New Orleans Travel Forum

Hello,
We will be making our first trip to New Orleans in December. We'll be cruising to the W Caribbean from there, but we will have 2 nights in the city first. Where should we stay where we will be able to walk to Bourbon Street but, preferrably, not have to pay an arm and a leg for parking? Safety is a concern, too. By the way, it will be 2 adults, a 23 yr old, 20 year old, and a 17 year old. Also, in our limited time there, what should we not miss - cemetery tour, French Quarter, ??? Would really appreciate your suggestions! THANKS!
Mommio2

I would like to suggest you this hotel : Ramada Plaza Inn On Bourbon , Located in the heart of the French Quarter on the corner of Bourbon and Toulouse Streets. Easy walking distance to all major French Quarter attractions, many world-renowned restaurants, jazz establishments, aquarium and casino. For your stay period, you can get the good price as 139 USD per room per night.
You can check it out from this page : http://www.hotelsguru.com/showhotel-11409.html

We stayed at the Holiday INn -Just 1 Block off Bourbon Street..very nice staff/Romm very save..every thing on the strip was too pricey

Holiday Inn was close to every thing for us... Do Not Go to eat at Carmelins-Italian food..great buffet at the casino ...cehap it was $11 for lunch..I think...

I used to live in New Orleans and I worked in the French Quarter so listen up: You want to stay at Hotel St. Marie which is on Toulouse Street (off Bourbon, in the heart of the Quarter). Orbitz has a great rate you can book online at:

http://www.orbitz.com/App/shared/pagedef/results/hotelDetails.jsp?z=45ef&r=8p&z=45f1&r=8r&lastPage=interstitial#

You can book a room for around $100 a night. (I list some reliable and GOOD hotels in the French Quarter, in my Accomodations tip on my NoLa page - but this should do you).

Another option is the Monteleone Hotel on Royal St. (also in the heart of the French Quarter), which often runs great deals for less than $150 a night.

You'll be safe at either/or of the above two, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND either of them for numerous reasons not the least of which is their charm.

Places to eat:
> Napolean House on Chartres St. (see my tip under Restaurants section on my NoLa page for more info on this place). It's a quirky little oddity that has become quite popular recently; before that, only we locals frequented it. That all ended but it's still as great as ever, and reasonable prices and fantastic food. Must order the Muffelatta and also the Jambalaya.
> Brennans on Royal St. (see my tip, same page as above) for a memorable BRUNCH.
> Arnauds on Royal St....haunted upstairs, museum, fantastic food

Just go to my page where I list the best restaurants to eat in the French Quarter, you'll have all the info you need to decide. TAKE NOTES.

Finally: Do the Armstrong Cemetery Tour, it's worth it and non-locals especially find it of interest. Took my husband on it and he was tripping, it was great and the kids will love too. Or, do a Garden District Walking Tour (also great, you see the antebellum homes of uptown New Orleans and it's only 2 hours tops...worth it as an activity)

Visit my New Orleans page for more info on activities. Enjoy your time in this one-of-a-kind town.

M

p.s. The French Quarter is fairly safe. Don't go much past the 800 blocks as it becomes residential and a bit off color.

Don't miss Preservation Hall (on St. Peter St., French Quarter) for some ragtime jazz, they do 20 minute sessions, standing room only, $5 "donation" at the door. This is a hallmark of the French Quarter and even the most jaded of locals will tell you to visit this spot once in a life.

Ghost Tours are offered at night and are cheesy but fun, the kids might enjoy. Guide takes you through the French Quarter and provides historical factoids mixed with legendary stuff...all good. You usually meet in front of Lafitte's Bar (700 block on Bourbon) and btw, this bar is also of historical note but you'll miss it if you aren't actually looking for it.

Too much stuff for a forum. Go to the top right, type in New Orleans, LA and let VT pull up the top five "experts" in the area. Check out their tips by section and do your research ahead of time so you know what to pass on and what not to.

M

The short tour and information provided by the National park service explains a lot of the history.

Such as the French Quarter is actually Spanish!

It's free and their location is just to the left as you face the Cathedral.

It's a misconception to regard the French Quarter as "Spanish" (exclusively). It was founded and controlled by the French in the 1700s up until about 1765, which is when the Spanish took over. The architecture of the buildings (namely the ironwork and balcony decor) which is the familiar hallmark of the Quarter, is predominantly Spanish.

The "culture" derives from Arcadian and French (predominantly).

The Le Richelieu Hotel has free on site parking. Parking at the St. Marie is $22 per night, I believe. Place d'Armes is very centrally located with parking prices comparable to the St. Marie. The St Marie is only 1/2 block off Bourbon at Toulouse. Just about halfway into the French Quarter.

Many hotels offer a Papa Noel discount in December if you put "papa" in the access code box, including the St. Marie.

Btw, I've had no problem whatsoever walking past the 800 block of Bourbon. What you shouldn't miss depends on your interests. Royal St for viewing antiques, a ride up St Charles to view the beautiful homes in the Garden District, also great Spanish architecture in the French Quarter. A self quided FQ walking tour can be downloaded here: http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/8/sectionID/1/subsectionID/8

I would also recommend a cemetery tour although my favorite tour is closed post Katrina. A free ferry ride at the foot of Canal St to cross the Mississippi to Algiers provides a great photo op of Jackson Square.

Free concerts in the St Louis Cathedral in Dec, great jazz in the Faubourg Marigny. Fixed priced 3+ course dinners at many restaurants in Dec. You're going at a great time!

Great info, Soulcat. I haven't returned to NoLa since pre-Katrina.

A friend of mine recently sold all his properties and moved back to New Orleans...renovating a house on Broadway. He's got a teaching gig at our old alma mater.

Will keep your info on hand for future trips.

Thanks jadedmuse, my advice is to get there soon.

Mommio2
Whoops, I just found a link for the tour I thought had closed down. http://www.mondecreole.com/ Amazingly informative tour about the history and customs of New Orleans, and you get to see beautiful courtyards and St Louis Cemetery No.1. Also a great introduction if you ever choose to visit the Laura Plantation.