Hello Travelers! My husband and I will be staying in NO for the first time in the beginning of April. We like to take leave the car behind and travel by foot or public transport. And we tend to splurg when we travel. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!

What are you asking, exactly?? All you've told us is that you like to walk and like to "splurg" so I'm not sure what that means in terms of what you want to do while in N.O.

Like the previous poster, I have no idea what you're asking. But as a general aside, if you're on AOL you can access lengthy and informative travels boards for NO by using keyword "travel" and following the link to message boards (or travelers' opinions)

Sorry, Cindy! I didn't mean to be vague. My comment about splurge (not "splurg", oops) only meant we didn't mind spending a little to do something or stay somewhere great. My research has shown so many interesting places to stay and things to do, I was hoping to narrow the search with ideas from those that have been there before. Things are booking fast, so I need to make decisions pretty fast. Our interests are varied, so any suggestions will be a help. Thanks!

Paige, my first piece of advice is to book a room ASAP. April is a very busy month!! Not having a car is a good idea. Stay in the French Quarter or one of the surrounding neighborhoods (Faubourg Marigny, Central Business District, Warehouse District) where you can take a cab or walk. Algiers Point, Esplanade Ridge and the Garden District are also other good alternatives.

As for things to do: Aquarium, zoo, D-Day Museum, Harrah's Casino, the shops of the Quarter and Magazine Street, the Canal Street ferry to Algiers Point, and the highly-underrated N.O. Museum of Art come to mind. Of course, there's also Bourbon Street!

Actually, I'd stay away from Bourbon Street Before we moved her, my husband and I came to NO dozens of times, and only three times did we get a car. Public transportation isn't the greatest, but having the streetcar which will take you from the French Quarter uptown is a big plus. I would suggest staying someplace on the Canal edge, like the Bienville House, that way you're not too far to walk to the street car, yet in the quarter. You can also easily take the ferry and the riverfront street car. There are plenty of buses too, but they take a little big more to figure out. Taxis are relatively inexensive, I'd say an average of $10 one way to get almost anywhere you'd want to go.

Thanks so much for the information! This really gives me a little head start. And yes, the place is really filling up, John. The first two hotels I contacted are full up. But, I won't give up! Thanks again for posting!

Paige,
To book a hotel at a good rate go to www.hoteldiscounts.com. They have a lot of great New Orleans hotels listed, and for most of them the reat is better then you can get through the hotels reservations desk.

Hi Kathy! I checked out the site and they had some good discounts listed. Thanks for the tip!