New Orleans Travel Forum

We are getting ready to travel to New Orleans for the first time, we will be driving a huge F250 ford crew cab long bed truck. I know not to drive this in the french quarter, but I need to know the best parking lot to go to and the safest so that we can see the french quarter. We are staying outside of new orleans at one of the plantations. Also who has the best rates? And when is the best time to go to get the best parking rates? THANKS for any help

Sounds like a truck we used to have.

Personally, I would leave the truck at your hotel, and just rent a car to get into town. It would probably be cheaper than driving the truck and paying for gas and parking.

Or you could go to the airport and take a shuttle in. The shuttle charges per person so it might or might not be cheaper than car rental but it might also be hard to get back to the airport.

When we visited, we flew in, took the shuttle into town and stayed in town for a week, and then took the shuttle back to the airport and rented a car there to visit areas outside of town.

this might not be too much of a help but i know that there is a parking lot in the quarter. it is on decatur, on the river side, about halfway between canal and jackson square.

as for rates i am not sure. sorry!

I agree with the above post. Although the streets are narrow, most are on-way and I think your F250 can at least drive through the French Quarter to drop off luggage. My hotel, which was a real gem, had a separate private garage where you could park your truck. It was just outside the French quarter, but within easy walking distance of the hotel. See my hotel tip for New Orleans. I'm a circle 5 VT member, so I'm easy to find...

athufft I thought they said they were staying outside of New Orleans and driving in. Yes they could certainly DRIVE through the French Quarter. I mean the tour buses do it, so a pickup could certainly do the same. But this truck is as long as a small school bus and has a very wide turning radius (not very maneuverable). My husband could park it in a regular metered space as long as it was of reasonable size (i.e. not made for small cars), but I couldn't.

I think depending on where they were staying, they could get a shuttle or drive to the airport and park there and take the bus into town.

Parking rates at the hotel lots (you can still part here even if you are not a guest) tend to be about $12-30. There really is no best time for parking rates, because parking is so limited and doesnt clear out with business travelers. There are a few outdoor lots in the quarter, which would probably be what you are looking for with a large truck. The poster above mentions the lot on Decatur, thats probably your best bet, since its large and outdoor. Its not unreasonably expensive in the daytime. There is also metered parking on N. Peters behind the French Market.
Someone mentioned hiring a shuttle or car to take you into the city. You might ask the inn owners if they have any suggestions about hiring a car, because they may have some tour deals that will take you.

Another idea would be to park in the Graden District around Audubon Park and take the street car to the quarter - might be less expensive.