View Full Version : 1st timer, parking situation?
beckola
04-21-2011, 08:33 PM
Never been to New Orleans and will have a hotel in Metairie....I was struck by the lack of parking information for those people driving in to the festival?....Where, when and how should I park the car? Thanks
funkkjunkie
04-21-2011, 08:47 PM
this is the answer to all your questions: www.swagland.com/jazzfest . there is parking all around the fest area--you pay folks to park in their yards or schools and churches to park in their lots-$15-$30 a day. the cops do patrol the neighborhoods for nonlocals' vehicles so pay attention to signs if you decide to try street parking.
And happy jazzfest!
rosetree
04-21-2011, 10:08 PM
Easiest is Cabrini High School on Esplanade. Good lagniappes too:D
festivalgirl
04-21-2011, 11:18 PM
The bus or a cab is the cheapest, easiest way to go.
beckola
04-21-2011, 11:55 PM
The bus or a cab is the cheapest, easiest way to go.
yea the problem with that is as each day wraps up at, what , about 7pm?.... I'll still want to meander thru the french quarter on foot, but after that, it's nice to have wheels to traverse all over the city. ...I don't know exactly how far Metairie is, but I like the idea of having my own transportation to zip out of there when I'm thru for the day/night, given that I'm staying in the Metairie area ...
Any ideas of distance from: 1. jazzfest to french quarter ..walking distance? 2. jazzfest to metaire? ....
beckola
04-22-2011, 12:00 AM
this is the answer to all your questions: www.swagland.com/jazzfest . there is parking all around the fest area--you pay folks to park in their yards or schools and churches to park in their lots-$15-$30 a day. the cops do patrol the neighborhoods for nonlocals' vehicles so pay attention to signs if you decide to try street parking.
And happy jazzfest!
so their is no actual large scale, designated parking for the yearly event? how funky!
Staxsun
04-22-2011, 06:22 AM
Back in my early days of fest when I stayed in Metairie or Slidell, I always took the official shuttle from Marconi Meadows in City Park. It's actually less than you are charged to park near the Fairgrounds, and the bus drops you off inside the gates. I never had a long wait to catch one back. The lot is guarded by N.O. police and is fenced in. When you get back to your car it is very easy to get out and to the FQ, etc. I would just cross over the bayou right there where you get out and drive through to Canal. If you want to get back to Metairie, you're nearby. Also nearby are restaurants at the lake.
yea the problem with that is as each day wraps up at, what , about 7pm?.... I'll still want to meander thru the french quarter on foot, but after that, it's nice to have wheels to traverse all over the city. ...I don't know exactly how far Metairie is, but I like the idea of having my own transportation to zip out of there when I'm thru for the day/night, given that I'm staying in the Metairie area ...
Any ideas of distance from: 1. jazzfest to french quarter ..walking distance? 2. jazzfest to metaire? ....
Fest to the Quarter is about a 2-3 mile walk, depending where in the Quarter you're going. Some people walk. Remember that you'll likely be doing a ton of walking around the Fairgrounds during fest, and your feet may be tired before you even leave.
Fest to Metairie, figure 5-10 miles depending where.
I agree, to and from Metariie, a car is probably a necessity. Be very careful about drinking; you do not want to get a DUI in New Orleans.
so their is no actual large scale, designated parking for the yearly event? how funky!
The lots used during the racing season are where they put the Jazz, Gospel, and Blues tents. There used to be limited public parking on site, but that's now all reserved for VIP ticket holders.
Back in my early days of fest when I stayed in Metairie or Slidell, I always took the official shuttle from Marconi Meadows in City Park. It's actually less than you are charged to park near the Fairgrounds, and the bus drops you off inside the gates. I never had a long wait to catch one back. The lot is guarded by N.O. police and is fenced in. When you get back to your car it is very easy to get out and to the FQ, etc. I would just cross over the bayou right there where you get out and drive through to Canal. If you want to get back to Metairie, you're nearby. Also nearby are restaurants at the lake.
The Marcone lot is free to park, then $14 per person roundtrip for the shuttle. If you're by yourself, that's a good deal; if you have a group of 4 in the car, though, the $56 you pay for the shuttle is a lot more than neighborhood parking would cost.
Staxsun
04-22-2011, 08:00 AM
If you're by yourself, that's a good deal; if you have a group of 4 in the car, though, the $56 you pay for the shuttle is a lot more than neighborhood parking would cost.
Very valid point. A few times I have dropped the gang off on Esplanade (where they'd meander over to Liuzza's, etc.), and then I've gone to park at Marconi and taken the shuttle. After the fest I'd go back and get the car and pick their drunken butts up near the Washateria after their post-fest libations.
Very valid point. A few times I have dropped the gang off on Esplanade (where they'd meander over to Liuzza's, etc.), and then I've gone to park at Marconi and taken the shuttle. After the fest I'd go back and get the car and pick their drunken butts up near the Washateria after their post-fest libations.
You are a good friend.
Headless Hornman
04-22-2011, 09:21 AM
You are a good friend.
Yea you rite!
John Redcorn
04-22-2011, 09:53 AM
If you are definately going to end up in the quarter immediately after fest ends you may want to consider parking in the CBD/FQ area and then taking the streetcar/bus or a cab from there to fairgrounds, depending on your budget or sense of urgency. Parking all day around there will cost you roughly same as you would pay to park near fairgrounds and at least that way you only have to do it once.
However, you may find that you want to go back to Metry and shower/refresh before you head out for the evening. In which case you would want to park near the fairgrounds or better yet leave your car at the hotel and bus/cab over from Metry to the fairgrounds.
As said by others, be very careful about drinking and driving in NOLA. There is a high level of tolerance for people getting their party on there, but zero tolerance for the combining of that with the operation of a motor vehicle. Fair enough. And a trip to OPP will really ruin your day.
stlbarb
04-22-2011, 05:15 PM
Never been to New Orleans and will have a hotel in Metairie....I was struck by the lack of parking information for those people driving in to the festival?....Where, when and how should I park the car? Thanks
a good rule for parking in NOLA, if you didnt pay to park its probably not legal parking.
most street parking around the quarter is meter (mostly the new style that you pay in advance and put the slip on your dashboard - so you may not see meters at each spot) or resident parking.
do not park near intersections - you will be towed!
the lots off Elysian Fields are the best value for parking near the Marigny & FQ. beware of some of the tourist lots on decatur &/or near canal. they can get quite expensive. meter parking can quickly add up also.
Residence Inn in Metaire to neighborhood parking near the fairgrounds is about 15 minutes, much longer to get home due to traffic.
note: sometimes you will need to find alternative routes because the cops are at an intersection not allowing the left turn you need to make.
i suggest you use "Cabrini High School on Esplanade", at least until you become more familiar with the neighborhood. it should be pretty easy in & out. allow extra time for parking the first day - arrive as early as possible.
beckola
04-23-2011, 04:31 AM
a good rule for parking in NOLA, if you didnt pay to park its probably not legal parking.
most street parking around the quarter is meter (mostly the new style that you pay in advance and put the slip on your dashboard - so you may not see meters at each spot) or resident parking.
do not park near intersections - you will be towed!
the lots off Elysian Fields are the best value for parking near the Marigny & FQ. beware of some of the tourist lots on decatur &/or near canal. they can get quite expensive. meter parking can quickly add up also.
Residence Inn in Metaire to neighborhood parking near the fairgrounds is about 15 minutes, much longer to get home due to traffic.
note: sometimes you will need to find alternative routes because the cops are at an intersection not allowing the left turn you need to make.
i suggest you use "Cabrini High School on Esplanade", at least until you become more familiar with the neighborhood. it should be pretty easy in & out. allow extra time for parking the first day - arrive as early as possible.
thanks for this info!