Trip Report - Jazzfest

I write this from my sofa as I have eaten soooo much food in NOLA I can no longer walk!!

Spent 6 days from 22 April. Stayed at 3 hotels (all free with reward points)-

1. Holiday Inn Express Downtown, fine, nice room, ok location.

2. W French Quarter - LOVED it - wish we%26#39;d had enough points to stay here all week.

3. Four Points near the airport - ok airport hotel with free shuttle.

Day 1 - arrived late afternoon, so just dropped bags at hotel and went for small dinner at Crescent City Brewery. Pick up the 1st hurricane of the trip to drink on the way back to the hotel

Day 2 - Woke up early due to jetlag so went for breakfast at Cafe du monde (usual first morning ritual!). Wandered round the FQ for a few hours then over to the Warehouse district, which was a new area for me.

After lunch and beer at Gordon Biersch, got the ferry over to Algiers Point (again another first) then back over to Riverwalk for a wander round the shops. Noticed a lot of shops have closed since my last visit in 2004, and the food court was also half closed.

A few 3-4-1 beers on a bourbon street balcony and then to Oceana Grill for dinner. Very nice and HUGE portions. Another hurricane at Pat O%26#39;s after then bed.

Day 3 - JAZZFEST baby! Got the streetcar for $1.25, so much better than the $16 shuttle! Wandered from stage to stage, catching parts of sets and soaking up the atmosphere. All were great, finished up at Joe Cocker.

Thanks to this forum had a great Cochon de lait po boy!

Got the bus back to town, quick shower than out to Bourbon Street. More beers on the balcony, and a cocktail at Napolean House, then off to the Alpine for dinner (another restuarant.com coupon) which was nice then to bed (jetlag%26#39;s a killer, especially after a day in the sun!)

Day 4 - picked up the hire car and drove over to Zam%26#39;s Swamp Tours in Thibodaux. Good, although there was a lot of river traffic, so didn%26#39;t see many gators.

Stopped off at Laura Plantation on the way back which was excellent.

Ate at Star Steak %26amp; Lobster (another restuarant.com coupon), had a great filet mignon. Then off to Pat O%26#39;s for more hurricane%26#39;s, which was packed.

Day 5 - Shopping day! Went to the Tangers outlets then Lakeside Mall to make the most of the tax free shopping. Spent far too much.....

For dinner went to Petunia%26#39;s - OMG they are the world%26#39;s BIGGEST portions! Only downside? The roaches in the bathrooms :-(

Went to see Big Al that evening (again thanks to this forum) - oh wow he%26#39;s great! Bought a couple of CD%26#39;s

Day 6 - Last full day. Checked into the W, then took the streetcar and went for lunch at Commanders. Good food, reasonably priced and great 25c martinis! However we were the youngest people there by about 30 years!

Wandered round the GD and Magazine street to work off lunch - by this point my feet have had enough! Took the streetcar back to see the new hotel - loved it! Then more wandering around the FQ.

Went to Preservation Hall that evening, which was great as always, via Pat O%26#39;s.

Day 7 - last wander round the FQ, and some last bits of shopping. Had lunch at Louisian Pizza Kitchen. Got our tax refunds, a few drinks on Bourbon, then taxi to the airport hotel ready for the next leg - Vegas baby!

Sure I%26#39;ve forgotten things or mixed them up, but we had a great time! Never made it to Frenchman St, so we have an excuse to go back again!

Trip Report - Jazzfest

Great report, thank you. You certainly had a full few days.

I just got back from my 1st trip to NOLA. It%26#39;s just the best, isn%26#39;t it?? :)

Trip Report - Jazzfest

Another new Big Al fan. Glad you had a nice trip. Great report, thanks.

Thanks for your report! Alpine, Oceana and Star Steak and Lobster are all under the same ownership and get mixed reviews, but glad you enjoyed. I love outlet malls!

yes we knew they were all the same. Had been to Alpine several times on previous trips so knew what to expect, and had seen mixed reviews of Oceana Grill.

However our meals at all 3 were good (not fantastic, but good and good value, especially with $25 off!)

Yup, everyone I know who has eaten there has used the Restaurants.com coupon, which as a business tactic sure has paid off for the restaurant.

Restaurant.com would have to give it free and tie me up and force feed me to go to Alpine or Oceana and probably kicking and screaming into Star Steak %26amp; Lobster. And thats from giving each place 3 chances over the years...maybe there has been a culinary miracle occur?

maybe it just depends what you have? As I say I have been to Alpine around 5/6 times in 10 years, never had a bad meal there (again not saying they are great, but was good). Oceana and Star was a first for us, but I%26#39;ve certainly had worse meals!

lips