For openers, I am not so crazy about this new format and am probably using it incorrectly. (There has to be a better way to select the forum other than USA)
I just have a question about the advisability of staying in the quarter on what appears to be a busy weekend...like there are any that are not. Four 50 to 64 year olds who do not want to stay in a B&B, would sacrifice some bad sleep due to noise for location. We want to walk, eat and sit and drink. With only two full days, I think we can cover what we want in that neighborhood, but probably need to research how to get to Garden District if time permits.
No car, we are flying in.
Again, I apologize if I have missed something in this process. I do not want to irk good travel resources.

Personally, we wouldn't go to NOLA unless we can stay in the Quarter. But then we're odd, we also stay at Four Points by Sheraton/French Quarter, located in the center of Bourbon Street and have a balcony room for optimum people watching. I say odd because Bourbon Street rooms are NOISY(!) and lots of people don't like that aspect, but we figure we can sleep at home. Anyway, not having a car is a plus, since parking is like gold and expensive. Should you decide to stay at the Four Points but don't want noise, they have wonderful courtyard rooms that are oh, so much quieter. As I said, it's centrally located so walking anywhere in the Quarter is very easy - and that includes catching the streetcar to get to the Garden District.

And as for your posting abilities, you handled it like a champ!

Once you get to the United States forums, click on 'view by State' and choose the State you want to post to. Looks like you did fine.

You couldn't pay me to stay on Bourbon Street; I think it's just the pits although many people don't feel like they're in NOLA unless they're in the middle of that mess. Think Times Square gone very, very wrong...Times Square in the '70's.

We stay at the Hotel Monteleone for our trips. We've also stayed at The Omni Royal. Both of these hotels are perfectly situated in the French Quarter, a short walk to Bourbon Street and to the streetcar to the Garden District. I'd extend your stay by at least one day if at all possible.

You won't need a car at all while in New Orleans proper; get a cab from the airport. Let United Cab know how many people are traveling and they'll be able to send someone with a vehicle large enough for your group and your luggage. It's easy enough to rent a car and have it delivered to your hotel if you decide to extend your stay and visit a plantation or two. There are plantation tours also; you can book one through either of these hotels.

Enjoy New Orleans; it'll be hot, hot, hot! I think the rooftop pool at the Omni is nicer than the rooftop pool a the Monteleone. There are, of course, other fine hotel choices in the Quarter that are not on Bourbon St.

Bourbon's an interesting place to visit (quickly), but I wouldn't want to live there, not even for 2 days. It's become a terrible tourist trap and is not representative of the spirit of New Orleans at all. The Sheraton often has good musicians though; you don't have to stay there to enjoy them.

The first time we went to NO, we stayed at the Sonesta because we wanted to be in the middle of the action. Ha. We were I think on the fourth floor, but we could still hear much carousing on the street until the wee hours...... And this was all followed by the garbage/cleaning crew at dawn.

When we went back, we stayed at the Monteleone. Ah...... A lot more peaceful, but still centrally located. A few short steps away from Mr. B's, Acme Bar, etc. You've got the revolving Carousel Bar just off the lobby as a bonus.....

FWIW, we stay at Le Richelieu (just on the edge of the French Quarter on Chartres). The French Market Streetcar stop is a couple of blocks and you can ride that and change to the St. Charles Line on Canal Street to the Garden District.

Le Richelieu is an older hotel at the quiet end (i.e. opposite end from Bourbon) of the French Quarter and a few blocks' walk to Jackson Square, French Market, etc.

Where ever you decide to stay, you need to start booking ASAP. However, it's still going to be hot and muggy at Labor Day so that might cut the crowds down some.

We loved our stay at Hotel Monteleone. It was Halloween weekend and lots of activity on Bourbon street but our hotel was very quiet (except for the morning riversong coming from the Natchez). Also a quick walk to Jackson Square, shopping on Royal Street and Cafe Beignet, yummm, now I'm hungry....

We must have been lucky. We stayed at the Royal Sonesta (on Bourbon) for a couple of nights between Xmas and NY and I honestly don't remember any noise. We had rooms that faced away from the street, so maybe that helped.

I'm not one to club-hop down Bourbon, but we had fun walking around (with our 2 college-aged sons), watching a Saints game in a Bourbon St sports bar and enjoying the variety of restaurants, shops, and music venues so close at hand.

Everything's close to everything in the Quarter; no need to stay on Bourbon if you'd rather not.

It's not only going to be hot (until mid-October) but it's hurricane season.

Hurricanes, despite Katrina, are pretty rare in NO, but you may run into travel delays owing to problems elsewhere.

But if its when you can go, it's when you can go.

PLease keep in mind Labor Day weekend is also Southern Decadence weekend.

Well, that could be a hurricane all by itself.

OP, you will want to read about Southern Decadence Weekend on Wikipedia. It may be the best time in your lives, or not.

Some of Our favrites that are in the Quarter:

Dauphine Orleans http://www.dauphineorleans.com/

Iberville Suites http://www.ibervillesuites.com/

Monteleone http://hotelmonteleone.com/

le Richelieu http://www.lerichelieuhotel.com/

I also recommend the Hotel Monteleone or the Omni Royal...I prefer the Omni slightly over the Monteleone as I like being on Royal street.

I like the Omni's pool but prefer the atmosphere at the Monteleone. I LOVE the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone; the Lemon Drops are the best I've ever had. You can't go wrong with either hotel, however. They're really lovely.

Good to know about the Lemon Drops at the Carousel Bar!