I would like to view some of the areas effected by Katrina and would appreciate if anyone has driving directions to the Lower 9th Ward and the Lakeview Subdivision. We will be coming in on I-10 from the airport.
And also would appreciate how to get to the French Quarter after viewing the neighborhoods.

I'm not sure I would just 'wander in' to some of the effected areas, nor do I know if you even can. I believe there are tours available from the Quarter, I would probably opt for that route.

I wouldn't wander into the lower 9th ward--not before Katrina, not after! Unless things have changed radically since we lived there, it is a bad area!

You all convinced me. I'm not going to the 9th ward area. Would the Lakeview area be ok? Does anyone have directions to there from the airport and then to the FQ?

First tell me if you are staying in the FQ. If you are then it would be easier to explain how to get to 9th Ward if you left you hotel in the FQ. If you want to come directly from the A/P to the 9th Ward off I 10 then it's a little difficult. I was in NO in January and toured the 9th Ward but I did not go to the Lakefront area. It's much easier for me to tell you how to get to 9th Ward from the FQ. Of course you can get there easily from I 10 but I just have not done so. NO has some tricky Interstate highways and connections. Let me tell you first how to get there from FQ. Get on N. Rampart which is the street on the northern boundary of the FQ and go East. From Canal St. you go about 18/20 blocks to Elysian Fields where N. Rampart turns into St. Claude. From that point you continue East about 25 blocks and you will eventually see a very high bridge that goes over the Industrial Canal that goes from Ms. River to Lake Pontchartrain. As you cross this bridge look down to your left and you can see where the levee broke at this point on the E/S of the IC. Stay on St. Claude as the side streets are all blocked off. There is more devastation here than anywhere in the city. This area should be leveled and made into parks. Go in the daytime keep your doors locked and turn around after you pass Jackson Barracks as the entire area looks the same. Go back West the same way you got there and turn south off N. Rampart at any point in the FQ to get back to your hotel.

If you decide to go from A/P then you need to get a map. I personally would take the FQ route. Right after you pass the Causeway Blvd. on I 10 the highway goes south towards the business district. You can go straight there which is known as I 610. That highway goes E/W but runs back into I 10 around St. Roch avenue. I have not been to the 9th Ward from this direction but you could get off on St. Roch and go straight south to St. Claude and then turn east just like I described above.

If you take the Business District turn south off I 10 just pass Causeway Blvd. you go downtown by the Super Dome. Along in this area you can bear East on I 10 again but that's a tough place to drive in. I am just not real familiar with the highway right there. I hope you choose to go to FQ first as you will have no trouble at all getting to 9th Ward as noted above. If you choose the I 10 routen then I would get a map and take the St. Roch exit if in fact there is one there but I know you can get off somewhere in that neighborhood.

You can go to the Lakefront area by turning north when you leave the 9th Ward turning north on Esplanade which borders the FQ on the East side. Go north on Esplanade all the way to City Park where you turn right on Carrollton. Carrollton will take you through the park to Lake Pontchartrain. I have not been in that area but the levee broke in several places there. I would be careful around construction areas, drive slow, go in the day time and watch.....watch red lights. Most of them don't work. Most I/S's are now 4 way stops.

Good luck. Go to Galatoire's, Emeril's, NOLA, Acme, Peristyle, Bayona and Commander's for good food.

MS Traveler..............

If you end up in Lakeview, I know some people who could use some help with clean up.

Thank you for such good directions

drh.........email me at tripperattecinfodotcom and I will help you.

Note you must take the at "and" the dot out of the above..........

Eliminates spam............

It might be easier for you to check the Grey Line tours - I believe they have one that goes through the neighborhoods to show just how badly the city was hurt and some of the cost of the tour goes towards a rebuilding fund.

I am going to be in New Orleans just overnight just a 2 to 3 hour Greyline tour will not fit into the schedule. If anyone still has directions to the Lakeview subdivision from the airport, it would be appreciated.

You just go I-10 East towards the business district and get off at West End Blvd. You'll be right in the heart of Lakeview. My former home

I was looking at a map, would I need to get onto 610 or is West End Blvd before that?

West End is at the I-10/610 split. If you miss it or its blocked you can take the West End/Canal Blvd. exit. If you take the 'loop' it will send you right to West End headed for the lake. You will be amazed that a few streets right next to the lake didn't get ANY water at all!

FYI: The 9th Ward is in horrible shape . . . right now college kids from around the country are spending their spring breaks there to help gut homes. NO WHERE in the N.O. area is what Malesherbes knew before Katrina. I think you'll be perfectly safe, however I'd avoid those areas at night simply because there is no electricity, therefore no lights, and tons of debris everywhere. I'd also advise you continue on past Jackson Barracks to Chalmette and Paris Rd so you can see the 1 ft + mud and oil slicks that area is still dealing with . . . and notice the traffic lights there. They were turned 90 degrees by the water rushing through the streets like a river. We got a kick out of a recent CNN report that kept siting the main drag as Jean Lafitte Parkway, when in fact that's a side street--again, from the poles being turned--street signs are now off, too.

It is safe to drive around, just take it slow and be respectful. Try not to stare in areas where people are working--remember, that's their home! I strongly suggest you purchase a bunch of bottled water, and stop to talk and pass them out to families you see working. You'll make fast friends and be blessed in the process. And it won't take but a few minutes, for those of you with limited time.

BayouGal makes a very valuable point....please be respectful of what the residents of New Orleans are having to deal with.

While the impact of Katrina needs to be seen to be fully appreciated - people are still trying to reclaim and rebuild their homes and their lives. My parent's house was pretty much untouched - but their day-to-day life is much more of a struggle because of the infrastructure problems.

And, if the opporutunity arises - DO stop and talk to the people. Find out what they went through, what their plans are, and how they're making it. The people of New Orleans are a wonderful and unique breed. The cold water is a great idea.....but I'd add a couple of cold 6-packs of beer as well!

Yeah you right, Grcxx3!!! ;-)

BayouGal - I'm sure you MEANT to add the cold beer......but just forgot!!! I don't think I EVER worked on my various houses in NO with a cold beer nearby!

Uh.....not enough caffeine.....that should have been "without" a cold beer nearby!

LoL . . . now I KNOW you are Naturally New Orleans, Grcxx3! ;-)

So true, cher! Won't be back there till the end of June...but CAN'T WAIT!!!