Should I bring a car to New Orleans??

Question

My friend and I are planning a trip to NOLA in early August. the price of parking down there is just outrageous! We were considering just flying there. Do you suggest bringing a car? Is everything in walking distance? I know there are trolleys downtown...what are the prices for riding? Thanks!!

Here is some additional info that may haelp...I am from Nashville, TN and We will be staying a week at Roayl Sonesta, which is on Bourbon Street. My Aunt actually lives in Metairie, but my friend and I did not want to have to depend on her for driving everywhere. We really do want to take some plantation tours, but beyond that, we really just wanted to chill on the Quarter and other "tourist traps." Thanks Again Everyone!!

Answer 1

With soaring gas prices everywhere AND parking garage rates in NOLA, I'd fly. Call your hotel and find out if they can provide car rental service, or know of one nearby--if you have to drive. The cabbies can be costly. Streetcar rides are nice; avoid the public buses.

There are a lot of walking distance attractions inside French Quarter area, which inculde The Cafe Du Monde (serving coffee, orange juice and benigets), Jackson Square (adjacent museums), the Riverwalk Mall, the Aquarium / IMAX theater, Bourbon Street, and it's "quaint" shops and Riverboat tour rides ( a ferry can shuttle you to Audobon Zoo). The horse and buggy ride is nice, too (Jackson Square).

Pack comfy summer clothes and comfier shoes, be careful with your digital or video cam (great pics for you to make) and as true with ANY major touristy metro city: HAVE THE CASH AND CREDIT CARD( S ) READY. If you walk down Bourbon Street, don't venture off in dark side streets.

As for Plantation tours, I'd suggest driving the rental car or having your aunt (who has one) drive you there; they're westwards from NOLA. The hotel has TONS of tourist brochures with other ideas on where you'd like to go see, too.

Enjoy NOLA and it's unique "cajun" spiced seafood dishes....and do have a safe time visiting wherever you go.

Answer 2

Bring a car. You can find cheap or free parking, and you will be able to move easier around the city, depending on what you want to see. The public transportation routes have been severely cut back, but are free until the middle of July. I think then the price will return to normal $1.25 or possibly could go up. The streetcars on Canal and the Riverfront are running, but the St.Charles streetcar is not, it was so damaged by Katrina. Not everything is in walking distance from the French Quarter. Definitely bring your most comfortable shoes, you will spend lots of time walking around the Quarter and the museums, and if you venture into the really damaged areas, the only way to really understand the destruction is to drive there, get out of the car and walk around. Talk to people. Everyone has a story for you. Also consider the worst case scenario: lots of tourists were stranded here for Katrina because they had no way to evacuate at the last minute. Bring your car and keep it full of gas.

If your aunt is in Metairie, then you will definately want a car. It will simplify things such as dinner plans. I live downtown and work in Metairie. Cab fares are more expensive than gas and parking. By the way, if you are a sushi fan, there is an all you can eat sushi buffet in Metairie, called Oki Nago. I highly recommend it, very fresh sushi, hot Chinese and Japanese dishes, and an ice cream bar.

Answer 3

Look up the other cost factors on the internet concerning NOLA....and 'you' didn't say how long you would be staying.....best to check into a central hotel and travel by rail there and back to see more sights there and back...and maybe even stop off inbetween to see some other sights..A car should be used for longer trips and parking is at a premium everywhere...so a hotel with parking is the best bet and thus you don't need be concerned using other transport about the city...a map of the city with munnicipal transit with a high-light map of the sights and happenings would be in order and a plan before going....including the night life which a hotel staff could refer you too as well as the eateries that are popular....

Answer 4

Have always driven to NOLA from South Carolina and you are correct the price of parking is very high. Public transportion is available in the form of buses and streetcars. Street cars were 1.25 a trip. Need correct change, but day and multiple day passes are for purchase giving you unlimited fare. Most all of the Quarter is easily walked. I have not been there since Katrina but was there in June of last year before it hit. Shop for good hotel prices in August usually good deals available. Hampton downtown is a great location and reasonable it you can get a reservation. Ramada Inn on Bourbon is also reasonable. Of course there are much nicer places are you budget will allow. Have a fun safe trip and "Laissez le bon temps roule". August if a very HOT and humid month so take care and drink lots of water,,,,no kidding.

Answer 5

How long are you visiting for? Haven't been since "Katerina" however, did visit several times prior. Certainly you do not need a car to visit the 'French' quarter. As a matter of fact a car would prove to be a nuisance. Public transport is good up and down 'Canal' street; plenty to see and do without a car. However if you plan to visit some of the plantations in the neighbouring parishes you could use a car; however, I would just take a tour; that way you can enjoy the 'julep' and not worry about the driving. Leave the car at home and enjoy the visit.

Answer 6

If you bring a car, plan on it getting vandalized or stolen. Much more important than bringing a car is to bring a gun, loaded, locked and ready to protect yourself. I grew up there, and thank God I got out alive in '91. I've had several totally innocent friends murdered there over the years. I took my German wife there once (pre-Katrina) and she thought the plane had accidentally taken a wrong turn and landed in Somalia. She couldn't believe there existed a city so putrid in America. I went there after Katrina to visit family and some old friends and the the crime is actually worse. Total anarchy. Bring a gun and be trained and ready to use it. It's a war zone. At least now soldiers are there (I advocated that in the '80's). Also, if you do go in August I strongly suggest you wear the minimum amount of 100% cotton clothing you can get away with. Very hot and muggy, night and day.

Answer 7

I'd say you won't need a car in NO, unless you want to drive to visit your aunt. Otherwise, you're staying in a good location and you can either take a streetcar or walk just about anywhere left to see. You can book a plantation tour with a bus company. It's not as romantic as doing it on your own, but it would probably be less hassle and a lot cheaper.

Thanks for spending your vacation dollars in NOLA. The city really needs them, and you are helping to preserve one of the most interesting places in the world.

Have fun. It's going to be HOT in August, so drink lots of water and dress cool.

Answer 8

It depends on where you stay and where you want to go. I suggest bringing a car, because It could come in handy. But I brought my car because I only live 3 hours away. I just came back on Wednesday. You should try to stay close to Bourbon street and close to the river because that's where most of the tourists go.

also, wear lots of cool clothing cause it is HOT. Dont go off the beaten path because as the former new orleans citizen says, YOU WILL GET MUGGED. and THere are so many cops, so don't do anything stupid.

Answer 9

i agree with those who said drive on down. there is some less $$ parking although it may not be as safe as in the hotels garage. and if i were you, with a relative in metairie, just park it there and get them to drop you off at the royal sonesta. if they can't come pick you back up when you are ready to tour the city or plantations then take a $20 cab ride back out to your relative's house and start from there.

Answer 10

If you are just interestd in the French Quarter and are coming from far away flying is the best option. Everything in the Frencg Quarter is within walking distance. If htere is one or two things you want to see outside of the French Quarter- take a taxi. I