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Old 01-03-2005, 09:18 PM   #1
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Does anyone have any suggestions for accommodation in New Orleans for Mardi Gras?? I would like to go on the weekend of the 4th - 6th of February. I am from Australia and will be travelling alone, so ideally I would like to stay in a backpacker hostel or something, however, I think all of them are booked out over this period. Any other suggestions??
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Old 01-03-2005, 09:37 PM   #2
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Originally posted by Jubblies@Jan 4 2005, 12:18 AM
Does anyone have any suggestions for accommodation in New Orleans for Mardi Gras?? I would like to go on the weekend of the 4th - 6th of February. I am from Australia and will be travelling alone, so ideally I would like to stay in a backpacker* hostel or something, however, I think all of them are booked out over this period. Any other suggestions??
Good luck! Usually everything is booked up 8 to 12 months before hand. Best chance at this point is find somebody who knows somebody you can stay with.
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Old 01-04-2005, 12:36 AM   #3
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Just about everything in the French Quarter will be booked solid, and worse yet, expensive. You could try a small place near the Garden District - I once stayed at the creepy former orphanage St. Vincent's Guesthouse dirt cheap.. it's not like you spend much time in the room anyway.. and it was a 15-20 minute walk (or a couple minutes' cab ride) from the Quarter.

A few things about going during Mardi Gras. It's crowded. We're talking half-an-hour-just-to-cross-Bourbon-Street and one-hour-just-to-get-a-drink crowded. Make some friend when you get there - safety in numbers. I love New Orleans, but Mardi Gras is not a time I'd want to be a foreigner wandering around alone. Did I mention it's expensive? Save up those pennies...

I know all that sounds discouraging, but I also know it's one of those must-do type of things. But if you want to have just as much fun without 2 million people packing the street (say, more like 10s of thousands) just come on any weekend and there'll be just as much craziness and debauchery. Trust me. Those are my 2 cents. There are a few locals around here who can fill you in, I'm sure.

Either way, laissez les bon temps rouler!
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Old 01-04-2005, 08:28 AM   #4
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You might be able to stay at a local area camp ground if you have a tent.
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Old 01-04-2005, 12:41 PM   #5
 
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I'm going to confirm the accomodations I've lined up on January 17th when I am in New Orleans for some other business...and if everything is good, then you're welcome to stay there as well for the cost of one of the hostels.

I believe the gentleman I'm renting from said I actually have two bedrooms and they were gonna do one up like a couch, but either way, you're welcome to it to help offset my costs. However, like I said, I haven't confirmed everything yet - so I'd keep looking until then...but I can tell you now that all hostels in the city are sold out (that was my first choice!). I'm a 21 year old male, and I'm headed down to party pretty good...so it should be a fun time.

If you'd like to be in touch with me, my e-mail is xanthuos@yahoo.com.
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Old 01-06-2005, 11:18 PM   #6
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I am considering spending a few extra days in New Orleans at at India House backpacker hostel. I have heard that it is pretty dodgy place which I am fine with, but security is also pretty bad apparently and there are no lockers to keep your stuff. Has anyone been there or to anywhere similar before? If so, what did you do with your backpacks? This may seem like a stupid question, but it haven't been backpacking or stayed in a hostel before and it seems like it would be pretty easy to get your stuff stolen

- Liam
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Old 01-24-2005, 07:03 PM   #7
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I'd really have to agree with Omisan on this one. One thing you'll find is it is definitely not recommended to go to NOLA alone (mainly if you plan on heading out at night), especially during Mardi Gras. Things get so crazy. Even without MG considered, NOLA is a city with a high crime rate. The quarter is so much fun and so beautiful, but you step outside of that by a street or two and you could end up in a very bad neighborhood. If you're alone, you are a very easy target. I've heard of people getting mugged in daylight (one person at gunpoint), right on Esplanade. Also, if you're going to be drinking, it's highly recommended that you FIND someone to keep with you at night - make some friends!. Not sure if you're male or female, but rapes/sexual assaults are very common (not that it happens to everyone... but) during MG. So is pickpocketing and mugging.

I would so recommend making your first trip to NOLA at a time after Mardi Gras. Friday and Saturday nights on Bourbon are still super fun - they close off the street; it's a big ol' party. During the day, it's so fun to go to all the different shops.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/vt/c19b6/ this has a lot of info on NOLA posted by people who've vacationed there. It has a lot of great information for you to go through!! And it's divided by things like tourist traps, general tips, local customs, etc.

If you do decide to go, have a blast and be careful!!! Good luck with the hotel - our first time there we stayed at a a Super 8 outside of the Quarter. It was about a 15 minute bus ride. The guy at the hotel said he wouldn't recommend riding the bus at night, but we did w/no problem. It was just a working class area. I think a cab ride to the hotel was about 15 bucks (ended up getting really drunk and passing out on Decatur St. waiting for a bus that didn't come through at 4 am!). They do have availability, but it's about 100 a night. Bit pricey - we paid about 40. It's a nice hotel though, especially for being a budget hotel.
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Old 07-13-2005, 12:12 PM   #8
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How are the hotel/motel vacancies for off-seasons like beginning of August? And any good ones to recommend in the French Quarter?
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