NEW ORLEANS QUESTIONS
 

I will be arriving in New Orleans on a Sunday and I have a few questions. <BR> <BR>1. I would like to go down to the river and see the Carnival Inspiration Cruise Ship. Where exactly is this? Is it near Harrah's Casino and Muflates Restuarant? <BR> <BR>2. I thought Muflates would be a fun first night dinner along with some cajun dancing lessons. Any thoughts on this? <BR> <BR>3. We are probably going to stay at the Monteleone Hotel. How is this hotel? <BR> <BR>4. Besides seeing alligators I want to see what the swamps really look like. Which tour is really good? <BR> <BR>5. We won't have a car. Can you take public transportation from the French Quarter to City Park? <BR> <BR>6. Which haunted history/ghost tour is good? <BR> <BR>7. Where is the D-day museum located? <BR> <BR>8 We want to take a dinner cruise on the Mississippi. Which one has both good food and good music? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR>

I live in N.O. so that means I haven't done all the touristy things your asking about but I'll do my best to answer some questions. <BR>1. The Carnival ship is behind the river walk, across the street from Mulates (no "f" in the name). This is walking distance to Harrah's. The ship pulls in around 8:00am and leaves aroud 6:00pm on Sunday. <BR>2. I enjoyed this restaurant but was not impressed with the atmosphere (designed like a bingo parlor). The music is good and food is pretty decent. Ask to be seated near the front. <BR>3. Looks nice in lobby, can't comment on rooms. <BR>4.don't know, never been on one <BR>5. Yes you can and city park has an art museum (great cafe in art museum). I don't know how to ride the buses ask the concierge at the hotel. <BR>6.don't know <BR>7. I think it is just off convention center boulevard going further upriver than where the cruise ship is. It should be walking distance from Mulates. <BR>8. I don't know. But if you want to take a cruise without dinner try the John James Audobon cruise that takes you to the zoo. We have a great zoo, with swamps and alligators and lots more. Also, I am under the impression that dinner cruises are touristy and the food is not as good as if you would go to a restaurant on land. <BR> <BR>FYI, also in walking distance to Mulates is the Aquarium to the left when facing the river, or the Louisiana Childrens Museum directly behind you when facing the river. <BR> <BR>There is a streetcar stop under the ramp to enter the riverwalk that will take you all the way down to the opposite end of the French Quarter. <BR> <BR>Lots to do in that whole area. <BR>

Julie, Thank you for your response. <BR> <BR>Can anyone answer the questions that Julie couldn't? <BR> <BR>How is the Monteleone Hotel? <BR> <BR>Do you have a swamp tour recommendation? <BR> <BR>Do you have a recommendation for a haunted history/ghost tour? <BR> <BR>What are your thoughts on a dinner cruise? <BR> <BR>All your help is greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR>

I stayed at the Monteleone a few years ago and thought it was very nice and a great location.

Kathy - if you'll do a back search for New Orleans you'll most likely find the answers to your other questions. I know there've been lots of comments about the tours. I also remember several people saying the dinner cruises weren't particularly good. Apparently the food is mediocre and at night you can't really see anything either.

Kathy, I agree with Susan. Do a little research from previous answers and you'll find that your questions have probably been addressed. Have fun in New Orleans.

An answer (kinda) to your question about swamp tours. We've always used Cypress Swamp Tours because they have a hotel shuttle service and also suggest taking a 1/2 day tour, usually that's enough nutria, herons and gators when there's so much else to see in New Orleans! As John said, HAVE FUN!!

#6-Haunted History tours are the best. We did both vampire and ghost. They were so good last year, we are going to do it again this year when we go down.

DEFINITELY skip a "dinner cruise"!!! <BR>You will be in a city renowned for food--don't waste that opportunity on a hokey dinner cruise. The Monteleone is a wonderful old hotel--some rooms are great and some are subpar. If you don't like what you get, ask to see something else. However, don't make this request in a muscle shirt, tight polyester shorts and tennis shoes!