both weekends: how do you do it?

[jailbait vagrant]

I mean how are you able to survive through all of that and how do you afford it?

Maybe I'm just young and go to hard in the one weekend I'm there but I don't see how I could do both weekends or afford it with hotels being so pricey.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to do both weekends and I'm certainly jealous of those who do both especially now that I see Mofro is there the first weekend

[Festvet]

15 days/14 nights can be done comfortably for $5-6k. Less if you share lodging. That's for flight, hotel, rental car, parking, taxi's (for when you can't drive), food, booze, tickets to shows, CD's, souvenirs... For many it's the only "real" time off all year. I get 7 weeks vacation but am too busy to ake more than 3 to 3.5 all year but JF is mandatory...both weeks+

[jailbait vagrant]

15 days/14 nights can be done comfortably for $5-6k. Less if you share lodging. That's for flight, hotel, rental car, parking, taxi's (for when you can't drive), food, booze, tickets to shows, CD's, souvenirs... For many it's the only "real" time off all year. I get 7 weeks vacation but am too busy to ake more than 3 to 3.5 all year but JF is mandatory...both weeks+

wow, $5-6K is a lot for a vacation! I guess one day I'll be a big dog/player that can afford to spend that on Jazzfest.

[bluesgirl]

I hunt for the cheapest airfare, cheapest cars and cheapest hotels that I can find, and use Priceline alot. I also get a hotel room with kitchen facilities. It saves a lot on snacks, breakfast and sodas. I can get by on about 2k or less over the 10 days, but I'm not a huge drinker nor do I have to eat at high priced restaurants every day, either.

[Staxsun]

wow, $5-6K is a lot for a vacation! I guess one day I'll be a big dog/player that can afford to spend that on Jazzfest.

It can be done for considerably less, but it involves hooking up with other people and not spending all that you want to. When I was younger I did both weekends a lot. I did have the advantage of being close enough to drive down. I would share a cheap room out in the sticks (Slidell) with a couple of others. I would take a cooler (still do) with drinks, lunch meat, bread, and limit myself to a couple of good meals. There's lots of free music and things to do. Just a walk through the quarter can keep me entertained. The hardest thing is resisting the temptation to buy lots of stuff and spend lots of money on food and drink. I had great times. These days it's hard for me to live that tight an existence, but luckily my job pays more now and my credit is better.

[wbtiger]

My wife and I go bpth weekends.
We live in New Orleans.
I cannot wait for the list of preformers to come out.

[Zbonnie]

"I mean how are you able to survive through all of that "

Speaking only to this question, most invoke the New Orleans/JF mantra of "you can sleep when you're dead" -- in other words, you just know going into it that you're gonna be a sore, exhausted, basket case after 10-11 days, but it will have been well worth it! Some people pace themselves - e.g., don't go out every night or don't go out until late every night (an abomination, IMHO) - but that ain't my style. There's just so much music to hear there, that I have to hear as much of it as I can in the time allotted. BTW, I'm 57, and while I'm hearing incredible music I don't think about being tired. If that thought should enter my mind, I focus back on the music and banish all else. I can't wait!!

[Blumie]

Putting aside the cost (although I will address it below), coming for both weekends completely changes (for the better) the JazzFest experience, principally because it gives you the week in between to explore New Orleans and south Louisiana. Have you ever been to the New Orleans Museum of Art? The D-Day Museum? Have you toured the plantations? Have you been to Lafayette? Have you taken a swamp boat tour in Houma? Or driven from town to town an Acadiana? Gone fishing in the Gulf or in the bayous (or both)?

This year marks my 20th consecutive Fest, and for all but a handful of them I've come for the entire week, which has allowed me to explore New Orleans and Louisiana in a way I never could have if I only came for a weekend, all of which was dedicated to Fest. For those of you who think New Orleans is great, you can't possibly know how great it really is if your only experience is a weekend of Fest. Mind you, I'm not being critical. I understand that it's beyond the means of many. I only mean to suggest that it's REALLY worth doing.

As to cost, when I first started coming to Fest for the entire week, I would stay at some roadside hotel in New Orleans East for $35/night and rent a cheap car. I'm fortunate enough that that is no longer necessary, and although that $35 might be $95 now, my point is there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing the experience.

[Frosty]

Here is how I'd do it on the cheap if I didn't have family commitments. First, there is a Motel 6 in Kenner where rooms are a lot cheaper than downtown or French Quarter. Stay there for the weekends. Then, in between, sign up at a relief camp, which provides free housing and food for workers. You spend the days helping fix up the city, you meet great people, and you can still hit the shows at night. And if your lucky like I was, you may end up making friends down there who invite you to stay with them every year.

[csoul]

Here is how I'd do it on the cheap if I didn't have family commitments. First, there is a Motel 6 in Kenner where rooms are a lot cheaper than downtown or French Quarter. Stay there for the weekends. Then, in between, sign up at a relief camp, which provides free housing and food for workers. You spend the days helping fix up the city, you meet great people, and you can still hit the shows at night. And if your lucky like I was, you may end up making friends down there who invite you to stay with them every year.

Best post of the day, Frosty. GREAT idea and suggestion to get people down there helping out!!!! KUDOS!!

[UkKeith]

I have travelled to Jazzfest since 1989 from the UK and always stayed for both weekends to make the long journey viable. This is my highlight of my year. You learn a little more each time to spread the money further. I travel as much as possible by RTA and find cheap clean rooms through friends I have made over the years. Also learnt a lot from these pages.
I must be the slowest typist ever ----this my first posting!

[pokerchick66]

I have travelled to Jazzfest since 1989 from the UK and always stayed for both weekends to make the long journey viable. This is my highlight of my year. You learn a little more each time to spread the money further. I travel as much as possible by RTA and find cheap clean rooms through friends I have made over the years. Also learnt a lot from these pages.
I must be the slowest typist ever ----this my first posting!

lol, what took you so long? :)

[Jada]

This year will make 16 or 17 Fests for me (can't remember). I'm not broke but I'm badly bent. If I didn't have a JF savings account, I coudn't afford both weekends either. I save year round and use part of my tax return. It also helps to look for great hotel deals. This has always been the most expensive part of the trip (for me anyways). It was less expensive when I still had family there and could crash out for free, but those days are over.

Also, if there are souvineers that can be purchased at other times during the year through a website, I'll hold off purchasing something and ask for a business card and write on the back of it what it was that I wanted to buy. Somethings you can only get at Fest, but a lot of other things can be purchased online and shipped later.

As far as surviving, I take naps here and there. If I'm going to a late show, I'll take a nap after fest and then go out. Depending on who's playing early at Fest the next day, I might not get there until 1:00 and sleep in that morning.

[abbeyrd]

Well, how I did it last year (and believe me, I don't gots much spending cash!):

Frequent Flyer miles for the ticket (I had been saving them for a vacation, and 11 days in NOLA is worth more to me than a few days somewhere else!)

Stay with friends (if you don't have 'em down there, start recruiting people now to share a hotel room with and definitely stay outside the city for as many nights as you can - you can share the rental car, rotate who is DD for each day, etc. I have done some Cowboy Mouth roadtrips with people I met on our message board and I have had more fun on those trips than on some of my other vacations!)

Volunteer to work at the Fest - you get in for free the days you volunteer. I would work a 4 hour shift (these are not generally strenuous jobs) in the morning, work the Jazzfest Live booth for a few hours when I had 'em (get free recordings!), and then find my friends wherever they were staked out.

Echo the suggestions above to bring food - even if it's just breakfast that you don't spend money on, you'll save a ton. I usually ended up eating food at the Fest and not much elsewhere on Fest days. If you go both weekends, theere is time to try almost everything! ;)

As for non-financial survival:
Drink water. Lots of it.
Sunscreen.
Be aware of your salt intake (seriously - my ankles were the size of my calves at one point because I never rested! NASTY!)
Take the Monday inbetween off - at the very least, sleep in and let your body catch up a little before you go nuts again.
Plan ahead - if you know you want to see someone at a venue one night, find dinner near there so you can sit and relax in between, rather than traveling from place to place.
Leave yourself a recovery day after the day you travel back home. I didn't do this last year, and then my flight was delayed, I missed my connection, and I ended up sleeping in the Atlanta airport and calling work at 4am to say I didn't think I would be making it in the next day. ;)

I didn't get my voice back for over a week after that trip, and I think it took almost as long for my soreness and swelling to go down, but it was worth every second! I can't wait to do it again this year!

jen

[PaulC]

I mean how are you able to survive through all of that and how do you afford it?

Maybe I'm just young and go to hard in the one weekend I'm there but I don't see how I could do both weekends or afford it with hotels being so pricey.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to do both weekends and I'm certainly jealous of those who do both especially now that I see Mofro is there the first weekend

If you do the whole thing the flight is a one time cost that seems real cheap if you figure it is servin' your whole visit...

Hotels,.. no problem,.. once again it's called priceline,.. ten days would get you a $70 dollar 4 star room easy.... shared with another,.. very easy money...

Your youth,.. a plus,.. quick to bounce back...

Party as hard as you want the first weekend then sleep all day the first Monday,.. but get up rarin' to go for Piano Night or Instrument's a comin'... repeat that all week if you must... but I sstrongly suggest takin' it easy a few nights so you have the energy to enjoy some daylight in the city itself... in stores are always cool and "free"... Mofest is comin' back,.. cool and free again...

try not to cut too many costs on food,.. it's the best in the world and needs to be a daily part of the experience,.. especially at the fest itself.... I have been known to carry a pocket pal or two ( i.e. a flask) to help cut back on the drinkin' costs...

The daily cost to the fest has definitely risen,.. but we all know it's still a great deal for what it offers up in return (sure do have especially fond memories of those $12 tickies and $2 beer though)...

Bottom line can obviously be a lot less than 5 grand... Never is for me because I come in a package deal with the wife,.. everything times 2,.. plus I'ma stuff kinda guy,.. gotta buy art,.. just gotta,.. but yooooou my friend can doooo it.......

350-400 for a real nice room (shared)
250-300 (maybe less) one round trip flight
170-240 fest tickets, the later is full price at the door cost
100/day 1,000 total,.. food and drink
100-200 five nights of great live music...

you're talkin' two grand,.. and you can cut costs across the board if you need to... For example,.. Piano night offers up some of the worst grub you will find in New Orleans,.. but you can fulfill the basic need to eat that one night as it is legally food,.. and it accompanies even the basic ticket...

[Jada]

Also, I don't drink at Fest. I save it for night shows. I've seen a lot of people bag night shows b/c they got too liquored up in the hot sun earlier that day and can't make it through the night.

[PaulC]

I have travelled to Jazzfest since 1989 from the UK and always stayed for both weekends to make the long journey viable. This is my highlight of my year. You learn a little more each time to spread the money further. I travel as much as possible by RTA and find cheap clean rooms through friends I have made over the years. Also learnt a lot from these pages.
I must be the slowest typist ever ----this my first posting!


What time (or day) did you start typin' it??...

[abbeyrd]

Good point - I usually save the drinking for nights out - means less rehydration during the day at the fest! Of course, the flask + vitamin water option is always a good one. :)

Depending where you stay, cabbing may be cheaper (I know it is hard to believe) than a rental car. Definitely do the research on that, especially if you are staying in the city. Also check if the streetcar line is up. Last year I checked the bus routes and saved the occasional bit o' cash here and there taking the buses. But I used to live in the city, so I have familiarity on my side. :rolleyes:

Can I go to NOLA yet? My friend keeps egging me on that I am missing MG, but I maintain JF beats out MG, hands down!

[rosetree]

Putting aside the cost (although I will address it below), coming for both weekends completely changes (for the better) the JazzFest experience, principally because it gives you the week in between to explore New Orleans and south Louisiana. Have you ever been to the New Orleans Museum of Art? The D-Day Museum? Have you toured the plantations? Have you been to Lafayette? Have you taken a swamp boat tour in Houma? Or driven from town to town an Acadiana? Gone fishing in the Gulf or in the bayous (or both)?



Or have you ever taken the ferry to Algiers and visited Rosetree Blown Glass Studio???? sorry, couldn't help myself...;) :D

[ShaSha]

I had a friend come for his first consecutive 2 weeks a few years ago, and by daze between he was in bad shape. Actually wanted to go home. Partied too hard and then realized he still had 8 days to survive.

Partying...for me, if I party all day, I can't party at night/dawn, so I stick to water mostly during the fest days. I also get the brass pass and have the fruit for breakfast each day and fill up my water bladder for the day. Night time is all about pace. I'm with Bonnie on the music. There's too much going on to sleep...I think the sunrise caught me 9 or 10 nights last year.

Money...well, it can be spendy, but Priceline is a good thing. =) Someone else mentioned saving throughout the year -- I do that too. I try to budget around $100 a day for the each day that I'm there and that tends to get me to second Friday or Saturday and then I have to hit the ATM. But by then, I have had a couple of good meals, souvenirs are purchased, and very few usuable brain cells are left, so I only need money for Fairgrounds food and night time activities.

I can't imagine not going for 2 weeks...How do you pick which weekend to go? =)

[Festvet]

I must confess that I do not have family commitments and do make a decent living, although far from wealthy!!! The hotel is ~40% of the total cost of trip. I'm only talking 110/night plus parking & tax. I usually solo for most of the trip. Food and drink ~100/day, tix to shows ~50/day, rental car ~40/day, flight ~200

[Amy Winette]

Here is how I'd do it on the cheap if I didn't have family commitments. First, there is a Motel 6 in Kenner where rooms are a lot cheaper than downtown or French Quarter. Stay there for the weekends. Then, in between, sign up at a relief camp, which provides free housing and food for workers. You spend the days helping fix up the city, you meet great people, and you can still hit the shows at night. And if your lucky like I was, you may end up making friends down there who invite you to stay with them every year.

That's fantastic Frosty! :)

[PaulC]

And don't forget to ingest plenty of B vitamins,.. and add some water when the chance arises..... take those essential B's in the morning and let them absorb at least a few hours before the Abita starts flowin' again.... the B's can protect, renew, and bring you back to do it all over again and those P's also make a difference.. preperation and pace,.. prep and pace,.. prep and pace....

The great thing about havin' the extra time,.. If you screw up slightly,.. plenty of time left to start up all over again...

[Blumie]

I can't imagine not going for 2 weeks...How do you pick which weekend to go? =)That's a very good point. The first year I went, in 1988, I went only for the first weekend. I was anxious not to go too close to exams, and when I looked at the schedule that year, most of the names were foreign to me, except the big acts like BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. But the following year, all of a sudden the names on the schedule meant a lot more to me, and I found choosing between weekends impossible, so I decided to go to both. That's when I first learned how great it could be to be at Fest for both weekends AND to be in New Orleans during the week in between.

[Frosty]

I guess one of these years I should combine the relief work with my Jazz Fest trip but it is just so nice having an excuse to come down twice. Plus, my wife doesn't have as much vacation as I do so my relief trip is solo. Or, as solo as it can be staying with good friends and all their houseless family members.

[Amy Winette]

This will be my 10th year, and the first year I am doing all of both weekends plus all of the necessary daze before, between, and after.

Used to just come 2nd weekend, Thursday night through early Sunday morning (that's when the cheap flights were), minimal missing of work and still plenty of patrying.

Then they decided to have this threadhead patry thing, and I was convinced (what a hard sell!) to come earlier. Still left Sunday morning and got tired of hearing about all the great things happening Sunday closing the fest.

So last year we booked for day of the patry through Monday after. But we were in Orlando first weekend, so why fly back to San Franscico, work a day, then fly to New Orleans? We decided to go straight to NOLA for first Sunday. It still wasn't enough, missed 1st 2 days of 1st weekend and all the Monday in-stores.

So this year we booked for Thursday before through Tuesday after, hotel & flights on Hotwire were only $2000 for 2 of us. We've also bought our brass passes so we've paid for a lot in advance already. Will buy some tix in advance too to have that out of the way. No car, no driving when drinking and that's what we do in NOLA!

As for the body surviving, whooh, that's a tough one. We seem to get better every year, fewer nights falling asleep after fest and "donating" our pre-purchased tix prices to the venues, haha! Last year we made 3 am most nights. And were DYING before the second weekend, seriously, feet throbbing so much we could barely fall asleep, no voice, etc. And I barely even wore my heels, I swear I didn't!

I AM going to look into more comfy shoes this year. Crocs makes some cute flip flops. I am not going to stop drinking at fest, yeah, it wears ya out but it's one of my favorite parts of the experience :)

[pokerchick66]

((And I barely even wore my heels, I swear I didn't!))

Ahem. She calls them heels. Think 10 inch stilts. ;)

Good post, Ames.

[UkKeith]

What time (or day) did you start typin' it??...

Being a typical shy Brit it took a long time to pluck up the courage to do the first post, like 10/12 years. Silly really it is quite painless.

[Terry]

I live on fixed income, but am going to Fest for both weekends for the first time, and will be in N.O. for 11 days. I got flight for free from credit card miles, (also just got Frontier Credit Card which only requires 15,000 miles)
, booked a 3 star hotel, Radisson at the airport, thru bid on priceline for $50 per nite, and am renting a car for $297 for my total stay. Eat simply and inexpensively most of the time, but enjoy lunch meal at Fest.

The first year I went to N.O. I had to leave hotel on weekend because of some event at hotel, and stayed at a hostel in Garden District on Carondelet for $20 per night, and it was a good experience for me. Many young people from other countries.

[csoul]

Wow, these are all awesome ideas. Anyone got a suggestion on what we can do with our baby souls for the entire 11 days???? Grandparents are o.k. for a long weekend, but I think they'd veto the 11 day gig. I keep telling Mr. Soul: "As soon as these kids are grown, we're doing all 11 days"....not sure I can wait that long, though. The FOMS is wicked when you KNOW you're missing 6 or 7 days worth!!!

[dank_bass]

wow, $5-6K is a lot for a vacation! I guess one day I'll be a big dog/player that can afford to spend that on Jazzfest.

My setup this year is $1100 for 11 nights at Chateau LeMoyne, Roundtrip airfare for $165

Hotel divided by three = 500ish for flight and lodging.

Im putting 150/week away in savings starting new years which will come out to +-2500 come fest time, but that is living a little lavishly on the food/shows/drinking front, there are definitely ways to be a little more economical about it.

Swag has a section on his site called festing on the cheap I believe

Hotel and Flight deals are definitely to be found ... I used to drive myself into debt each year for this vacation, but Im growing into it finally

[dank_bass]

This year will make 16 or 17 Fests for me (can't remember). I'm not broke but I'm badly bent. If I didn't have a JF savings account, I coudn't afford both weekends either. I save year round and use part of my tax return. It also helps to look for great hotel deals. This has always been the most expensive part of the trip (for me anyways). It was less expensive when I still had family there and could crash out for free, but those days are over.

Also, if there are souvineers that can be purchased at other times during the year through a website, I'll hold off purchasing something and ask for a business card and write on the back of it what it was that I wanted to buy. Somethings you can only get at Fest, but a lot of other things can be purchased online and shipped later.

As far as surviving, I take naps here and there. If I'm going to a late show, I'll take a nap after fest and then go out. Depending on who's playing early at Fest the next day, I might not get there until 1:00 and sleep in that morning.

In the same vein you speak of with souveniers, try to get night show tix before you go, you wont actually save money, but it helps stretch out the financial hit across alonger time period

[dank_bass]

And don't forget to ingest plenty of B vitamins,.. and add some water when the chance arises..... take those essential B's in the morning and let them absorb at least a few hours before the Abita starts flowin' again.... the B's can protect, renew, and bring you back to do it all over again and those P's also make a difference.. preperation and pace,.. prep and pace,.. prep and pace....

The great thing about havin' the extra time,.. If you screw up slightly,.. plenty of time left to start up all over again...

Specifically B12 ...

Also a blanket at fest somewhere near the back where a cool band is playing can be an ideal, nap/let your body rest sort of place

and Water, Water, Water!!!! with beer between each one of course

[jonnygospeltent]

Hey Sha Sha, I haven't heard the term "spendy" in quite some time. Are you from northern Minnesota?

[dank_bass]

If all else fails ... remember that Clapton song.

If you wanna get down, down on the gound ....

[Blumie]

Wow, these are all awesome ideas. Anyone got a suggestion on what we can do with our baby souls for the entire 11 days???? Grandparents are o.k. for a long weekend, but I think they'd veto the 11 day gig. I keep telling Mr. Soul: "As soon as these kids are grown, we're doing all 11 days"....not sure I can wait that long, though. The FOMS is wicked when you KNOW you're missing 6 or 7 days worth!!!How old? My 7-year-old has been to JazzFest every year of her life (plus one year in utero), so I can give you some good suggestions.

[pokerchick66]

Wow, these are all awesome ideas. Anyone got a suggestion on what we can do with our baby souls for the entire 11 days???? Grandparents are o.k. for a long weekend, but I think they'd veto the 11 day gig. I keep telling Mr. Soul: "As soon as these kids are grown, we're doing all 11 days"....not sure I can wait that long, though. The FOMS is wicked when you KNOW you're missing 6 or 7 days worth!!!

HEy CSoul sista! I have the exact same problem. My mom can't keep my daughter for the whole ten days, either. For one, she works and two, she wouldn't even if she didn't work! It about killed her the little time she kept her last year for jazzfest, lol. Plus, my daughter can't be out of school for that long, either. Too bad Spring break doesn't fall when JF does.

I might try to come for both weekends but drive back home for the days in between (only a four hour drive for me). Not sure about that yet.

[pokerchick66]

How old? My 7-year-old has been to JazzFest every year of her life (plus one year in utero), so I can give you some good suggestions.

lol, let's hear em. :)

[csoul]

7 and 10, but not in this lifetime would I even CONSIDER bringing them. 1st, this is time for just Mr. Soul & I. We don't get alot of it, and it is our time to not be parents, if you know what I mean. 2nd, I would slit my throat after about an hour and a half of listening to my 7 year old complain about the dirt, and the heat, and the bugs and the grass and the loud music, etc....etc....if you get my drift!!;>

[csoul]

HEy CSoul sista! I have the exact same problem. My mom can't keep my daughter for the whole ten days, either. For one, she works and two, she wouldn't even if she didn't work! It about killed her the little time she kept her last year for jazzfest, lol. Plus, my daughter can't be out of school for that long, either. Too bad Spring break doesn't fall when JF does.

I might try to come for both weekends but drive back home for the days in between (only a four hour drive for me). Not sure about that yet.

PC!!!! Hey, maybe we could get a co-op started!!!! You know, I didn't even THINK about the school issue, but that would be a problem for the baby souls as well.

I just hate missin' those days to just explore NOLA, as well as Ingrid's and the T-head patry....By the time their grown, I'm afraid I'll be too damn old to enjoy it all!!

[Amy Winette]

Specifically B12 ...

and Water, Water, Water!!!! with beer between each one of course

Right on Dank! Or maybe 2 beers between each water ;)

[Blumie]

Well without knowing the ages of the kids, here are some suggestions:

Audobon Zoo: one of the best zoos in the country

Aquarium of the Americas: an awesome aquarium

John James Audobon: this is a boat that travels back and forth between the zoo and the aquarium. Taking it in both directions might be too much. (We would take it from the aquarium to the zoo and then take the streetcar back, but the streetcar is not running uptown.) My suggestion would be to take the boat to the zoo, and then take the bus or a cab back.

Louisiana Children's Museum: a great children's museum with stuff for kids of all ages.

Streetcars: the streetcars are now running again between Canal Street and Lee Circle.

Jackson Square: usually a lot of entertainment during the day, and a great place for a picnic lunch (a muffuletta, perhaps, from Central Grocery). (For what it's worth, I don't think Bourbon Street is appropriate for kids, but certainly plenty of people disagree.)

City Park: a great place for the kids to run around. Audobon Park is another great place, with a good playground. For youger kids, there is a playground on St. Charles Avenue across the street from the Jewish Community Center.

Mardi Gras World: take the ferry across the river and tour Mardi Gras World.

[pokerchick66]

7 and 10, but not in this lifetime would I even CONSIDER bringing them. 1st, this is time for just Mr. Soul & I. We don't get alot of it, and it is our time to not be parents, if you know what I mean. 2nd, I would slit my throat after about an hour and a half of listening to my 7 year old complain about the dirt, and the heat, and the bugs and the grass and the loud music, etc....etc....if you get my drift!!;>

I get it, I get it, I sooooo get your drift, lol. There's no way, Jose. Mine would be the same way. Mommy, I'm boooored. Yea, I tried that one once. I totally understand the much needed Mommy time.

[Blumie]

7 and 10, but not in this lifetime would I even CONSIDER bringing them. 1st, this is time for just Mr. Soul & I. We don't get alot of it, and it is our time to not be parents, if you know what I mean. 2nd, I would slit my throat after about an hour and a half of listening to my 7 year old complain about the dirt, and the heat, and the bugs and the grass and the loud music, etc....etc....if you get my drift!!;>I misunderstood. I thought you were bringing them and looking for suggestions to keep them busy!

[pokerchick66]

Well without knowing the ages of the kids, here are some suggestions:

Audobon Zoo: one of the best zoos in the country

Aquarium of the Americas: an awesome acquarium

John James Audobon: this is a boat that travels back and forth between the zoo and the aquarium. Taking it in both directions might be too much. (We would take it from the aquarium to the zoo and then take the streetcar back, but the streetcar is not running uptown.) My suggestion would be to take the boat to the zoo, and then take the bus or a cab back.

Louisiana Children's Museum: a great children's museum with stuff for kids of all ages.

Streetcars: the streetcars are now running again between Canal Street and Lee Circle.

Jackson Square: usually a lot of entertainment during the day, and a great place for a picnic lunch (a muffuletta, perhaps, from Central Grocery). (For what it's worth, I don't think Bourbon Street is appropriate for kids, but certainly plenty of people disagree.)

City Park: a great place for the kids to run around. Audobon Park is another great place, with a good playground. For youger kids, there is a playground on St. Charles Avenue across the street from the Jewish Community Center.

Mardi Gras World: take the ferry across the river and tour Mardi Gras World.


lol, so who's gonna take em to all these places while I'm at Jazzfest? ;)

[csoul]

I misunderstood. I thought you were bringing them and looking for suggestions to keep them busy!

Those were all great suggestions, though. I'll keep that in mind if we ever do decide to do a family vacation in NOLA not at JF time. (Family vacation in NOLA....is that an oxymoron???)

[Blumie]

lol, so who's gonna take em to all these places while I'm at Jazzfest? ;)The kids come to Fest with you. That's how you indoctrinate them. (Isn't it a great feeling to get in the car with your kid and have her ask you to put the Cowboy Mouth CD on?) These suggestions are strictly for the week between the two weekends.

[csoul]

The kids come to Fest with you. That's how you indoctrinate them. (Isn't it a great feeling to get in the car with your kid and have her ask you to put the Cowboy Mouth CD on?) These suggestions are strictly for the week between the two weekends.


LOL Cowboy Mouth is my son's FAVORITE band. Last spring we saw them here in VA. and he went with us. He made it up on stage and stood behind Fred while he was banging the drums. Only problem, we have to censor the music from his friends. We have made him PROMISE not to play his cd's in front of his friends due to the "adult content"....I can hear all the other parent's now when their kids go home quoting some of those lyrics!

[Blumie]

LOL Cowboy Mouth is my son's FAVORITE band. Last spring we saw them here in VA. and he went with us. He made it up on stage and stood behind Fred while he was banging the drums. Only problem, we have to censor the music from his friends. We have made him PROMISE not to play his cd's in front of his friends due to the "adult content"....I can hear all the other parent's now when their kids go home quoting some of those lyrics!CM's lyrics are pretty tame, aren't they?

[dank_bass]

Right on Dank! Or maybe 2 beers between each water ;)

Thats actually my exact formula at fest Amy ... Beer, Beer, Water (repeat)

[Amy Winette]

Lyrics yeah, but not Fred's antics on the live shows.

That's just not f-ing good enough!!! ;)

[Blumie]

Lyrics yeah, but not Fred's antics on the live shows.

That's just not f-ing good enough!!! ;)I think the first time my daughter saw CM live, she was on my shoulders at the Polaroid stage (sorry, I can never keep track of what the stages are called, so I always revert to one of their former names). As soon as Fred came on, my daughter -- who probably was 2 at the time -- started to scream and we had to retreat to the kids area!

[mightyradgumbo]

Hey all
I did first weekend for the first time last year and now I am spoiled. I try to start my fest saving some time at the end of the year (never happens that way) LOL
I am going with my brother this year so that will help defray some expense but it is financially challenging for sure.
It really is my main vacation so that is the way I look at it to justify spending the cash I do and also that the city needs the influx of tourist dollars more than ever

[pokerchick66]

The kids come to Fest with you. That's how you indoctrinate them. (Isn't it a great feeling to get in the car with your kid and have her ask you to put the Cowboy Mouth CD on?) These suggestions are strictly for the week between the two weekends.

lol, I love her but she's not coming to fest with me! That's my get away time. I'm a single mom, btw, and don't get away much and don't have much help either besides babysitters. My family lives in Louisiana and I live in Alabama.

I'm from Louisiana so I know about all those wonderful places you mentioned. And thank you for mentioning them; you're so sweet to do that!

[Corona]

Here is how I'd do it on the cheap if I didn't have family commitments. First, there is a Motel 6 in Kenner where rooms are a lot cheaper than downtown or French Quarter. Stay there for the weekends. Then, in between, sign up at a relief camp, which provides free housing and food for workers. You spend the days helping fix up the city, you meet great people, and you can still hit the shows at night. And if your lucky like I was, you may end up making friends down there who invite you to stay with them every year.
I hear ya Frosty.....Ibjamn has opened her home to me so many times now that I can never repay her! That helps a lot. I'm staying 1st weekend Thurs-Monday with her and then moving with the 2for's to share an apartment off Frenchmen ST. That helps alot....then it's only $540 for the week (we split it 4 ways). We do a few shows, the patry, eat at the fest ALWAYS and bring food home from fest for dinner. Coffe for breakfast then Liuzza's. No fancy dinners for us since the food at fest is better than anything!

Sleep-wise.....I take ephedra most days, drink water when I can and catnap a bit here and there. We're out late pretty much every night though....this year we'll try to get more sleep but who knows....

[Zydekitten]

I've been coming for the past dozen or so years and it's only been the last three or four that I've been able to come for both weekends . . . and I won't go back to just one if I can at all help it!

As ShaSha mentioned earlier - it's a marathon, not a sprint, so you keep that in mind and that will help with the physical survival. The other two most important words to remember are "Disco Nap!"

Taking a disco nap after the day's festing will make going out that night to see the evening live, local music that much more easier on body and mind - not to mention, more fun!

I've been lucky enough to make friends with a wonderful local lady in the Bywater who charges very reasonable fees for a two-week stay ($1000) , has kitchenettes in her rooms for preparing one's own food for the non-Fes meals, and also has bikes to use in riding to the Fairgrounds, the Quarter and Frenchmen Street.

That way, I only have to pay for cabs to the farther out places like Uptown clubs (Maple Leaf, Rock n' Bowl, Tip's, etc.). Not only is it less expensive, but it's a great way to see and be part of New Orleans (where many, many locals bike it) . . . and best of all, it helps ameliorate the stuffing of one's face with many fine Fest foods and COLD, COLD BEERS during the day!

Then, as far as flights - last year, I was able to use United rewards miles (so I only had to pay $10 for my plane reservations). Otherwise, I just shop around for cheap tickets (Travelzoo.com, Cheap Tickets.com, Orbitz.com are some great site for doing that).

Those latter things help with the survival of the wallet - although last year, I did blow the budget buying things from local artists and merchants to try and help with the apres storm dollar infusion (at least that's how I rationalized it). ;)

[pokerchick66]

((I take ephedra most days,))

Be careful with that, chica; they took it off the market down here because of people having strokes and heart attacks. Don't want nothing to happen to you.

((this year we'll try to get more sleep but who knows....))

lol, yea right. ;)

[pokerchick66]

((The other two most important words to remember are "Disco Nap!"))

lol, Disco Nap??? Is that anything like a power nap?

[Zydekitten]

((The other two most important words to remember are "Disco Nap!"))

lol, Disco Nap??? Is that anything like a power nap?

Chipchopchica - it's BETTER than just a plain ol' power nap!!! ;) It gets you ready to shake your moneymaker that evening, and a power nap's just a nap.

Also, I forgot to add that taking milk thistle and vitamins are an essential part of the ZDK Official Jazzfest Two-Week Survival Plan ©

[Terry]

I mean how are you able to survive through all of that and how do you afford it?

Maybe I'm just young and go to hard in the one weekend I'm there but I don't see how I could do both weekends or afford it with hotels being so pricey.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to do both weekends and I'm certainly jealous of those who do both especially now that I see Mofro is there the first weekend

Check out hostel on Carondelet St.
Bid $50 on priceline for 3 star hotel in airport area. Got me Radisson at airport . Rental car cost $297 total for 11 days.

[stlbarb]

LIFE IS JUST A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR JAZZFEST.

we drive, it requires a little extra time off, takes a day each way. but it enables us to stay in places off the main cab path that are cheaper. used to stay east, now stay in Metairie. and we can bring more stuff than most people own.
but i do not suggest driving unless you know you're way around the city, and you know how to drive like a benevolent maniac. parking can be expensensive. towing & dui's are a major source of income in nola. use cabs. use buses. ask folks if they're going you're way and repay them with other forms of kindness. walk. ride bikes.
we shop early & often for cheap rates. we prefer apartments or suites with kitchens. this helps with costs and with pacing/downtime. we do'nt do alot of cooking, but we do carryouts, or make a meal out of leftovers. and have cold beverages and protein snacks.
we get group rates for tickets. we pick and choose the night shows. can we see that band at home? for less money? there are still some free gigs - and a lot of those end earlier than 4 am, allowing you to get sleep.
dos Jefes, Rivershack, some of the others have closed or have started to charge like Le Bon Temps. but you can also stand outside of many places and hear the music for free. they don't mind - they'll sell you drinks.
10-15 years ago i went out almost everynight. i just dont have the need to do it all everynight. one night we'll have a nice dinner $$. one night its popeye's and a late show at a club. the next might be hangin at crib with friends - cheap drinks & eats.
but back when we did hit it hard, we were still at fest around 11 everyday, stay til the last band stopped and party late into the night.
schedule: get up around 9 or 10 am, depending upon your pep time. coffee, quick food (fruit, yogurt, etc), quick shower, sunscreen, load the coolers for inside and after fest and drive to our pre-arranged parking. usually inside in the first wave to grab our not-so-secret shady spot near fais do do. set up day camp complete with water & ice we legally brought in. hit the booths for food before the lines get long.take advantage of shade, water & ice in between acts at the other stages. but i try not to run the track too many times. after fest, hang with friends at the parking pit or liuzza's until traffic clears - we all bring beverages & snacks. cheap, low stress. depending upon the body funk factor of the day, head back for quick shower & new clothes or just straight to food. if going out, try to find out what time bands really start & how many sets. veg until we need to get there -saving energy. you may be in back for the first hour, but the folks who have been there all night will be exhausted and leave. if there is a 2nd set - epecially if its very late, you may have room to dance up front. try to get back to room by 4 am. you can still get 5-6 hours sleep before you hit it again.
after a few days you'll legs will hurt from walking & dancing. after a few more days, wthey will just go numb. paly thru the pain.
you can survive many days on beer & almonds.

(obviosuly not a word limit per post)

[ETinCali]

Hey all
I did first weekend for the first time last year and now I am spoiled. I try to start my fest saving some time at the end of the year (never happens that way) LOL
I am going with my brother this year so that will help defray some expense but it is financially challenging for sure.
It really is my main vacation so that is the way I look at it to justify spending the cash I do and also that the city needs the influx of tourist dollars more than ever


Did both weekends last year cause I just didn't want to miss anything..plus supporting the city with $$ was the best I could do at that point after Katrina.
I have friends who put us up in their home the last Thur-Sunday nights to save the cost of hotels...
I don't look at the cost..I think of it as my gift to the people who need it!
Plus I have a free Southwest ticket, like I did last year..that helps.

[Corona]

((I take ephedra most days,))

Be careful with that, chica; they took it off the market down here because of people having strokes and heart attacks. Don't want nothing to happen to you.

((this year we'll try to get more sleep but who knows....))

lol, yea right. ;)
I know Chippie, that's why I only take it when I need energy....usually during fest. I do lots of other things that aren't good for me either so....ya gotta weigh out the risks...don't worry hunni but thanks :)

[pokerchick66]

I know Chippie, that's why I only take it when I need energy....usually during fest. I do lots of other things that aren't good for me either so....ya gotta weigh out the risks...don't worry hunni but thanks :)

Alright, love ya, girl! :)

[jonnygospeltent]

I take Saturday Nights off,falling asleep right after the fest.

[neverleft]

I like to stay out all night till the sun comes up Saturday night. Then go down to the Mississippi River and watch the boats sail by.

[Papins]

This and French Quarter Festival is what my wife I live for all year long. She doesn't make it to JF due to other travel plans. I save as much of my paycheck as I can, and take on extra hours or a second job during the year. As some threadheads know, I was given a very nasty memo by my supervisor last year when I got back to the job after spending three weeks in New Orleans. Never mind that she'd ok'd my time off. Anyway, the bottom line to the memo was that I'd never be allowed to do that again. So, I looked for and found another job. The current job has no problem with my going. I make less money, benefit's etc, but FQF & JF is what my wife & I live for. When we're old and gray, teeth in a jar, and long forgotten, we'll have our Fest memories. I would say budget a minimum of $1400 per week-this includes flight, hotel, tickets to the fest, food, drink, t-shirts etc. It's something that gets inside you and brings you back. I can't explain it any better that.

[csoul]

This and French Quarter Festival is what my wife I live for all year long. She doesn't make it to JF due to other travel plans. I save as much of my paycheck as I can, and take on extra hours or a second job during the year. As some threadheads know, I was given a very nasty memo by my supervisor last year when I got back to the job after spending three weeks in New Orleans. Never mind that she'd ok'd my time off. Anyway, the bottom line to the memo was that I'd never be allowed to do that again. So, I looked for and found another job. The current job has no problem with my going. I make less money, benefit's etc, but FQF & JF is what my wife & I live for. When we're old and gray, teeth in a jar, and long forgotten, we'll have our Fest memories. I would say budget a minimum of $1400 per week-this includes flight, hotel, tickets to the fest, food, drink, t-shirts etc. It's something that gets inside you and brings you back. I can't explain it any better that.

Gawd Papins!!....I'm so totally in love with the fact that you quit your job for JF!!! So many people I know would never GET that. I so totally get it. It makes me grin!! Then again, most people would never get the fact that we will all be glued to our computers ALL DAY tomorrow waiting for the line ups to come out.

[swag]

Tips on Festing on a tight budget. Page is a bit out of date, but still worth a read:

http://jazzfest.swagland.com/festcheap.html