Road trip to new orleans - safety question

[Christien]

Left Ontario yesterday and made it to nashville last night, heading on to new Orleans today. I've heard tons of horror stories of crime and whatnot, and don't believe most of them, but I thought I might ask about taking any precautions with a 43-year-old porsche. The plan is to find a parking garage and leave the car there for the duration of the stay (3 nights). We're staying near lafayette square.

Does this sound reasonable? Any recommendations for a parking garage?

[flatbutt]

I can't speak to the car but your personal safety isn't an issue. Just use the same common sense as you would in any city. Oh and if Pat O'Briens is still serving hurricanes ... just drink one! And do get a proper muffalotta(sp?).

[silverc4s]

Central Grocery on Decatur St. For the original Muffeletta. About 10 bucks for more than you can eat. It's a grocery store too, so don't expect five star service..
Park your car is a safe secure garage when you get there, it won't be any fun in the heat, humidity, showers, and traffic of NOLA anyway. Make sure your theft coverage is adequate just in case, then have a blast. Pat OBriens is a good recommendation too.
Have a great stay!!

[stomachmonkey]

Pfft, NOLA is fine.

Like anywhere else good parts and not so good.

Just pay attention, don't look like a tourist, ignore the street hustlers.

For a less touristy experience cross North over Esplanade to Frenchman for dinner.

Some good food and music. A bit seedier than the main tourist strip but fun none the less.

[SCadaddle]

NOLA street hustler FAQ:

1) "Hey man, I bet you fie dolla I can tell you where you got yo shoes at?!"

Answer: On my feet on the street in New Orleans.

2) "Hey man, I bet you fie dolla I can tell you how many chilrens yo daddy had?!"

Answer: None. My momma had them all.

Have fun.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

NOLA street hustler FAQ:

1) "Hey man, I bet you fie dolla I can tell you where you got yo shoes at?!"

Answer: On my feet on the street in New Orleans.

2) "Hey man, I bet you fie dolla I can tell you how many chilrens yo daddy had?!"

Answer: None. My momma had them all.

Have fun.

Ha! Heard both of those!

[porsche4life]

If you don't leave NOLA 10lbs heavier, you did something wrong!

As everyone mentioned you should be fine if you use your head and stick to the main areas. Only time I was ever worried in NOLA is when I had to drive through some of the worst neighborhoods for work. Definitely some areas you wouldn't want to have a flat. Once saw a car parked in the street that had at least 5 bullet holes in it!

[Instrument 41]

Plenty of garages to park at around Lafayette Park. It will be friggin hot, humid and miserable. Heat index today is about 110. In the quarters the only time there is a breeze is at winter time. If the street is dark and deserted, in the quarters, don't go down it. Stay off of Canal St, walking around. The best Oysters in town is at Drago's. About a 20 minute drive from where you are going, in Kenner. Get a chance go out to NOLA race track. Nice $40 million dollar facility, in Avondale. Again, it gonna be miserable hot from now till end of August. All this heat and humidity helps to accentuate the "wonderful" odors of the quarters!

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

The best Oysters in town is at Drago's.

^^^^ True.

Ian

[daepp]

Head west on the Airline Hwy or I10 about 20 minutes to I55 north. Great swamp tour in Peavine.

[dan88911]

Was in NOLA a few yrs. ago we stayed at the Hyatt Place New Orleans on Convention Center Blvd.
There is a parking garage on the corner of Convention Center Blvd & S. Diamond St. the hotel valets their however, you can self park.
No P-car on that visit had a rental.
It might be worth a look and it's a short walk from there to Canal St. etc, or cab.
The National WWII museum is definitely worth a visit.
Also James H. Cohen & Sons 437 Royal St. in the French Quarter,
Let the good time roll.

[imcarthur]

The best night we spent in NO was the night we dumped our city reservation & booked a night on a plantation (Nottaway). We went for a boat ride (not an airboat) into the bayou & swamp nearby which was the highlight of our trip.



Ian

[SCadaddle]

I would be very hesitant to eat raw oysters this time of year. My friends local and native to New Orleans quit eating them raw when the daily air temperature exceeds 80F.

[imcarthur]

That is not an issue at Dragos. Their specialty are char-broiled with butter & garlic goodness. Nuggets of culinary gold. A plate of 12 halves per person is the standard appetizer.

Ian

[SCadaddle]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

I would be very hesitant to eat raw oysters this time of year. My friends local and native to New Orleans quit eating them raw when the daily air temperature exceeds 80F.

Ahem.....the operative word here was raw.

[rusnak]

I would try to find the local Porsche dealer or some place with a locked fence, and ask if you can pay them $20 to store the car there for 3 days.

[SCadaddle]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I would try to find the local Porsche dealer or some place with a locked fence, and ask if you can pay them $20 to store the car there for 3 days.

I remember the last time I was in New Orleans in a 911. It was 1991, my buddy the lawyer had just bought an 82 Targa. First trip out of town. The cable to the fuel door broke. I hammered him with "what kind of warranty did you get on this thing?!" his take was "it hasn't broken down on us yet so that's a non issue" of which I responded "well yeah, but what about when we run out of gas!?"

We wound up at Greff Motors and they popped open the fuel door and put a cable in pronto. Nice folks.

[charlesbahn]

Agree with the "safety" recommendations. Much more important (I've got this one guys):

Galatoires for the best meal you will ever have (expensive and no reservations)
Cafe Maspero for that mufaletta, or corned beef, or any other sandwich you want (you won't finish it no matter how much you want to)
Pat O'Brien's - piano bar - dueling grand pianos (my favorite) or the flaming fountain court yard- hurricane (touristy) or mint julep ((better). Only have one unless you are walking.
Preservation hall (around the corner from Pat O'briens (benches to sit on, but the best jazz you will ever hear)
Napoleon House (across the street from Maspero's) for a bandy (best) or any other drink you want (best visited late at night).
Roosevelt Hotel Sazerac Bar - get a Sazerac cocktail (you'll thank me later)'
Cafe' du Monde - cafe au lait and get the beignets (you have to maneuver for a table when busy, kind of fun; but best time is really early in the AM after some of the above or below mentioned venues)
Tortorici’s- if you are with a sig other and want a (really) quiet and romantic dinner
ACME oyster house - if you want those oysters or a Poor Boy

Have Fun!

P.S. Drive the Porsche to Madewood plantation, spend a little time in Napoleanville (live The Big Chill)

P.S.S Read a Confederacy of Dunces either while you are there or shortly after you return home- it will have a whole new meaning if you have read it before; if you haven't read it you will love it after visiting the Big Easy.

[Christien]

Got into town about an hour ago and tucked the Porsche safely away on the 4th floor of a garage, nestled amidst a bunch of SUVs. The valet guy mentioned it to me when I said I wanted to self-park. It was half the price of the valet service, so I gave him a nice tip!

Then back to the hotel for a shower to rinse off the sweat. It's hot here - 35C, but it's bearable, and I don't deal well with extreme heat. Much better than Nashville was last night, and a bit less humid, which was unexpected.

Thanks for all the recommendations. We're off to Pat O'brien's right now for a late dinner, then we'll look over those suggestions for drinks afterwards. I can't wait to see more of this city - so far it's beautiful. I've always wanted to come here

[charlesbahn]

Forgot to mention Pat O'Briens, Preservation Hall, Maspero's, Napoleon House, Galatoire's, Totorici's, and Cafe du Monde are all a stone's throw from where you are staying. Roosevelt Hotel and ACME are just outside the quarter across Canal Street, maybe a mile? Madewood and Napoleanville are a hike but worth it if you have the time.

Again have fun.