Mardi Gras 2009

I know it is a long way off but am planning family trip to Mardi Gras 2009; young Mom %26amp; Dad, Grandma (as sitter) %26amp; a 15 month old. Needed help with choosing a place to stay on parade route.

Best, is a suite with bed room apart from the living room with pull-out ... Better would have the bathroom in the hall. Ultimate, would be two bed rooms %26amp; a kitchen/kitchenette.

Was hoping not to spend all our money on the room, so we have some to spend on the visit.

Have been searching %26amp; virtual touring my butt off , so I figured you can%26#39;t beat getting some info from those who do Mardi Gras every year.

Can%26#39;t afford not to have a comfortable %26amp; clean place as I will be there with the ';little one'; more hours than his Mom %26amp; Dad.

Thought if we were on a parade route it would make it easier for ';Granny'; to see more of the parades with the ';little one'; in tow.

Input please!

Mardi Gras 2009

Get a copy of Arthur Hardy%26#39;s Mardi Gras Guide for 2007. It will show all the parade routes. Most parades will go along St. Charles Ave and Canal St. Get ready to spend around $250 or more per night for lodging along the St. Charles Ave parade route. Yoy might be better off finding a place a few blocks from the parade route. The further uptown away from the FQ along St. Charles Ave is best.

There is a Hampton Inn on St. Charles that may have suites. There are several B%26amp;Bs along St. Charles also. Some that come to mind are the Chimes and Avenue Inn.

Mardi Gras 2009

Sorry. Meant to say The Columns Hotel, not Chimes.

Address:

The Columns Hotel

3811 St. Charles Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70115

Phone: 504.899.9308

While there is no such thing as a bargain during Mardi Gras, the Courtyard by Marriot on St. Charles might work for you.

The don%26#39;t have (to my knowledge) suites, but DO have ajoining rooms, which would probably work for you.

It is right on the parade route. Also, they have a lounge area/bar area at the front of the hotel, where %26#39;Granny%26#39; could watch the parade from indoors with the baby (no catching beads, but warm and safe from the crazy crowds).

Hope this helps.....

From my perspective...I definitely ';do'; Mardi Gras every year, as a float rider AND as a mom who gets together with a dozen other Mardi Gras-crazy families to set up camp on St. Charles for the entire weekend leading up to, and including, Mardi Gras (whew, that%26#39;s a long sentence!) I definitely recommend looking a little further up the parade route. I have two young (well, one ';young'; and one ';tween';) children, and further up the route is really family-oriented!

Most of the parades start on Napoleon and then turn onto St. Charles to proceed downtown. The closer to Napoleon, the more kids you see.

I totally agree with porc%26#39;s recommendations...I haven%26#39;t personally stayed at the Hampton Inn Garden District, but after doing a little research for you, that%26#39;s what I would check out first. Staying in the CBD (';downtown';) is not, IMHO, quite as family-friendly, and the crowds at night can be a little scary.

You said that you don%26#39;t want to spend a lot on the room...I would also think that the Hampton would be a more reasonable alternative than staying close to the CBD. HOWEVER, if the sky%26#39;s the limit, check out the Hotel Intercontinental..even though it%26#39;s in the CBD, .you can get a room AND add a pass to the reviewing stands...definitely a great way to enjoy the parades! The stands are a great, less crowded way to see the parades, and a really great atmosphere!

The little one will really enjoy the parades, and having one with you at the parade ensures that you will get your fair share of throws ;-) Check out using a ladder for him/her to sit in, as well as for you to stand behind and see better.

Have fun!

Casey

Cewafarer is definitely right about the Courtyard by Marriott at 124 St. Charles. It has a really terrific breakfast buffet and the lounge is right in front and you can have a drink, sit and relax and look at the parade through the window. And Mike Serio%26#39;s po-boys used to be right across the street but I can%26#39;t say if its still there since I haven%26#39;t been that way post Katrina. We walked out of the Marriott and set up right in front of there on the sidewalk for the numerous parades. And you do want to stay overnight on Fat Tuesday and not try to leave late in the day as its nearly impossible.