New Orleans

[dave lackey]

So, now it is almost Spring! Mardi Gras is just around the corner and I am contemplating a trip by Amtrak to New Orleans as part of The Deep South project.

It seems to be a great way to travel to New Orleans from Atlanta. I am concerned about how to get around once there, especially with my bride still recovering from her stroke on Thanksgiving. Walking short distances is no problem, but we must be careful about where, how and how long we are up and about. For instance, how does one with disabilities actually get around?

OTOH, we could drive down for our Spring vacation and stay in Gulf Shores, AL then drive over for a night or so in town. Still, never having been there, I don't know how difficult it would be to get around.

If we can overcome those physical issues, it would be nice to have a few RFF members as part of a New Orleans photocentric group!

Anyone want to join us in late Spring/early Summer?

 

[rbelyell]

dave, if yiu dont mind staying mostly in or around the french quarter, then getting around is not really an issue, as its fully walkable from end to end. when im there is usually stay on Esplanade, which, with Canal, are two of the quarters borders. there used to be a tram that ran the legnth of the quarter along the river side. across canal there is the st charles street trolley that will take you out to the Garden district near Tulane. id be happy to give you more info if you like, feel free to PM me.
tony

 

[N.delaRua]

Hi I am a New Orleans native. There is some good news for you. Recently, a street car 1.5 mile line from the Amtrak station to Canal street was just completed (actually the inaugural ride was today).

This line will take you 1.5 miles to Canal Street. Once there, you are now at corner of the French Quarter at N. Rampart and Canal. The parades will be within your sight with barricades and all. I suggest you bring some comfortable camping chairs as you will likely need a place to sit, and a small cooler with refreshments and snacks. At anytime you can stroll into the French Quarter and find a place to eat/drink and soak of the sights and scenes.

Since you are going to have a car, you could also find free parking in the neighborhood down Canal street, and ride the canal street line downtown for a $1.25. This will drop you off at S. liberty and Canal. Google map it and see if its too long of a walk.

The other option would be catching the floats Uptown on St. Charles. This can be a lot more challenging due the popularity and difficulty of parking. Also, this mostly all residential and finding a bathroom can be a challenge with the exception being the Church on Napoleon and St. Charles.

 

[N.delaRua]

By the way, if you are trying to find a hotel, I think you are going to have a really tough time in that area for a reasonable price...

 

[dave lackey]

By the way, if you are trying to find a hotel, I think you are going to have a really tough time in that area for a reasonable price...

Thanks for the information! I think maybe you are right...

This will take a lot of planning. Another RFF member lives in Crestview Fl and would like to join us whenever we can make it down!

It would be terrific to have a New Orleans meet-up for RFF members.🙂

 

[Bob Michaels]

Dave, let me know when you are going as I may make the trip. I have a photo friend there that I can stay with.

Sorry, I will not go to Mardi Gras. I was there in the early 60's and prefer to keep my memories from that era when penicillin cured everything, drugs did not kill you and crime was not what it is now in New Orleans.

 

[x-ray]

The Amtrak is a great way to travel to NO. My wife has a sister there and we go down from time to time and catch the train in Birmingham. Nice ride and cheap. You could always set up to get an Enterprise car. they will come and pick you up and take you to their office to do the paperwork and then when you return the car go to their office and they will drop you at the station. Only catch on the return is the train leaves early.

Love to join you but can't this year.

Have fun!

 

[dave lackey]

Dave, let me know when you are going as I may make the trip. I have a photo friend there that I can stay with.

Sorry, I will not go to Mardi Gras. I was there in the early 60's and prefer to keep my memories from that era when penicillin cured everything, drugs did not kill you and crime was not what it is now in New Orleans.

Hi, Bob! No Mardi Gras for us either...I don't do that scene and never have even in college.

If everything goes well with recovery, rehab and surgery over the next two months, we may be able to do something in May or June before it gets too hot, etc. Will definitely get with you and anyone else who wants to.🙂

A side note: My bride has always wanted to do three things that we never got 'round to...1. Las Vegas 2. Cruise 3. New Orleans

Reckon I better work on those and get the cheapest out of the way first.

 

[dave lackey]

The Amtrak is a great way to travel to NO. My wife has a sister there and we go down from time to time and catch the train in Birmingham. Nice ride and cheap. You could always set up to get an Enterprise car. they will come and pick you up and take you to their office to do the paperwork and then when you return the car go to their office and they will drop you at the station. Only catch on the return is the train leaves early.

Love to join you but can't this year.

Have fun!

Hey, I plan on being in Gatlinburg a couple of times over the next six months. Maybe we can meetup for lunch?🙂

 

[Kenj8246]

Walking around the Big Easy during Mardi Gras? C'est pas bon, as the cajuns would say. At least around the quarter or any parade route. As a Louisiana native, Mardi Gras is great fun but it's best viewed from the second floor balcony.

Kenny

 

[Paulbe]

Dave--New Orleans also has the hop-on/hop-off bus that takes you around to several very interesting venues--like the cemetery and the fabulous WWII museum. Takes you on the outskirts of the French Quarter and many other locations. Catch it across from Cathedral Square--very convenient---many many photo opps from the top of the bus.
Well worthwhile...but I'll tell you--you can prowl for DAYS just in the streets of the French Quarter...we were there the night before Halloween, and I can tell you--it was, ahhhh---ummmm---"interesting!!" Have fun.
Paul

 

[robklurfield]

Stay in the Garden District if you can. Close enough to the French Quarter, but a lot more quiet.

 

[brusby]

New Orleans

Hey Dave,

I'm a New Orleans native. Noticed you live in Atlanta. My grandmother was originally from Lithonia, GA and had a cabin in the mountains north east of you around Suches where I spent almost every summer of my early life. Great place for a kid to hang out.


Mardi Gras in and around the French Quarter is incredibly hectic. I'd avoid it, particularly if you don't want to be bumped and jostled around. The best time to come would be as soon after Mardi Gras season and as far in advance of summer as possible. It gets pretty hot and humid here.

But the Quarter and uptown areas can be really nice to visit and photograph. Personally I'd try to find a small bed and breakfast place or hotel in the Quarter or the Faubourg Marigny area which abuts the Quarter. Then most of the good stuff would be within walking distance or a very short cab ride away.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like some recommendations of decent places to eat or whatever.

I'll try to post below a link to a few pics of the architecture I took in and around the Quarter when I first got my M9. Nothing fancy but it might give you a feel for the place not normally seen.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brusby/sets/72157631921879899/

All the best, Bruce

 

[x-ray]

Hey, I plan on being in Gatlinburg a couple of times over the next six months. Maybe we can meetup for lunch?🙂

That would be fantastic! I've met up with several RFFs and had some great experiences.

I'll pm my cell number. If you've not Ben in the area I'd love to show you some sights.

 

[N.delaRua]

This year is especially crazy because we have the superbowl. So we had our first week of Mardi Gras then Superbowl then straight into the second week of Mardi Gras...

I have a friend who rented out his house about 10 miles aways from the Superdome for $2500 for three nights.... Its that crazy right now.