Getting to the Fest from the FQ

[NoPoYo]

Hi all,
I've been lurking around here for the past few weeks. But, maybe it's time to actually contribute. I'll be traveling from Portland, OR with a crew of about 7 for my 3rd Fest. None of my friends have been there before so, I am very excited to show them all the awesomeness to be found down there.

But, here's my question: We will not have a car while we are down there. So, what are your recommendations on the best way to get to the fairgrounds from the French Quarter. We are sort of on a budget, so are not opposed to taking a bus. But, is a cab a better way to get down there? Can they handle 8 people? What do y'all recommend.

Thanks.

[Cleophus]

My crew and I have walked up Esplanade from the Marigny or Quarter to the Fairgrounds for years. We even did so last yr, when I had a broken leg!
It's a great stroll -- I highly recommend it.

[funkkjunkie]

welcome to the posting world, nopoyo. where in the quarter? you can catch a bus at esplanade and rampart if you'd rather not do the walk. other spots to catch buses around the edges of the quarter too.

[Apostrophe (')]

what up nopoyo, i'm in pdx too. no real contribution to the thread here, just wanted to say hello. well i guess i can add that we almost always cab it. thinking about biking it this year though.

[navinljohnson]

Welcome
We used bus?street car passes last year. I think $20 for 4 days & they're good for thhe whole period. like unlimited
Navin

[hcazoo]

After many years of doing taxis ($5/person if 3 or more in cab) we started taking the Canal St trolley last year and walking a few blocks from the park. $1.25 and a great ride, with the locals...

We often walk back...need good shoes

[swag]

All the options are described here:
http://jazzfest.swagland.com/transport.html

[goodabouthood]

Welcome
We used bus?street car passes last year. I think $20 for 4 days & they're good for thhe whole period. like unlimited
Navin

Hey now, you're from va beach, let me know if you're ever hitting up some shows around town, we'll have to grab a beer. (check out phil roebuck next Thursday night at the taphouse in ghent- gonna be a great show!)

As for this post, I've taken the shuttle the last couple years, being without a car, just for the convenience of it. But bikes or walking are what I'm considering this year.

[NoPoYo]

Thanks for the info everyone. Walking might be the way to go but, I also like the streetcar idea.

Swag, I knew I saw your map somewhere but I couldn't remember where. Thanks for all your great info.

Apostrophe, It's great to know other Portlanders will be down there. Maybe our groups can meet up for a drink.

[linza22]

I always took the bus until I hooked up with Katy and Swag....now we just cab it.....and we stay so late at Liuzza's after JazzFest the cabs are available again!

[Apostrophe (')]

Apostrophe, It's great to know other Portlanders will be down there. Maybe our groups can meet up for a drink.

Absolutely, send me an email at apostrophe dot th at gmail. You ever go to Eat or Miss Delta?

[navinljohnson]

Hey now, you're from va beach, let me know if you're ever hitting up some shows around town, we'll have to grab a beer. (check out phil roebuck next Thursday night at the taphouse in ghent- gonna be a great show!)

As for this post, I've taken the shuttle the last couple years, being without a car, just for the convenience of it. But bikes or walking are what I'm considering this year.

email me @ cinsct@cox.net.
Take Care

[Gards]

I walked every morning last year from the 1/4.Takes about 30 minutes to Liuzza"s
It is a nice walk lots of cool houses to see and even a couple of historic ones.

[swag]

It's a mile and a half walk from Esplanade & Rampart (the closest corner of the FQ) to either Liuzzas or to the Fest gate on Gentilly, according to Google. If your hotel is at Canal and Decatur, at the opposite end of the FQ, it's 3 miles.

[NoPoYo]

I keep hearing about Liuzza's. Does it get pretty crowded after fest for those waiting for the crowds to clear out?

[swag]

I keep hearing about Liuzza's. Does it get pretty crowded after fest for those waiting for the crowds to clear out?

Yes, it can get insanely crowded after fest. The interior is usually completely filled by the lines at the bar. Most folks hang on the street, and just walking thru that crowd can take time.

Pre-fest, it's usually not bad at all.

[linza22]

it is so much fun. You'll see a ton of threadheads....

[NoPoYo]

Swag, you are a fountain of great information and I thank you for it. If I see you I'm gonna buy you a drink.

Cheers.

[NoPoYo]

[QUOTE=You ever go to Eat or Miss Delta?[/QUOTE]


I have been to Miss Delta but not to sound like a snob but I like The Delta better (I know it's almost the same, just a bigger menu and not as fancy) But, I've never been to Eat. I will definitely check it out.

I'll send you an email later today. I'm thinking I might post an add to see how many Portlanders are on here. It would be cool to meet up.

[linza22]

Swag, you are a fountain of great information and I thank you for it. If I see you I'm gonna buy you a drink.

Cheers.

and i wonder how he gets so tipsy in New Orleans.....:p

[Amy Winette]

Liuzza's can get pretty busy before fest too, we've waited forever in the bloody mary line before!

We've always cabbed or had a rental car, but those options are so expensive we're thinking about the bus. (more like cab at the beginning and end of each weekend to get all our stuff there and hopefully we can leave it chez gumbo, guess I need to ask him).

What would the best street car/bus route be from a hotel in the quarter close to Canal to Luizza's? Anything relatively direct? The less walking the better -- Natalie likes to walk but Nick charts his own course, and getting him to go the right direction can sometimes be a challenge ;)

[swag]

Liuzza's can get pretty busy before fest too, we've waited forever in the bloody mary line before!

We've always cabbed or had a rental car, but those options are so expensive we're thinking about the bus. (more like cab at the beginning and end of each weekend to get all our stuff there and hopefully we can leave it chez gumbo, guess I need to ask him).

What would the best street car/bus route be from a hotel in the quarter close to Canal to Luizza's? Anything relatively direct? The less walking the better -- Natalie likes to walk but Nick charts his own course, and getting him to go the right direction can sometimes be a challenge ;)

Amy, check the map in the link in post #7. If NORTA runs the special buses up Canal Street again this year, then that's your best bet. Pick up on Canal, drops by the Mystery Street cab stand a block from Liuzza's. If not, you can either take the Canal Streetcar and walk 5 blocks to Liuzza's, or walk up to Rampart St and catch the bus there to the Mystery St stop.

[Amy Winette]

Amy, check the map in the link in post #7. If NORTA runs the special buses up Canal Street again this year, then that's your best bet. Pick up on Canal, drops by the Mystery Street cab stand a block from Liuzza's. If not, you can either take the Canal Streetcar and walk 5 blocks to Liuzza's, or walk up to Rampart St and catch the bus there to the Mystery St stop.

Jeff & I were just looking at your map, Swag, and agreeing the yellow line (extra busses) would be the best. Hope they run those extra busses! Are they running all the time, or is there a schedule somewhere (too early to know I imagine).

[marignygreg]

It's a mile and a half walk from Esplanade & Rampart (the closest corner of the FQ) to either Liuzzas or to the Fest gate on Gentilly, according to Google. If your hotel is at Canal and Decatur, at the opposite end of the FQ, it's 3 miles.

Even when I stayed at the Marriott on Canal I walked it. One of the best walks you can take, if you are in shape for it ( and I'm no bruce Jenner ).

I recommend Bourbon to Esplanade ( stop at Laffite Blacksmith Shoppe for a Bloody Mary for the walk:) ). I usually grab a 24 oz. Icehouse at the old Circle K at Dauphine and Esplanade. From there it is a half hour stroll with the excitement building block by block. As others have said, some beautiful architecture along the way. Do not stray from Esplanade unless you hear music thumpin out of The Mother In Law Lounge at Claiborne. Then by all means jump on in ( I hear Kermit now runs the place ). With 8 folks you can even walk back after the Fest without anyone messing with you.

[swag]

Jeff & I were just looking at your map, Swag, and agreeing the yellow line (extra busses) would be the best. Hope they run those extra busses! Are they running all the time, or is there a schedule somewhere (too early to know I imagine).

NORTA never announces the fest schedule until a couple of weeks before the fest.

[ohio]

and i wonder how he gets so tipsy in New Orleans.....:p
If he ever collected on all those promised beers, he'd have to go to rehab!

[swag]

Rehab is for quitters.

[completejohn]

On the way out of the fest towards Liuzza's, there's plenty of vendors, most selling water. However, if you're lucky and don't look like you're undercover, there's often someone selling cans of beer for a buck or two. At Liuzza's you're probably gonna be waiting in line (especially for Bloodies) so it's nice to drink something while your friends wait in line. Also nice to have a cold one on the bus (just don't wave it around and you'll be fine).

[bobatude]

unite cab ph# 504 522 9771 call then 15 mins before you are ready to go

[walterrob]

Our group rented bikes last year and it was great-wish we were doing this in the past. Insanely easy and worth it to not deal with the taxi lines.

[Amy Winette]

Where do you park bikes at the fest? And at the hotel?

[walterrob]

Where do you park bikes at the fest? And at the hotel?

There are bike racks at the Gentilly entrance.

We don't stay at a brand hotel-we are at the Chateau Orleans and they have a place where they allowed us to stash the bikes inside the property.

ETA that there is free parking for the bike at the Fest