New orleans

[Debbi]

The last time I went to New Orleans was the year I enlisted in the Navy (1990). I am meeting a shipmate I haven't seen since my wedding in 1996 in New Orleans for a girls weekend. I remember how bad parking is and we want to do this the weekend before Mardi Gras. Any hotel/bed and breakfast suggestions within walking distance from the Quarter?

[dwilliams35]

For starters, Mardi Gras in New Orleans isn't "a weekend": it goes on for two or two and a half weeks, culminating on Fat Tuesday.. This year they've got parades from Feb. 25 - Mar. 8
Mardi Gras New Orleans 2011 | Mardi Gras in New Orleans

You'll get traffic, crowds, etc. through that whole span, but it just gets worse and worse until that last weekend..

Beyond that, I've always liked the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon, Iberville Suites, and what used to be the Chateau Sonesta: I think it got bought out by the Waldorf people when they took over the hotel on the same block.. (as I remember).. There's lots of different cool places to stay, just remember that any weekend, the closer you get to Bourbon, the louder it is. There's also a lot of "regular" hotels that are nice on Canal... Marriott, Sheraton, all the regulars have nice hotels right there close.. If nothing else, you've got lots of options there..

Also, just park the car and get a streetcar pass: you can get one for three days for about ten bucks and hit pretty much anywhere you probably want to go anyway, or at least get within reasonable walking distance.. The last couple of times, we just dispensed with the car entirely, flew from Houston to NO, took a cab to the quarter and just went with the streetcars from there on out. It worked beautifully...

[Debbi]

I do realize it is not just a weekend but that was just a time reference. Thank you for the suggestions! I will check them out. Totally planning on the streetcar option. I will have my camera gear after all.

[dwilliams35]

Also, I honestly don't know if it's made it through Katrina, (I've only gone once since then and didn't find the time to hunt for it), but there used to be a gallery on Royal St. (or possibly Chartres) not far from Canal (as I remember) that really had some beautiful stuff: it was really an unpretentious sales-type gallery rather than just viewing, but they had quite a bit of stuff on the order of original signed and numbered Ansel Adams prints and such. I couldn't pry myself out of there.. Bourbon street side, probably within 3-4 blocks of Canal.. Keep an eye out for it.

[flashtrax]

The Westin faces Canal it has public parking towards the rear but would recommend the hotel parking at the bottom of the hotel. Its about four or five blocks from the French Quarter. The Louisiana Professional Photographer has had our convention there the last five years. Spectacularly views of the Mississippi River, River Walk (mall) is a few blocks
in the opposite direction. Be sure to get some beignets at Cafe du Monde yum yum

[MyKey]

Not sure on the hotel since I don't know many bed and breakfast places just regular hotels but if your in for a GREAT and I mean GREAT hamburger with a drink that 2 of them would send you to the hospital in an ambulance you MUST go to Port of Call just on the outside end of the quarters.

A locals place that looks like a residence and not a place to eat. Ask for it and take a taxi I promise it will be worth the trip! Seriously they are that good of burgers. Ask for the "Drink that made them famous" and you will be feeling GREAT when you leave.

For another great locals place but farther out of town is The Swamp Room - again amazing burgers and drinks.

[Debbi]

I greatly appreciate the suggestions. We may be changing the date based on hotel rates and what little is available and that is ok. Mikey, I will definitely try that! Thx!!

[TxTowman]

Be sure to protect your gear. The quarter is a haven for thugs. best to take a P & S at night.

[acscarrow]

We have stayed at the Bourbon Orleans in the French Quarter the last 2 times we went. Right next to Jackson Square. My wife loves the George Rodrigue shop next door (as a window shopper only haha) Have only valet parked there.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by MyKey

Not sure on the hotel since I don't know many bed and breakfast places just regular hotels but if your in for a GREAT and I mean GREAT hamburger with a drink that 2 of them would send you to the hospital in an ambulance you MUST go to Port of Call just on the outside end of the quarters.

A locals place that looks like a residence and not a place to eat. Ask for it and take a taxi I promise it will be worth the trip! Seriously they are that good of burgers. Ask for the "Drink that made them famous" and you will be feeling GREAT when you leave.

For another great locals place but farther out of town is The Swamp Room - again amazing burgers and drinks.

i actually dislike port of call. something about a lingering odor of an old bar rag, waiting for ever and no fries with your burger. of course, i just described about half the places in NOLA. POC's burger is ok, nothing to write home about. i've had better burgers in new orleans. port of call is on dauphine and esplanade.

i love me some algiers point. i lived there for 2 years. it's a war zone to get in there, but the rates (this is just a guess) should be slightly less than the east bank. once in the point, it is really safe. it's safe going in as well. then you can take the ferry back and forth and walk everywhere, not worry about parking or taxis. i loved it. i commuted with the ferry and a bicycle for 2 years. also lived in a bed and breakfast in the marigny on dauphine across from hubigs for about 5 months. can't go wrong with the marigny either. one b&b per block. stay below st claude. all are nice. and as you have found out, the time you are targeting is the most expensive time, paired with jazz fest. rent bicycles from bicycle michaels.

[venchka]

Give us more specifics. As mentioned, Mardi Gras ruins the rates, min. stays, crowds, etc. On the other hand, it is the best free show on earth. Great time to party. See somethin you never seen before.
Masperos (if the line isn't around the corner), all of the Ralph Brennan family restaurants-Bourbon House, Redfish Grill, Baccos, Palace Cafe, Ralph's on the Park, etc., Napoleon House, Camellia Grill, Cooter Brown's, the list goes on and on. I have to stop. This is killing me.
Park View Guest House if you want to stay uptown with all that has to offer. Take the streetcar to the French Quarter. New Orleans Inn and Bed and Breakfast - Park View Guest House on St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line in Uptown
Have fun.

[L Stegall]

As a former New Orleanian, Port o'Call is a revered institution. There is a very nice little small guest hotel about a block away on Esplanade - I'll have to think of the name, but my husband and I stayed there in 09. I also LOVE the Soniat House in the quarter - lovely small and charming guest hotel. If you aren't staying in the Quarter (or across the street), the Park View that Wayne suggested ^ looks interesting and is literally on the streetcar line, but there are a few other small, unique hotels I may be able to think of that might work (my preference is always small, charming boutiques over the big chains).

I can continue on Wayne's foodie list if you want.....

[venchka]

Lisa,
Lamoth House? We stayed there. Loved it.

Originally Posted by L Stegall

...I can continue on Wayne's foodie list if you want.....

Go ahead. Ruin my whole day.
I didn't even get uptown. Except for Camellia Grill & Cooter Brown's. Didn't scratch the surface.

[venchka]

Lamothe House Hotel | French Quarter, New Orleans

[L Stegall]

No, but thanks for that link. Looks interesting and must be very close to where we stayed during one of our last visits:

Melrose Mansion - A fine bed and breakfast in the New Orleans French Quarter

I'll have to do the food list later - got something to finish for my real-life job now.