What do people think about New Orleans at Christmas as a vacation?

[Bossy Monkey]

Alice works at Downtown U, which has very few advantages except for a largish block of vacation time at the end of the year. We're in SC, and though I'd like to go to Banff or San Francisco or something, I don't think flying is in the cards, so I think we're limited to warm(ish) places within driving distance. Has anybody been to NOLA at Christmastime? I guess we could try riding roller coasters in Orlando, but that just seems so caucasian. Whuddayathink?

[Scooter24]

1. This past year

We did a road trip from Dallas to Orlando.

We started in Dallas drove to New Orleans for New Years Eve, then over to Disney for 3 days, then on the 4th drove an hour east to catch a cruise out of Port Canaveral.

NOLA is great during the holidays and on NYE it's like Mardi Gras all over again. :)

Orlando is warmer and has the theme parks but is busy during the holiday season.

Personally, I would choose Orlando :)

[Bossy Monkey]

3. Maybe we'll split the difference and do Busch Gardens

We like roller coasters, but have no brief for theme parks, especially crowded ones. Or we could hang common sense and just go to DC on the grounds that we both like it. We're not big drinkers and I'm averse to crowds, so I think New Year's Eve in New Orleans is off the table, though it sounds like fun. Maybe we ought to do a music-scene junket to Austin...

[Lex]

2. Here's what I thought of New Orleans . . .

or at least Burbon Street: it smelled of piss and vomit and there were too many vendors of tshirts that only a 14 year old would find funny.

Perhaps other people can steer you to the parts of New Orleans that are actually enjoyable.

If I were you, I'd drive to Savannah or one of the islands off the coast of Georgia, like Jekyll Island.

JMHO.

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. Need someone to carry your bags?

Sounds like an AWESOME choice!

:thumbsup:

[Blue in a Red State]

5. Did it.

It was fabulous. Lotsa street activity, musicians everywhere all playing different instruments. But then, I love NOLA anytime. Wasn't terribly warm, though. Especially on the steam boat...

[3days]

6. Just went this past weekend

I lived there for 7 years and I would easily go back anytime I could. Don't hang out on Bourbon St unless you need to. There is soooo much more to do.
Swamps, riverboats, eat, music, sailing, eat, Saints game, Hornet game, eat.

[Blue in a Red State]

8. Plantations, Audubon zoo, jazz at Preservation Hall...

and yes, food!!!

[trof]

7. My best New Year's Eves EVER.

The Quarter is one big party. Like Mardis Gras but without the crowds and seriously dangerous loonies. We used to "crash" party after party and they were all happy to be crashed.
"Hey y'all! Come on in. Have a drink."