NOLA Tips 1. The Valentino Chain of three hotels in the French Quarter are very nice. ( http://www.valentinohotels.com ) I stayed this time at the Place D'Armes and think it has the best location of the three, very near Jackson Sq., Royal Street, and Bourbon Street. It's about $100 a night in low season, but much higher during events (as are all the hotels). It's very desirable to be in the Quarter - you don't really want to be spending a lot of time going back and forth to some place more remote. 2. You shouldn't need a car in NOLA unless you plan to go somewhere out of town. There is a shuttle from the Airport ($38 R/T per person, taxis are about twice that) that runs every 30 minutes ( http://www.airportshuttleneworleans.com ). You can get to the Garden District on the streetcars, but most of your time probably will be spent in the French Quarter. There are tours available out to Bayou country and that sort of thing. There will be brochures in your hotel lobby. 3. You could also rent a bike to get around if you are comfortable with riding on city streets. I recommend Michael's Bicycles ( http://www.bicyclemichaels.com ) on Frenchmen St. just outside of the French Quarter (also the location of the real Jazz clubs in NOLA). The City Park, a couple of miles up Esplanade, is very nice for biking, and has the city art museum. 4. And you can take a riverboat ride from the Waterfront Park facing Jackson Sq. too, it's very worthwhile. There will be live Jazz onboard, and they may have dinner cruises as well. ( http://www.steamboatnatchez.com ) 5. If you want to eat while you're there (:-) here are some suggestions: * Cafe du Monde - Coffee and French Doughnuts - not to be missed! * Fins Restaurant - Seafood and real Chocolate Lava Cakes - also not to be missed! * At least one of the grand old restaurants: Galatoire's, Antoine's, or Arnaud's. * The Cafe Beignet and outdoor Jazz park right on Bourbon Street. * JagerHaus for Flammekuchen (what I know as Tartes Flambees) - excellent! * Oceana is a good, more "local" place with traditional fare including Eggs Benedict for a lot less than than the famous places. * Johnny's Po-Boys is the real deal for Po-Boy sandwiches. * Central Grocery is famous for their Muffaletta sandwiches. * There are several relatively modest restaurants in the French Market, which stretches down from Cafe du Monde, at least one with a Jazz band playing regularly. * And many, many more! The service nearly everywhere is outstanding, but occasionally there may be a miss on the food. 6. Royal Street is a street of art galleries, many of which are very nice. Especially don't miss the Craig Tracy Gallery - it's awesome! Ask me to tell you the story about it. 7. And of course there's Bourbon Street. They have bars, strip clubs, and live music venues, although the music isn't as good as it used to be. There's plenty to choose from, and you can hear it from the street (to say the least!), so you might find something you like (bring earplugs too). Drinking on the street is allowed and widespread, if you are there late you might want to wear vomit-proof clothes and shoes :-/ It's relatively safe considering, and there is a good police presence. 8. There is also a Harrah's Casino just outside the French Quarter. It's quite nice for what it is. They have Texas Holdem Tournaments on Wednesdays and Saturdays for about $150, but if you go deep it will take 6 hours or more out of your day. 9. Here are some good recent links I was looking at: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/17/travel/destination-usa-new-orleans-food/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/21/travel/new-orleans-activities/index.html http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/02/20/what-to-eat-drink-do-and-avoid-during-mardi-gras/ http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/03/08/mardi-gras-a-taste-of-the-big-easy/