New York City to New Orleans Itinerary

Old Apr 26th, 2016, 01:28 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
New York City to New Orleans Itinerary

Hi,
my wife and I are traveling from Melbourne to the US for the first time next year and have started thinking about an itinerary. We'd like to land in New York City and head to New Orleans (with a brief side trip to Havana). We have about four weeks for the whole trip. We are very keen to follow the route 61, Blues Highway, from Nashville to New Orleans for Jazzfest. We want to finish with a two-three days in Havana, flying back to New York city and home from there. Our main interest will be the music but want to explore other interests too. E.g., sport, outdoor experiences (National Parks?), great city experiences such as museums, galleries, etc. Can anyone help with ideas? What is the best way to get to Havana from New Orleans? Are there existing links/threads on this form that discuss an itinerary like this?
Thanks.
seanmc is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 05:33 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
Could you fly to Chicago first and then either take the City of New Orleans train or a rental car to Memphis?
US 61 http://travel.nationalgeographic.com...way-road-trip/
goes south from Memphis through TN, MS and LA (New Orleans).
You may have better luck getting a flight to Havana from Miami Florida.
Fly back from Havana to New York to end the trip.
Nashville has a different type of music from the type found south of Memphis along the Mississippi River.
FYI: the City of New Orleans leaves Chicago Union Station at 8PM every night and arrives in Memphis early in the morning.
The station in Memphis is across the street from a restaurant that was an Elvis hangout.
tomfuller is online now  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 07:08 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As Tom indicated, Highway 61 does not go all the way from Nashville to NOLA. It does, however, run south from Memphis to NOLA.

You don't indicate how you are going to get from NYC to Nashville (or Memphis).

Do you plan to be in NOLA for the full two weekends of Jazz Fest? If so, then flying part of the trip makes sense. If you are only going to hear one weekend, then you could probably drive the whole way.

My taste in music is more Memphis than Nashville, and there is a lot to see: Sun Records Studio, Graceland, Stax/Volt studio, and Beale Street for blues are all good, and there is a great Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

Clarksville, MS, of course. Natchez, MS of course.

There are a number of National Parks along the Mississippi River south of Vicksburg--both in Louisiana and Mississippi. One I'd recommend is the Vicksburg National Military Park that commemorates the siege of Vicksburg: Grant and Sherman captured Vicksburg and opened the Mississippi completely to Union forces on the same day that the Battle of Gettysburg was taking place half the country away.

Anyway, let us know about your NYC to Tennessee transportation plans and plans for Jazz Fest.
dwdvagamundo is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 07:31 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

Can you?

Need to check into the visa situation for this and if you can do multiple US entries on the US visa for Aussies.
BigRuss is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 08:47 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Airlines are still not showing flights from the US to/fro Cuba. I know that we are in the process of regularizing relations with Cuba but for MANY years travel there has not been possible except going via a third country.

It seems that this travel may no longer be illegal for US citizens but none of the airlines have scheduled flights there. As non-US citizens this trip was never illegal for you - but I'm not sure when direct flights might be instituted.

Usually trips from the south are via Panama or Mexico - so you would have to figure that into your travel time. Or perhaps on the way back you might prefer to get to NYC via flights to Canada.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 10:50 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
Here is the link you are looking for: https://www.cheapair.com/blog/cheapa...ights-to-cuba/
As I guessed, Miami has the first daily flights to Havana.
Be sure your visa allows you back into the US after visiting Cuba.
The pastor of my church in Oregon has been to Cuba twice in the past 10 years (cultural exchange).
tomfuller is online now  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 04:36 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Select cultural groups have always been allowed to go to Cuba - but not directly from the US.

Don;t know that airline - but may end up being the only choice since none of the regular airlines have announced anything I can find without going through another country.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2016, 02:19 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great set of responses, thanks. I'm not sure how we'll get to Nashville just yet but I think we should spend a little time in Washington. If so, we could fly from there to Nashville and bus it to Memphis? One suggestion has also been to see the Smokey Mountains, though... Another great nature experiences would need to take its place if we bypassed the Smokeys. Tom, what's your reasoning for suggesting Chicago? I would imagine just the one weekend for jazz fest. As for the Cuban leg, I suppose it'll be best to wait and see how new arrangements pan out in terms of flights. I will look into multiple entries to the US too
seanmc is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2016, 05:38 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
Some of the jazz and other music migrated north to Chicago from Memphis. The City of New Orleans train was running long before Amtrak took over in 1970.
My plan would be if the visa allows, Chicago (fly), overnight train to Memphis, see Memphis, rent car and drive to Nashville, drive back to Memphis to drive the Blues highway, New Orleans for at least 3 days, fly out of NOL to either Miami or maybe Mexico City to get a flight to Havana.
Figure out how to get from Havana to New York (maybe Toronto and Niagara Falls New York).
Flights to/from the US to Havana will be limited for awhile.
tomfuller is online now  
Old Apr 27th, 2016, 06:57 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You've got enough time to rent a car in Washington DC and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway via Asheville N.C. to the Smokey Mountain National Park and then north to Nashville. Don't pick up a car until you get to DC--either fly or take the train from NYC.

As you're going to have a car, then drive to Memphis and then visit Highway 61.

What else do you plan or would like to do with the time you have?
dwdvagamundo is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2016, 09:54 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are certainly charter flights on estabihsed airlines from Miami to Havana that you should be able to find without much trouble. Here is one place to start. Also check the Caribbean forum here for a report from someone who recently traveled independently to Cuba from Miami:

https://ibe.cts.isotravel.com/cts-web/#/home
ekscrunchy is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2016, 05:36 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We've been to JazzFest twice (we're here right now). Both times, we bought 3 days of tickets for the 4-day weekend, so we'd have flexibility. We planned to skip Saturday this weekend, but the weather was so bad yesterday, we skipped yesterday instead - great decision, we went sightseeing instead. Let me know if there's any more specifics you want to know.
sf7307 is offline  
Old May 3rd, 2016, 02:01 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sf7307 I saw some footage of fans knee deep water, wise choice to have skipped that day! We're really looking forward to jazz fest. I know there'll be plenty of information online but a couple of simple ones for you: is the festival held on one festival site or spread around various venues across town. I assume there would be plenty of side shows around town too. I'll do some research on tix but what other multi day ticket offerings are there usually?

As dwdvagamundo suggested we're thinking of hiring a car from Washington to Asheville, the Smokys and on to Nashville/ Memphis. Then taking some tours plus public transport for the Memphis to New Orleans leg (I'm concerned about the cost of the hire car).

So far, the itinerary could be New York City for about four days, Washington for three, drive to Asheville for two days, somewhere else near the Smokys to explore the national park for two days (maybe Townsend but ideas needed), Nashville two days, Memphis to New Orleans, including jazz fest, ten days, Havana three- four days, New York City one day. Just a start though
seanmc is offline  
Old May 3rd, 2016, 06:33 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
Do you have to return to NYC for the return trip if you have already been there for 4 days? Perhaps you could return to Australia via Mexico City from Havana.
The Amtrak Crescent leaves Washington about 6:30PM and arrives in Lynchburg/Roanoke about 10. Spend a night in Lynchburg and rent a car in the morning rather than renting in Washington DC.
The first US based cruise ship docked in Havana yesterday.
It won't be too long until regular flights get started.
tomfuller is online now  
Old May 3rd, 2016, 08:49 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
sf7307 may be better positioned to answer the Jazz Fest question, but when we went, the main festival was held at the Fairgrounds and there was more than enough to see and hear to keep you entertained.

That said, we also got tickets to hear the Neville Brothers at Tipitina's Uptown. One of our party of four couldn't stand the crowd and the noise so waited outside as we imitated deafened sardines inside.
dwdvagamundo is offline  
Old May 3rd, 2016, 06:21 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
JazzFest is held at the Fairgrounds over two weekends. The first weekend is Friday-Saturday-Sunday, and the second weekend is Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday. You buy a daily ticket, which can be used any of the days of the weekend you buy it for (so we bought 3 days' tickets for each person, and ended up going Friday, Saturday and two of us went on Sunday - the others blew off Sunday due to the weather). The tickets were $65 per day in advance. Music is on from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Once you're inside you can't leave and return (there is excellent food, and great arts & crafts fair within the gates also, and a space where they do cooking demonstrations, so you won't want to leave).

There are, I think, 12 stages with music going at any time. Acura Stage is the main stage, where the headliners play (Paul Simon on Friday, would have been Stevie Wonder on Saturday, but it was cancelled; we saw Pearl Jam on that stage in 2010). 3 of the stages are indoors in huge tents - Jazz Tent, Gospel Tent and Blues Tent. The rest are various sizes of outdoor stages/areas.

What we've done both times is buy folding chairs at CVS or Walgreen's ($15-$20) with full intentions of abandoning them in New Orleans. This time we also bought a tarp, as did lots of other people. Many people plant their chairs in one spot, and return to them throughout the day, wandering around to other areas without the chairs - they're always right where you left them. People are really low key at JazzFest.

Since the music ends at 7, there's plenty of time for good food and more music. On Bourbon Street, on Frenchmen Street, and throughout the city, there are bars and clubs with live music. Honestly, you just walk 3 steps and there's another bar and another band, sometimes on the street if they don't have a paying gig. Many are just bars with a band playing. Most don't have cover charges, but if there's a well-known act playing, there may be a cover. We paid $20 to see Ivan Neville on Wednesday night at the Blue Nile, $27 to see Kermit Ruffins on Saturday night at the Little Gem, and $40 to see Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra at the House of Blues on Sunday (the latter was worth five times that much - because in addition to the headliner, both Trombone Shorty AND Stevie Wonder showed up).

I LOVE JazzFest, and will be happy to answer any other questions! Ask away....P.S. I don't know your hotel budget, but we stayed at a hotel we really liked - a quirky boutique hotel about 5 blocks from the French Quarter. What we loved about it was the lobby, which serves as registration desk, bar and restaurant, was always busy and everyone was so friendly (both staff and other guests). We don't usually hang out in hotel lobbies, but it was very inviting.
sf7307 is offline  
Old May 4th, 2016, 08:48 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'll add to sf7307's great advice to bring an umbrella (a "parasol") for the sun.
dwdvagamundo is offline  
Old May 4th, 2016, 12:43 PM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the jazz fest information. I know I'll have more questions later but it sounds so good.

Tom, I guess the return to nyc is about our budget. Return flights from Melbourne to nyc I assumed would be cheaper than two one way flights. But you've made me think about another option now. Great!
seanmc is offline  
Old May 4th, 2016, 01:59 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh, I did forget to mention - definitely bring shoes that can get wet and muddy, and a poncho for rain. (I think most people make do with a hat for the sun)
sf7307 is offline  
Old May 10th, 2016, 02:08 AM
  #20  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We were also considering hiring a small Rv to camp in/stay in the smoky mountains for a few nights. I assume there'd be something self contained, not too big and suitable for getting to remote areas. Does anyone have any ideas about this. We would rent a van from maybe townsend or Asheville
seanmc is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dolly2017
United States
7
Feb 25th, 2017 03:43 AM
geetee062
United States
5
Jul 7th, 2016 01:06 PM
EilishMcNamee
United States
24
Aug 25th, 2014 03:25 PM
NeilWT
United States
7
Jul 7th, 2014 11:58 AM
Professorguitar
United States
11
Dec 28th, 2012 05:09 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -