Carnival Logistics for Locals (New Orleans, Metairie: to rent, hotel, to live)

[dal2aus]

We recently moved to the New Orleans area, and this is our first Carnival season. We want to take advantage and soak up as many of the festivities as we can, but not sure how to go about it.

We live in Metairie, so we don't have plans to rent a hotel room in the city. Is this a good idea? What's the best way to get around, especially for the big parades (Bacchus, Rex, & Endymion) and Lundi Gras? Should we drive our own car into town or take a cab? Will we even be able to get a cab?

Also, for the parades in Metairie, I see that they've put up the grandstands on Vets for the 1st parade this Sunday (2/20). Where can I find out if tickets are still available? Coming from the LaFreniere Park area, what's the best way to get down there cab, car, or Jeff Transit?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Car. The area on Bonnabel or Vets between Causeway and Bonnabel is not too crowded (I used to live 1.5 blocks off Vets there). Go early and just wait like everyone else.

Transit will not be running normal schedule and won't go on some routes. You can check for the downtown parades but I always drove in early and parked along the route. Canal St. will be impossible, too many people, too many possibilites of trouble, as well as the Quarter. Go along the beginning of the routes and leave earlier than many others who are along the latter parts of the routes.

[rburnett]

I wouldn't waste my time out in Metairie, but that's just me.

For the Uptown Parades (Orpheus, Bacchus, Rex, etc.), just drive in and park a few blocks upriver from Napolean near St. Charles. You can get in and out without too much hassle.

For Endymion, you can easily park at the end of Canal St. towards the cemetaries and either walk over to Orleans, or down to Carrollton. Orleans is pretty crowded, but the crowd thins out as it gets near Broad.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Not all the Metairie paraes are worth it, but some are spectacular. Corps of Napoleon and Argus are 2 that come to mind. Also depends on how tolerant you are of big - and I mean BIG - crowds. metairie crowds are always smaller.