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| Click for Amtrak article. |
We are happy to finally invite our beloved friends along for the ride, with Happy Hour beats by yours truly (as played on the "Sweet Science Radio" show, via BMR www.bhammountainradio.com 107.3 FM, between 10-12am)!
We know, we know-
..you're on a tight budget and/or schedule, and have other things (of "higher priority") to pay for, and plus, you'd have to be back in time for work Monday, but if you have just a little time and energy to plan using our logistics and figures, I'm sure you could probably work out something feasible, by the time we next depart.
GENERAL LOGISTICS:
DATE/TIME OF DEPARTURE: Friday, TBA, 11:30am-8pm CST
DEPARTURE MEETUP PLACE: AMTRAK Train Station (#1-19th Street/Morris Ave South, D'town B'ham 35203)
DATE/TIME OF RETURN: Sunday, TBA, 6:15am-2-3pm CST (excluding holiday weekends)
RETURN MEETUP PLACE: AMTRAK Train Station (1001 Loyola Avenue, D'town NOLA 70113)
DESTINATION/COST: The "Crescent" Line, to NOLA, apx. $100/person (Round-trip)
ROADTRIP DURATION: Apx 7-8hrs (each way).
TRIP/VACATION DURATION: Apx 48Hrs. (Mid-morning Friday, until Early-Morning Sunday, excluding holiday weekends)
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| Amtrak crosses Lake Pontchartrain to NOLA. |
YOU WILL NEED/BRING: 2 carry-on bags (usually one for weekend clothes, and the other, a small cooler for lunch, snacks, and/or libations, BYOB for Happy Hour at 4pm).
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS/SUGGESTIONS:
* Bring your own (cold) food and drink for your train ride.
The dining cart's offerings may not be consistent with your established diet/budget, and the train's motion may cause you to spill hot items.
* Along with your libations for the train ride, you may want to bring a $10 pocket bottle/flask (per night) for your trek through NOLA, later that night.
Drinking from bar to bar can get expensive, fast, and B-ing Y.O.B. can save you from quickly, and unintentionally going B-R-O-K-E.
* Bring a small "nap kit" (throw blanket, eye cover, and/or small travel pillow).
You won't need it on the way to NOLA.
However, the return trip will be mostly for rest, and recuperation; therefore, your nap kit will come in quite handy then.
* Bring cash for your adventure.
Many NOLA vendors take cash only, which could leave you in a crunch, when you just want to buy your souvenirs and go.
*For return trips, AMTRAK departs from NOLA station only once daily, exceptionally early, and dependably on-time. If you should miss your return trip, there is an in-house Greyhound bus station there, that you can exchange your remaining ticket value for (in order to return before Monday), otherwise, the next train will depart at the same time, the next day.
NOLA FAQs:
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| Beyonce' would want you safe, too. |
A: Yes; New Orleans' locals are proud, welcoming, and helpful, for the most part.
But as in any urban situation, the same rules of safety apply:
* Stay aware of your surroundings.
* travel in pairs, and/or groups
* closely monitor your alcohol consumption
* avoid dark lonely alleyways, and people trying to lure you away.
* Use public restrooms, as relieving yourself in the street is illegal.
* Public nudity (flashing) is also illegal, and is only permitted on Bourbon Street (the rowdiest street within the French Quarters), not all over NOLA, and can get you arrested anywhere else.
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| Police presence is evident. |
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| Officers acting as Peace Keepers of the district(s). |
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| Pedestrians and cyclists first in NOLA! |
A: There is a myriad of alternate transportation available, from standard taxis and Uber, to streetcar (across from the train station @ $3/day unlimited pass, "24/7"), to pedicab/bike rickshaw services (plentifully available, to quickly traverse a single district @ the rate of $1/person per block), and even bicycle and scooter rentals with hourly and/or daily rates. Search online for local solutions, and their rates.
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| Take the NOLA streetcar line into town! |
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| Take a NOLA Taxi from district to district! |
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| Take a pedicab/rickshaw, to cross a district! |
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| Rent a bike, to take on the district! |
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| ..or, rent something more interesting! |
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| Ace any and/or all the districts, with a scooter rental! |
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| ..or, even with an electric car/buggy rental! |
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| Click to visit site! |
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| Click to visit site! |
Q: What are some things to do in NOLA?A: There is no shortage of fun, cultural, and outright amazing places and experiences to be had in NOLA.
Here are a few that we have experienced, thus far:
* Jackson Square (located at the French Quarter, for waterbank, arts and music bazaar, in a chill vibe) @ FREE (not including souvenirs and patronage tips).
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| New Orleans French Farmers Market |
* New Orleans French Farmers Market (located at the French Quarter, for waterbank, food/bar, arts and music bazaar, in a chill-to-jammin' vibe) @ FREE (not including souvenirs and patronage tips).
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| EXAMPLE: Actual available food there. |
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| WWOZ (90.7 FM/wwoz.org) |
NOTE: Tune into WWOZ (90.7 FM/wwoz.org, also located at the French Quarter), New Orleans' premier Jazz and Heritage radio station, where you can find out who's playing at all of the reputable venues in town, so that you may better strategize, and streamline your NOLA experience (donate when able).
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| Cafe du Monde |
* Cafe du Monde (located at the French Quarter, Riverfront, open 24/7, for BYOB caffeine and beignets, in a chill vibe) @ apx. $7/person (cash only).
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| EXAMPLE: Actual Cafe du Monde |
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| Cafe Negril |
* Cafe Negril (open late, located at the the Marigny on Frenchman Street, for Tacos, Pizza, bar, and band, in a jammin' vibe) @ apx. $10-30/person.
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| Vieux Carre' Pizza |
* Vieux Carre' Pizza (open late, located at the French Quarter on 733 St. Louis/Bourbon Street, for Pizza and wings, in a chill vibe) @ apx. $10-15/person.
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| EXAMPLE: Actual Vieux Carre' slices. |
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| Chartre House Restaurant |
* Chartre House Restaurant (located at the French Quarter on Chartres/Toulouse, for NOLA cuisine/bar, in an intimate, chill vibe) @ apx. $15-35/person.
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| EXAMPLE: Actual Chartre House dish. |
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| Mississippi River Steamboat Cruise |
* Mississippi River Steamboat Cruise (located at the French Quarter, Riverfront, for a 3hr cruise, NOLA cuisine & Bar, band and dancing, in a chill, then jammin' vibe) @ apx. $50/person (not including bartab).
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| Slim Goodies Diner |
* Slim Goodies Diner (located at 3322 Magazine Street, for BYOB breakfast, lunch, brunch, in a funky, retro vibe) @ apx. $10-30/person.
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| EXAMPLE: Actual Slim Goodies dish. |
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| ACTIVITY: Mystical Magical Bike Tours, NOLA |
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| Souvenir shops abound! |
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| If nothing else, enjoy the music on every corner, and the Second Line parades! |
Q: What are the rules in NOLA, about public drinking and smoking? A: Allowed, pending that no glass (ie., bottles, glassware, stemware, etc.) is being used outside, for safety-sake.
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| NOTE: Indoor vaping has also been recently outlawed, but are totally permissible outside, in the streets as well. |
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| The "Brangelina" family in NOLA |
Q: I have kids. Can I bring them to NOLA, or nah?
A: You may; New Orleans is a fantastic place for the whole family, pending you know that there is a LOT of walking involved, and smaller children may tire way before explorations are nearly over.
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| Kids love the NOLA cosplay! |
And, that Bourbon Street (located in the French Quarter) is an R and NC-17 Rated zone (full or college kids, and young adults), where if you wander through, your tots, tweens, and teens may get somewhat more of an eyeful than you'd be comfortable with. Everywhere else is pretty-much all good til after 9pm.
BUDGETING MATH:
Budget figured, per-capita, using the highest possible variables, not including lodging costs (which vary, depending on the season).
NOTE: Each cost itemization is optional, and may be reduced and/or customized to your specific desire, however, eliminating them totally may significantly affect your total vacation experience.
* $100 (1x train ticket, round-trip)
* $30 (lunch, snacks, drinks, ice, BYOB libation, etc. for the train)
* $50 (2x $15 meals, and 2x $10 meals)
* $60 (2x $10 bottles of BYOB libation for town, incl. apx. 2x $15 bartabs)
* $50 (souvenirs and patronage tips)
* $50 (transportation)
* $25 (budget padding, for incidentals) +_______________________________________________________________________
* $365/person, or $730/couple (including foreseeable taxes, and maximum contingencies)
"I hope you all can make it, and have a great time with us, on the way, and when on your own, in the Crescent City. I also hope you may see, and appreciate the unique love, and joy that New Orleans offers, which makes one tend to easily fall head over heels in love with her, over and over again, as I have.
'Liaise bon temp roulle
(Let the good times roll; pronounced, "lee-AEY-seh bawn-TAWM roo-LAY")'!"
-MJ Darl!ng
Founder, ANOM!LE/STARSH!P
DISCLAIMER:
MJ Darl!ng, ANOM!LE/STARSH!P claims zero responsibility for any lost belongings, missed scheduling, legal repercussions, physical, mental, financial, and/or emotional damage incurred by any of the invited participants, nor of any of whom they have interacted with.
We also hold zero responsibility for the quality of the products and/or services suggested and/or recommended, nor for the travel and lodging arrangements of any of the invited participant(s); all arrangements must be made by the participant(s).
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