We are driving into New Orleans this weekend from Houston and staying at the Marriott New Orleans which only offers expensive valet parking. Is there anywhere in the French Quarter area we can park and pay less than $20 a day for parking? Does anyone know if we could park in the Harrah's parking lot? We are not going to use the car during our time in New Orleans so the valet parking sounds like such a waste of money.

You can park at Harrah's but you'll pay unless you have a Harrah's Total Rewards card and gamble a certain amount. Even then, it won't cover 24 hours of parking!

There is a lot next to the N.O. Athletic Club on Rampart which charges $8-10 overnight, I think. It's not far from Marriott...3-4 blocks tops.

There is a lot by the Jax Brewery but it is not a covered parking garage type place. It does have an attendant on duty & is 24 hrs. Not sure of the rates but worth checking. I know they had a special deal for all day if you got there really early. You could call them & ask- (504) 525-3191

On street parking is like winning the lottery- many try but few are successful! The area around the Athletic Club is not the best at night. If you're in a group it might be ok walking.

Here is a website with some parking locations that might help you.
http://www.neworleansonline.com/newo...fqparking.html

Several years ago we stayed at the Holiday Inn French Quarter - there is a garage attached to this hotel and we parked there . . we were charged $14.00/day - it may be higher now.

On street parking is impossible to get and is 2-hour for everyone but residents. Forget that option!

The "on-street parking in the Quarter is like winning the Lottery" brought back my most vivid memory of Mardi Gras 1985: Driving to the Quarter with my parents the Friday night before MG, to wait for my sister (who was bartending at a hotel in Gretna and would join us at Pat O'Brien's after 1 AM). My folks knew NO like the backs of their hands (Mom went to secretarial school there!), so we weren't exactly tourists.

Confession 1: I had arrived at my sister's apartment (off of St. Charles in the Garden District) at 1 PM that afternoon and had been drinking beer since getting there (well, she only had beer in her fridge-- no food).

Confession 2: Both Mom and Dad had had a few too (well, it was Mardi Gras!).

But after burgers at the Camellia Grill, it seemed like a great idea to drive Dad's '78 Ford LTD (largest ever built) to the Quarter. We found a spot on Rue Royal, in a rather dodgey block. Dad's opinion? "What the hell, if they steal it I'll get more money from insurance than if I sell it for beer money." With two inches in front and two inches in back, the LTD fit perfectly in the space. First try.

Observation: It's MUCH easier to park a Ford LTD when you've had a few.

Back then, there wasn't a two-hour limit on the space. Or was there? Don't know. We hit a few bars, my sister joined us, we had a grand time. Mom and Dad conked out around 4 AM, so they took the Tank back to the Garden District, while my sis and I hit Café du Monde for beignets and coffee before returning in her little car. Back to the Flophouse on Milan, and five-- oops, 4 1/2 cases of beer. Which were gone by 11 PM the next night (party). I made many beer runs to the drug store up St. Charles that weekend.

Aaahhh, cherished family memories...!

Long story short: Pay for the parking. You only live once, just enjoy yourselves!

Oh yeah--

Don't drink and drive.

This all seemed a good idea at the time, but I wouldn't do it now. Oh well....

The parking lot by the Jax Brewery is where we always park and is $14/day UNLESS there is a special event (Sugar Bowl, Mardi gras, Jazz Festival) Then, it's $31/ day. Yikes!!!