LOL, that takes effort to spend that in New Orleans, Rocky. If it is so important to them, though, I would not argue. And if you want to stick to a certain number yourself, let them cover the delta. Being in two hotels might be a pain.

Or maybe a saving grace?

LOL mtn - that’s exactly what my friend said! My parents are staying at the hotel Monteleone which has raised their prices because of the jazz festival. I really dont think their rooms look like they are worth $750-800, but maybe my parents got an upgraded one. I found a great air bnb for about 400/ night - beautiful NO style. I emailed to see if the location would work. It’s bigger than I need, though. My father has backed out of paying for half of the room LOL. I am also going to check out the bnb you recommend as well.

Outside playing - thank you! I was thinking we should make reservations early. I’m really excited about the trip - I suspect I will want to come back to visit again.

Bbstx is right.... New Orleans will be B-U-S-Y during Jazz Fest. We were there once for the French Quarter Festival (which isn't as big a deal as Jazz Fest) and it really affected wait times for restaurants, etc.

I've never been to JazzFest either. One of my co-workers went to Voodoo Fest last fall, and it was COLD, but she had a a great time.

FYI https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/12/travel/new-orleans-52-places-traveler.html?recb=signature-journalism.als1&recid=12SC4P37ZspUPZEn85lRUOhHOkj&contentCollection=signature-journalism&mData=articles%255B%255D%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nytimes.com%252F2018%252F02%252F12%252Ftravel%252Fnew-orleans-52-places-traveler.html%253Frecb%253Dsignature-journalism.als1%2526recid%253D12SC4P37ZspUPZEn85lRUOhHOkj&hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=signatureJournalism-promo-region&region=signatureJournalism-promo-region&WT.nav=signatureJournalism-promo-region

I'm not the best source on New Orleans -- been once, didn't particularly enjoy it. However, I did like our hotel:

We stayed at the Marriott on Canal Street, which is just a block or two outside the French Quarter. No, it's not a boutique hotel, but Marriotts are always nice hotels. This one had rooftop pool somewhere around the 5th floor, which was nice because I could let my then-teenaged girls swim /use the adjacent small workout room without worrying about their safety. Canal Street is a very busy main area, and you can walk to LOTS of restaurants -- fast food, small local places, and fancy places. You can walk to Harrah's Casino, the French Quarter, and the river. And you're close to practical places ... like Walgreen's.

Do note that two Marriotts are located only a couple blocks apart from one another on Canal Street -- we stayed at the JW Marriott. We "won it" on Priceline, and it was only something like $50/night -- and we went over Spring Break!

On the negative side: We had to pay an additional cost for parking, and it was pretty high -- something like $20 or $25/night. I think that's common in New Orleans. When you look at prices, be sure you're looking at the "whole cost".

You guys are the best! I cant change the dates, but I wish I could! My parents have already bought their tickets and they are flying from far away.

mtn - thank you for a great article!!

bbstx - that line up is amazing!

Thanks Mrs. Pete. I'll check that one out! That actually may be where my conference is.

I'm thinking of this airbnb but I see a street car track. Hopefully they are not loud? It's in the business district. Anyone have any thoughts on it?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23766262?location=New%20Orleans%2C%20LA%2C%20United%20States&check_in=2018-05-01&check_out=2018-05-05

OMG, this is why I love Air BnB. You can pretend you live somewhere, rather than stay in a hotel. Love love that flat Rockybird! We have stayed in stylish places like that via Air BnB and not been disappointed.

Only one thing. When you mentioned noise, I was going to tell you to carefully read all the reviews. People usually mention that. We rented a painted lady in SF and the reviews mentioned the noise machine in the front bedroom.. so we knew, no surprises.

A bit worried there are no reviews; id ask the mgmt if there are reviews under any other platforms you can see? There may be.

I know! I dont know if there’s a street car...I just see tracks. there’s no reviews. I’ll ask why there are no reviews. It bothers me too, although I think it may be new. I’m really torn now on what to do. My parents are holding the reservation at the Monteleone for me. I guess it’s a suite...is it worth $700-800?

Just a thought.... does the Monteleone have any 2 bedroom suites that maybe you could all share?

Street cars are not that loud, but he traffic in the business district if sor sure very loud. I don’t see an address for the bnb but it looks to be close to poydras, canal or one if the adjoining streets. If you have an address, I may be able to tell you what the surrounding feel is. You’ll hear a lot of traffic for sure. And delivery trucks backing up, etc. Depends on what your needs are, but it’s a neat apartment. Please make time for preservation hall, if you plan any time for entertainment. also Check out what’s plying at mahalia Jackson theater for the performing arts and saenger theatre for your dates of stay. If you’re into antique or arts, there are studios and shops all along the 2000-4500 block of magazine street as well as the French quarter along royal street, bienville, iberville streets.

I’ve been to NOLA twice, both times with DH, and absolutely had a blast. The first time we stayed at the Windsor Court, which was lovely. It wasn’t in the French Quarter but easy walk. It had a rooftop pool and a fabulous restaurant. The second time was just 2 years ago during the height of Mardi Gras..we stayed at the Saint Hotel which was nice but a tad funky! It was on a main parade route, and we had so much fun!! The whole city is a blast...I am not a foodie but we ate at some amazing places. I think Brennan or relatives owned several we ate at and all were yummy. I was a tad over-served most evenings. :) And of course coffee and beignets at that famous open air place...dh loves beignets. Ah, so jealous you get to go! Enjoy! It really is the American city that to me, makes you feel like you AREN’T in the US!

All of this is making me want to plan another trip to New Orleans ASAP. :) I'd go every chance I could, but hubby unfortunately doesn't share my enthusiasm. He has a point... there are so many places we haven't been - why keep going back to NOLA?? But man, I love it there.

Have a great trip Rockybird. :)

Much more budget than what you are looking for, but I will mention for anyone else reading the thread, is the Hampton Inn downtown/French Quarter. Trolley runs right in front; I had a lovely big room, very clean; easy quick walk to the FQ and a bit farther , but not too far, to the convention center.

I was there many years before Katrina and have to agree at how bad it smelled -- they were still cleaning up from one of their periodic floods. And, when another meeting-goer and I were wandering around the Garden District on foot, we were warned by a police officer that it was not safe to be doing so. But I still had fun!

I wish I could remember the name of the place we went to one evening -- not one of the big names, but a tourist type place. Food and dancing, and there were staff members teaching us to dance to the music -- really enjoyed that!

raee_gw zone 5b-6a, the restaurant with dancing might have been Mulates! I forgot about it! It was a lot of fun, and everyone was so nice!

Personally, I think the Air BnB place is so much more interesting than a suite, anywhere. We used to be pretty much devotees of Four Seasons and RC and Aman. But they all have a corporate feel, as wonderful as they are, and as flawless as their service generally is. Unless you need a lot of services and pampering, we have found staying in interesting local spaces a lot more fun. Personally I hate room service (too many calories and so much waste) and far prefer finding a local gourmet grocery where I can pick up fresh fruit,cheese, yogurt and really good bread. Moreover, a lot of Air BnB places are sort of hybrids .... they are not hotel conglomerates but you also are not relying on the Mrs. to scrub out the tub. I am not sure where the happy medium is, but the Air BnB listings run by companies (like the one you posted) are, I think, more reliably spotless and in good working order.

We are going during Jazz Festival this year and also did last year and the year before (my husband has work conferences in NOLA and I tag along 3 times a year - LOVE it!) We have stayed at about 8 hotels and prefer the Sheraton on Canal. The Omni is nice. The Royal Sonesta is also nice as well as the Four Points on Bourbon.

I have taken many tours and found the walking history tour by The Cabildo was enjoyable (my favorite of all the tours I have taken) you get it at a store by the Friends of the Cabildo in Jackson Square if I remember correctly. I also enjoyed the City Tour on the air conditioned bus. - did that three times. It’s enjoyable as you get to see where the levies broke, interesting neighborhoods and the City Park.

The World War II Museum was fabulous!

We did the Swamp Tour a few times and enjoyed it.

I enjoy taking the St. Charles Street Car (it’s the magenta street car) to the Garden District and walking for hours.

I also enjoy all the art galleries on Julia Street.

Magazine Street in the Garden District is wonderful.

Frenchmen Street is great at night. The Artist Market is wonderful as are the street musicians and poets.

The last time I was in NOLA I did Commander’s Palace and it was a great experience! I like Oceania it’s my favorite restaurant, it’s on Conti Street. It’s a dive but the food is GREAT! We also like to eat on the balcony of Royal House and listen to the violinist that is usually playing on the corner below. It’s disconcerting on the balcony as it’s TINY and slants towards the street, worth it though!

mtn-I decided I will stay in an airbnb. The one I like is taken now. But Sonder has a lot of other nice looking ones. I’m actually communicating with them to find one that is close to the hotel but not on a street car line. I think that 2 bedroom I liked was on a street car line. The reviews of Sonder are generally good, but people complain about the noise for the ones on the street car lines.

Sabbath7 - thank you so much for the pics!! They are great!!!!

Have a great time, Rockybird!

Rockybird- Since you are interested in older homes and tours the Gallier House is excellent on Royal Street. An Interior Designer did a podcast that another GW user shared that mentioned the Gallier House so I went and enjoyed it. There is also a tour of an old house at The Friends of the Cabildo store. It was ok, the Gallier House was better imho.

One more quick mention- the homes near Tulane University are GORGEOUS!

I also enjoy walking through the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. Lot’s of colorful cottages. It’s an artist’s neighborhood.

I spend about 3-4 weeks a year in New Orleans just enjoying the architecture, art galleries, restaurants and music. My husband is always in conferences and entertaining clients at night so I have become quite familiar with the city on my own and truly enjoy the uniqueness that NOLA offers.

Sabbath, I agree on Oceania for great food. Doesn't look impressive from outside but food is good.

Sabbath these are great suggestions! Thank you so much!!! I am so excited to go.

So, it looks like this company rents these places for $50-70 a night normally. Also, all of their units in the area are on the streetcar line, which makes me worried about noise. I am now thinking it is best to pay the money to stay in the monteleone. My parents are flying ten hours to join me and it might be best for all of us to be in the same hotel.

Cemeteries of New Orleans. This article came across my email inbox today and I thought about this thread.

Rockybird- what did you decide to do? I am excited we leave on the 28th for five nights. I am going to make an itinerary so that I don’t NOT do the things I am interested in..because I am spending all day on Royal or Magazine Street.... which I have done many times! This trip I want to go the New Orleans Museum of Art, Degas House, Gallier House, Cabildo Museum, Julia Street Arts District and if it’s not too hot walk the City Park. I also want to eat at: Oceana, Royal House, and I want to try Green Goddess and maybe I will go to Carmo, it’s a vegetarian restaurant that I like in the arts district. Those are my plans. Can’t wait to hear about everything you are planning.

Lucky you Sabbath! I wanted to go to New Orleans all my life. When we finally went the first time I had an itinerary done in spreadsheet format - planned down to the last 1/2 hour, walking distances planned out via Google maps. There were SO many things I wanted to see & do, and who knew if we'd ever go back.... I know we walked 100 miles those 5 days. I remember having huge water blisters on the back of my heels. And it's still one of my favorite vacations.

Subsequent trips have been a bit more relaxed but there is still so much I'd like to see... it's an easy city to lose time in - I can wander around for hours, just taking it all in.

Another article about NOLA

Rocky, You may want to try this vendor.

https://www.bespokeprivatetours.com/neworleans

I've never used them, but the "Save Our Cemeteries" tours are highly recommended on the Trip Advisor forums. It's a group dedicated to the preservation & restoration of the New Orleans cemeteries.

http://www.saveourcemeteries.org/cemetery-tours/

Save Our Cemeteries is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection of the historic cemeteries of New Orleans through restoration, education and advocacy.

Thanks mtn- i left them a msg.

smhinnb - this is great. It's exactly what we are looking for.

I have never taken a Plantation Tour. Please let me know how they are! I want to go to the New Orleans Museum of Art as my boss has two original Michalopoulos paintings. You will see many of this type of painting throughout New Orleans. My boss bought them 25 years ago when Michalopoulos was a starving artist selling his paintings on the street corners...I would love to own one, but they are too expensive for me. I would like to see more originals by him at the museum. I hope that you have fun! I have to start playing my New Orleans song. I play it while I am driving for about a week before I go....”Get Down Tonight”! Don’t know why but it just puts me in NOLA mood.

ETA: Remember Frenchmen Street at night around 9:00 pm is really nice and the Artist Market. Sometimes the street musicians aren’t there though. If I remember correctly last year Jazz Fest weekend they weren’t there every night.

Rockybird- we all want to hear about your trip! Mine has been good, I went to the New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, Garden District and took a cooking class.

Sab, what are you cooking? Looks like a roux. So, a pot of gumbo?

Yes It was roux for gumbo, we also made etouffee, and banana’s foster. It was delicious!

Love them all! I make shrimp etouffee. I do not have the patience to peel crawfish. It once took me 2 1/2 hours to peel enough crawfish to make 2 1/2 cups!

Glad you are enjoying NOLA!

Thanks bbstx!

Sabbath you have done much more than me! Your trip looks amazing. Where is the art festival? I really want to go!

I arrived at 130 AM on Tuesday. My room (exec. Suite) was substandard. I told the hotel to move me to a cheaper room and I would check out the next AM. I wasnt going to pay the high rates for the room - stains, banged up furniture, crumbs. The room was above the hotel mechanical equipment and very loud!! My father also paid for the executive suite and not pleased. At 2 Am, tHey moved me to a nicer smaller room, which I was happy with, but it was lower level, next to the road. I got no sleep. Luckily, my presentation went great despite being sleep deprived.

The hotel then moved my parents to a nicer suite. and they moved me a tiny room on the 12th floor. There is a loud constant hum from some mechanical equipment, but overall much quieter and an improvement.

It turned out my close friend was at the same conference so we had lunch at Couchon - a small cafe. The food was amazing! We all got together for a great dinner somewhere on bourbon street...cant remember the name. Yesterday, I just walked around the French quarter.

We had breakfast at Brennan’s. Highly recommend! The strawberries and cream was divine!!!

Later, we went to magazine street as my stepmo. Wanted some linens. I have been trying to get my father to use uber, but he refuses saying the drivers arent vetted. He let me order one to return to the hotel from Magazine street. I ordered uberX. I thought uberX was the larger nicer one, but I was wrong. We got a filthy Toyota Sienna. One of the seats broke as my father leaned against it. The man who drove it had a long white beard down to his waist. THe next thing I know he and my father are in a heated political argument, screaming at each other! I’ve never seen my father so angry! The driver wasnt quite right in the head. He mentioned his mother’s computer getting hacked and that he called the Russian embassy and told them he had killed 47 Russians. He was totally nuts! And it proved my father’s point! Every uber I have taken to this point has had nice polite drivers and clean cars. Just figures!

Last night we had dinner at Arnauds on Bourbon street. I DO NOT recommend it! It was terrible!!! Food was cold! My gumbo was bland. Out of five of us, only the person who ordered the filet mignon was happy with the food. But her cappuccino looked odd and she said it didnt taste right. THe meal also took far too long and I was so happy to leave.

We are not doing the plantation tour. None of us has the patience for a 1.5 hour drive and a 3 hour tour. We opted against the swamp tour for these same reasons. My father did hire a car to drive us around to look at mansions today.

All I can say is that I am totally in love with NO. I had not expected to like it so much. I think I will be returning very soon. I love just walking around the French Quarter watching the street performers, popping into the shops and galleries. For breakfast, we are meeting at another cafe, known for their hickory coffee. I’ll get the name later.

Thanks for posting! Sounds like a good time.

Rockybird- I am so glad that you loved NO. I love it too, it just melts all the stress away for me. I didn’t go to an Art’s Festival, I went to the New Orleans Museum of Art and they had a special fashion exhibit and sculpture garden. The museum is at the City Park which is as large as Central Park in NYC and very beautiful.

I really enjoyed the cooking class. That was so much fun. I took it at Cresent City Cooks (I believe that’s the name) in the French Quarter.

We ate at Green Goddess, Carmo, Royal House, Creole House, and Oceana. All the food was good, Carmo and Green Goddess were the best. Honestly the food we made at the cooking school was better then the restaurants. I met two famous artists (the two most famous in NO) at their galleries...that was exciting!

I lived there when I was 8-10, mostly I remember eating beignets downtown! Yummy

Enjoy

Rockybird, your father arguing with the Uber driver is hilarious. It is more NOLA than Uber, however. You probably would have gotten a similar driver and a similar vehicle if you had taken a regular cab. NOLA is noted for its eccentrics. If you haven’t read it, I commend A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole to you. Toole won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for the novel.

Bbstx- I just had someone recommend that book to me, what a coincidence.

It's a good read!