South - NOLA - parking alternatives

Heading to NOLA over the thanksgiving weekend. Booked at the Omni ($119/nt) but just saw the valet is up to $33! I'm considering parking at the public lot at the aquarium instead. Does this sound doable? Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

On a number of recent weekend visits to NOLA, I parked on the street for free rather than paying the valet rate at the Ritz. I've had no problems finding spots in the CBD just on the other side of Canal Street. One advantage to this, in addition to the cost savings, is not having to deal with the traffic in the Quarter.

The Harrah's garage is fairly reasonable I think, and free with a half hour of play (even penny slots).

Also, one out-of-the-box idea... the base price of a City of New Orleans parking ticket for unpaid meter or freight zone, if paid promptly, is just $20, and the city needs your money more than Omni Hotels does. Just steer clear of hydrants, bus stops, or anything else that seems like a towable offense.

If flying in, just take the shuttle or a cab in to town and walk. NOLA is made for walkin'. :)

If flying in, just take the shuttle or a cab in to town and walk. NOLA is made for walkin'. :)So when I stay at the Ritz, do you suggest I walk to Brigtsen's, Cooter Brown's, The Maple Leaf, Dick & Jenny's, etc? There are plenty of places I do walk from there -- including anywhere in the Quarter, the CBD, the Marigny, and even Bywater -- but I get good use out of my car, too.

Are you at the Omni Crescent? Then you'll be fine at the aquarium, or if you don't mind looking around for street parking. If you're at the Omni Orleans in the quarter, you might be better off without a rental.

I am at the Omni Royal. Driving in, not a rental, so parking is a necessity. I considered changing to Le Richelieu for the free parking, but the rate is higher enough that I'd only save about $10/day and I don't know that its worth it for that much. We like being in the thick of things.

Thought I'd drop off the bags and then go park (unless we are lucky enough to find street parking).

I say that though knowing I will probably just park.

So when I stay at the Ritz, do you suggest I walk to Brigtsen's, Cooter Brown's, The Maple Leaf, Dick & Jenny's, etc? There are plenty of places I do walk from there -- including anywhere in the Quarter, the CBD, the Marigny, and even Bywater -- but I get good use out of my car, too.

Didn't the street car line to Birgtsen's just reopen? Those street cars are really fun! Otherwise, I just take a taxi. NOLA is not very big.

Didn't the street car line to Birgtsen's just reopen? Those street cars are really fun! Otherwise, I just take a taxi. NOLA is not very big.Nope, the streetcars just reopened to Napolean Avenue.

I generally like to have a car in NOLA. YMMV.

Be aware that the Bayou Classic (football game) is the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Parking around the aquarium may be limited since the nearby Hilton is (or used to be) the official hotel for one of the teams.

Be aware that the Bayou Classic (football game) is the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Parking around the aquarium may be limited since the nearby Hilton is (or used to be) the official hotel for one of the teams.

Good to know! Thanks!
I wonder if that is why the Marriotts were showing as sold out for the weekend....

The streetcars just reopened to Lee Circle, last week. I was reading at nola.com and found the article.

Good to know! Thanks!
I wonder if that is why the Marriotts were showing as sold out for the weekend....

Yes, that would be my guess.

Be aware that the Bayou Classic (football game) is the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Parking around the aquarium may be limited since the nearby Hilton is (or used to be) the official hotel for one of the teams.I doubt that will affect the parking around the aquarium.


The streetcars just reopened to Lee Circle, last week. I was reading at nola.com and found the article.No, the streetcars have been running to Lee Circle for a while. They just extended them to Napolean Avenue last week. So you can get to Tip's, but still can not get to Cooter Brown's, Camelia Grill, Brigtsen's, Jacques-Imo's or the Maple Leaf on the streetcars!

The RTA is hoping to have the streetcar line open to the Riverbend area by the end of the year. Currently, as others have mentioned, it is only open to the intersection of St. Charles & Napoleon Ave..

As far as parking downtown this weekend, I'll reemphasize that it is Bayou Classic weekend and parking will probably be at a premium.