getting from Metarie to French Quarter

[kenandteri]

We are driving into the area on a Saturday afternoon, staying at the Four Points Sheraton in Metarie. We'd like to head into the french quarter to do a little sight seeing that afternoon/early evening. Will we have trouble finding a parking spot in/around the French Quarter? What should we expect to pay for parking for a few hours? Any recommendations for parking areas? We are interested in a (very) quick stroll down Bourbon (just so everyone can experience it and say they've been there) and down to the French Quarter Market area.

 

We'd also like to do the trolley cars down to the Garden District - trying to cram as much NOLA flavor as we can in just a few hours!

[jgmpuma]

Park in the Harrah's Casino parking lot on Convention Center Blvd.

 

Get a player's card, play the penny slots for 30 minutes and you will get 24 hours of covered, protected parking.

 

It is a short walk (or riverfront trolley ride) to the French Quarter.

[WLHyatt]

If you are going to go to this trouble and want to do all of that, here is what I recommend:

 

Rather than park in the Quarter and pay, I would park at the Walgreens at the far end of St. Charles. It is a safe neighborhood and the parking is priced right (free).

 

Take the streetcar (they are not trolleys in NOLA) through the Garden District and get off at Canal. I would then cross canal and walk down Bourbon street to St. Ann street (you will know because it will go from party party to delightfully friendly and well kept). Walk down St. Ann toward the river, you will pass Royal Street, then Chartres right in front of the Place De Armes hotel and you'll be in Jackson Square. Walk around Jackson square and admire the Cathedral and the square's landscaping and statues. All you have to do then is cross Decatur and you are at the French Market. Check out the shops and then rather than backtracking I would go up onto the levee and walk along the riverfront. The area there is Woldenburg park and is a really nice stroll. You'll pass the Aquarium and the Ferry dock and then you'll be back on Canal. Walk up Canal to Camp street and go a block upriver (toward the Garden District) to catch the streetcar back to your car.

 

All of that should take about 4 hours, a little longer if you walk slow or want to explore a bit more. That is the route I take friends who have never been to NOLA to show them around.

 

Best part is the transportation will be less than $5pp because it's just two trips on the streetcar.