Advice on New Orleans/Austin

Hi all, we're going to Florida at Easter next year, and are trying to decide on a city for a couple of days 'city time' before hitting the beach!

We wanted to go to Chicago or Toronto, but the weather in late March looks somewhat ropey.

So we've hit upon New Orleans or Austin. I'd be very grateful if any V-Flyers have any advice or opinions on visiting those places? It'd likely be for 3 days.

Of course the other alternative is a 4th visit to NYC :w

I have spent time in both, but it was about 12 years ago - so take this with that caveat in mind!

New Orleans, of course, has changed drastically since my visit, so I'll leave that one to a more recent visitor. I can say, though, that I'm sure the basic "vibe" of the place is still present, and it's a truely fascinating place.

I found it very different to anywhere else I've visited in the US, the whole french influence and terrific culture of music and arts makes it a quite bohememian atmosphere.

Having not been back since Catrina, I wouldn't like to say how much has changed in physical terms.

Austin - if you like texas blues, is absolutely brilliant.

I really like Austin, it's a university city, and thereofre has a very "young" and dynamic feel to it.

Sixth street, if memory serves, is the street that is wall-to-wall bars with live music of incredibly high quality.

There's some handy shopping there, some big open areas and a few sites of interest dotted around - I personally loved it, but then I'm a massive blues/rock fan. (There's a statue of their local hero with his guitar in the central parak - Stevy Ray Vaughan).

Hope this helps a little.

My wife and I spent a few days in New Orleans at the begging of April last year and absolutely loved it, the weather was nice and hot and the French Quarter and Garden District remain unaffected by Katrina.
We stayed at the Inn on Bourbon which is the old French Opera House, it has a fantastic central location but the party on Bourbon goes on until the wee hours.
K Pauls Louisiana Kitchen is a fantastic place to have dinner but you will need to make reservations in advance.
The Oak Alley Plantation house in nearby Vacherie is also well worth a visit.

Highly recommend New Orleans. Was there for three days in June this year and absolutely loved it. We stayed in a hotel called St Pierre and it was very quaint and just far enough away from the hustle and bustle for it to be quiet but not too remote. It is up by Louis Armstrong Park.

One thing to note about "N'awlins" ... parking! It's horrendous and expensive and if you don't need a car, don't get one. If you have one anyway and are planning to stay put, there are plenty of safe 24 hour parking garages. A lot of hotels only have a few spaces and the roads are narrow.

We went on a Swamp Cruise and I cannot recommend this highly enough. Two hour boat ride, you can see them feed the 'gators and you can feed them with marshmallows. Lovely trip around the Swamp/Bayou as well.

We also did the City Tour and went down to the areas worst hit by Katrina (Lower Ninth Ward was completely washed away and they are just starting to rebuild it now). The locals are very matter of fact about it. It happened, they dealt with it and are busy repairing the city. It is however very humbling, very informative and while I want to say enjoyable, I don't mean this with any disrespect to the folks that suffered.

The horse drawn City Tours are great as well. They take you all around the French Quarter, Bourbon Street ... and a brilliant way to spend an afternoon.

Evenings can just be spent soaking up the atmosphere. Plenty of jazz/blues singers on the street corners and the smells/sights are something to behold. Bourbon Street is brilliant fun and anything goes.

Plenty of places to eat by the Mississippi, from Subway/MacDonalds to Bubba Gumps/Hard Rock. Try the gumbo if you get a chance.

The French Market is also wonderful for browsing, trinkets, cheap gifts etc ... And you have to try the doughnuts there! We did a Haunted History tour as well.

You will very easily be able to fill in three days. But take a map!! i)

done N'owleans twice and loved it. 3 days is a good enough amount of time. definitely stay within the French Quarter, everything is then 'walkable'. During the day you can just sit and listen to the music out doors , pick up bands just appear from nowhere. Night time, the atmosphere is amazing and the party never (seems to) stop.

check out the House of Blues (gospel brunch on sunday is amazing) . Obriens -the piano lounge with the duelling pianists, a must do. BUT watch out for the hurricanes they are one powerful drink...you can also take a steamboat up the Mississippi. its just an awesome place but do be warned it can also get a little seedy.

we visted New Orleans before Katrina and yes we loved it,but if you go be aware it does have it's seedy side

Hi all, we're going to Florida at Easter next year, and are trying to decide on a city for a couple of days 'city time' before hitting the beach!

Have you considered Memphis/ Nashville ? ( I recommend a trip to both ).
DL