by M Jvlian Simmons
Come enjoy the wondrous Crescent City with us as we take yet another Joyr!de to New Orleans, Louisiana, both spreading our own and enjoying others' positive vibes as well.
Tap to play song.
We happily invite our beloved friends along for the amazing ride to The Big Easy!
We know, we know-
..you're on a tight budget and/or schedule and have other things (of "higher priority") to pay for and plus, you'd have to be back in time for work Monday. But if you have just a little time and energy to plan using our logistics and figures below, I'm sure you could probably work out something feasible in nearly no time!
GENERAL LOGISTICS:
DATE/TIME OF DEPARTURE:
Fridays, TBA, 11:30am-8pm CST
Fridays, TBA, 11:30am-8pm CST
PLACE OF DEPARTURE:
AMTRAK Train Station (#1-19th Street/Morris Ave South, D'town B'ham 35203)
AMTRAK Train Station (#1-19th Street/Morris Ave South, D'town B'ham 35203)
DESTINATION/TICKET COST:
The "Crescent" Line to NOLA = apx. $100/person (Round-trip)
The "Crescent" Line to NOLA = apx. $100/person (Round-trip)
ROAD TRIP DURATION:
Apx 7-8hrs (each way).
Apx 7-8hrs (each way).
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| Amtrak crosses Lake Pontchartrain to NOLA. |
TRIP/VACATION DURATION:
Apx 48Hrs. (from Early evening Friday until early-morning Sunday, excluding holiday weekends)
Apx 48Hrs. (from Early evening Friday until early-morning Sunday, excluding holiday weekends)
DATE/TIME OF RETURN:
Sundays, 6:15am-2-3pm CST (excluding holiday weekends)
Sundays, 6:15am-2-3pm CST (excluding holiday weekends)
PLACE OF RETURN:
AMTRAK Train Station (1001 Loyola Avenue, D'town NOLA 70113)
AMTRAK Train Station (1001 Loyola Avenue, D'town NOLA 70113)
YOU WILL NEED/BRING:
Two carry-on bags. One for weekend clothes and the other (a small cooler) for lunch, snacks and/or libations, BYOB for Happy Hour at 4pm.
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS/SUGGESTIONS:
* Bring your own (cold) food and drink for your train ride.
The dining cart's offerings may not be consistent with your established diet/budget and the train's motion may cause you to spill liquid items.
* Along with your libations for the train ride, you may want to bring a $10 pocket bottle/flask (per night) for your trek through NOLA later that night.
Drinking from bar to bar can get expensive fast and B-ing Y.O.B. can save you from quickly and unintentionally going B-R-O-K-E.
You won't need it on the way to NOLA. However, the return trip will be mostly for rest and recuperation; therefore your nap kit will come in quite handy then.
* Bring cash for your adventure.
Many NOLA vendors take cash only, which could leave you in a crunch when you just want to buy your souvenirs and go.
* For return trips, AMTRAK departs from NOLA station only once daily but exceptionally early and dependably on-time. If you should miss your return trip, there is an in-house Greyhound bus station there that you can exchange your remaining ticket value for (in order to return before Monday), otherwise the next train will depart at the same time the next day.
NOLA FAQs:
Q: Will I Be Safe In NOLA?
A: Yes; New Orleans' locals are proud, welcoming and helpful for the most part.
But as in any urban situation, the same rules of safety apply:
* Stay aware of your surroundings.
* travel in pairs and/or groups
* closely monitor your alcohol consumption
* avoid dark lonely alleyways and people trying to lure you away.
* Use public restrooms as relieving yourself in the street is illegal.
* Public nudity (flashing) is also illegal and is only permitted on Bourbon Street (the rowdiest street within the French Quarters), not all over NOLA and can get you arrested anywhere else in the city.
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| Police presence is evident. |
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| Officers acting as Peace Keepers of the district(s). |
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| Beyonce' would want you safe too. |
Q: How do I function without a vehicle in NOLA?
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| Pedestrians and cyclists first in NOLA! |
A: There is a myriad of alternate transportation available from standard taxis and Uber to streetcar (across from the train station @ $3/day unlimited pass, "24/7") to pedicab/bike rickshaw services (plentifully available to quickly traverse a single district @ the rate of $1/person per block) and even bicycle and scooter rentals with hourly and/or daily rates.
Search online for local solutions and their rates.
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| Take the NOLA streetcar line into town! |
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| Take a NOLA Taxi from district to district! |
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| Take a pedicab/rickshaw to cross a district! |
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| Rent a bike to take on the district! |
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| ..or rent something more interesting! |
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| Ace any and/or all the districts with a scooter rental! |
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| ..or even with an electric car/buggy rental! |
Q: What are some things to do in NOLA?
A: There is no shortage of fun, cultural and outright amazing places and experiences to be had in NOLA.
Here are a few that we have experienced thus far:
* Jackson Square (located at the French Quarter for waterbank, arts and music bazaar in a chill vibe) @ FREE (not including souvenirs and patronage tips).
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| New Orleans French Farmers Market |
* New Orleans French Farmers Market (located at the French Quarter for waterbank, food/bar, arts and music bazaar in a chill-to-jammin' vibe) @ FREE (not including souvenirs and patronage tips).
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| EXAMPLE: Actual available food there. |
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| WWOZ (90.7 FM/wwoz.org) |
NOTE: Tune into WWOZ (90.7 FM/wwoz.org also located at the French Quarter), New Orleans' premier Jazz and Heritage radio station where you can find out who's playing at all of the reputable venues in town so that you may better strategize and streamline your NOLA experience (donate when able).
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| Cafe du Monde |
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| EXAMPLE: Actual Cafe du Monde |
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| Cafe Negril |
* Cafe Negril (open late, located at the the Marigny on Frenchman Street for Tacos, Pizza, bar and band in a jammin' vibe) @ apx. $10-30/person.
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| Vieux Carre' Pizza |
* Vieux Carre' Pizza (open late, located at the French Quarter on 733 St. Louis/Bourbon Street for Pizza and wings in a chill vibe) @ apx. $10-15/person.
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| EXAMPLE: Actual Vieux Carre' slices. |
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| Chartre House Restaurant |
* Chartre House Restaurant (located at the French Quarter on Chartres/Toulouse for NOLA cuisine/bar in an intimate chill vibe) @ apx. $15-35/person.
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| EXAMPLE: Actual Chartre House dish. |
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| Mississippi River Steamboat Cruise |
* Mississippi River Steamboat Cruise (located at the French Quarter, Riverfront for a 3hr cruise, NOLA cuisine & Bar band and dancing in a chill, then jammin' vibe) @ apx. $50/person (not including bartab).
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| Slim Goodies Diner |
* Slim Goodies Diner (located at 3322 Magazine Street, for BYOB breakfast, lunch, brunch in a funky retro vibe) @ apx. $10-30/person.
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| EXAMPLE: Actual Slim Goodies dish. |
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ACTIVITY: Mystical Magical Bike Tours, NOLA
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Souvenir shops abound!
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| If nothing else, enjoy the music on every corner and the Second Line parades! |
Q: What are the rules in NOLA, about public drinking and smoking?
A: Allowed, pending that no glass (ie., bottles, glassware, stemware, etc.) is being used outside for safety-sake.
NOTE: Indoor vaping has also been recently outlawed but are totally permissible outside at least 8 feet from any food service or public doorways.
Q: I have kids. Can I bring them to NOLA or nah?
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| The "Brangelina" family in NOLA |
A: You may; New Orleans is a fantastic place for the whole family, pending you know that there is a LOT of walking involved and smaller children may tire way before explorations are nearly over.
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| Kids love the NOLA cosplay! |
And that Bourbon Street (located in the French Quarter) is an R and NC-17 Rated zone (full or college kids and young adults) where if you wander through, your tots, tweens and teens may get somewhat more of an eyeful than you'd be comfortable with.
Everywhere else is pretty-much all good til after 9pm.
BUDGETING MATH:
Budget figured per person, using the highest possible variables excluding lodging costs (which vary depending on the season).
NOTE: Each cost itemization is optional and may be reduced and/or customized to your specific desire, however eliminating them totally may significantly affect your total vacation experience.
* $100 (1 train ticket, round-trip)
* $30 (lunch, snacks, drinks, ice, BYOB libation, etc. for the train)
* $50 (2 $15 meals and 2 $10 meals)
* $60 (2 $10 bottles of BYOB libation for town incl. apx. 2 $15 bartabs)
* $50 (souvenirs and patronage tips)
* $50 (transportation)
* $25 (budget padding for incidentals)
+________________________________________
+________________________________________
* $365/person, or $730/couple (including foreseeable taxes and maximum contingencies)
"We hope you all can make it and have a great time in the Crescent City.
We also hope you may see and appreciate the unique love and joy that New Orleans offers which makes one tend to easily fall head over heels in love with her over and over again as we have.
'Liaise bon temp roulle
(Let the good times roll; pronounced, "lee-AEY-seh bawn-TAWM roo-LAY")'!"
-MJ "Darling" Simmons
Founder, STARSHIP Creative, LLC
INVEST IN THE FUTURE!
Bringing STARSHIP scholastic awards and initiatives for innovation to your city!
Bringing STARSHIP scholastic awards and initiatives for innovation to your city!
DISCLAIMER:
MJ Darling/STARSHIP Creative, LLC claims zero responsibility for any lost belongings, missed scheduling, legal repercussions, physical, mental, financial and/or emotional damage incurred by any of the invited participants nor of any of whom they have interacted with.
We also hold zero responsibility for the quality of the products and/or services suggested and/or recommended nor for the travel and lodging arrangements of any of the invited participant(s); all arrangements must be made by the participant(s).
