Natives- NORTA Q's

[Pinkbikini]

Hey friends!

 

I need help. Hubby and I (20 somethings) just booked our first NOLA vaca (coinciding with a cruise on NCL) and are really excited that we will be there for MArdi Gras 2009. Truthfully, we're a little nervous too.

 

Here's my predicament (the first of many I'll request your help with I'm sure). We'll be arriving back in port 22 Feb and hope to debark early (by 9 am at latest). Then we need to get from the port at julia st. to our b+b on Esplanade Ave (just a few blocks from Degas House- it seems to be way up Esplanade) and then BACK towards the port area so we can catch some parades.

 

Problems I'm anticipating:

1) I have no idea what the cab would cost from the port to the b+b let alone from the port to the b+b and back to Canal St area and whether or not it would be REALLY expensive on a morning of mardi gras parades. The B+B owner didn't know what the cab ride would cost.

 

2) I know we want to get a 3 day unlimited norta visitor pass but don't know if there's a place to buy them close enough to the port (it looks like "Got It at Riverwalk and the NO Hilton Riverside" sell them). Are they within walking distance of the pier with approx 2 pieces of luggage each?

 

3) Even if we did get a pass and made all the connections perfectly (unlikely given our shady history of public transportation gaffes) I don't know that we could get back and forth across town (with luggage in tow one way) in time to get to the parades.

 

4) Is it possible to purchase the 3 day pass on our a.m. visit to New ORleans before we get on the cruise and then validate it and use it on the 3 days once we return? That would probably be doable since we'll likely walk around from the E2 stop at Banks St. to the pier (if it's not too much walking you think?) on 15 Feb.

 

What do you recommend? I'm against taking the cab for cash reasons (the trip is already going to cost twice what we'd originally budgeted for next year) and also because I don't know how manageable it will be during Mardi Gras. It's our first time there however and I want to be safe and I understand from some net research today that parts of Esplanade would not be appropriate for us to be carrying our luggage down looking lost...

 

HELP! PLEASE ADVISE!

 

Thank you in advance,

Pink

[steamboats]

Pink,

 

Actually my advice would be to choose another hotel! I know that prices are skyrocketing during Mardi Gras but anyway you´re in quite a remote location not even close to a tram stop. Hotels in the French Quarter or Central Business District would be much better located. Or a B&B somewhere along St. Charles Street (the streetcar is running out St. Charles Street again).

 

Check here

 

http://www.norta.com/passes/visitour.php

 

for the 3 Day VisiTourPass. You validate it by scratching free the date. So it won´t be a problem to buy it precruise and use it post cruise.

 

As for cabs there are flat fees from the airport to the CBD/FQ and within the CBD/FQ/port (the later is $15 for 2 people plus fuel surcharge and maybe plus $1 per bag). But I don´t think your B&B on Esplanade is included in that flat fee. You might check with

 

http://www.unitedcabs.com

 

and email them about the rate for a cab ride from the port to Esplanade.

 

Maybe some of the locals can give you any further advice about less expensive hotels. There are cruise packages available at some hotels. And maybe it´s less expensive to stay in Algiers (other side of the river) within a walking distance of the Canal Street ferry.

 

steamboats

[Pinkbikini]

Well, I agonized about the decision to book in a generic hotel in FQ or the small B+B with full breakfast for awhile and knew transportation would be the downside to the B+B. I've already booked the B+B and we're looking forward to being a little outside the action in case its too overwhelming. I'll let you know if I made the right decision after the fact ;)

 

So, hopefully someone can guide us to the best decision for our circumstances. I'm afraid standard cab fare rates won't apply in the 2 days before Mardi Gras!

[nolaAlive]

1) I have no idea what the cab would cost from the port to the b+b let alone from the port to the b+b and back to Canal St area and whether or not it would be REALLY expensive on a morning of mardi gras parades. The B+B owner didn't know what the cab ride would cost.

 

2) I know we want to get a 3 day unlimited norta visitor pass but don't know if there's a place to buy them close enough to the port (it looks like "Got It at Riverwalk and the NO Hilton Riverside" sell them). Are they within walking distance of the pier with approx 2 pieces of luggage each?

 

3) Even if we did get a pass and made all the connections perfectly (unlikely given our shady history of public transportation gaffes) I don't know that we could get back and forth across town (with luggage in tow one way) in time to get to the parades.

 

4) Is it possible to purchase the 3 day pass on our a.m. visit to New ORleans before we get on the cruise and then validate it and use it on the 3 days once we return? That would probably be doable since we'll likely walk around from the E2 stop at Banks St. to the pier (if it's not too much walking you think?) on 15 Feb.

 

 

1) I don't either - Mardi Gras is considered a special event and there may be flat fees and/or minimums. Try calling United for an estimate.

 

2) Yes. Getting luggage on a bus or streetcar may be a challenge but doable.

 

3) If you have no sense of direction (very easy in New Orleans since very few streets run north-south east-west) you could end up very lost. There is a bus that runs up and down Espanade so that part should be hard to screw up.

 

4) To validate your pass, scratch off the month and day(s) you will be using it. On the three-day pass, make sure you select consecutive days. Your VisiTour Pass is not good until you validate it. If you are not familiar with the transit system, you can get rider assistance by calling RTA's RideLine at (504) 248-3900. The RTA information specialists will need to know where you are (including the address, if possible), where you want to go and what time you want to leave. The specialist will tell you the location of the nearest stop, the approximate time of the next trip, and any connections necessary to get to your destination.

http://www.norta.com/passes/visitour.php

 

Not sure which B&B you picked, but Patrick Ashton is, or at least was, the head of the New Orleans B&B association. His B&B is on Esplanade so you might contact him to see what advice he may offer his guests.

http://www.ashtonsbb.com/

 

I can tell you that you don't want to walk from the French Quarter to your B&B after dark.

 

Personally I would cab it with luggage.

[map70065]

Hey friends!

 

I need help. Hubby and I (20 somethings) just booked our first NOLA vaca (coinciding with a cruise on NCL) and are really excited that we will be there for MArdi Gras 2009. Truthfully, we're a little nervous too.

 

Here's my predicament (the first of many I'll request your help with I'm sure). We'll be arriving back in port 22 Feb and hope to debark early (by 9 am at latest). Then we need to get from the port at julia st. to our b+b on Esplanade Ave (just a few blocks from Degas House- it seems to be way up Esplanade) and then BACK towards the port area so we can catch some parades.

 

Problems I'm anticipating:

1) I have no idea what the cab would cost from the port to the b+b let alone from the port to the b+b and back to Canal St area and whether or not it would be REALLY expensive on a morning of mardi gras parades. The B+B owner didn't know what the cab ride would cost.

 

2) I know we want to get a 3 day unlimited norta visitor pass but don't know if there's a place to buy them close enough to the port (it looks like "Got It at Riverwalk and the NO Hilton Riverside" sell them). Are they within walking distance of the pier with approx 2 pieces of luggage each?

 

3) Even if we did get a pass and made all the connections perfectly (unlikely given our shady history of public transportation gaffes) I don't know that we could get back and forth across town (with luggage in tow one way) in time to get to the parades.

 

4) Is it possible to purchase the 3 day pass on our a.m. visit to New ORleans before we get on the cruise and then validate it and use it on the 3 days once we return? That would probably be doable since we'll likely walk around from the E2 stop at Banks St. to the pier (if it's not too much walking you think?) on 15 Feb.

 

What do you recommend? I'm against taking the cab for cash reasons (the trip is already going to cost twice what we'd originally budgeted for next year) and also because I don't know how manageable it will be during Mardi Gras. It's our first time there however and I want to be safe and I understand from some net research today that parts of Esplanade would not be appropriate for us to be carrying our luggage down looking lost...

I'd start off by saying I agree with Steamboats, I'd look for other accomodations. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is hard to get around and I would advise anyone coming to town during that time to stay in the Quarter, if that's not do-able, then the Marigny or CBD would be the next choice with the Garden District area (along St. Charles) being my third choice. We had a friend stay at a B&B a little ways up Canal last year. She spent WAY more on cabs (when she could get one) than she would have spent on accomodations more centrally located. She has already booked a place in the Quarter this year. You can find nice B&B's reasonably priced in Marigny and St. Charles. The Marigny is within walking distance to the Quarter and anywhere around St. Charles is close to most parades. That being said, I'll try to answer your questions.

 

Not sure of cab prices, but it shouldn't be exhorbitant - I would guess it wouldn't be more than $20 from the port to your B&B. You won't have much problem getting a cab from the port to the B&B if you're traveling in the morning before the parades start running. The return trip to the port area may be a challenge and may cost more because they'll be fighting parade traffic, but if you're not too pickey about where they drop you it's do-able.

 

There are several places to get the visitor's pass for the RTA - and I'm pretty sure you can buy them several days before you start using them. A word of caution here - some of the lines run at different times (or don't run at all) during Mardi Gras. Have you looked at which lines you are planning on using and where they go - and their normal timeframe? The majority of buses don't run after about 9pm on weekdays and about 6pm on weekends. That's not a very big window - especially during Mardi Gras. I wouldn't even try taking public transportation from the port to your B&B with luggage. You'd have to walk to Canal (or take the Riverside streetcar or Convention Center bus), catch the Canal Streetcar to Rampart Street and then catch the Esplanade bus to your B&B. Not great connections without luggage and IMHO definitely not worth it with luggage. Trip back to to see parades on the RTA without luggage would be do-able IF they run during parades (and I'm not sure of this one because it would have to cross the parade route on St. Charles.)

 

Not sure what E2 stop you're talking about at Banks St., but Banks St. is a LONG way away from the pier - and not a place I'd be walking around too much.

[Pinkbikini]

Thanks everyone.

 

We're at Ashton's guesthouse so it's good to know that it's a nice place to stay. We'll try to score a cab that early a.m., drop off our bags and then head downtown on our own. Again, I am not sure how we will handle Mardi Gras as a whole and may enjoy escaping to a quiet part of the city at night as we're not normally "party people". But, while the Fr. Quarter hotels are actually comparable in price (at least at the prices NCL quoted me) the reviews online suggest the value for money to be much more favorable at Ashton's and I'm hoping we made the right choice.

 

I have a feeling that this will be our only Mardi Gras trip and that we would book a different time of the year to return to NOLA and experience it at another time. I'm trying to keep my expectations (I'm normally a minute by minute itinerary planner) low and just gathering lots of info. That way we won't turn up at a place and be crushed when it's closed on Lundi Gras. Instead, we'll see a restaurant while we're walking and I'll say "Hey, baby, I read about that place and they have great...." and we'll do the city like that.

 

I expect that by next January the actual NORTA times of operation during Mardi Gras will be posted and we can get a sense of whether or not the 3 day pass will be worth the $.

 

After flipping through several guidebooks today I noted that Ashton's b+b is on an ok part of Esplanade but that Treme (the area standing between our B+B and the Fr Q) is noted as "high crime" most of the time and that cabs are recommended transportation at night. Is it safe to walk by day? Is the Esplanade bus safe?

 

I am open to putting a sufficient amount of cash aside (maybe $150 for the 3 days) to take a cab home each night as well as from the port to the B+B and from the B+B to the airport to keep us safe. I will not risk our safety or a miserable mugging (or worse) experience for $100. I just don't consider myself wimpy and know that we can handle walking (or public transportation) instead of a cab as long as it's about comfort and not safety.

 

Here's what I'm thinking:

cab to B+B

drop off bags

walk up Esplanade towards city park

take canal bus or streetcar back down to where we need to go

Is that walk considered safe (canal st) if the busses/streetcars aren't running?

 

Thanks again for the wonderful advice. We're really looking forward to the trip- just a little nervous and unprepared at having never been there. Thank you all for taking the time to respond

Pink

[map70065]

Thanks everyone.

 

Here's what I'm thinking:

cab to B+B

drop off bags

walk up Esplanade towards city park

take canal bus or streetcar back down to where we need to go

Is that walk considered safe (canal st) if the busses/streetcars aren't running?

 

Thanks again for the wonderful advice. We're really looking forward to the trip- just a little nervous and unprepared at having never been there. Thank you all for taking the time to respond

Pink

It sounds like you're doing your planning well. New Orleans during Mardi Gras in MUCH different than New Orleans any other time and I would encourage visiting at another time during the year. But you may also get caught up in the Mardi Gras spirit - many people do and return year after year because it's so much fun. The great thing about Mardi Gras is no matter what you like you there's usually something going on that you'll enjoy. And if you're willing to "go with the flow" and not worried about sticking to a certain schedule you can enjoy it to the fullest.

 

I would think $150 should be plenty of cab funds for 3 days, especially if you're planning on using public transportation for the majority of your travel. Unfortunately you won't be able to count on the regular schedule of the RTA. They usually do post a notice in the newspaper a few days before Mardi Gras about what lines won't be running during parades, but it's usually a very small notice and is often missed by most. But they do try to run as many busses as they can. Both the Canal and St. Charles Streetcars are shut down during parades - sometimes for the entire day because most of the parades run along both of those streets.

 

Outside of Mardi Gras the visitor's pass is a great deal, but I'm not sure you'd get your money's worth during Mardi Gras - you may be better off just paying the $1.25 fare each time you ride unless you're planning on seeing several different areas of the city.

 

Esplanade Street is one of the major streets, so is considered relatively safe, but as you mentioned, it does go through some dicey areas. The busses are all safe - once you're on them. But some of the bus stops may not be. The Esplanade bus runs from Canal and City Park along Esplanade to Rampart Street, then up Rampart to Poydras and beyond. Rampart is actually outside the French Quarter and there are areas along Rampart that I wouldn't be walking - or waiting for a bus, but there are also areas that I would have no problems walking or standing.

 

Canal Street is also a very busy street, and considered safe to walk - but if there's a parade going on it gets very crowded. It's also not (IMHO) the best place to see a parade. Poydras is also a very busy street and considered a safe area. Beyond Poydras the line gets into some areas you don't want to be unless you're going to stay on until it gets to St. Charles.

 

I'm not sure of your plans once you've dropped off your bags. Are you planning on heading to City Park because you want to see City Park? If you're wanting to get back to the Quarter/CBD area you'd be going WAY out of your way. I also don't think I'd want to walk through some of the areas between your B&B and City Park. Unless you're wanting to see City Park (and there really isn't much to see there) or the Art Museum (which IS worth seeing). I'd recommend you taking the bus back to the more active areas of town either up Esplanade to the end of the line - Canal Street - and hope the Canal Streetcar is running or down Esplanade to one of the safe Rampart stops. The majority of the walk down Canal Street would be considered safe, but it would be a long, LONG walk and you'll probably be walking enough!!

[nolaAlive]

One of the street car routes does end at Esplanade and City Park. You could take the Esplanade bus to City Park and the Streetcar to downtown. Coming back, it is the #48 streetcar and will have something like City Park/Museum or Canal/Museum on the marquee. If not doing a pass, you can ask for a transfer when you originally board ($0.25) which will allow you to transfer to a connecting line.

 

New Orleans is a checkerboard city - where one block can be ok, the next not so ok. Whether it is day or night can often make a difference. Use common sense and stick to where there are crowds.

[Pinkbikini]

Ok, so just to clarify...

 

It's safer to go TOWARDS City Park than Rampart right? So it's safer to walk up Esplanade and catch the Canal St. Bus or Streetcar. Ideally we should stay on until St. Charles (where we should hop off to parade watch- yes, I'd prefer the LEAST crowded areas until I've had the chance to experience one and decide we can tolerate more (I'm one of those that dips my feet in the pool, then my ankles...it takes me about 30 min to actually jump in!). IF we had to get off on Canal St. and walk (due to parade stuff) it would be safe (albeit long) but if we train on our ellipticals all week on board the cruise we can make it.

 

Am I on the right track?

[nolaAlive]

It would be safer to cab it. I think most people at the B&B do cabs. You can perhaps share with other guests.

 

Riding a streetcar would be something you can do that is unique to New Orleans. If you want to do that, I would take the Esplanade bus (bus stop is supposed to be in front of the B&B) to City Park and transfer to the streetcar there. It will not be the fastest or shortest way for you to go. Mardi Gras Day may not be the best time to do this - many others may have the same plan.

 

Since I think you are going to take a taxi to the B&B, you can (theoretically) purchase a transit pass there (at least per the website).

 

Mardi Gras Day there will probably be people walking from farther than your B&B to the parades.

 

From where ever the bus/streetcar service halts because of a parade the vehicles just stack up at that location and should be safe to walk from there.

 

 

 

http://www.ashtonsbb.com/location.htm (I am not sure about the cab $ estimates)

Our location is near (9 blocks) the French Quarter. Although this is considered walking distance, most of our guests use taxis to get to and from the French Quarter. The fare from the house to anywhere in the French Quarter is usually between $5 and $7. We recommend United Cab (522-9771), accessible by speed-dial on your in-room phone. Wait time for a taxi to get to the door after calling is usually 5 to 10 minutes. There are always plenty of cabs in the French Quarter for the return trip. A rental car is usually not necessary or economical for short trips. Confusing signs, relentless parking enforcement (including towing), and expensive off-street parking combine to make using a car in the French Quarter tedious at best. We do have free secure off-street parking at the house, if needed. Public transportation is also an option. The Esplanade Ave bus stops right in front of the house with transfer service to other lines and streetcars. For bus and streetcar routes and schedules, click here. Bus and streetcar fare is $1.25 and 25 cents for a transfer. 1-Day and 3-Day passes are available at Ashton's for $5 and $12 respectively.

[nolaAlive]

Here is the preliminary parade schedule:

 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Orleans / Jefferson

• Okeanos - Uptown, 11 a.m.

• Thoth - Uptown, 11:30 a.m.

• Mid-City - Uptown, 12:15 p.m.

• Bacchus - Uptown, 5:15 p.m.

St. Tammany

• Tchefuncte - Madisonville, 2 p.m.

River Parishes

• Du Monde - LaPlace, Noon

• Des Allemands - Des Allemands, 2 p.m.

 

LUNDI GRAS, FEBRUARY 23, 2009

• Proteus - Uptown, 5:15 p.m.

• Orpheus - Uptown, 6 p.m.

• Zeus - Metairie, 6:30 p.m.

 

MARDI GRAS, FEBRUARY 24, 2009

Orleans / Jefferson

• Zulu - Uptown, 8 a.m.

• Rex - Uptown, 10 a.m.

• Elks Orleans - after Rex

• Crescent City - after Elks

• Argus - Metairie, 10 a.m.

• Jefferson Trucks - after Argus

• Elks Jefferson - after Jefferson

• Grela - West Bank, 11 a.m.

[Pinkbikini]

Thank You So Much :)

[map70065]

Ok, so just to clarify...

 

It's safer to go TOWARDS City Park than Rampart right? So it's safer to walk up Esplanade and catch the Canal St. Bus or Streetcar. Ideally we should stay on until St. Charles (where we should hop off to parade watch- yes, I'd prefer the LEAST crowded areas until I've had the chance to experience one and decide we can tolerate more (I'm one of those that dips my feet in the pool, then my ankles...it takes me about 30 min to actually jump in!). IF we had to get off on Canal St. and walk (due to parade stuff) it would be safe (albeit long) but if we train on our ellipticals all week on board the cruise we can make it.

 

Am I on the right track?

I'm not sure it would be any more/less safe either way. Your B&B is on the edge of Treme, with Esplanade being the border. Either way you walk you'll be walking on the edge of Treme for a while. Walking to City Park is about 1 1/2 miles from there. The Canal Streetcar does start/end there, but I don't know if it runs when the line is closed on Canal, which it will be if parades are rolling. When there are parades Canal is closed down to ALL traffic - and to cross traffic. IF the streetcar is running your plan would be good, but I just wouldn't count on it.

 

On Sunday you have 4 uptown parades running - the first three run back-to-back, then there's a few hours before Bacchus rolls. All of these parades start way up St. Charles, so they won't hit Canal for a couple hours. IF the Canal Streetcars are running I don't know how long before the parade they close them down.

 

Monday should be easier to get around because both parades that day are evening/night parades, so busses and streetcars should be running most of the day. I don't know if you've heard of the Lundi Gras celebration on the river or not, but it's usually fun.

 

Tuesday transportation will again be rough because there are parades most of the day - but then I spend most of that day in the French Quarter.

[Pinkbikini]

Thanks Map. I saw your profile. I too am a NICU R.N. Appreciate your response.

 

Pink