What city is 2 hours away from New Orleans?

A bastion of Cajun culture, Lafayette is a two-hour drive from New Orleans. It’s dotted with great bars, farmers markets, campgrounds, galleries, and parks, but its festivals are the real draw. The last weekend of October brings the Blackpot Festival, a celebration of Cajun food and culture that’s worth the trip. Bring a tent, make a bonfire, and camp onsite.

In April, the Festival International de Louisiane attracts more than 300,000 city dwellers to Lafayette’s small downtown core, thanks to headlining acts playing Delta-centric music genres ranging from zydeco to blues. Admission is free—and if you take the Amtrak train (a roughly $20 ticket) to Lafayette, you don’t have to worry about parking (or finding a designated driver).

My husband and I are embarking on a roadtrip in June. I've posted the original details and itinerary in the Georgia forum, as this is our start and finish destination. Please see the following link.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g28931-i103-k4187405-Southern_States_Roadtrip_Suggestions_Ideas-Georgia.html

We're going to spend a few hours inNew Orleans and are looking to make the most of the short visit - ideas for places to go/visit etc.

Feel free to post your recommendations here, or in the Georgia post - all contributions/suggestions/ideas gratefully received.

Many thanks in advance.

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axle

Mississippi

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1. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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NOLA is one of the US's favorite cities. You should take time to stay one or two nights at least. If you only have a few hours park and walk aroundJackson Square and the old French Market. You can get an inexpensive lunch at Central Grocery or a po boy at Johnny's. Have a great trip.

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Hermicane

Blenheim, Canada

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2. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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I am in 100% agreement with axle...PLEASE giveNew Orleans more than "a few hours". It is the most vibrant, exciting, fun-filled city on earth! I'd rather have two days in NOLA than two weeks in Florida! There's parking at JAX Brewery if you can spend the day, or hotel parking if you can spend the night. Jackson Square, The French Market, just walking around the Quarter, stopping at Pat O'Brien's for a Hurricane, walking along the bank of the Mississippi River, strolling Frenchman street to listen to some jazz...hundreds of places to eat from $10 a meal to the hundreds! :) You will NEVER forgive yourselfs for "a few hours" and you will spend the rest of your trip wanting to go back.

New Orleans is magical that way!!!

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highway61nola

New Orleans...

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3. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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Hmm, if it were me, I'd get my relatives in Arkansas to join me for a few days inNew Orleans than do the itinerary you've outlined. Seriously. Or get them to ride down with you and split the driving so you don't have to spend the night in McComb. Me, I'd drive the whole day and forget McComb so I could have the night in New Orleans. You really want to spend a few hours in New Orleans, then spend the night in Biloxi? Why? You might also consider shaving a day off your week in Navarre to spend it in New Orleans. There are great beaches all over the world, but there's only one New Orleans. I can only assume that you've visited New Orleans before, because otherwise, to book a trip across the pond from the UK to visit the American South, then only spend a couple of hours in New Orleans makes absolutely no sense to me at all.

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Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳

Sydney, Australia

Destination Expert

for Sydney, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Business Travel, New South Wales

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4. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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Hi,

Definitely giveNew Orleans more than a few hours. If you cannot then make sure you at least see the French Quarter or take a city tour to hear a little of the history & see some of NOLA major attractions.

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moby44

london

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5. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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Hi,

I am also from the the UK and have been toNew Orleans several times in the 80's. Unfortunately for various reasons I have not been back until this year when I go in March for 3 days before going on to Key West. A few hours is certainly not long enough to give NO justice. A couple of days at the minimum is a must!

Please think again you will have a wonderful time

Bye

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gillyvegas

Higham Ferrers...

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6. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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Thanks very much for all your posts – we’re giving spending a couple of nights in NOLA some serious thought. This was the whole idea of posting on TA for plenty of local knowledge, and you’re all excelling at it!

We only chose McComb to split the journey up, just an overnighter, nothing else. But now it might be worth the very long drive straight to NOLA. Again, theBiloxi idea was plucked out of thin air, not really knowing what New Orleans had to offer and an easy route out of the area onto Florida. That said, I have a need to visit Hard Rock Café in both cities.

We’ve heard a lot of stories about general safety in NOLA – would any of you care to offer your opinion on this? I know all major cities have their more salubrious areas, it’s always good to know where they are – where to go and where not to………

Recommendations as to the best areas to search for a hotel would be of real help too.

Moby44 – it’d be good to hear from you once you’ve been to NOLA in March. Hope you have a great time.

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axle

Mississippi

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7. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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Don't stop for the night in McComb, MS. It's only 8 hours from Benton, AR to NOLA. And don't spend the night inBiloxi, MS. Spend at least 2 nights and 3 if possible in NOLA. Stop in Vicksburg, MS for lunch at Rusty's. Or stop at Dinner Bell in McComb.

Rusty's River Front Grill @ 901 South Washington St., Vicksburg, MS. 601 - 638 - 2030.

For the best southern cooking in the US go to Dinner Bell in McComb, MS. They are open for lunch only Tuesday through Sunday. Get off I 55 at Exit 17 and go E on Delaware Avenue to S Broadway. Take a right and go 2 blocks to 5th Avenue. Take a right and go to Dinner Bell. You will sit around large lazy susan tables filled with southern specials like fresh vegetable casseroles, fried eggplant and fried chicken. Stop by on your way N.

The Dinner Bell @ 229 5th Ave., McComb, MS. 601 - 684 - 4883.

http://www.thedinnerbell.net/index.html

Stay in the FQ in NOLA or the CBD. Omni Royal Crescent is nice.

Omni Royal Crescent Hotel @ 535 Gravier St., New Orleans, Louisiana 504 - 527 - 0006.

http://tiny.cc/coo8d

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axle

Mississippi

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8. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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It's only 4 hours from NOLA to Navarre. Spend more time in NOLA and less in FL. Go to Coop's, Johnny's, Central Grocery, Acme, Felix's, Mena's Palace and have a fun time in NOLA. Good louck

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cjqueen

Winter Springs...

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9. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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You really should bypass McComb and stay inNew Orleans. There is so much to do. If you like good food, history, and beautiful architecture you will enjoy the city. There is so much more to do than party on Bourbon St. In addition to exploring the French Quarter you should try to take the street car to the Garden District and take a tour. The homes are amazing. I like to take the street car all the way down the St. Charles line and back to see more of the city. Mardi Gras World is a lot of fun; you can take a tour and see the floats. You must go to Cafe du Mone for some beignets and cafe au lait. Are you interested in the paranormal? There are many ghost tours to choose from as well as vampire tours.

What is your price range for a hotel? Omni Royal Orleans and Hotel Monteleone are very nice on the higher end and Hotel St. Marie is nice for those on a budget.

As far as safety you will be fine in the tourist areas. I have been to Nola with my child several times and never had any problems.

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gillyvegas

Higham Ferrers...

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10. Re: A few hours in New Orleans

11 years ago

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Hi All

Thanks again for all your responses. Consequently, our itinerary has now changed:-

Day 1: LeaveAtlanta, head for Jack Daniels then onto Chattanooga.

Day 2: Chattagnooga

Day 3: Gatlinburg

Day 4: Overnight in Dickson (still), via Nashville (Hard Rock Cafe)

Day 5: Drive to Benton (via Memphis - Hard Rock Cafe)

Day 6-8: Benton with family

Day 9: Leave Benton mid afternoon - overnight in McComb (I know what you're all thinking, but keep reading).

Day 10 - 12: NEW ORLEANS - You've convinced us, guys. We really like the look of Hotel St Marie. Get there early on day 10, leave afternoon of day 12 - improvement on just 'a few hours' huh???

So, I'd love to keep on hearing from you all, more sugestions for things to do, particularly Chattanooga, Gatlinburg and NOLA.

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