We are visiting New Orleans for the first time Dec.26-Jan.2 and were given advice to stay in the Garden District. Could you recommend any moderately priced hotels in the area? We would like to be in walking distance from the French Quarter. Thanks!

If you stay in the Garden District, you definitely cannot walk to the French Quarter. At the time of year you are going, I don't think you will find any moderately priced hotels in the French Quarter.

As a first time visitor, I'd stay in the Quarter. That's probably where you'll spend the majority of your time. No sense having to walk/ride through the CBD (central business district) every time you want to get to the Quarter.

If you want to be within walking distance of the FQ, stay in the FQ or at least the CBD. The Garden District is absolutely beautiful, but it is largely a residential area without a lot of attractions and restaurants. Also, I believe most of the lodging in that neighborhood is the B&B variety rather than hotels.

Since you will be there over New Years, which is a month away, I would suggest finding any lodging you can, moderate or not. Otherwise, you may be out of luck.

We stayed in the Garden District several years ago at a timeshare facility. I am not sure of public hotels in that area, although next door was one called La Ponchatrain that seemed fairly nice. We loved our location because it was away from the "hustle bustle" of the French Quarter. There are lovely residences, restaurants, and further up--Tulane University and the Audubon Zoo. The Garden District is easily accesible by public transportation; in fact, the streetcar line is well renowned with lots of history. On the other end, it takes you directly into the Quarter and it is not expensive. New Orleans is a fantastic city. You will love it. One of the highllights for us was a Greyline tour to the Plantations. You can get around easily without renting a car.

Too late for the original poster, but worth saying...

One thing to be aware of is that while the lower Quarter is usually busy in the evening and therefore usually safe to walk, the Garden District often is not. There is much more of a visible police presence in the Quarter than there is in the GD.

The Garden District is perfectly safe for walking in the daytime, but nighttime is another story. Natives and students who attend school in the area know that if you have been out for the evening in the GD and attempt to walk home on the side streets, you stand a fair chance of getting mugged. Always take a cab in the GD at night.