here are the parades scheduled for the time you will be there. I wouldn't miss the Endymion Krewe's parade if I had a choice. they throw a wild one, I went last year and it was the best atmosphere, a great spirit in the air. most of New Orleans tourism is back and the scene at the French Quarter is going to be a wild party... its the outskirts of town and the places that no tourist would ever go near that is still in complete shambles... blocks of buildings with boards up on the windows. entire neighborhoods abandoned. lack of power and other amenitites which keep people from coming back... anywhere near downtown and the Quarter will be just like old days. I was in N.O. last weekend when the Bowl season was getting under way and it a great time to be there. have fun!
Anyone know about the SpringHill Suites at the Convention Center? It says it's a mile from the French Quarter and all that jazz. Safe? It's about the last place downtown that has rooms for both the 2nd and the 3rd.
Marriott has opened a BUNCH of places around the convention center recently. These places are new, and the area isn't that bad. If you stay there, you'll be a short walk from the casino and just below CBD. You'll also be real close to the end of the parade route. My wife and I made reservations early, but if we were in a pinch, we had already discussed that we'd stay in one of those Marriott places (of which Springhill Suites is one). Some good restaurants nearby are Bon Ton, Cochon, Mothers, Tommy's.....and a few others I can't quite think of just yet. We--and only because at the time of booking, it was just as cheap as most other places--are staying at the Ritz Carlton, but I'd have no problem staying at Springhill. I love me some Mardi Gras.
I would........to some degree.....agree with this. There are some things at Mothers that are still good; regardless (and admittedly, I don't think I've been there but once since Katrina--and this will be my sixth time back) Mothers is an institution.
Not all of it, but we're coming in sometime on Saturday (surely in time to catch Endymion at the end of the route--it just depends on some work scheduling for one of the people in our party), and we'll leave on Wednesday. Heck....if we can't get out of Houston by noon, I might revolt and take my own truck..........I can't miss Endymion.
Just be aware that the place you mentioned is in the warehouse district. There won't be a lot of people just hanging out around there....though there are some good restaurants scattered here and there. BUT......you won't be far from the action; just a short walk. I'm a big lard ass, but my wife and I will still walk to the Faubourg or to deep in the Garden District and back to our hotel (usually in the CBD), and sometimes both places......all in the same day. Great city for a stroll.
Pole, can you recommend any tours or what is a must see? i've only been to new orleans once but didn't really have time to enjoy the city. i want to make the most of the mardi gras weekend.
Cool...you're one of those old posters I've always wanted to meet, so lemme know if you wanna ride with us (we are leaving at noon).
Jacques-Imo's is somewhat overrated. It surely isn't worth the wait (usually several hours), but if you have a large party and are lucky to get a reservation then it is a good meal at a reasonable price. Personally, I would rather go to August or any of the other Besh restaurants. Maybe it's just my distaste for downtown New Orleans (way too many tourists), but I'm just not a fan of Mothers. Prices aren't great, always crowded, and the food is decent. The Ferdi Special is good, but if I want a Po Boy then I will go to Crabby Jack's or Domilise's because the food is better, it's fast service, and the prices are reasonable. Bourbon Street is too much of a pain in the ass during Mardi Gras if you don't have a balcony. I would much rather go to the parades Uptown/Garden District and then go to bars in the area like Fat Harry's, Balcony Bar, Miss Mae's, Columns, etc.
Then I love you very much and will stop arguing with you. August is my favorite restaurant in the world, and although I haven't really travelled the world, I've been to my fair share of nice eateries. We have reservations for August and Luke, and we're trying to figure out if we can make it to La Provence. Besh only missed out on being the next Iron Chef because only Batali is worthy of carrying his jock strap.
Can anyone recommend a good hotel, or a way to make sure you get a balcony on a parade route, etc? Looking at making reservations on Canal St. Good idea, bad idea?
