I would look at hotels on St. Charles below Napoleon. They are probably all booked, but you may get lucky. Lee Circle is a great location too, but it's probably all booked by now. I wouldn't count on getting a balcony overlooking the parade route now, your best bet is to get a hotel near the parade route, find a spot early in the day, bring as much alcohol as possible, and mark off an area for you and your group.
Where would you recommend for dinner Saturday night? Nothing too pricey, maybe around $15-20 a plate? This will be for six guys.
I just booked a room at the Holiday Inn FQ. Good location, mediocre hotel. Oh well, hopefully I won't be -in- the hotel that much.
Even though I called it overrated, it would be a fun, inexpensive place for six guys. The only problem with it (if you aren't already over there) is that if you're staying at that Marriott place, it might not be easy to get way over there during the Saturday evening parades. Dick and Jenny's isn't too far, and it isn't too expensive, and the food is better, but it wouldn't be as much fun. Drago's might not be too bad, and it is close. If you're fooling around in the FQ, Irene's is always good. If you're even partially drunk though, it's TOUGH to find really bad food in New Orleans. There are so many great little hole in the walls, it is just ridiculous.
I stole the advice and called to make reservations. Its a long way from our hotel, but a taxi oughta do the trick...
You're right, I completely forgot about the parade route bubble that would make it tough to get to Jacques-Imo's from the French Quarter. A lot of people like Herbsaint. I'm not a huge fan, but it is popular. Red Fish is pretty good on Bourbon, it might be tough to get into, but the Buffalo Oysters alone are worth the trip. Pascale's Manale is another good restaurant that I like.
Uhmm....keep the reservations, but talk to your concierge. It isn't always easy to get a taxi to a hotel during mardi gras parades. Just speaking from experience.....
You made a good decision. Jacques-Imo's is a really fun restaurant and the odds are pretty good on getting free drinks or shots if Jacques is there. There is a reason why people are willing to wait several hours to eat there.
Put these numbers in your cell phone United Cab: 504-522-9771 Yellow Cab: 504-525-3311 White Fleet: 504-822-3800 Call early because it will take a while for them to come.
It can be done, but taxis can be tough during mardi gras and the parades. Not impossible.......just tough. If you start out watching the parades, and you are on St. Charles, you might try walking towards the superdome. You'll still be in the CBD, but you'll be outside of the parade route. The problem you'll find is being inside the parade route (or inside the baracades). You're already done the important thing.....you've looked at a map. Having those taxi numbers in your phone is another good thing to have. And plan ahead as tulexan said.......NOLA is definitely not NYC when it comes to cabs.
Another thing you can do is on Saturday keep on working your way west on St. Charles so that you get closer and closer to Napoleon. I think the Uptown and Garden District areas are the best parts of Mardi Gras. Superior Grill always has a ton of people and music during the parades and Fat Harry's is just as good. If you're driving to NOLA I would consider bringing a small grill and just tailgating at a parade one day or afternoon. Even without a grill, just bring cases of beer or bottles of liquor with you and get drunk while enjoying the parades. There are tons of food stands along the parade route where you can get hot dogs, burgers, fries, sausages, etc. Usually that's all we do during Mardi Gras. Bring an absurd amount of alcohol, find a spot to post up, get drunk, catch some beads, have fun.
Ok guys my b-day is during spring break, I'll be 19 still under age to "legally" drink. My question to everyone that has been: Can I go and still have a great time?
Of course you can, the police have more important things to deal with than underage drinking. Just don't start fights or piss on the street.
we're planning on being at the Acme Oyster house on Friday, Feb. 1st for lunch, which is about a couple blocks away from you. if you're up for meeting a clutchfan member for a beer, come on by.
We won't be rolling into town until the late afternoon. But I'd love to meet up with some CF.net people while there.
