Best place to stay

[wunderboy]

to walk and eat and go places at night without a car.

[Staxsun]

to walk and eat and go places at night without a car.

A lot of that depends on what you want to do at night and your money situation. If your nighttime revolves around Frenchman Street, the answer is different than if you want to do shows in the Garden District or Carrolton. If you just want the general feel of New Orleans, I suggest the French Quarter.

[wunderboy]

Is it safe to walk to frenchman street from the french quarter? I guess it doesnt really matter what the room costs if it is easy to get around.
I can walk without sny problem but I dont want to feel scared while walking. My wife would not go with me if she felt scared. I like all kinds of music and just want to know I can do a lot of different things without renting a car to get around.

[swag]

Is it safe to walk to frenchman street from the french quarter? I guess it doesnt really matter what the room costs if it is easy to get around.
I can walk without sny problem but I dont want to feel scared while walking. My wife would not go with me if she felt scared. I like all kinds of music and just want to know I can do a lot of different things without renting a car to get around.

I've walked it many times without incident. But the streets in the quiet end of the Quarter can be deserted late at night. Best bet is to walk back on Decatur - it gets a bit more foot traffic than some other streets - and as always, if you feel uncomfortable, find a cab. Cabs are plentiful on Frenchmen until about 3 am, and the ride over to Canal St should be ten bucks or less.

[Belle]

We walk to shows and cab home mostly. Safety in numbers..when in doubt catch a ride. We have never felt at risk in New Orleans but sure have in a few other cities. Keep your wits about ya too.

[wunderboy]

I am so excited for jazzfest i think i might wet myself. Can I say that here?

[ohio]

I am so excited for jazzfest i think i might wet myself. Can I say that here?
Wet away...

[Gards]

I am so excited for jazzfest i think i might wet myself. Can I say that here?

It is great to be excited,but I have been told that you can purchase waterproof jockey shorts these days.

[Staxsun]

I am so excited for jazzfest i think i might wet myself. Can I say that here?

Depends.

[almarco]

Depends.

fest strength...

[bird33]

to walk and eat and go places at night without a car.

I have been staying in the Quarter the last five years, and it is a great experience since you don't spend time there during when the music is playing, so it is great to soak it up a little in your downtime and walk to a lot of great reatauruants.

The first year I stayed in one of the big chains on Canal, and with those you lose the feel of the Quarter because they look just like normal hotels in any city. Another year, I stayed in the Borbon Sonesta, which looked a little cooler, but it reeked every morning because it was right on Borbon. Then I stayed at another place, I think it was the Lafayette, which was cool, but a little more on the edge of the Quarter than I wanted. I have finally found the ideal spot for us, the Omni Royal, it is right in the heart of the Quarter, on beautiful St. Louis Street, steps from Bourbon, but also my favorite part of New orleans, Jackson Square. We have been staying there for three years, I book while I am down there for the next year. These off-Bourbon hotels are great. Anywhere near Jackson Square is what I look for.

If money is not an issue, I heard the Monteleone is awesome too, it has always been a little out of my price range, but you may want to check that out.

[stlbarb]

dink one. pee two.

[Rossvegas]

The best lesson I ever learned took place the first day I was back in New Orleans after being away for 18 years...

I was just so euphoric about being "home", I had a few drinks in a local bar and enjoyed myself. When it came time to walk back to the condo on Chartres, I decided to walk through Jackson Square - after all, it's the centre of the tourist area, right? Sure enough, there were a few people strolling the streets, and I wobbled my way through the area.

As I approached the front of St. Louis Cathedral, a huge black guy came up to me and said: "Dude, what are you doing? Don't you realize that there are people all over the place just waiting for a young drunk tourist like you to wander past? Look...check this out." At that point, he started pointing out the odd shady person standing/lurking in dark entrances to stores and alleys. "See that guy there? And that one there? And look over there...do you see him? They're just waiting for a guy like you to come along."

The guy saved my ass. I bought him a po-boy, and I'm eternally grateful to him for reminding me that drunks are an easy TARGET for some people. The moral is: even if you think your route might be safe, if you are in ANY way vulnerable (i.e. drunk, alone, etc.), take a cab to wherever you need to go. If you HAVE to walk home, walk confidently (and in the middle of the road if you have to) and keep your wits about you.

Last but not least: stay the hell away from the Monsoons at the Port O' Call!

[eat_mo_crawfish]

Wow Ross, sounds like you had a guardian angel, great ending to that story.

Staying with a group is the key. If you're staying in a big hotle, make buddies with others who are going to Fest (c'mon, we're not hard to spot). Share a cab, find out if others want to go to Frenchman or Bourbon after Fest and walk together. If your group leaves before you want to, be sure you have money for a cab. It's really not that hard to be safe.

Are we there yet?

[almarco]

The best lesson I ever learned took place the first day I was back in New Orleans after being away for 18 years...

I was just so euphoric about being "home", I had a few drinks in a local bar and enjoyed myself. When it came time to walk back to the condo on Chartres, I decided to walk through Jackson Square - after all, it's the centre of the tourist area, right? Sure enough, there were a few people strolling the streets, and I wobbled my way through the area.

As I approached the front of St. Louis Cathedral, a huge black guy came up to me and said: "Dude, what are you doing? Don't you realize that there are people all over the place just waiting for a young drunk tourist like you to wander past? Look...check this out." At that point, he started pointing out the odd shady person standing/lurking in dark entrances to stores and alleys. "See that guy there? And that one there? And look over there...do you see him? They're just waiting for a guy like you to come along."

The guy saved my ass. I bought him a po-boy, and I'm eternally grateful to him for reminding me that drunks are an easy TARGET for some people. The moral is: even if you think your route might be safe, if you are in ANY way vulnerable (i.e. drunk, alone, etc.), take a cab to wherever you need to go. If you HAVE to walk home, walk confidently (and in the middle of the road if you have to) and keep your wits about you.

Last but not least: stay the hell away from the Monsoons at the Port O' Call!

Well ross at least that night you were not a professional.....drinker that is....

[pokerchick66]

Depends.

ROFLMAOOOOOO! Good one, staxsun. :D

[stlbarb]

dont slurge and walk solo

[Corona]

I've walked it many times without incident. But the streets in the quiet end of the Quarter can be deserted late at night. Best bet is to walk back on Decatur - it gets a bit more foot traffic than some other streets - and as always, if you feel uncomfortable, find a cab. Cabs are plentiful on Frenchmen until about 3 am, and the ride over to Canal St should be ten bucks or less.
Exactly what Swag said...we've cut through from Bourbon to Frenchmen but there are a few streets that are pretty empty and very dark just before you hit Frenchmen. I always get real nervous and every time I say to myself "this is the last time I'm cutting through, gonna go the distance and take Decatur!".

[NeenAtlanta]

YYR - Decatur is the way to go. Although Chartres usually works for me too. At least going to Frenchmen - there is always a crowd going that way.