A day and a night in New Orleans

We are traveling to Destin the first of May for a week long trip at one of their campgrounds. I mentioned to my husband that we should drive over to New Orleans (since we have never been) and spend a day and a night. If you only had a day and a night where would you stay (secure parking only, no valet - my husband thinks a lot of his truck), eat, hangout later, and what would the best day to come during the week?

Thanks,

Tennessee

A day and a night in New Orleans

First week of May is Jazz Fest. You%26#39;ll never find a decent place to stay for just one night unless you visit on Wednesday (before) or Monday (after the fest).

Many good hotels but most have valet. There are self parking lots, too, but it%26#39;s hard to recommend one without knowing where you%26#39;d be staying. I will say that you should avoid the self-parking garages like Harrahs if you have a large truck. My car gets scratched every time I park in one!

A day and a night in New Orleans

Correct me if I am wrong, but I looked up the Jazz Fest and it looks like it starts April 24th thru the end of April. We would probably arrive May 5th, 6th or 7th.

Thanks,

Tennessee

We stayed 1 night at Hotel Provincial in Dec, they valet but the lot is right there so they might let you self park if you asked. Clean, affordable, quiet part of the FQ to stay in.

Eat: Breakfast at Petunia%26#39;s

lunch or dinner at Coop%26#39;s for gumbo and a sampler plate and stuffed peppers

snack at Cafe du Monde

Drinks at Lafitte%26#39;s Blacksmith Shop.

If you%26#39;re newbies you must make a stroll down Bourbon and check out the bars and listen to music and drink along the ways.

Spend some daytime at Jackson Sq and check out the art. Cool shops along Royal.

If you want to party with crowd, come on the weekend, if you want some people but no huge crowd, try Thurs. If you want the city more to yourself come on Tues or Wed when everything is open but not crowded.

Have fun! We love the Destin area and will be heading that way for a couple of weeks at the end of May to stay at Seagrove Beach. Check out the area called 30 A, aka the Beaches of South Walton-several communities along a quieter beachfront hwy. Great food at Stinky%26#39;s Fish Camp and great food and music at the Red Bar (check out a night when Dread Clampitt is there-they%26#39;re greatness!).

Jazz Fest runs through the first weekend of May. If you%26#39;re coming later than the 3rd, you%26#39;ll be okay.

I%26#39;d definitely stay within the French Quarter or the Warehouse District. Harrah%26#39;s casino has a secure parking garage and if you play at least 30 minutes, it%26#39;s free parking for 24 hours. Harrah%26#39;s also has a nice hotel on site.

As for what day, I%26#39;m a fan of Thursdays/Fridays. There%26#39;s always something going on in the Quarter. Also, check out Frenchmen St in the Marigny for live music!

I checked the forum this weekend and decided the Quality Inn and Suites New Orleans is probably our safest bet on the parking situation. Does anyone know if this is a fenced in parking lot or parking building?

Also, is it safe to walk to everything from here? We will probably have to come in on Wednesday, since we have to leave Destin on Friday. Unless, someone may know of a place to stay that would allow a fifth wheel in the parking lot on a Friday night. Thanks for all your help.

Tennessee