South - Xmas in New Orleans, hotels, restaurants?

Hi guys

Will be traveling to MSY 12/24 - 12/29 and looking for places to stay.

We will be driving and I checked out some hotels and the parking is anywhere from $35 - $39 a night :mad:

If you guys have any insight that would be great along with attractions, food, and just general sightseeing to take in.

Thanks

You really should provide some more specific info such as price range, interests, etc.

That being said, my top 3 choices for hotels, especially for Christmas, would be The Roosevelt, Ritz Carlton, & the Windsor Court, based on the decorations.

The maximum I would like to spend per night is ~ $150. I've seen a fair number of hotels that are around that price range in the business district.

Are there areas where I should avoid? I have never been around the area before and that is why I am asking all of the questions.

Parents would like to try one of those river boat rides on the Mississippi as well as take in the seafood the area has to offer. General shopping and any history of he city as well.

That being said, my top 3 choices for hotels, especially for Christmas, would be The Roosevelt, Ritz Carlton, & the Windsor Court, based on the decorations.While none of these are in the OP's budget, I'd prioritize these three properties as follows:

Ritz club Level: The hotel isn't nearly as beautiful as the Windsor Court, the service not nearly as good, and the rooms not nearly as large, but stillnthese are my favorite rooms in the city. And the service in the club makes up for the lack of service elsewhere in the hotel.

Windsor Court club level: If they would only renovate the rooms -- most importantly the bathrooms and the bedding -- this easily would be the best property in New Orleans. But until they do that, I prefer the Ritz club level.

Windsor Court non-club level.

Ritz non-club level: If not on the club level, I'd opt for the Windsor Court over the Ritz (although it's usually a lot more expensive).

The Roosevelt: They did a nice job on the renovations, and many of the rooms are lovely, but service still is at the Hilton level.

Are there areas where I should avoid? I have never been around the area before and that is why I am asking all of the questions.

Parents would like to try one of those river boat rides on the Mississippi as well as take in the seafood the area has to offer. General shopping and any history of he city as well.

By doing a little homework of your own, you can get many answers to your questions. The history of the city is too extensive to recount in a forum like this. Google and Wikipedia are your friends. Also, use the search feature for this forum and you'll obtain a great deal of info on NOLA restaurants that has already been posted here. General shopping? There are many shops in the CBD and the French Quarter.

Attractions in this area, in addition to the riverboat cruises (which I would recommend for 1st timers) are the aquarium, the insectarium, the National WWII Museum and French Quarter. I might, also, suggest a roundtrip ride on the St. Charles Ave. streetcar. You'll pass through some of the top neighborhoods of the city and see some of the mansions along St. Charles Ave. in the Garden District and Uptown areas. If you want something a little hokey, you could try one of the "ghost tours" in the French Quarter.

As far as areas to avoid, you should be fine in the areas mentioned, but nothing is 100%. In any big city, you should always be aware of your surroundings.

Good luck and I hope all of you have a great time. Thanks for coming to New Orleans.

Nice thread title: Christmas in New Orleans also happens to be the title of a song by local songstress Ingrid Lucia. The perfect way to get in the mood for your trip. Listen for free at http://threadheadrecords.bandcamp.com/track/christmas-in-new-orleans

Check out the Papa Noel specials here
http://www.neworleansonline.com/christmas/

Others have pointed out some of the finest hotels in the city. Looking at your budget, and particularly the cost of parking, I suggest the Hampton Inn Garden District with free parking, right on St. Charles Avenue with the street car passing just outside the front door, rates from 109. Walking distance to Commander's Palace restaurant & Martin Wine with their great deli.

Many years ago I listed some things to do in New Orleans, I think they're all still available.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south/303249-what-there-do-see-new-orleans.html#post2662032

Old, but still comfortable and well located for jaunts in the "Quarter", the Monteleone.

Haven't stayed there in years, so no current "review", but the Soniat House (boutique), has small rooms, but was pleasant.

No earlier than 130PM, lunch at Galatoire's, my favorites Trout ("Sea", "Specs" Aumandine and "Piroque" (eggplant stuffed with crab & shrimp).

First timers: Riverboat cruise, WWII Museum

For all: St Charles St. street car,

Quintessential: Cafe du Monde, after dinner and strolling in the "Quarter".
Muffaletta @ Central Grocery

Earthy: Mother's (Debris Po'Boy)

Romantic dinner: Bayona (while not currently "fashionable", trustworthy)

Parking: Expensive, but a clue: Drive to hotel, check in w/bags, park car elsewhere, avoiding hotel garages. You won't need car while you're there, and unless Midnight Auto Supply's crack team of looters puts it up on cinder blocks to steal your tires and rims, most of it will be there when you're ready to leave town.

.... Martin Wine with their great deli.


Sorry, but all you'll find there now is an empty lot. You might say the building is "Gone with the Wind", aka Katrina and, therefore, hasn't existed in 5 years at this location. Severely damaged and was razed. Owner has been trying to rebuild, but has run into problems with the city bureaucracy. Maybe, in 2011, it will reappear. There is a small Martin Wine on Magazine and Amelia now, but sans deli.

Sorry, but all you'll find there now is an empty lot. You might say the building is "Gone with the Wind", aka Katrina and, therefore, hasn't existed in 5 years at this location. Severely damaged and was razed. Owner has been trying to rebuild, but has run into problems with the city bureaucracy. Maybe, in 2011, it will reappear. There is a small Martin Wine on Magazine and Amelia now, but sans deli.

Thanks for the correction on Martin deli. Knew the New Orleans location is now on Magazine, but I usually shop the Metarie location.

Lots of guide book, such as those at http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/shopSearch?q=New+Orleans, available. A good investment.