bourbon st very slow (hotel, live, activities)

[talbet]

I have been going for years and just got back. It was not dead but not busy either. I talked to a few guides and was told that it was down over 35% in 08. But its not totally NOLA either. Orlando and Vegas are down as well and not by a little. Vegas just took first place from Detroit for homes vacant. NOLA can not separate it self form the pain of the rest of the country, especially after all the damage it has taken. So to those who say thy have a friend who said that it was the best year ever, I say it's the biggest load of bull crap you could try to sell. There is no way that NOLA had the best it has ever had in 08 common sense will tell you that.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by talbet

I have been going for years and just got back. It was not dead but not busy either. I talked to a few guides and was told that it was down over 35% in 08. But its not totally NOLA either. Orlando and Vegas are down as well and not by a little. Vegas just took first place from Detroit for homes vacant. NOLA can not separate it self form the pain of the rest of the country, especially after all the damage it has taken. So to those who say thy have a friend who said that it was the best year ever, I say it's the biggest load of bull crap you could try to sell. There is no way that NOLA had the best it has ever had in 08 common sense will tell you that.

Well, of course nobody would admit it, but since they made smokers' lives miserable everywhere it's gonna get worse and worse. New Orleans had an image of bohemian fun. You can't impose draconian Nazi laws there, too, and expect business to stay the same. I'm not saying it's the city's fault because it really isn't, but it is what it is. Frankly, I wouldn't go to too many places in the winter. As a matter of fact, I used to love traveling and nowadays the thought of approaching an airport gives me the creeps. I just feel sooooo safe and secure... As Ben Franklin said: He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither. After all fun is sucked out of everything travel suffers as well. Why in the world would an international visitor come here to be treated as a criminal everywhere?! It just so happens that I wanna see Mardi Gras and I can't move it...

[talbet]

I can remember seeing Jackson Sq full of people. There was one tuba player and one drunk arguing with the tuba player, 4 homeless sleeping in the door ways of the west buildings, complete with blankets and boxes. 1 palm reader and the two of us. Cafe Du Mond had 5 couples in it and 9 servers sitting on chairs. I went to Frenchmans st. and there was 4 peope walking around. At the depot museum over next to St. Louis No 1 the woman working at information said it has been dead for two years. She said the tour guides have been down by some 40%. The cat club usualy has standing room only, it had 7 drunks. The only bars that had people in it was the one gay bar down on the west side of bourbon st.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by talbet

I can remember seeing Jackson Sq full of people. There was one tuba player and one drunk arguing with the tuba player, 4 homeless sleeping in the door ways of the west buildings, complete with blankets and boxes. 1 palm reader and the two of us. Cafe Du Mond had 5 couples in it and 9 servers sitting on chairs. I went to Frenchmans st. and there was 4 peope walking around. At the depot museum over next to St. Louis No 1 the woman working at information said it has been dead for two years. She said the tour guides have been down by some 40%. The cat club usualy has standing room only, it had 7 drunks. The only bars that had people in it was the one gay bar down on the west side of bourbon st.

What the hey?! Now? The last few days of Mardi Gras?

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by talbet

I can remember seeing Jackson Sq full of people. There was one tuba player and one drunk arguing with the tuba player, 4 homeless sleeping in the door ways of the west buildings, complete with blankets and boxes. 1 palm reader and the two of us. Cafe Du Mond had 5 couples in it and 9 servers sitting on chairs. I went to Frenchmans st. and there was 4 peope walking around. At the depot museum over next to St. Louis No 1 the woman working at information said it has been dead for two years. She said the tour guides have been down by some 40%. The cat club usualy has standing room only, it had 7 drunks. The only bars that had people in it was the one gay bar down on the west side of bourbon st.

Wow, I couldn't believe what you were saying... Just found webcams (some of them work) and it looks just like that...

New Orleans Live Cams -17 web sites

I'd imagine a lot of people will come for Fat Tuesday and the weekend before. Besides, it's still early in the morning and time to nurse hangovers , but it still doesn't look very promising... Not that I'm looking forward to crazy mobs, but some people and ambience would be helpful. It's also safer in a way. Having too many people contributes to pickpocketing; however, too lonely streets are not good, either...

[MeganRachelle]

I went to New Orleans the first week of December 08' (just a couple of months ago) and it was packed. Bourbon of course was crawling with all the weirdos, the French Quarter was fabulous as always, and the Market was booming. The only thing that was not in working order was the fresh food. I have no idea why either. I would have to say, I have not noticed a significant difference pre Katrina. The economy is in a slouch (as already mentioned), and consumers are not buying I'm sure. If you are thinking about heading out to NOLA I would say give it a whirl. The food is something that's not going anywhere. . . And it's ALWAYS good.

[Bluesbabe]

Originally Posted by MeganRachelle

I went to New Orleans the first week of December 08' (just a couple of months ago) and it was packed. Bourbon of course was crawling with all the weirdos, the French Quarter was fabulous as always, and the Market was booming. The only thing that was not in working order was the fresh food. I have no idea why either. I would have to say, I have not noticed a significant difference pre Katrina. The economy is in a slouch (as already mentioned), and consumers are not buying I'm sure. If you are thinking about heading out to NOLA I would say give it a whirl. The food is something that's not going anywhere. . . And it's ALWAYS good.

I went to New Orleans in April 05 pre-Katrina, then again in April '07. And I wish I had a dollar for every time I felt the need to be a crusader for it's tourism. I've explained to people over and over that NEW ORLEANS IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS! In '07 just about everything that people go there to see and do was barely indicative of a tragedy. It was great. For some humbling we did drive around the destructed areas and it was educational and shocking.

We'll be there for Jazz Fest this time. Can't wait, can't wait.

[alwaystraveling25]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Well, of course nobody would admit it, but since they made smokers' lives miserable everywhere it's gonna get worse and worse. New Orleans had an image of bohemian fun. You can't impose draconian Nazi laws there, too, and expect business to stay the same. I'm not saying it's the city's fault because it really isn't, but it is what it is. Frankly, I wouldn't go to too many places in the winter. As a matter of fact, I used to love traveling and nowadays the thought of approaching an airport gives me the creeps. I just feel sooooo safe and secure... As Ben Franklin said: He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither. After all fun is sucked out of everything travel suffers as well. Why in the world would an international visitor come here to be treated as a criminal everywhere?! It just so happens that I wanna see Mardi Gras and I can't move it...

I sincerely think that it has nothing to do with a smoking ban in NOLA...it has something to do with the economic recession, the fact that many people are now jobless (such as myself).

Take my state, Illinois, for an example: Smoking was banned statewide in 1/1/08. You can't smoke in bars, restaurants, casinos, you name it. You know what? The bars are still packed on St. Patrick's Day and any other days of the week. The smokers just suck it up and go outside to smoke (which can suck for them, considering it's 25 and snowing right now).

While I'm all about personal rights, IMO I would prefer to go someplace that is non-smoking versus a smoking venue. I am sure you feel the opposite, but since this country is trending towards having less and less smokers, businesses/government is going to cater to what the majority want.

[latetotheparty]

just returned home last night from 4-1/2 days in your city.... and wanted to let y'all know it was GREAT..... was there for a conference, so daytime activities were pretty limited, but still managed to get myself a BOATLOAD of beads going out in front of our hotel on breaks.....

we were staying in the astor on the corner of canal and bourbon, which made evening strolls a piece of cake.... there were people out.... not always shoulder to shoulder.... but they WERE out..... and there were several locations with peeps throwing beads off of balconies every night we were there......

chatted up a number of people .... locals or natives, who were very kind to and tolerant of this tourist, AND visitors, and overall had a great time....... will admit to being a bit leery of finding out that mardi gras festivities were already underway when we were scheduled to arrive.... and am glad we left yesterday before the real insanity got underway..... sorry ... at my age, that is just not appealing....... and there is a definite frat party vibe to a lot of bourbon street...... probably always has been though.....don't get me wrong... i can still rock with the best of them......well, MOST of the best of them...... but out of control is not my thing.......

would have LOVED to have had another couple of days to wander around and see some of the sites i remember from visits in years past.... but was just not in my cards this time......

oh ... and the smoking ban is no biggie (i am a smoker) .... i don't smoke in my own house and don't expect to smoke in yours ......

we did go check out the lower 9th ward on our way back home.... still so sad..... so sad...... but definite signs of rebirth and hope.....

in summary, just want to say THANK YOU new orleans for showing me such a good time .... it had been about a decade since i visited last and i sincerely hope that it won't be that long before i get to go back again......

the oysters on the half shell and seafood gumbo are worth the trip by themselves..... mmmmm mmmmmmmmm

back to real life.... and COLD...... just SUCKS.......

[Caa]

heard on the radio that New Orlenas crowds this year are back to pre Katrina levels. All hotels are 99 percent booked, so I don't know why the people don't seem to be out. I live in Baton Rouge and will be staying here for the Parades, but hope New Orleans is ok!