My husband and I are planning a trip to NO in the beginning of May. I noticed a few hotels (like the Royal Sonesta) seemed to be booked. Would anyone know if there's something "special" going on then? Cinco de Mayo?

Also, what would be a good hotel (3 to 4 star) for a first-time visitor?

Weatherwise, would it be too hot then?

We're in our 30s; like walking, gambling, local dining, scenic stuff.

Thanks all!

The second weekend of Jazz Fest is April 28-May 1. I'm not sure when you are talking about specifically. I do not have anything else on my calendar, but there are always conventions happening that fill up the best hotels (like THIS weekend when I was looking for one!). Cinco de Mayo isn't a big enough draw to fill hotels, so if you are talking about the 1st full weekend, then it must be a convention.

Weatherwise, you never know! It will be 65 tomorrow and 73 Sunday and last week we were in the upper 70's - in FEBRUARY. It's usually warm - Hmmm... You're from NY. "warm" in May would be mid-upper 80's, maybe 90's, but nice.

Check out other posts, but I'd suggest walking Bourbon, Royal St (antique galleries & other shops), French Market, Cathedral area, take the streetcar up St. Charles Ave, get off around Louisiana Ave, walk to Magazine, then Magazine back towards the French Quarter (shops, bars, restaurants). I'm not a big gambler, but haven't heard too many great things about Harrah's on this message board. Maybe try the horse races at the Fairgrounds. FGNO is now owned by Churchill Downs Co. (www.fgno.com)

You'll have more than enough restaurant options from other posts so I'll skip that!

I don't know how long you'll be here, but for "scenic", maybe tour a plantation, a swamp ride, or offshore fishing in the Gulf.

Most likely Jazz Fest is the reason. One week in NO can make a big difference. Try the Renaissance Pere Marquette or the JW Marriott. Just a few blocks from Bourbon and casino and rooms are typically $99 - 129 / night.

If you're tied into your time then you might be encountering Jazz Fest, which you should definitely go there if it's going on, a terrific music venue for people of all ages ($10 per day pass, 9A-6P). Hotels in the Quarter often double their rates for the music festival. The Hotel Monteleone is an old favorite in New Orleans. Also, to get past the higher priced hotels, look into staying in the Fauborg Marigny, an area south of the French Quarter but just a short walk to it. I don't believe there are hotels there, just B&Bs. The other alternative would be a hotel along St. Charles and ride the streetcar into the Quarter.

I don't know if the problem is related to colleges or not, but the better hotels fill up at graduation time. My husband and I often try to go to NO in May because the weather is still tolerable and our anniversary is in May, but grduation plays havoc with May unless we book pretty far in advance.