Hi all, the wife and I will be driving a rental car back east from southern Texas in early May. Neither of us has ever been able to visit NOLA and this would be a good time to do it. We are both retired, so we have a pretty flexible schedule. With the risk of sounding all touristy, would anyone share the hotels they might recommend for a 2-night visit? We are members of Bonvoy, IHG and BW reward programs. There are a number of Marriott properties in the area, so they might be an option. Does anyone have experience with any of them? Our budget is around $325 or so a night. We would like to see a samples of “NOLA” history and culture. Maybe a couple of nice restaurants, walk on Bourbon St and / or visit the French Q. We are complete newbies to NOLA, so I’d be happy with any recommendations.

Thanks much in advance!

Carry heavy - and extra magazines..................

The WWII museum there is highly rated, even if you just do a few hours. It’s not far from the French Quarter area.

Yes, bourbon street can be a cesspool, but I’d go for a look & a few drinks. I’d go during the afternoon or earlier evening hours. There are hotels within walking distance.

Other than that I don’t have much, normal security protocols have always been enough for me.

Australian Handshake, before ya kiss the Shelia, mate.

The French Quarter, referred to just a The Quarter by locals, is really the main thing to see and do in NOLA.

I've stayed several times at the Crowne Plaza on the corner of Canal and Bourbon. That is a really good location. I've not stayed at other hotels in the Quarter. The downtown area is within a short walk but there isn't much to do or see there and I wouldn't do a hotel there.

Without a doubt the WWII museum is on the top of the must-do list.

The streetcar is the best way to get around other than walking. You can get passes or just pay each trip.

Bourbon St is a one time thing imho. The first couple of blocks in from Canal are the strip joints. There are a couple of good restaurants in there, too. Actually I've never had a bad meal anywhere in NOLA. Beyond the strip joints are a couple of blocks of gay bars mixed in with other bars. A few more blocks and you'll find Lafitte's Blacksmith Bar, which is historic and an interesting place to have a drink.

After you've seen Bourbon St, there are plenty of interesting shops, bars, and restaurants in the Quarter. Jackson Square usually has a bunch of artists and musicians around it.

We've enjoyed going to Preservation Hall for music and some history. Note they do not have restrooms inside and the nearby bars won't let you use theirs without buying a drink!

There are some interesting walking tours. We enjoyed a voodoo tour, seeing the above ground cemeteries, and Congo Square (a park where slaves congregated on Sundays). The guides point out a lot of historic things that one would not know otherwise.

On of my favorite things to do is walk along the river in the very early morning. There is a pedestrian overpass by Marigny St to access Crescent Park. Or just walk along the levy by the Quarter.

The garden district is a little ho-hum to me. It is pretty but it isn't high on my list of things to do, especially with limited time in NOLA.

I have no idea where it is or isn't safe these days.

The Mayor Of NOLA is doing everything that she can to change several areas of downtown NOLA into "Gun Free Areas". French Quarter / Bourbon Street /etc.... Do not dress or act like tourist... If you carry legally(even with a CHP that is recognized by Louisiana) you need to carry something that would not be a great loss if taken by the police because if you get it back you will be one of the lucky ones . ............. Heads on swivels..... Personally almost takes a act of congress to get me to go to NOLA and that is Not even the downtown areas... But be safe and enjoy your visit. .......................... drill sgt.

Visit the Garden District. NOLA is full of history. Eat some beignets. Definitely partake of the cuisine. Eat some oysters. Visit the Riverwalk and watch the ships on the Mississippi. Do not fall for the gag of I bet I know where you got dem shoes. I have always enjoyed NOLA but I grew up in a large urban area. You can always take a bus tour if so inclined.

Eat and be careful. There is a Marriott right across from the convention center that was safe last time I was there. Head on a swivel.

RMD

Better part of a day can be spent at the WWII museum. There are several places to eat around Jackson Square from sandwich shops to pretty nice restaurants. I would probably get headed towards the hotel before it got past the nightly newscast. Second day I’d hit the shopping and sight in the quarter. About the time I hear a band playing what like I’d stop and eat or drink till I was done. If you are a hat guy hit Meyer the Hatter shop. It’s easily walking distance. There’s a good oyster place in the area too.

All my info is now a few years old. I’ve gone three times over 25 yrs and honestly the museum is the only real change for my money. If you’ve seen 3 of the bead T-shirt and shot glass places you’ve seen every damn one of them.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Do not fall for the gag of I bet I know where you got dem shoes.

I'm sure I'm not alone in not knowing that one. Care to clue us in?

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Visit the Garden District.

In fact, I'd recommend staying in a hotel/B&B the Garden District, and spending most of your time there. Not the French Quarter.

It's cleaner, nicer, and less touristy than the French Quarter, but fairly adjacent to it. You can walk, Uber, or ride the streetcars to the French Quarter when you want to visit that.

The best restaurants I ate at in town were all in the Garden District, even better than the famous/touristy places in the French Quarter.

And while you'll want to explore the French Quarter some, since there's some cool stuff and good restaurants there, you can skip Bourbon Street itself. It's nothing but cheesy chain bars hawking cheap sugary mixed drinks to drunk tourists. And it smells like piss and vomit 24/7, no matter the time of day or how recently the street cleaners have been by.

Since it's packed with tourists, the French Quarter is also packed with scam artists, pickpockets, and other criminals. So keep your head on a swivel.

Unless you're planning to pay with points, I'd skip the chain hotels and find a small Bed & Breakfast. There are a bunch sprinkled throughout the Garden District in historic old homes. IIRC, this is the one I stayed at for my last trip there in 2011ish. It's just 1 mile from the WW2 Museum and 2 miles from the heart of the French Quarter, but it's in the Garden District and a couple blocks from two different streetcar lines. https://gardendistrictbedandbreakfast.com/

Definitely hit the WW2 Museum. It's amazing.

The Audobon Zoo is well worth a visit too.

If someone says “I like your shoes, bet I can tell you where you got them,” the answer is you got them on the street in New Orleans. I always say “I shop the same place you do, my friend.” Never had any trouble.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Do not fall for the gag of I bet I know where you got dem shoes.

I'm sure I'm not alone in not knowing that one. Care to clue us in?

Last time I was in NO some street guy ran this joke on me… right beside Cafe du Monde. While he was giving me the set up, I was trying to figure out how he was going to scam money out of me or get me to take my wallet out of my pocket.

He never got the chance, a lady cop came along and moved him on from me.

Seems like a grade school joke:

“I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes.”

“ You got your shoes on your feet!”

Stay away from the dirty end of Bourbon Street

Really appreciate the information everyone!

Bypass NOLA

quote:

Originally posted by charlie12:
Bypass NOLA

I wouldn't live there. I wouldn't visit for an extended period. But a 2 day stop during a road trip that's going by there anyway is a perfect way to get a taste of what the city has to offer, see some of the can't-miss sights like the WW2 museum, and then never go back.

If you stick to the Garden District with a few quick excursions into the French Quarter, it should be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by charlie12:
Bypass NOLA

I wouldn't live there. I wouldn't visit for an extended period. But a 2 day stop during a road trip that's going by there anyway is a perfect way to get a taste of what the city has to offer, see some of the can't-miss sights like the WW2 museum, and then never go back.

If you stick to the Garden District with a few quick excursions into the French Quarter, it should be fine.

We used to make deliveries to nursing homes and some private residences there. We delivered Meds. we finally said that's enough they don't pay enough to go there.
I would bypass I-10 in Baton Rouge to I-12 and hit I-10 at Slidell and not have to put up with NOLA. Someone was shot on the interstate in NOLA today

quote:

Originally posted by charlie12:
I would bypass I-10 in Baton Rouge to I-12 and hit I-10 at Slidell and not have to put up with NOLA. Someone was shot on the interstate in NOLA today

When I was driving from El Paso to Tampa every month, I would bypass that entire portion of Louisiana. I'd take I-20 through the state and get back to I-10 by cutting diagonally through MS. I-10/12 in Louisiana are just awful, lots of construction, traffic and bad drivers. I-20 was a much more peaceful drive.

Yeah. Bourbon Street is a one and done for me.

Go to the WWII museum.

See Jackson Square.

Find an old plantation tour for some history.

Go see Avery Island and take the Tabasco tour.

Then drive just an smidge further east to the coast of Mississippi and Alabama and you can get a better taste of the gulf south without the fear factor of New Orleans.