The Monaco Hotel is located on St. Charles Ave and is three blocks from the French Quarter. You can spend the whole afternoon walking around that area. The streetcar runs on St Charles, but it is heading out of the CBD. If you'd like to ride it down St. Charles that would take a couple of hours back and forth. You will be safe on a Friday afternoon walking from your hotel to anywhere you can get too on foot.

You could spend some time in the Aquarium at the end of Canal Street at the river. It would be a great way to spend a few hours. I had a few hours to myself in N.O. one afternoon when we we were staying one block from the FQ on St. Charles Avenue. I strolled around the FQ and checked out the French Market and did some shopping. Also, they have loads of antique shops to stroll through. You definitely won't be bored.

There are several good bookstores in the French Quarter & also neat shops on Royal St. I love Joan Good's in the 800 block of Royal. Her jewelry is antique & can't be beat. She is a true Quarter character & has loads of stories. You could also go to the French Market & get a drink & people watch. A great way to pass some time.There are several good museums around Jackson Square & the French Market.

Walking the three blocks to the Quarter would be worth it and provide an easy two & more hours entertainment, just browing the antique shops, bars and restaurants. I think a trip down to the French Market would be quite a ways to go, spend and hour and start tyring to get back. It may not take an hour to get there but in order to be sure you were back in time to meet up with your folks, I wouldn't allow a whole lot less time than that.

The Quarter is entertainment all unto it own. You'll have fun!

Lily,

Check our the New Orleans Schol of Cooking at www.thelouisianageneralstore.com.

It's located in the French Quarter, and they have a two-hour afternoon session from 2-4 p.m. I think I read that the cost is $20.

Our daughter and husband did the three-hour morning session several months ago, and loved it. It should be a very entertaining afternoon!

Byrd

We took the St. Charles street car ride, just to kill some time between planned activities, and it was pleasant enough. I remember seeing the MTV "Real World" House on St. Charles St. Also, we got off the street car and walked to the home of Anne Rice (Interview With the Vampire) at First and Chestnut in the Garden District. I wouldn't say these are must-dos in New Orleans, but it was relaxing, and you should be felt perfectly safe out walking in the afternoon.