We spent Labor Day weekend in NOLA-off/on rain-but no big deal.We can give a 2 thumbs-up for the Sheraton on Canal St.Great location-close to everything.We got it for $59. a nite thru Hotwire.It was 4*all the way-they will allow very early check-in if you happen to have an early flight. Enormous lobby, huge-screen tv, Starbuck's, fitness room and pool-ask for an upper level room-the views were spectacular!
Don't waste your $$$ on a car rental-you don't need one. Catch the airport shuttle lower level at the airport for $12.pp 1-way.You get your return tickets at the same time-they tell you when to be ready for pick-up on your day of departure-so easy!The best way to get around town, other than on foot, is to catch the streetcar. Save money-buy an all-day pass, good on the streetcar, bus or trolley down at Riverwalk.You hop on & pay EXACT change($5.00 all-day or $1.25 single trip).
This was a budget trip for us-so we were open to any cost-saving measures we could come up with.Here's a great tip-go to eBay and look for restaurants.You can bid on $25.00 gift certificates. I got 2 for Silky O'Sullivan's Pub.I paid $5.50 for one, and $7.00 for another.It was good for both food and drink there-food was typical pub-style,informal. Also, be sure to go to the various NOLA websites and print out the dining coupons. We had the best surprise at Cannon's restaurant on St. Charles-GREAT food,large portions and excellent service. It was the best place we ate at-buy an entree, get one free!We also ate at the Holiday Inn at 330 Loyola Ave. has a decent breakfast and lunch buffet(buy one, get one free).Food was pretty good-at lunch they offer spicy peel&eat shrimp at the salad bar,along with many typical NOLA selections. Breakfast was BIG-something for everyone! So clip those coupons and save big!

Heading down to Cafe Du Monde for beignets? Be prepared for the crowds-especially in the mornings.Beignets are only $1.37 for 3.They also offer coffee, milk and fresh squeezed O.J. too.Be sure to step up to the take-out window to buy your Cafe Du Monde souvenir's(mugs,canned coffee).You can buy their stuff in other local shops, but you'll pay alot more!Riverwalk is a nice indoor shopping area,great when it's so darn hot out. On the 2nd floor they have a large food court but I suggest you stick with your discount coupons and save some $$$.When it's time for your tacky NOLA souvenir's, get down to the market on Decatur, past Jaskson Sq.You'll pay a whole lot less than the gift shops.I guess my best tip is use those internet coupons-they save you alot-even on the Natchez boat ride, walking tours, dining-they're great!

b'mom, Welcome back. Did "the good times roll"???
What? No posing in front of the LiveWebcam at The Cat's Meow?

Did you find the little "somethin' somethin'" in the dresser at The Shearton?
52 mo' days for our return to The Big Easy. Thx for whetting our appetite!!
Hope CColor leaves some fun for us.

Kal

Great tips bryarsmom! Glad you had a nice time.

Yes, glad you enjoyed your trip. You got a great deal on the Sheraton. It's one of the nicest "big" hotels anywhere, I think.

Kal - Leave some fun for you!?!?! With us extending our trip one extra day that might just be hard for us to do. Maybe you'll have to make your own fun..........not that I think THAT won't happen!

bryarsmom - Thanks for the great post - you're making our next 22 days until we stand on Bourbon St. go by so slow now, though!! A question - how long did it take the shuttle to get you to your hotel? We've always used a taxi, but the costs keep going up. Durn gas, anyway!

The airport shuttle is now $12 per person? If so, then a cab makes a lot of sense for 2 people since the shuttle cost of $24 is barely less than the $28 cab fare.

Thanks for all the great info. I got reservations for the Sheraton through Priceline for $50 a night!!! After reading some unfavorable posts regarding the Sheraton I was a little worried, but looks like I was worried for nothing. Thanks also for the coupon info. I love getting a deal!

Sheraton for $59 and now $50!!!
Something tells me I may have jumped the gun on booking our trip to NOLA.
You guys done guuuuuud.

CC, what time will you be in front of "The Kat's"?

Have not been to any of the coupon clipping restaurants, but it's not hard to find really good authentic restaurants in NOLA without spending a lot of dough Acme Oyster House in the FQ comes to mind, if you order judicously. Clover Grill on Bourbon is a true experience, Cafe Atchafalaya in the Garden District is truly fine, as is Casemento for oysters and not much else.

La Madeline, right off Jackson square and other locations is a chain with great soups, salads and pastries, and the Lousiana Pizza Kitchen has great food and lots of character.

The Quarter Scene right off FQ on Dumaine is BTOB, which saves some bucks, and does a great gumbo, as does Mike Anderson's, cheaper at the mall than on Bourbon.

Last of all, don't miss Port of Call on Esplanade, included on just about every "Best Burger" list in the US. And not a coupon to clip in the bunch.

BYOB for Quarter Scene. Those keyboard gremlins are at it again.

Wow! $50. is even better than our deal-wait till you see that place-it's really something!After I booked with Hotwire I called the hotel direct and requested our king bed and the upper floor-what a view! And I am happy to report we found nothing "unusual" in my drawers or anywhere else in our room.

Re:the airport shuttle-I'd say it takes about 30 minutes to make it downtown.There are taxi's and the limo too but like I said, we opted for the cheap.

As many of you know it was Southern Decadence weekend down there-things were really crowded down in the French Quarter but it wasn't a problem. There was, however, an abundance of leather and dresses about...

Next stop.............Italy in November!

I was so excited to get the hotel for $50. I was worrried that I wouldn't get that great of a deal since all the hotels I checked had high rates or no vacancies. Since we got such a great hotel rate, we can enjoy some great meals. We will be there for my birthday, so I want to splurge with the jazz buffet lunch at Commander's Palace. I have seen so many mixed reviews about Emeril's restaurants, maybe we will try NOLA. Has anyone been to the cajun cooking classes? Sounds like something different to do. Just a little over 7 weeks till I start eating my way through the Big Easy!!!

We, too, were going to the New Orleans School of Cooking (in just 21 short days!), but I saw on another website that it was closed for renovations. I guess we'll just have to keep checking their website for updates.

We ate at NOLA last year and was NOT impressed, however Kal has been there before and was very pleased with it. I normally think of him as a pretty intelligent individual, but I've also been known to have been wrong about lots of things......

As the lovely :-" ccolor mentions, about 3-4 yrs. ago we went to NOLA restaurant with a party of 8, no reservations, and got seated witin a few mins because they had just had a party of 10 cancel! Talk about blind luck!

We had great service and great food. That's why I'm suprised about some of the recent reviews. But, I guess Hank Aaron didn't hit a HR everytime up, but in the restaurant business, sometimes you can't even afford a foul ball.