New Orleans Trip for Young Guns
 

My sons (20 & 22) want to drive from Toronto to New Orleans for Spring Break to
experience Mardi Gras and all the fun that is NOLA. I worry about, well, everything!
They are responsible and trustworthy but I still have some concerns. What do you think?

My first reaction is that it's an awfully long drive. I'm assuming that their spring break is a week? I realize that they're young and will probably drive straight through. But, judging by how long it takes us to get from Chicago to Toronto and how long it took us to get to NOLA a few years ago, I'm guessing it's got to be at least a 24 hour drive. Would it be just the two of them doing the driving?

I think I'm glad I don't have 2 sons 20 & 22. :-D It's too far to drive. If they want to go (and you want to let them) maybe they should drive to Buffalo and get Jet Blue to NOLA?

Young Canadians think nothing of driving this far. We had a friend drive his motorcycle from Toronto to Clearwater and back for Christmas dinner!!
Now to the question. Getting very drunk is the main problem. If they remain sober, stay in the main areas and OBEY the police they should be alright. Pickpockets are a huge problem and they need to secure their money, cellphones with a money belt etc.

My question is - when is their spring break? Mardi Gras 2007 is (I believe) Feb 20 - much earlier than most spring breaks.

Besides the issue of the long drive, if they're "responsible and trustworthy", keep their wits about them and exercise common-sense safety issues, they should be OK. Would presume they'd spend most of their time in the French Quarter/Garden District areas which should not be a problem. Would echo Grc's point - Mardi Gras begins early Feb. and ends on 2/20, so if spring break is after that, they'll miss it but there's still plenty to see and do.

Additionally, they should make lodging arrangements NOW. Even with the scaled down Mardi Gras since Katrina, hotel rooms fill up fast. A hostel would be a good low budget choice. Some college students mistakenly show up at Tulane thinking they'll make friends with someone and have a place to crash. The university has a strict policy about limiting guests at this time of year, so all the floor space is already spoken for!

Yeah - I'd have concerns too. Responsible and trustworthy tends to go out the window when people get drunk. Even if they aren't planning to party hard, the atmosphere isn't exactly conducive to staying sober - LOL.

So, if they are going, like others have said, they need lodging reservations ASAP and if they can't get them, then they really really shouldn't go, and they need to secure their belongings while they are there to guard against pickpockets - which can be a problem on a normal night, and during Mardi Gras the pickpockets are out in force because it is such easy pickins.

Dear LaVisitor-Let me start by saying I LOVE NOLA! We just returned from a Sugar Bowl trip with my family and my college age daughter and her college buddies. I just knew I could not send her down there without us, even though she was really on her own. We talked to ALL the kids repeatedly about staying together, don't leave the Quarter, etc... These are great, smart kids-not inexperienced drinkers, but they look out for each other. Anyway, the very first night one of the boys got seperated from the group (Rule #1 broken) and he still really does not know what happened to him. He was "found" by the police roaming around a building, taken to jail, where he got a black eye from some fellow inmate who wanted his pants. This wandering has never happened to him, so we don't know if he got drugged or what. This long story is just to give you the ammo to discourage your kids or really scare them into trying to be careful. I just think once people start their partying (which is an easy thing to do in NOLA!) they throw caution to the wind-kids more than anyone. The stakes can be very high.
Again, I love NOLA, we had NO problems ourself and I will be back very soon.

Thanks folks! I said Spring Break, but really meant Reading Week - and yes it is Feb 19 -28 so Mardi Gras it is. Not liking that "wandering" story one bit. They are both Frat boys and will be staying at the Frat house at Tulane. Now before the deluge of frat stories start flying - I know there will be some partying - boys will be boys - they are also doing some relief work while there - perhaps to atone for their sins! Still haven't given them the go-ahead.

One other thought...

Is there AAA in Canada or something similar? I am almost out of my 20's (sadly) but always had a cozy feeling with AAA under my belt on long road trips. It is nice knowing there is a number to call in case of car trouble, especially in unknown areas or at night.

I would also echo the concerns of others... that 20-somethings on road trips and trips involving acohol are very, very unpredictable. I am also very level headed and known as "trustworthy" but I have made my share of mistakes... thankfuly none being too costly. By this age, however, it is tough to be the protective parent. Adults will be adults, and I think they need to be allowed to live. You have spent many years teaching them to be responsible and smart, and by this age I think they get the chance to prove that it has paid off.

Let them know that you are letting them go WITH the trust and faith that they will be careful and smart. Even at this age, boys do not like to let down their parents or feel they are a disappointment. If they know how emotional or difficult this decision was for you, and how much you are pushing yourself to let them do this, there will be more pressure to "behave"... well, maybe not "behave", but at least be wise about it. =)

It ENDS Feb 20th- as in completely over as of midnight Tuesday night/Wednesday morning from everything I've heard. I doubt they'll even get there in time see any of it, except the mess. That in and of itself should discourage them. Also, the younger of the two cannot legally drink in the US. I would suggest to them that they wait until the younger one can drink and go when the weather will be better there since they'll miss Mardi Gras itself.

Cocontom beat me to it. Unless they leave early, they are going to miss most of the Mardi Gras fun. As of Wed morning - Feb 21 - it's going to be back to the normal routine (okay - Wed will be a bit quiet - THEN back to the routine!).

Of course, the need for relief work is never-ending - so that would keep them quite busy at any time.

And about the normal routine- I don't know about now, but when I was there for Jazz Fest last year, it was like they rolled up the streets by 10, except Bourbon, which was still very, very, very quiet compared to every time I'd been before- and that was on Fri-Mon nights, not even a Wednesday.

First, I want to ask you if the fraternity is sure that there is space there? They may already have every square inch accounted for in the frat house, as people from around the country will be pouring in.

I have to disagree with some of the posts about your sons missing out on the festivities. I don't believe they will be missing out that much. Assuming they leave Toronto the night of Friday 2/16 and drive straight, they can probably make it by Sunday 2/18 and they'll still be able to catch most of the parades on Sunday and all of the parades on Monday and Tuesday.

The fact that they have a holiday that coincides with Mardi Gras and the fact that next year the holiday will probably not coincide with Mardi Gras makes me think that if you ever want them to go, this would be the year.

Give them the standard lines about being safe, not over-drinking, staying together, and they should be fine.

By the way, visiting New Orleans is always a cultural experience. The food, music, architecture, and vibe is always there regardless of how much alcohol has been consumed.

They'll love you for allowing them to go.

cocontom

"it was like they rolled up the streets by 10, except Bourbon, which was still very, very, very quiet compared to every time I'd been before-"

This is not the case anymore. Things have been popping. The Sugar Bowl, every Saints game (especially the playoffs) has drawn massive crowds. I'm predicting that this year's Mardi Gras will be around 90% of normal and this year's Jazz Fest around 95% of normal, with next year's fully back to normal.

I live and work in the French Quarter, so here's my input. First, if they can get here late on the 19th or very early on the 20th, Fat Tuesday is worth it. It's by far the best day of Mardi Gras.
I'm not sure that I agree that Mardi Gras will be 90% of what it used to be; I hope it is, but that seems optimistic this year. I know hotels are not too full yet, which is a good indicator that things aren't near what they used to be.
The area around Tulane and Loyola Universities is safe. They are 20 and 22, old enough to stay out of any real trouble. The city itself has gotten lots of press about crime and other problems, but as a resident, I think it isn't really any worse than it has ever been, numbers be damned. The victims and perpetrators are primarily the same as they were before the storm.
I won't recommend letting them come or not, and I understand your concerns. But more and more people are coming back all the time and finding that the city has some life left in it and hopefully they are going home and telling their friends that New Orleans might be all right.

Lavisitor,

As a former "frat boy" I say, let 'em go! It will be an invaluable experience from many standpoints. 1st and foremost, their desire to help in the rebuilding/gutting of the many neighborhoods still in need. 2nd is the touristy/sightseeing and 3rd is the people! N'awlins folks are some of the friendliest you'll find anywhere. Lastly the food is amazing. My tastebuds are still abuzz.

I am currently serving in the US Army stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY and just got back from leave from N'awlins. I lived there during Rita, but joined the Army right before Katrina hit. To see my old neighborhood was heartbreaking, but the city is alive and well and will most definitely be back to where it once was (the good parts).

My week in NOLA was one big party (something I needed since I hadn't had a vacation in over a year). Now that I'm older though (mid 30s), trying to keep up with those early 20s frat boys is not as high a priority as it once was.

The city, in my opinion, is cleaner and safer than I remember when I lived there. Back then, I would walk everywhere by myself (I am, however, 6'4" and lean, so I don't get messed with). We were there for the Saints last playoff game and the city was aglow. The food is impecable as always and the fun never ends. I personally enjoy just walking through the streets of the quarter and Maringy to try and find a new restaurant or club to hear some great jazz, zydeco, blues or good ole rock 'n roll. I did go to one of my favorite late night haunts (the Red Eye in CBD doesn't really get going until around 3AM). I'm sure your sons would love that place with all the people watching and mingling that goes on. Plus, it's away from the craziness that is Bourbon Street. One hint, unless your sons are openminded, tell 'em to look up when there are walking down Bourbon to see where the rainbow flags start. It's St. Ann street at Bourbon. Although there are many pansexual places in New Orleans, these are predominately gay with more flesh than I cared to see even though the barracks barely takes second from one of the bars. I know in Toronto they have nude clubs as well, but with Mardi Gras happening, the good-looking frat boys get hunted. I am not homophobic, but when buzzed enough who knows what would happen :-)

All in all, I would definitely give two thumbs up and give them the green light. I would also heed the AAA advice. That is a long trek and some of the raods they will be traveling on, especially I-10, need to be repaved.

One last thing, if they feel uncomfortable in any situation, it is probably best to get to a nicer crowd and definitely watch their personal belongings. I always put my wallet in my front pocket. One of those traveling wallets would work best because there are many pickpockets wihtout it being a big week.

Spring Break always gives me so many memories. This trip will be with them forever.

Enjoy!

Okay, they're going! They are, however, going to fly. The logistics of the drive timewise and price wise proved to be too big an obstacle.
Got good fares on Continental.
They are okay for a place to stay for most of the trip - will have to find them a hotel for a couple of nights though - any suggestions?
OMG i'm a great Mom!

If you're looking for a place after Mardi Gras is over, there shouldn't be much of a problem. The city is usually quite slow after the holiday and hotels should cut rates accordingly.