Where to stay outside of NO? Close enough to drive in on port day

[poobears]

We are porting out on Oct 29. I know with all the festivals etc NO is jammed that time of year, most hotels are already booked up and prices are insane. I've been to NO a couple of times so no biggie not staying down in the action. But the kids are coming this time and I want to stay some where they can do something. I think we will head down a couple of days early but have no idea where to stay if we stay outside of town. I don't want to be too far out of town because I want to drive in early on port day. I have a 10:30 check in time. Any recommendations on towns to stay in that are safe and have something to do? I will have a 15, 17 and 23 yr old with me. Something like an aquarium or zoo or museum.

 

I don't think we'd really be close enough to rent anything on a good beach or I'd consider that.

[TruckerDave]

Where are you coming from? Suggesting places west of town doesn't make sense if you are coming form the east and vice versa.

[jimjamxx]

How far out of Nola do you want to be.?

[ekajun1957]

One option is to stay on the Westbank side of the river. Look into Gretna hotels. Have heard the Holiday Inn in Gretna is OK and some cruise passengers use it.

If you come in couple days early you can either just drive across the bridge to New Orleans or if want a little fun you can catch the ferry on foot from the Westbank and it drops you right at Canal St right by Harrahs Casino, aquarium, and walking distance to French Quarter or even go to the WWII museum its amazing.

Another little plus of staying on Westbank when you drive across the bridge on the morning you leave, you will be overlooking the ship, its right next to the bridge.

Oh by the way you picked Voodoo Fest weekend and Halloween which brings many to the city.

[poobears]

Sorry we are coming from the North, MO to be exact. I'd prefer to be within an hour or less, 30 minutes or less from port would be better (taking traffic time into account). I know the weekend we are coming is horrible and another reason why staying out of town would probably be better, it's going to be really loud down town with the festivals going on and I really don't want to listen to partying in the streets until 2am. Last time we stayed at the Hilton it was nice and quiet but there was nothing going on either. We watched the ship dock out our room window the morning of our cruise.

 

This just happened to be the cheapest cruise when we were looking at booking one, we didn't even realize it was over Halloween until after it was booked (no I'm not very observant lol). Kids are all excited having Halloween on the ship.

[ccbluebird]

Several nice hotels in Hammond LA. Less than an hour right on I55.

 

 

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[ekajun1957]

Have you ever toured the plantations upriver from New Orleans? There are several within driving distance of each other for a day of touring. You could find a hotel between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. If you are interested in doing this or maybe even swamp tour or other outside the city stuff let me know on here and I can give you more info. We live right above New Orleans and also my wife works in the local tourist center that is at one of the plantations.

[poobears]

Thanks we'll keep Hammond in mind when we get down that way. Right off the interstate would be perfect.

 

 

 

Dh and I did a swamp tour several years ago on an air boat and loved it but the kids have never been on one. I know they would enjoy it. None of us have ever toured the plantations. Dh and I did the aquarium down in NO and I think the WW2 museum, both of those I know the kids would like. Think that's about all we've done in that area. We've only been down there a couple of times and this will be the kids first trip down. DH won't be coming on this trip, it will just be me and 3 of the kids.

Edited September 10, 2016 by poobears

[maldenmusic]

Several nice hotels in Hammond LA. Less than an hour right on I55.

 

 

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I second Hammond. We come down I55 from S. E. Missouri and it is convenient. Will be staying in Hammond the night before our December cruise.