New Year's Eve in New Orleans
 

I'll be in New Orleans for New Year's Eve and I would like to request some information about what is usually going on that time of year (parties, concerts, fireworks, etc...). We will be in town Dec. 28 - Jan.2. Unfortunately, the Sugarbowl is also in town, so hotel prices are outrageous. Currently, I have a reservation at Hotel Intercontinental (the nicest hotel I could get for $200/night). If anybody knows how to get a better hotel for that price clue me in. <BR> I am traveling with my boyfriend. We are in our 30's, childless, and very adventurous. I'd say we walk the wild side a little bit. Getting drunk on Bourbon St. every night isn't all that appealing for us (of course we'll do that at least one night I am sure). Any advice about things to do and see, as well as things to avoid, would be greatly appreciated.

Unless you enjoy fighting your way through thousands of people, I'd suggest you stay away from Burbon on new years eve or leave very early.

We'll be in NO Dec 27th - Jan 4th. We plan to go to the Saints vs Redskins football game along with seeing a few plantations. This will be our 2nd trip so we did several of the recommended tourist sights. We enjoyed going to the top of the building near the Harrah's casino for sunset cocktails. The bar rotates once around every hour so you can see for miles(if the air is clear). I can't remember the name of the building. hmmm <BR> <BR>Have a great time! <BR> <BR>Susan

You might want to try Priceline. I've had excellent luck with them for hotel rooms in NYC, but not sure about N.O. The French Quarter on New Year's Eve is just not fun anymore. Unless you get to Pat O'Brien's EARLY in the evening and stay there for the duration. Other than that, find a bar outside of the Quarter and party down. <BR> <BR>Susan, the name of the building you're referring to is, unfortunately, the World Trade Center. It's at the end of Canal Street on the River. I didn't think that bar was still up there. Last time I went, there was so much crushed velvet, I thought I was in a painting. <BR> <BR>Good luck in N.O.

The WTC revolving doors closed its doors this year - just a few months ago. Randy Gerber is putting in another of his swanky, trendy bars - but I'm not sure when it's scheduled to open. <BR> <BR>Sassy - if you are adventureous, try checking out some of the B&B places in the Marigny, which would be at the opposite end of the Quarter from the congestion of the downtown area. La Maison Marigny is one place that comes to mind, but there are many places in the area, which is much funkier than the Quarter. Don't cancel your reservations at the Inter-Continental yet. Many places have minimum stays over holidays and big events the Sugar Bowl.

Thanks for all of the replys. We have picked out most of what we want to do. No one seems to know if much of anything is going on for New Year's Eve this year. I haven't seen anything in Offbeat and the concierge at our hotel said he didn't know of anything grand going on. Everybody is apparently waiting until the last minute to make plans. We'll find something to do I am sure.

Sass, we were in N.O. for New Year's 1989, and unless things have changed, there was really nothing going on except thousands of people milling around. Every bar and restaurant was packed, there was NO place to go the bathroom, even the streets were packed with pushing, shoving people. We were younger then and didn't mind it so much, but there was no real goal other than to be part of the masses. Unless you can manage to get a seat or a table at some restaurant, that's it, and even then, don't drink unless you want to spend your evening standing in line at the ladies room.

I would highly recommend you try a new restaurant across the street from the Intercontinental called Cobalt in Hotel Monaco. It is a Susan Spicer restaurant and is fantastic! Also, the bar is a real happening place and often has live entertainment. You won't be disappointed!

I am from Chicago, 30, and will be coming down alone to see a guy i met from NO over labor Day weekend. I will be in New Orleans from Dec 29- Jan 4. I found pricing for Several hotels to be very inevpensive if you are a military memeber or a AAA motor club member. So, I called up AAA motor club and joined for $52 and then reserved a room at the Days in on 1630 Canal for $650 not including tax. As a non-AAA member the room was about $1400. I also found a room at W hotel on poygras steet for about $1400 non-AAA member and $950 as a AAA member. I also found a flight for $250 on United roundtrip non-stop and used a $50 credit voucher reducing my flight to $219 total. AAA also has fight discounts on Contintential airlines and may have other airlines discounts but you will have to call AAA motor club. I have no intention of eating anywhere on Bourbon street, I made that mistake last time with 9 friends, we puked after each meal. Only thing I really loved about bourbon street was the frozen drink shops. I stronly recomend the 190 antifreeze mixed 50/50 with mango sold at Petite. I also recommened Utopia to party, ssk for Amanda, she is the best server. Utopia also allows you to bring in frozen drinks.

Laura - I hate to disappoint you, but I think you've made a big mistake. The Days Inn on Canal is a bad hotel in an even worse location. I doubt you can book anything else at this late date, but if I were you I'd sure try.

Days INn is further down the street but i have talked to several people from there as well as a few police officers who are friends of mine and they seem to think I will be just fine. Besides we are talking about NO there are no real "safe" places. Its the side streets not the main streets I would be worried about. When I was down there last time I walked down bourbon and Canal alone between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. and no one bothered me and felt perfectly safe alone. I would not recommend trying it alone down any other streets there. Besides I am going down there alone but I will be with several friends once there.

Forget about safety, Laura. The hotel SUCKS! I would take Susan's advice and look around. I spent 3 miserable days at this Days hellhole last year.

If you're still looking for rooms in the French Quarter for New Years try the Harrah's Casino website for the New Orleans location. I was booking my room for the 27th and found several availabilities for under $400 per night.<BR><BR>Does anyone know anything about the Hotel St. Pierre at 911 Burgundy Street? We needed a room for one night close to our condo at the Chateau Orleans on Burgundy Street which we will be staying for a week.<BR><BR>Thanks for any help.<BR><BR>Susan