Thanksgiving Holiday in the French Quarter

Hi everyone !! Has anyone ever been to the French Quarter for Thanskgiving? Do alot of the businesses and tour companies shut down for the holiday? Any restaurant suggestions for Thanksgiving Dinner? I also heard that the Bayou Classic is that week-end. Can anyone tell me what that%26#39;s all about? Any help would really be appreciated. Thank you all so very much :o)

Thanksgiving Holiday in the French Quarter

I can tell you that the Bayou Classic is one of the most famous college football games in the South. It%26#39;s played every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. (Grambling State University and Southern University-Baton Rouge) All the popular places will be packed with crazy excited football fans. You should make any hotel reservations soon, because rooms will be sold out.

Thanksgiving Holiday in the French Quarter

My husband and I went to NOLA for Thanksgiving about 3 years ago. The city is packed for the game. Canal street and Bourbon street are very hard to walk through. So many people are outside, instead of inside at bars. Even though the hotels get booked, we got The Fairmont for $75 on priceline about 1 week prior. We had Thanksgiving dinner at The Palace Cafe. There were some restaurants that were closed on Thanksgiving day, but they opened up for the weekend.

Thanks bucktowncouple for the info. Did you at any time feel uncomfortable with it being so packed with people? Were you ever afraid to venture anywhere in the quarter while all this activity was going on? I%26#39;m just very curious as to how the atmosphere will be during the bayou classic. Thanks again.

we were in NO. last Thansgiving and were unaware of the Bayou Classic. We were told by many bartenders that it gets a little rowdy and should stay away from the quater in the evenings. We choose to venture out and check things out. We lasted about 30 min and spent the last 2 evening inside the hotel. yes it%26#39;s packed but after many visits to No. this was the only time we didn%26#39;t feel safe walking the sides streets. I hope this helps you in making your holiday plans.

Only 40,000 or so fans attended last year%26#39;s Bayou Classic, which I believe was the lowest attendance ever at the Superdome. Of course, that doesn%26#39;t mean that 2007 will also be a low attendance but there%26#39;s a real possibility that the game won%26#39;t impact the city as much as it has in the past.

Most of the folks who come in for the game are fun but there are a few thugs in the crowd. NOPD does a pretty good job of handling the crowds, though, so I wouldn%26#39;t worry too much!

Come and enjoy.

I don%26#39;t think it would be the opportune time for ya%26#39;ll to visit New Orleans given the Bayou Classic.

On Bayou Classic weekend, particularly just after the game, upper Bourbon St. is almost as crowded as it is on Mardi Gras. But, those crowds only cover five or six blocks on one or two streets. And, as CajunWave mentioned, the revelers are mostly well behaved, if just a bit rowdy. If you%26#39;re on the river side of the Quarter, on Chartres or Decatur, or on the back side of the Quarter, near Esplanade, you won%26#39;t even be able to tell that there%26#39;s a major event taking place.

That having been said, we avoid upper Bourbon and Royal on Bayou Classic weekend. It%26#39;s just not our cup of tea.

We have been to N.O., in the FQ, the past two Thanksgiving holidays %26amp; had enjoyable, problem-free, visits. The Bayou Classic had no negative impact on our experience. Don%26#39;t let that dissuade you from going.

As far as TG Day meal suggestion, we had lunch at Le Cafe in the Hotel Monteleone. They do a delicious buffet lunch with two seating times. And the Carousel Bar is right next door! Enjoy!

Thank-You all so much for the info. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to answer. Thanks!