DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO MARCONI MEADOWS

[Terry]

I googled Marconi Meadows and got an address of 1 Palm Drive, and used that for directions coming off exit 1A West End Blvd/Canal on 610. Right on Canal, left on Naverene, left on Marconi,right on Roosevelt, left on Palm Dr. at Beau Bassich Cir to Palm Drive. Will those directions get me to parking area?

[Amyloves...]

Terry, the street off of Canal is Navarre (not Navarene). It's the first light when you take the right on Canal and is very close to the Interstate.

Were you planning to take the Jazzfest Express bus service from there to the fairgrounds? If not, this wouldn't be where you'd want to park (looooong walk).

[rosetree]

If you are going to park, I highly recommend parking at Cabrini HS as I wrote in another thread. It is safe, gated, manned, and DT said that they have food and ice cold beer! They are right on Esplanade (although their mail address is Moss St) about five blocks from the Mystery St entrance. It costs 20 bucks and all the money goes to programming for the HS.

[Staxsun]

Having done both, if I was a first-timer and wasn't going to hang out at Liuzza's before and after fest, there's no doubt I'd go with Marconi Meadows. The car is safer there(yes, even at Cabrini cars get broken into). It's much easier to drive in and out of. And the number one point... There's no confusion about how to get in or out. Just let the shuttle driver take you inside the gate and pick you up. I still often choose this option even after 15+ years.

[rosetree]

[QUOTE=Staxsun;12417] The car is safer there(yes, even at Cabrini cars get broken into).

I find this VERY hard to believe!!! Their lots are all fenced in with people manning the area during all hours of Fest.
Do you have proof of this????
You might have your own likes and dislikes, but don't spoil something that generates a lot of money going to good things for the girls at Cabrini.

[Staxsun]

[QUOTE=Staxsun;12417] The car is safer there(yes, even at Cabrini cars get broken into).

I find this VERY hard to believe!!! Their lots are all fenced in with people manning the area during all hours of Fest.
Do you have proof of this????
You might have your own likes and dislikes, but don't spoil something that generates a lot of money going to good things for the girls at Cabrini.

I have parked there and never had any trouble. However, I do know people that parked there and, in spite of it being manned, had someone break into their car. You may choose not to believe that, if you wish. I'm not trying to take money away from the school. I don't get any money from the fest shuttle people. I'm only trying to give advice to someone from another country who is going to the fest for the first time. Even forgetting about that isolated incident, I would still give them the same advice. The traffic can be difficult. Even walking around some of the streets can turn you around. Yes, if you keep following the crowd, you'll get to the entrances. Remember that you live there. Other people aren't always comfortable with the way the traffic works and the streets run, particularly when it's crowded and you don't have a long time to make decisions. I'm not spoiling anything, but I do believe that making things easy as possible the first time is the best!

[ozzie]

I hate traffic and hate parking and thought the shuttle was an amazing way to travel. No fuss in or out and a bunch of happy folk both ways. Not knowing the City well, the driver's commentary was also a bonus.

Now if I could just sweet talk a driver into dropping us at Liuzzas!

[BigDag]

Yes, I love the shuttle too, but Liuzza's has become too important to my experience; I've been parking at the little laundrymat on Esplanade, next door to the (still closed?) Circle K for years. The older fellow who runs that lot lost everything, and although they survived the flood, his wife passed away shortly thereafter. I just budget to give him $20 each day to park there. It's just a block from Liuzza's, and getting out of there is really easy. It fills up quickly though; you have to arrive before 11 in order to get a spot.

Heck Ozzie, it's not even five in the morning yet in Queensland is it? Are you always up so early?

[Terry]

Some great give and take guys. I love this chat line. I have learned so much from you all. I tell all my friends what a great asset it is.

Between Marconi and Cabrini, which would be easier for getting back onto
610 for my return trip to Radisson at the Airport.? After a full day at Fest, I am happily exhausted, so this would be a factor, along with the fact that this will be my first time driving in N.O., so the less hassle the better.

[bluesgirl]

Some great give and take guys. I love this chat line. I have learned so much from you all. I tell all my friends what a great asset it is.

Between Marconi and Cabrini, which would be easier for getting back onto
610 for my return trip to Radisson at the Airport.? After a full day at Fest, I am happily exhausted, so this would be a factor, along with the fact that this will be my first time driving in N.O., so the less hassle the better.

Don't know about Cabrini, but I stayed at a Days in in Metarie last year, and had no problem getting back onto 610 to head to the hotel after fest.

Personally, I like the shuttle because it's air conditioned and a quite lovely place to sit and relax before going back to my car after a day of sweating on the fairgrounds. I've even met a few people on the shuttle who were nice (I won't mention the boneheads who, for some reason believe that women should not know anything about music nor should they travel alone).

[ozzie]

Heck Ozzie, it's not even five in the morning yet in Queensland is it? Are you always up so early?

The bane of my life Bigdag... can't sleep! And then just when I think I can and come in to shut down the puter you guys are all jumping!

[ozzie]

Some great give and take guys. I love this chat line. I have learned so much from you all. I tell all my friends what a great asset it is.

Between Marconi and Cabrini, which would be easier for getting back onto
610 for my return trip to Radisson at the Airport.? After a full day at Fest, I am happily exhausted, so this would be a factor, along with the fact that this will be my first time driving in N.O., so the less hassle the better.

Terry, by no means do I know about getting around the city but it seems that you did a lot of yards to get an inexpensive hotle near to the airport and now you have to hire a car and pay for parking (say, $40/day). Would you consider flicking that and going for somewhere to stay either close to Fest or on a transport route? Of course if you need a car to do other things you may be onto a good thing. Whatever... hope you enjoy!

[rosetree]

I'm a little confused here!
Are you planning to park at Marconi Meadows and take the shuttle in? This is a good choice if you want to shuttle. If you want to park your car and walk, the meadows is too far, that's why I recommended Cabrini.
The shuttle will let you off inside the Fairgrounds. It just depends if you want to walk a few blocks to your car after the fest or wait for the bus and ride the shuttle after the fest. BTW Cabrini is 3 turns away from getting onto I-10. I will tell you that traffic is HEAVY after the Fest lets out....

[swag]

My first Fest, we paid some dude behind a store on the Gentilly side to park, and the car was broken into. My second Fest, we tried street parking, and got towed (unmarked, but too close to the corner). By the end of the 2nd Fest, we had found Cabrini. That was back in '97. It cost $10 then, and they only used the paved lot on the east side of the building. They had a cookout going before & after with cheap eats, beverages for sale, and one time even held our car keys for us, when we were leaving at different times and needed to retrieve stuff from the trunk. It felt pretty magical, like an undiscovered secret.

I think that feeling is gone now; no doubt Cabrini has been discovered. Even arriving at noon, the east paved lot is usually full, and you end up in the overflow, which is a dirt field on the west side of the school. There's none of the backyard party feel that the east side has, and if someone did get broken into, I'd be sure its in this half. And it's up to $20 now.

Whether or not the security is 100%, it's still probably safer than most other offsite parking. The $20 is in line with what other places (similar distance from Fest) charge. So not a bad choice, IMO, just not the deal it once was. I rarely drive to Fest these days, but if I did, I might well park there.

Mark, do you know what time Cabrini usually filled up last year?

If I do have a negative about Cabrini, its that when you exit, you go out the back way and end up heading along the bayou away from the FQ. And the way the cops had the traffic controls set up, last time I did it, it seemed nearly impossible to get turned around and headed back to downtown.

[NOLA]

If I do have a negative about Cabrini, its that when you exit, you go out the back way and end up heading along the bayou away from the FQ. And the way the cops had the traffic controls set up, last time I did it, it seemed nearly impossible to get turned around and headed back to downtown.

Good point, Swag, and one I hadn't considered since I live(d) in Lakeview. Getting back to the Quarter from Cabrini would be a pain given the way the traffic flows. But to get back to 610 to head out to a hotel near the airport, that wouldn't be a concern.

I've never had a problem with security at Cabrini; in fact I used to leave my '65 Mustang there with the top down all day and never had a problem (but I did ask them to keep an eye on it :) )

I couldn't imagine not starting fest without a cold beer from the Cabrini Dads. Actually a couple of years ago they had frozen margaritas and daiquiris too, but I guess they were short-handed last year and had to drop that. (The cold beer lasts just until I walk up to Liuzza's for a Bloody Mary. Its all about the timing.)

[dumbtourist]

I parked everyday at Cabrini last year. Arrived between 11 - 11:30...most of lot was empty. Took time to get something to eat/drink and walk to gate and arrive just before the gates opened. After the day, would take time to eat/drink some more, use restrooms, etc. Then traffic was very light and we had no problem getting anywhere. We stayed Uptown last year...took 15 min from hotel to park, and when we left, ususally took no more than 15-20 min to park back at hotel.

The dads were wonderful...good food and cold, cold beer. Can't compare to prior years since last year was my first. But can't believe they would have had any crime problems with all the dads all over the place.

[grisgris]

Ok folks if you drive & park at Fest, PLEASE, don't leave anything in your car in plain view. No purses,cell phones, change, packages, etc. Please lock your car doors & put anything that you value in the truck of the car. This goes for NOLA , where you live or anywhere else in the universe. Trust me folks, I know what I speak about.

[rosetree]

Swag: I have never parked at Cabrini! But I am a Cabrini Dad. I go to the meetings and know the care and effort that goes into making the parking as easy as possible. I always have an exhibitors pass to get in :D :D This year will be different, if I go on my off week-end to work at Ms. Lena's, I will have to find a place to park, and Cabrini is my only choice.
DT's answer of 11:00 or 11:30 seems about right. So Swag, do they make you turn left on Moss St coming out of the lot? If so, it's not hard to take the first right over the bayou and then continue to Carrolton and get on I-10 near the Rock & Bowl.

[swag]

I remember turning right out the back of the lot onto Moss (not sure if we had a choice). No turns allowed onto Esplanade, had to continue to Desaix and make a right. Managed to make a illegal U turn there, and cross the bayou, but somehow couldn't get onto Carrollton, had to go onto City Park and make another U-ey.

[Dr. A.]

personally, i hate the shuttle, but end up having to take it about once every three years for various reasons, last year first day of fest being one of them. perhaps it was the first post-k day chaos, but it was miserable with inept personnel (and to reference the old joke, 'and not nearly enough of them!') and poor planning for line/boarding/dispersal control.

if i were a novice festgoer, i'd say park at marconi the first time, and rarely after that.

[Terry]

Terry, by no means do I know about getting around the city but it seems that you did a lot of yards to get an inexpensive hotle near to the airport and now you have to hire a car and pay for parking (say, $40/day). Would you consider flicking that and going for somewhere to stay either close to Fest or on a transport route? Of course if you need a car to do other things you may be onto a good thing. Whatever... hope you enjoy!

As I understand it, parking at Marconi Meadows is free and the shuttle, which I do intend to take is just $12. Also I am going to be in N.O. from 4/26 to 7/5,so I can do a little touring outside of N.O.with car. So for me, staying at a 3 star hotel, which I understand has undergone a six million dollar renovation in last couple of years or so, for $50 per nite for 11 days,at a savings say of $75 per day, a total of $825, for a comparable place in town (maybe even more )more than compensates for cost of car $297,plus gas, plus cost of shuttle for six days of Fest. Also from what others have shared here, there are plenty of parking lots in town for $10 per day that I can use on non Fest days.

[Terry]

Don't know about Cabrini, but I stayed at a Days in in Metarie last year, and had no problem getting back onto 610 to head to the hotel after fest.

Personally, I like the shuttle because it's air conditioned and a quite lovely place to sit and relax before going back to my car after a day of sweating on the fairgrounds. I've even met a few people on the shuttle who were nice (I won't mention the boneheads who, for some reason believe that women should not know anything about music nor should they travel alone).

Sounds good to me. I have enjoyed shuttles to and from Fest also.

[Terry]

I'm a little confused here!
Are you planning to park at Marconi Meadows and take the shuttle in? This is a good choice if you want to shuttle. If you want to park your car and walk, the meadows is too far, that's why I recommended Cabrini.
The shuttle will let you off inside the Fairgrounds. It just depends if you want to walk a few blocks to your car after the fest or wait for the bus and ride the shuttle after the fest. BTW Cabrini is 3 turns away from getting onto I-10. I will tell you that traffic is HEAVY after the Fest lets out....

Sorry about confusing you. I definitely will be taking the shuttle.

[Terry]

Ok folks if you drive & park at Fest, PLEASE, don't leave anything in your car in plain view. No purses,cell phones, change, packages, etc. Please lock your car doors & put anything that you value in the truck of the car. This goes for NOLA , where you live or anywhere else in the universe. Trust me folks, I know what I speak about.

As someone once told me when visiting the ghettos in Mexico, if you leave anything in your car that can be seen, to the natives that means you don't want it.

[swag]

As I understand it, parking at Marconi Meadows is free and the shuttle, which I do intend to take is just $12. Also I am going to be in N.O. from 4/26 to 7/5,so I can do a little touring outside of N.O.with car. So for me, staying at a 3 star hotel, which I understand has undergone a six million dollar renovation in last couple of years or so, for $50 per nite for 11 days,at a savings say of $75 per day, a total of $825, for a comparable place in town (maybe even more )more than compensates for cost of car $297,plus gas, plus cost of shuttle for six days of Fest. Also from what others have shared here, there are plenty of parking lots in town for $10 per day that I can use on non Fest days.

Are you solo? The shuttle is $12/person (or it was last year), that's cheapest if you are driving yourself. With 2 or more in the car, paying to park within walking distance of Fest may come out cheaper.

[NeenAtlanta]

Why not just take the bus to fest? It's cheap, easy and convenient. It's always filled with fest-goers on fest days, and I've met some great folks that way.

Just head over to Rampart and hop on.

[Terry]

Are you solo? The shuttle is $12/person (or it was last year), that's cheapest if you are driving yourself. With 2 or more in the car, paying to park within walking distance of Fest may come out cheaper.

Yes indeed, I am solo.