I am turning the big 4-0 in May, and I am planning a trip to New Orleans.

Any adivice or tips


the big 4-0 in the big easy

Congratulations on the big Four-Oh! I guess the only advice I have is to bring a life jacket. Other than that, have fun!

hooray!
I've been to New Orleans only twice in my life, and I loved it, loved it, loved it. We did all the touristy things...riverboat ride, swamp tour, garden district tour, ceplantation tour,Hard Rock Cafe, cemetery tour, but my favorite thing was just walking around the French Quarter, listening to all the awesome jazz, and the street performers. We must have spent 2 hours, just sitting in front of the church in Jackson, listening to a bunch of kids jamming. They were so totally awesome!. One of the times I was there was in April, during the Jazz festival, and it was phenomenal. There was music every place you turned. One of the trips was with my son's high school band. They were competing at the Orpheum Theatre(they came in 1st place).one of the things he wanted to do more than anything, was play on a street corner, so after the competition, as they were waiting for the bus, he and about 7 of his friends, kind of strolled up to the corner and started jamming. It was so much fun, They drew quite a crowd, and some people actually gave them money. I often tell the kids that if I ever win the lottery , the first thing I am doing is chartering a plane and taking the whole band back to New Orleans, since it was one of the best times they ever had.
Have fun, It's impossible not to! Enjoy the music, the history, the restaurants, and Happy 40th!!!

Thanks, I am so looking forward to it. I also want to volunteer to help out. anyone have connections with Habitat for Humanity?

Have a great time in N.O. for your 40th! I've never been there, but I hear it's spectacular. You'll have a ball!

I have to comment about your avie, Pilatesmom. He's my darling, handsome, bedroom eyed hunk of a Yankee man! I love him! :drool:

I am from the area and as a local I must say I loathe the French Quarter ...well really I should say Bourbon Street... There are lots of drunks and pickpocketers after dark. so just be aware of your surroundings. Other than that the City is great..
My B-day is the end of April and I always make it a point to request tickets to the Jazz Fest for my Birthday. :bounce:
It takes place the last weekend plus Thursday in April and the first weekend in May
There are great many places apart from the French Quarter that offer excellent music.
My favorite hangout is The Maple Leaf on Oak St. ( Uptown) , they have the BEST live entertainment , :bunny: and Tippatinas also has a good Line up (usually).
The House of Blues is located borderline Frenchquarter, between the Riverwalk and the Quarter ,they have good food and music.
I don't know what you are looking to do and how long you are staying.
My out of town/ country visitors have enjoyed Swamptours where you see the local wildlife especially alligators, there is also a big Alligator Farm in Hammond....about 45 minutes away.
Jackson Square has lots of local artists on display, I used to have some great Caricatures (sp) of myself and friends
Magazine Street is great for shopping, lots of little stores and boutiques, a lot of them are struggling right now. ,..same with the French Quarter...

The Mississippi Gulf coast is a quick 50 minute trip east which has beautiful miles and miles of sandy beaches and yes it will be warm already,, from there you can take a day trip to Ship Island which has an old Fort on it, the water is crystal clear and there are lots of dolphins out there.... not to mention the Casinos, if you have the itch to gamble.
If there is anything else I can tell you just give me a shout.
noira

:newyear4:

Noira, well, thank you!!!

Yes, I have always wanted to experience the jazz fest there.

I have to keep you posted on travel plans.

I will only visit the FQ in daylight.

We Taurans have execellent taste, must say!!

yes - I do - but it's not as easy as it might seem. They are not always working right in New Orleans. Let me do some research and find some links for you. I'll let you know.

Happy 40!!!

The first link is with Habitat International, which is trying to coordinate all the gulf building efforts. They take a questionairre of your availability and let you know when building opportunities are available. They may or may not match up with your trip.

The second goes to Jim Pate - the amazing, wonderful, blessed and talented Executive Director of New Orleans Habitat. Tell him that you have been given his name by Linda Tiller, who used to work for HFHI US field staff and ask if there is going to be a way to contribute during your trip.



https://www.habitat.org/cd/ohd/gik_involvement.aspx

or

jimp@habitat-nola.org

Actual building in New Orleans has been next to impossible because of many reasons - bureacracy, lack of basic infrastructrure (still) and much red tape from local government and FEMA -

Good luck - I hope you do get a chance to spend some time volunteering. If not, ask Jim if there is a way for you to see the musician's village they are trying to build - to house musicians who were so important to the culture and history of the city.

linda..
yes what you said is true, that's why I haven't mentioned any habitat links.
It is a great thing they are doing, but it is really hard to get organized with them.
HFH is best contacted in or near your hometown, they would be the ones informed /best informed about what is going on down there and you could let them know when you will be available to lend a hand.

New Orleans is a great City. It has always had is ups and downs. Hopefully it will be rebuilt to last, but from what I see it is going to be long way home .

I hope you have a great time and please let me know if I can help at all..

noira

lindaqt, once again, you amaze me with all you have done in your life.

Thanks for the link. My resolution is to follow up on this link and ask Jim about this.

Well, if I don't end up volunteering, I will least be helping the economy in NOLA.

I am definately reading to JAZZ it out. :bunny: