Should we drive to various NO locations?

This is our first trip to NO and we%26#39;re staying at Place d%26#39; Armes. My daughter has a walking disability...and we will have a car.

We want to visit various locations such as Cafe du Monde, Preservation Hall, Audubon Zoo, Oak Alley Plantation, ride on the Natchez, and go to various restaurants. We will drive to the zoo and Oak Alley...but what is the best way to get to the other locations since we can%26#39;t walk? Are there parking garages around?

Thanks for your help.

Should we drive to various NO locations?

OK....you already know that you will be driving to the Zoo and Oak Alley (be sure to see nearby Laura plantation while you are there). I have to ask, though, what do you mean by ';can%26#39;t walk?'; Will you have a wheelchair?

Both the Zoo and plantation tours involve a fair amount of walking (if you don%26#39;t have a wheelchair) even after you get there.

Cafe du Monde is 1.5 blocks from your hotel. Preservation Hall is 2 blocks, and the Natchez is about 5 blocks. All of these distances are OK if you have a push wheelchair or a ';scooter'; type chair. If you will not have a chair/scooter and you will not be able to walk those distances, I guess you can always use a cab for the short distances. Some of the less-than-helpful cab drivers may refuse to take you such short distances (there are a few cab drivers who hang out at hotels only want airport runs). However, most will be OK with the short trips. It is unlikely that you will be able to park your car any closer to most of these attractions than you could get there ';on foot.'; For instance, the closest parking lot to Cafe du Monde is probably about the same distance as it is from your hotel. The same for Preservation Hall.

Should we drive to various NO locations?

I would definitely suggest bringing a wheelchair, as you will have to do a lot of walking in the French Quarter. It isn%26#39;t an area that is conducive to driving, as parking is a nightmare and the streets are one-way.

I would forgo the zoo and maybe try something else in the FQ area instead.

It all depends on how far she can walk comfortably. The FQ sites you mentioned (except the Natchez) are within blocks of your hotel. If she can handle a few blocks, then walk, otherwise, cab for two reasons.

They%26#39;ll drop you right at your destination, unlike parking your car and still having to walk to where you%26#39;re going, and, you won%26#39;t have to negotiate unfamiliar one way streets, tight turns, etc.

Also, be aware that the sidewalks in the FQ are cracked, and uneven with huge voids occasionally. I can%26#39;t imagine trying to push a wheelchair over them (and we are assuming a wheelchair, since you didn%26#39;t say), but they can be challenging for someone who walks well, and is distracted for whatever reason even momentarily, as you can lose your footing or trip if not paying close attention.

If you do, indeed have a chair, Jackson Square and Royal Street (when it is blocked off) are very chair friendly, and you can cover a lot of ground (and see many interesting things), by walking in the smooth street and be off the sidewalks for the most part.

I second the recommendation for Laura Plantation in addition to Oak Alley.

No, we won%26#39;t have a wheelchair. She can walk short distances (nerve damage from radiation/chemo). Two blocks is definitely possible...so sounds like we could walk to Cafe du Monde and Preservation Hall . We can always get a cab back if needed. But we will have to go extra slow due to the uneven surfaces. And we%26#39;ll get a cab to the Natchez.

Your responses are so appreciated. We will definitely add the Laura Plantation to our plans. As far as tours of the plantations, I figure we can just go as far as she can go. Any experience there will be a good experience, even if not 100% complete. And the zoo...gotta go as it is her dream to be a zookeeper (dreams are good). That will probably be a short visit too...but a good one.

Didn%26#39;t I read that we can get a mule carriage ride from Jackson Square? Do they take you on a mini tour? I%26#39;m wondering how we can best get a good Bourbon Street eyeful (and we%26#39;ll be there during Southern Decadance...big eyeful I%26#39;m sure)

I think that I would take the tour at Laura Plantation (much smaller plantation and very informative) and then just drive by Oak Alley. It%26#39;s right down the road and you can get a good view of it from the River Road and its parking lot. I remember that it%26#39;s a nice walk to the actual tour and lots of steps.

There are several local very casual restaurants near by so stop for lunch for a real ';south Louisiania'; experience. I%26#39;m sure the folks at Laura can recommend their favorite.

I also think the buggy ride is a good idea....They are parked out in front of St. Louis Cathedral towards the river. I think they offer tours of various lengths so ask.

I know that you will fall in love with New Orleans. Its culture is very unique. Laissez Bon Temps Roulez!!!

As mentioned most of what you want to see is just steps from where you are staying. The blocks in New Orleans are small compared to most places, I would say about 50 to 75 yards square. there are also the street cars (which are an attraction themselves)where you can tour the city to some extent. I think an all day pass is still $5 and they are handicap friendly. One of the great things about New Orleans is that almost everything is in easy walking distance. Depending on how severe the disability is there will be a world of things at your fingertips. Mardi Gras World is just a short ferry ride away.

The mule and buggy rides are generally $12 a person sharing the buggy for the 30 minute French Quarter tour. Listen to the sales pitch and make sure you get a driver that is loud and speaks clearly or wait until you find one you like. They also have reserved tours for the Garden District which costs quite a bit more. The last time in we had Aaron do the buggy tour and he was not only informative but humorous.