on my subject line
I didn't mean no harm,

Look into La maison Marigny ... one of my favorite places to stay . Only BNB on Bourbon, at the quiet end , no noise I swear lol. The owners are very nice, have breakfast for you every morning . They don't stay on property so you have the run of the house and use of the kitchen. You can bring your own snackies and drinks in. They don't mind you using the fridge and raiding the bar . Lots of guests just leave their alcohol , so it is all kept where you can get to it lol.

It is also very close to Port of Call, the must visit burger joint in Nola, which is a huge plus LOL.

http://www.lamaisonmarigny.com/

 

[dis2cruise]

Is there gambling in the French quarter area if not how far away is it?

 

[meriface11]

Is there gambling in the French quarter area if not how far away is it?

There is a Harrah's right on the other side of Canal St across from the French Quarter

 

[dis2cruise]

There is a Harrah's right on the other side of Canal St across from the French Quarter

Thanks a few of our friends wouldn't mind spending a couple of hours in the casino

 

[AllesonWonderland]

We stayed at the Drury a couple weeks ago before a cruise out of New Orleans. Comfortable room, evening snacks/drinks and morning breakfast were all nice perks. Ditto what people said about not needing a car--we walked all over. (And honestly, at least in the French Quarter, I don't know that I'd want to be driving down there or trying to park.) Have a great time!