Over the years, I’ve connected several times at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, but never actually stepped foot outside the airport. But when the Freddie Awards came to the Big Easy this year, it finally gave me a chance to visit.
New Orleans Trip Report
The new airport in New Orleans is beautiful, though I could not find the bus into town and eventually gave up and took an Uber. My Uber driver was a friendly woman, but ended up complaining to me about how the “Hispanics” are ruining the city…
I flew there in economy class…thanks to my cheapness. My upgrade had cleared, but the fare dropped by about $75. When I refared, I was unable to keep my confirmed upgrade and wound up back on the waitlist. Even though I sat at #1 for the entire day, I died at #1 and wound up in the bulkhead of economy class.
Fine…flying coach, especially on a redeye flight, keeps me humble.
I thought about reviewing the new Four Seasons Hotel in New Orleans and would have had I stayed more than one night, but with just one night I chose to stay at the Hyatt-affiliated Eliza Jane Hotel, which is where the majority of my fellow travel writers were staying.
I had a great stay not only at the hotel, but in the city…though I must admit I won’t be rushing to return. Did I see the charm of New Orleans? Of course. And since there was a jazz festival going on, I heard some great music too. But there were a few things that disturbed me.
Here’s what you can expect in this brief trip report:
- The Club New Orleans (Priority Pass)
- Eliza Jane Hotel
- Great Coffee In New Orleans
- The Debauchery Of New Orleans
- United Club New Orleans
- United Airlines A320 First Class New Orleans – Denver
Stay tuned for my Big Easy trip report!
WWII Museum is actually a wonderful reason to go to New Orleans alone. I am not a fan otherwise and find how they took a culturally fascinating city and turned it into a drunken party center to be totally disgusting. (Savannah and Nashville are working their way up the ladder as well in this regard). Only in M’erica.
But that museum, it’s fantastic and I spent a full day there really surprised – enjoying every minute.
Of course in your mind it’s the “drunks” that are ruining the city. Has nothing to do with the residents causing all the crime, right?
New Orleans still has plenty for non drinking tourists as well as the party crowd. And the businesses and their employees are more than happy for both groups.
Like any liberal city in America one has to use common sense and always be aware of your surroundings.
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/3274797-we-have-a-murder-problem-in-america-especially-in-red-states/
Welcome back UA. We missed your “Get off my lawn” attitude.
You really have no clue what you are talking about lol
heyjackass.com Illustrating Chicago values. It’s a real link and appropriately named.
Different levels on Nashville and NOLA.
Nashville is definitely shaping up to be the de facto bachelorette party capital of the south (maybe of the country, after Vegas?), but it’s still far from the weird smell of the mixture of vomit and piss that Bourbon street emanates. Can’t comment on Savannah.
A few thoughts–
A bus into town would not be on my list of things to do in New Orleans.
I probably wouldn’t recommend NO to a non-drinker for a casual visit. There are certainly tons of things to do that don’t involve the French Quarter, but the culture in NO is pretty drink heavy everywhere.
My favorite way to explore New Orleans is early morning walks– after sunrise of course, but before it gets too hot and humid. 6AM to 8AMish. The city is geared to nightlife, in the early morning I can really see the beauty that is there, and I don’t see that as well at night
Request that plenty of photos of the new terminal be posted. I haven’t been there since the pandemic began.
It’s beautiful and has a Cafe du Monde, Lucky Dog and a Fleurty Girl. All that needs said.
Having grown up going to New Orleans every year due to family who lived in the garden district, all I can say is get off bourbon street and that area and you’ll see the real city. Garden district, uptown, etc. many great areas away from the tourist craziness. If that’s all you saw then you didn’t see New Orleans. Also, the notion of taking a bus into the city from the airport is laughable.
Jason, I agree with everything you said, except the part about the bus idea being laughable.
The bus runs every 27 minutes, and it’s about an hour ride airport to downtown. The usual public transit caveats apply – you probably only want to use it with minimal luggage, and only if your hotel/destination is within a few blocks of the downtown stop. A taxi or Uber would be quicker ~25 minutes plus the time waiting in line, but fare plus tip will run $40 or more. The bus is just $2.
I wouldn’t have suggested it to Matthew. He’s got the travel budget, and the Eliza Jane is over a half mile from the bus stop. But for someone else, if funds are tight and you have a little extra time, it can be a reasonable option.
Good idea. I just never knew it was an option. NOrmally when I go to New Orleans, family pick me up at the airport and we go straight to their house in the garden district. These people have never taken buses in New Orleans (except the cable car thing that runs through the Garden District), so it’s just not an option that would have ever occurred to me. Glad to hear it’s an option that exists for those who need it.
I figured for $2 I would give it a try since I wasn’t in a rush, even though I would have a bit of a walk. Too bad I couldn’t find it, but the Uber driver was quite colorful in her conversation.
The bus is on the departure level. Both RTA (New Orleans transit authority) and Jefferson Transit (the transit authority for the parish the airport is in) will take you downtown.
Second the need to visit the war museum.
Vegas and New Orleans can be enjoyable regardless of what you like. My wife and I are t huge party people but enjoyed trips San kids to both cities. Visited bourbon st but wasn’t for us. Lolll
I’m very curious to read your entire series but as others have mentioned, the key to really experiencing NOLA is to get off Bourbon Street. Yes, I admit the circus is amusing to watch in small quantities, but the WW II Museum, Garden District, Audubon Park and Zoo, Uptown, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, Destrehan Plantation (you need a car for the last one) – all great stuff that doesn’t involve debauchery.
Matthew, MSY is not a hub airport. I wonder which airlines offer connecting flights when you “connected several times” there over the years?
Curious to hear – last trip was 2 years ago in the fall. bourbon street is what it is, but we really enjoyed the rest of the city – the neighborhoods parks and restaurants outside french quarter / downtown. Were those a concern?
I love New Orleans. I’ve thought many times about moving there. It’s hard to find a bad meal. It’s a delight to walk around (at all hours of the day). Beautiful architecture, excellent music.
I think the statement “America only has 3 cities: NY, SF, and NOLA. Everything else is just Cleveland” is true. New Orleans exudes culture in a way that I don’t think any other American city does. Personally, I think the so-called debauchery is really just concentrated in the French Quarter, which is just for tourists anyway. Nobody judges SF by Fisherman’s Wharf. The city does; however, like to party, and you can really see that emanate throughout.
Boy, a lot of judgmental and opinionated people in regard to NOLA.
I’ve visited New Orleans three times, once in the 80s during college and at a student event, once in 2016 for Mardi Gras, and once for New Year’s Eve 2019… (if I had only known what was around the corner). All three were great visits, and during all three I witnessed the “debauchery” of Bourbon Street, the elegance of quiet corners of Uptown and Mid-City, and the great museums and cultural events of the city. I LOVED ALL OF IT. The French Quarter and Bourbon Street is a lot to take in. But it’s also really a festival, and a unique venue to see and visit. Uptown and Mid-City have beautiful neighborhoods and great residential areas to wonder around in. The WWII museum is very well done. The Zoo is also great. So much of Mardi Gras takes place outside of Bourbon Street in sweet neighborhoods with family parades to enjoy.
To judge New Orleans by Bourbon Street alone would be like equating New York City to Times Square alone. Big mistake.
My favorite thing about New Orleans are the people and the food. Incredible. Can’t wait to visit again.
One of the problems with NOLA is the lack of industrial jobs. Most are service related (hotel, entertainment, hospitality) paying minimum wage or just above. Also, NOLA is know for a transitory workforce who mostly rent. A recent article in the Times Picayune noted the NOPD is 500 below budget staffing, signing bonuses are offered, yet the attrition rate is phenomenal.
It takes family roots and a fair paying job to ride out this roller coaster of a town. However, the city leadership appears distracted with “sister city’ trips to Europe.