| Helen |
Nov 10th, 1999 10:43 AM |
Just back from New Orleans......
Trip Report: We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel which was fine, but not worth the $189/night charge. If you stay there, be sure to request an outside window. If not requested, they place you in an interior room with windows to the corridor! But, they switched us first thing the next morning. The hotel is located in the Warehouse District which is inbetween the French Qtr and the Garden District. We were 2 blocks from the Qtr, 1/2 block from Mothers restaurant (a New Orleans tradition), and 1 block from the newly opened Harrah's Casino (which is huge and very glitzy!). The area we were in was safe but the Hilton is only 1 - 2 blocks away, closer to the Qtr. Check the price when deciding where to stay. Our rate was high because of a citywide medical convention which had the hotels booked. If you stay near the river, take the train into the Qtr. There are only 8 stops but only maybe 3 miles of track! Cost is $1.50 one way so you can get off whereever you want. Take it to Stop #1 and you'll be at the French Market. Stop #5 takes you to Jackson Square. Also take the Streetcar into the Garden District, again $1.50 one-way, to view the old Southern mansions along St. Charles St. If you want to ride the ferry to Algiers, it's free - but, there's nothing to do on Algiers. The cemetery tour we took was very interesting and the tour guide is necessary to understand the meanings behind the various tombs - $13/pp. Great food can be found at most restaurants, the expensive restaurants require a reservation or there is a 1 - 2 hour wait for a table. Love the ambiance of the Qtr and the friendliness of the people - can't wait to go back!
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