jgmpuma

I have lived here for 42 years, and the city still amazes me, warts and all.

The answers to most of your questions will be here:

http://portno.com/parking

After dropping off passengers, you will turn left onto Julia Street (no other way to get out). The first street you come yo will be Convention Center Blvd. Take a right, and the entrance to the Whale lot will be about 1/2 block down on your right. They take cash or plastic.

I don't think theywould consider your van to be an "oversized" vehicle. I see small campers parked there. I've never seen the lot full, even on weekends.

Best arrival time would be around 10:30 or 11:00.

There is an elevator at the south end of the Riverwalk Mall (the end near the food court) that will take you to the terminal.

The only restaurant that requires a coat for men is Galatoire's, at dinner.

If you show up without one, they will loan you one of theirs.

Otherwise, follow the advice above.

It's about a three-block walk, and doable if you don't have a lot of luggage, but Fulton Street does have a shuttle.

Never been there, but I've heard it is very good.

Typical hole-in-the wall poor-boy joint, and those are usually the best.

http://zearestaurants.com/locations/covington/

This is part of a local "chain." The food is excellent, and prices are moderate.

Any budget restrictions?

There are lots of good places in Covington. Most are moderate, but there are some really good ones if you don't mind spending the money.

My family used to go to Redfish Grill for lunch on Easter, but stopped when they started offering just the buffet. It's a good buffet, as buffets go, but just not up our alley.

Your plan sounds fine. A little ambitious, but it should work, as long as the weather cooperates.

I've never stayed at the Drury Inn, but others seem to like it. It is a fairly easy walk to the French Quarter, and is close to the streetcar line. A place in the French Quarter might be more convenient, but the rooms there tend to be smaller abd more expensive.

It's a small restaurant with a tiny kitchen and a limited menu, but everything we have ever ordered has been great. They cater mainly to locals, and don't advertise. Reservations are recommended.

We were there with two other couples about three months ago, and we shared:

duckbreast salad

crab cakes

scallops

mussels

filet

All were terrific. The choice is up to you.

They also have a very good wine list, with many by the glass.

The only possible kink in your agenda will be lunch/dinner on Thanksgiving Day. A lot of restaurants are closed, and those that are open usually have fixed-price menus, or buffets.

When the time gets closer, you can check here for a list of open restaurants:

http://www.nomenu.com

Tujague's on Decatur would be a good choice. They serve a traditional dinner at reasonable prices.

I don't know the Garden District restaurants well, but will attach a list from Yelp, which should be useful.

http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=restaurants&find_loc=Garden+District%2C+New+Orleans%2C+LA

The best music clubs are on Frenchmen Street, just north of the French Quarter. We especially like The Spotted Cat, a hole-in-the-wall bar with live local music.

You can also check the following site. It is usually slow to load, but lists the places on Frenchmen and who is playing.

http://www.frenchmenstreetlive.com.

We have been there several times, and it is excellent.

If the weather is nice, ask for a table on the patio.

One of our favorites is Harbor Seafood, at 3203 Williams Blvd, not far from the Sleep Inn. Nothing fancy, but good, fresh local seafood.

Williams Blvd. will also take you to Lake Pontchartrain, about 20 blocks past Harbor Seafood.

Halloween is on a Friday night. The crowds will be out in full force.

It's like Mardi Gras, but on a smaller scale.

I would avoid Bourbon Street, but the rest of the French Quarter will be fine, with lots of costumes. It will be a lot more fun if you dress up, even just a mask and a cheap wig.

My wife and I do it every year.

When you get here, pick up a copy of Gambit, a free local newspaper.

It will list all of the Christmas activities.

Just about all of them are centered in the French Quarter, or very close by, so everything is within easy walking distance.

If the weather cooperates, and you aren't hauling a ton of luggage, yes.

Current rates are $33 for two from the airport to the French Quarter. Same fare from cruise terminal to the airport, and $10 per person from FQ to the terminal.

If you decide to use Twotall's method to save a few bucks, you can now access both Julia Street and Erato Street through the new Riverwalk outlet mall. There is an elevator to Julia, and you can walk straight through to Erato.

http://portno.com/parking

The Dream docks at the Erato Street Terminal.

Except for the cheap T-shirt places, most shops will ship for you.

Check the weather forecast before leaving home.

http://www.wwltv.com

Both places are good, but Drago's is pretty pricey, and Acme often has long lines to get in.

A good alternative would be Deanie's on Iberville Street. If you like fried oysters, no one does them better, and they make a great gumbo. The portions are very generous (enough to split) and prices are reasonable.

We were on a cruise a few years ago with a huge contingent of car salesmen, who had won the cruise as a sales incentive.

The had unlimited bar credits. I can't remember paying for a drink the whole cruise.

Thanks for the offer, but no.

When it is this hot, the animals curl up in a shady place and sleep, so there is not much to see.

I would be happy to take them. I live here, and we have been wanting to take our 15 month-old grandson to the aquarium and the zoo.

If that's OK, let me know and I will give you my contact info.