New Orleans...
 

Hello all!!! My boyfriend and I are thinking about going to New Orleans in mid-March. Since The Hurricane, has anyone been down there...and if so, where to stay???
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi again!!! I posted this inquiry before I actually scrolled down to see that many have been to NO recently. So, my question is...where to stay, and for the museums, is it necessary to purchase tickets in advance? Thanks!!!

We always stay at the Ramada Inn on Bourbon - it's centrally located in the Quarter so a car isn't necessary. The Bourbon St. balcony rooms are the most fun, but also let in the most noise. I don't think you'll need to purchase advance tickets for any of the museums. Have a good time!

I have stayed at the Iberville Suites - it is run by Ritz Carlton and is very nice. Also Hotel Monteleone is supposed to be nice - ask for a room away from the street. Most rooms in the French Quarter are noisy.

If you do not mind the walk, there are several nice hotels for less money in the Central Business District - about 1/2 to 1 mile walk. Rennaisance Arts Hotel is a good one.

If money is not an issue, stay at the Windsor Court, eat at Stella or Cuvee.

No need for advance tickets to museums. By the way, the Contemporary Arts Center has a very interesting visual arts exhibition going on right now through March whereby artists from around the world were asked to come to New Orleans with nothing and they had to create a piece of art by finding, borrowing, or bartering for materials. The show is called Something from Nothing and the idea sprang from New Orleans having to create so much from nothing since Katrina. Very cool.

Though there are a few interesting museums, not many folks come here seeking them out. New Orleans is a living museum. Art, music, creativity are everywhere, not just in the museums.

If you've never been, please come, you'll enjoy it.

See reply to your other post.

We just returned Tues night from 4 days in NO . . . it was cold and windy but we still had a very good time.

We stayed at the Intercontinental on St. Charles, just 2-3 blocks from the French Quarter. Our room was beautiful, the bed comfy, and best of all, our room (1119) was very quiet. We got it for $65/night on Priceline.

I hope to post a trip report in the next few days.

Have fun,
Sandy (in Denton)

We have enjoyed staying at the Provincial for years, and have also stayed at Le Richelieu (just down Chartres from the Provincial).

We really like staying in the smaller Quarter hotels.

Byrd

http://www.hotelprovincial.com/

http://www.lerichelieuhotel.com/

We stayed at the Place d'Armes in June. The hotel is made of several historic townhouses around a central courtyard. Our room had a balcony overlooking the street, which was great - it is on St. Anne, which is a side street, so we didn't have much noise. It wasn't quiet in the mornings, but nothing that bothered us. We liked the location too - right off Jackson Square, close to everything in the quarter, but not on a main street.

The Richlieu and Provincial were on our list of choices too - if I remember correctly, they were more expensive though, so we went with the Place d'Armes. I like that end of the French Quarter best, as opposed to the areas closer to Canal.

I meant to mention that the wonderful restaurant Stella! is located at the Provincial.

Byrd

We've stayed at The Royal Sonesta in the Quarter. (It's right on Bourbon.) Book a room that faces the inner courtyard, and you won't hear any street noise.

Another hotel idea. The W in the French Quarter has a beautiful court yard, Bacco's Restaurant, and nice rooms in a old World, great location. I love sitting in the courtyard having drinks.

Just a quirky thing - every time I see someone recommend the W, my mind says "the Y" ;)

We stayed at the Monteleone last July and really liked it- great location for walking everywhere.

the Chateau Sonesta is at the beginning of bourbon st. and very quiet. Also its elegant and quite affordable.

there has been a lot of armed robberies in warehouse district area (Mid-day) so be careful if you plan on traveling there. other than that, avoid the dark alleys and have a good time.

lawyer630,

I hope you enjoy New Orleans. Mid-March is one of my favorite times to visit - I actually will be there that time as well.

Swamp tours are highly recommended at that time, as things have begun to green up and it might be warm enough for gator sightings. The plantations are also beautiful that time of year, with flowers starting to bloom.