Skedaddle

My family (husband, parents, and brother (all adults)) will be in New Orleans for a few days around and on Christmas. One thing that I've read about are the bonfires along the river on Christmas Eve. It looks like it is possible to do a Greyline bus tour to see them. The riverboat Natchez seems to have a Christmas Eve special, but I can't tell from the description if it actually leaves port or not or if the bonfires would be visible there.

So, I'm wondering if there are other options or if the bus tour would be best. We will have a car, so if it would be better to do a private drive along the river, that might work out.

Could someone fill in the gaps for me? Opinions on the options and if driving is a good idea, the right road(s) and times.

Thanks a bunch!

uptowngirl2418

The bus tour sounds really nice, but expensive.

I would just take your car. You need to drive on River Road (East Bank) in St. James Parish near Lutcher. It will be very crowded. The fires start around 6-7pm. The structures are amazing to see before they burn them, so you can try to go before sunset.

I also thought the Natchez tours are down river which is the opposite direction you need to be to see the bonfires.

Skedaddle

Thanks, uptowngirl!
When you say "really crowded," do you mean bumper-to-bumper wish-we'd-stayed-in-New-Orleans inching along, or just steady driving? How long would you allow for the drive? It doesn't appear to be very far . . .
Any other tips? Are there street stalls and/or places to eat there? When do things wind down/we head back to New Orleans? In time for midnight mass?

rhondalee

As President of the Festival of the Bonfires, I would like to invite you and your family to St. James Parish for Christmas Eve. It is one of the greatest traditions in the world. One you will truly enjoy. It is best to drive to Gramercy/Lutcher (only 50 miles from downtown New Orleans). You should try to get to Gramercy/Lutcher around 5 pm. The bonfires are lit at 7:00 pm. Just walk the levee. Say hello to everyone because you never know who will invite to their house. If you have any questions, you can call the St. James Parish Welcome Center at 225-869-1717. Who knows- you may just run into me. Ask anyone on the levee for me (screen name) and more than likely they will know me. Have a great Christmas!

uptowngirl2418

It takes about one hour to get there. The driving is a slow crawl on River Road. You park along the levee and walk around.

Bring your own blanket, snacks, drinks, etc. Head back to NOLA when you have had enough.

Midnight mass at St Louis Cathedral would be very special.

southeastern

Staying at one of the plantations for the night after viewing the bon fires would be the icing on the cake!

Skedaddle

Thanks, everyone for the feedback! We are looking forward to seeing it and believe it will be something we wouldn't get to see anywhere else. We are planning on midnight mass at St. Louis Cathedral afterward - if we've got the energy!

Does anyone have any information on the historical character strolls in NO? http://fqfi.org/index.php?id=10,65,0,0,1,0 I can't tell if this is just something that you encounter or if it is more along the lines of a walking tour? It appears that it is going on on Christmas day and we thought it might be a little dead in the city otherwise.

Skedaddle

Just a little follow-up. The bonfire tour was GREAT! The plantation part was so-so, but the time at the bonfires was very good and, surprisingly, the bus was very good. We had a bus driver who really made a great effort to share some Christmas spirit and her post-Katrina story.