Christmas in New Orleans French Quarter
Oct 24th, 2004, 05:38 PM
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Christmas in New Orleans French Quarter
My brother and I will be in the French Quarter Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We are staying at Bienville House Hotel on Decatur St. I'm wondering if many places in the FQ will be closed these two days. Would like to take a tour of the river on one of the paddlewheel boats, but I only see that they have expensive cruises Christmas Eve to see the bonfires set along the Mississippi River to guide Papa Noel. Would love to see it, but dinner and a boat ride for $85 is too much.
Any suggestions for Christmas Day that won't require dressing up alot? We are taking a liesurely trip and don't want to pack lots of fancy clothes.
Is Bourbon Street busy on Christmas Eve? We might just spend time around wherever the crowds are located. Should be a nice time for a visit to the Big Easy. Hope the weather is nice.
Any suggestions for Christmas Day that won't require dressing up alot? We are taking a liesurely trip and don't want to pack lots of fancy clothes.
Is Bourbon Street busy on Christmas Eve? We might just spend time around wherever the crowds are located. Should be a nice time for a visit to the Big Easy. Hope the weather is nice.
Oct 24th, 2004, 06:26 PM
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Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were very quiet when we were in the French Quarter a few years ago. So, you won't have an easy job finding the crowds.
We managed to find restaurants for dinner both nights, though there weren't that many choices. (Sorry, but I forget the names of the restaurants.)
We managed to find restaurants for dinner both nights, though there weren't that many choices. (Sorry, but I forget the names of the restaurants.)
Oct 24th, 2004, 07:29 PM
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Howard... thanks for the reply. I was afraid it might be sort of deserted on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. We were in Key West for Christmas one year and it was great. Stores, bars and restaurants were open and reasonably priced. I was hoping the same for N.O.
Anyone else out there that can let me know what the FQ is like 12/24 & 12/25? We will have a car, so driving outside of the FQ is not out of the question.
Anyone else out there that can let me know what the FQ is like 12/24 & 12/25? We will have a car, so driving outside of the FQ is not out of the question.
Oct 25th, 2004, 02:46 AM
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Here's a website about things going on in NO around Christmas: http://www.neworleansonline.com/newo...contents.shtml
I will be there with hubby for our 10th anniversary earlier in December!
I will be there with hubby for our 10th anniversary earlier in December!
Oct 26th, 2004, 07:18 AM
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Thanks for all the info! Spoke to friends last night who live in N.O. and they also suggested Oaks in City Park, which is near their home. They also laughed when I asked if places would be open those two days.... he said, "This is New Orleans!" Soooo, I suppose N.O. is about like Key West... they NEVER close!
Oct 26th, 2004, 07:27 AM
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Try www.christmasneworleans.com. This will give you the highlighted events though many happen in the weeks before Christmas. If it is at all possible, St. Louis Cathedral has concerts every night Dec 1-23. The night of the 23rd is Rev. Lois J. Dejean - a WONDERFUL gospel singer. I have seen her the past two years and am sad that I do not live in New Orleans anymore to enjoy the great music.
You also cannot beat Chrismas Eve services in the Cathedral (even if you are not Catholic as I am not!). Plan to be there early as you will stand in line to get in. Last year, we had a wonderful dinner at Bella Luna on the river before midnight services so I know that they are open. We had tried several other restaurants which were all full with too long a wait to make the services, so you should not have problems finding dinner.
As for Christmas day, I suggest asking your hotel for suggestions.
Have a great time!
You also cannot beat Chrismas Eve services in the Cathedral (even if you are not Catholic as I am not!). Plan to be there early as you will stand in line to get in. Last year, we had a wonderful dinner at Bella Luna on the river before midnight services so I know that they are open. We had tried several other restaurants which were all full with too long a wait to make the services, so you should not have problems finding dinner.
As for Christmas day, I suggest asking your hotel for suggestions.
Have a great time!
Oct 26th, 2004, 02:18 PM
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NewOrleansLady.... Thanks for the info. I figure if we want a reasonable Christmas Dinner, we'll just find a KFC...LOL!! Hey, it's not a Fried Turkey, but close!
Christmas Eve we will most likely be with our friends who live near City Park and maybe catch the beautiful lights before or after dinner. Christmas Day, we'll just kick back, relax, and enjoy the French Quarter. I suppose if we want anything at the Market, we'll have to check it out on Christmas Eve... they might be open for last-minute shoppers. Guess it's just up to the individual vendors. I don't need anymore N.O. cookbooks because I have loads of them since my mother grew up in N.O. (not far from the Garden District end of the St. Charles streetcar line.) I'm so happy I mastered Shrimp Creole and the perfect roux a matter of months before Mom passed away... wonder if she knew it was okay to go now that one of her daughters had FINALLY mastered Creole Cooking 101???? She was a true New Orlean to the end! We took her "home" to N.O. and Baton Rouge a couple years ago and she loved the trip, even though she was in a wheelchair and partially blind. Amazing that when we got lost at night, she helped us find our way back to the FQ by telling us to look for certain landmarks! Thank goodness those landmark schools, churches, etc., were still standing!
Christmas Eve we will most likely be with our friends who live near City Park and maybe catch the beautiful lights before or after dinner. Christmas Day, we'll just kick back, relax, and enjoy the French Quarter. I suppose if we want anything at the Market, we'll have to check it out on Christmas Eve... they might be open for last-minute shoppers. Guess it's just up to the individual vendors. I don't need anymore N.O. cookbooks because I have loads of them since my mother grew up in N.O. (not far from the Garden District end of the St. Charles streetcar line.) I'm so happy I mastered Shrimp Creole and the perfect roux a matter of months before Mom passed away... wonder if she knew it was okay to go now that one of her daughters had FINALLY mastered Creole Cooking 101???? She was a true New Orlean to the end! We took her "home" to N.O. and Baton Rouge a couple years ago and she loved the trip, even though she was in a wheelchair and partially blind. Amazing that when we got lost at night, she helped us find our way back to the FQ by telling us to look for certain landmarks! Thank goodness those landmark schools, churches, etc., were still standing!
