NTR-Would you vacation in New Orleans?

easyBreezie

I'm trying to figure out where we want to go next year that is within driving distance an this is one of my options. DH works for an armored car company and he says bad stuff always happens there and it isn't safe. The place is close to downtown and it's Not like we'd be going out to party at night with DS. WDYT?

itkatydid

Yep! I would!!

 Within the last year DH and I went on a little trip to Baton Rouge which everyone told us how scary it was and had a great time. We found fun restaurants, plantation tours and awesome people. The only thing that was weird was that one minute you were on the LSU campus in a beautiful area and the next... you didn't want to get out of your car.

diana.filipi

I would in a heart beat.  Hubs has never been.  I've been several times.

Temp67694062501186

Tell your H to stop being a ninny.  I am biased tho.  :-P

 

NOLA is plenty safe for vacationing.  And yes, as long as you're staying in the touristy areas and not walking around the slums (c'mon every city has 'em) at 1am, you'll be fine. 

 

Try asking the travel board on the nest.  Plenty of people will have recommendations for you.  Or feel free to ask me.  Born and raised here afterall.  And we choose to live here.  Granted I live in a suburb - but DH works downtown (and in the suburbs - half and half for him) and we go into the city often. 

 

What time of year were you thinking of coming down?

txbabs111

We usually go once a year. We haven't taken DD yet, but I wouldn't have any issue taking her as long as we were staying somewhere appropriate (not seedy and full of partiers). I think it's just as safe as any other large tourist destination during the day. As long as you're not taking your DS out on Bourbon St at 2 am I think it would be fine.

easyBreezie

nola*Steph:

Tell your H to stop being a ninny.  I am biased tho.  :-P

 

NOLA is plenty safe for vacationing.  And yes, as long as you're staying in the touristy areas and not walking around the slums (c'mon every city has 'em) at 1am, you'll be fine. 

 

Try asking the travel board on the nest.  Plenty of people will have recommendations for you.  Or feel free to ask me.  Born and raised here afterall.  And we choose to live here.  Granted I live in a suburb - but DH works downtown (and in the suburbs - half and half for him) and we go into the city often. 

 

What time of year were you thinking of coming down?

I think it's his excuse for wanting to not drive that far really, but I'm making him come up with another excuse. Lol. Really any time next year. Either of us can take off any time so it doesn't matter. When is the beat time to come? I'm about to hit the sack put I may PM you some time to get more info. I've been wanting to go to NOLA for a while.

Temp67694062501186

I would say the best time is spring.  I love it here in the spring.  The weather is perfect and there are festivals in the city (and outlying areas) every weekend, and plenty during the week as well.  Just lots to do in general.  Anytime between late February and mid May I would say is your best bet.  Lots of family friendly activities!  It starts to get hot in May.  Jazz Fest is always the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May.  French Quater Fest is a free festival usually in mid April - we try to go every year - lot of kids running around, definetly family friendly.

 

Fall is good, too and winter in general.  The atmosphere in the Quarter is really fun during football season.  But it might be a little too party-central with a toddler - especially around New Year's with the Sugar Bowl and all.  I wouldn't plan a trip during Thanksgiving weekend given the annual college football game that takes place.  Too crowded. 

 

Remember to check Mardi Gras dates, tho, depending on if you want to avoid that - MG day is March 8th this year, so the majority of the festivities will start about two weeks before that.  I don't know if I would vacation with a toddler in NOLA during Mardi Gras.  Personally I don't even want to take DD out to parades this year still.  I want to wait until she's at least three so she can really understand it more.  And so I don't have to be so terrified of someone walking into her/knocking her down/etc etc.

easyBreezie

nola*Steph:

I would say the best time is spring.  I love it here in the spring.  The weather is perfect and there are festivals in the city (and outlying areas) every weekend, and plenty during the week as well.  Just lots to do in general.  Anytime between late February and mid May I would say is your best bet.  Lots of family friendly activities!  It starts to get hot in May.  Jazz Fest is always the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May.  French Quater Fest is a free festival usually in mid April - we try to go every year - lot of kids running around, definetly family friendly.

 

Fall is good, too and winter in general.  The atmosphere in the Quarter is really fun during football season.  But it might be a little too party-central with a toddler - especially around New Year's with the Sugar Bowl and all.  I wouldn't plan a trip during Thanksgiving weekend given the annual college football game that takes place.  Too crowded. 

 

Remember to check Mardi Gras dates, tho, depending on if you want to avoid that - MG day is March 8th this year, so the majority of the festivities will start about two weeks before that.  I don't know if I would vacation with a toddler in NOLA during Mardi Gras.  Personally I don't even want to take DD out to parades this year still.  I want to wait until she's at least three so she can really understand it more.  And so I don't have to be so terrified of someone walking into her/knocking her down/etc etc.

Thanks for all the info! I'll definitely be looking into it more and if we can afford to go there we probably will.

dragon_chica

YESSSS!!!  DH and I went to London a week after the metro & bus bombings back in '05.  Rode the bus and trains the entire time.  It's all about being smart and vigilant.  Otherwise you might as well not travel to practically every part of the world!  There's always going to be something.

cstw

Just got back from NOLA. Of course, we stayed with family but I have stayed in the Quarter many times. If you are in the Quarter, it's pretty safe. But "close to downtown" can mean many things in this city and there are some sketchy parts. My reco is to stay right in the French Quarter or Garden District only. There are lots of fun things to do with kids (a great zoo, Aquarium of the Americas, riverboat tour, EATING, etc)

hokies94

I would and I have several times.  We've never taken the kids just because we were more there for the food/music, but I would have no problem taking the kids there.  It's a wonderful one of a kind city.