Using streetcars in New Orleans

Question

I'm going to New Orleans for the first time in the near future. I've read that it's pointless to rent a car when you can use the streetcars. Is there a website or way to find out routes so I don't wander around waiting for different streetcars. I'm apprehensive about making it from point A to point B without knowing exactly how to get there.

Answer 1

There is a website for the streetcars and buses.  It is http://www.norta.com

Answer 2

Its true that if you are going to stay in the french quarter I do not think a rental car is necessary of even desirable. Many sites you will visit are walkable. The street car is a fun way to see the city and isnt too hard to use. Here is a some info for you.

http://www.norta.com/routes/

I will mention however I find them to be slow and a cab is often times a quicker option and fairly affordable for many city destinations. The bus is also an option. If you find you want a rental car just for a day trip you can use Enterprise who will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Then you dont need to worry about parking etc if you pick up and return same day.

Answer 3

Don't bank on the streetcar! Streetcars here aren't like streetcars in San Francisco, they aren't as convenient as the subways in other metropolitan cities. You got to get yourself a rental car. New Orleans is a spread out city. A lot of lines haven't been in service since Katrina (yes I know it's been a long time). Sometimes the streetcars (like St. Charles Ave.) are shut down all day just so someone can film a movie. The routes aren't convenient, and that's why New Orleanians rarely use the streetcar. They are impractical but beautiful. You should have no trouble parking a car in NOLA, especially during the hot months (Summer time is the off-season for tourism in NOLA).

Answer 4

Some common questions I get every day on the streetcar:

To get back where you came from when you realize you got on the wrong car, get off and walk to the OTHER SIDE of the neutral ground. Then wait there until you see a streetcar coming the other way, traveling in the direction you want to go.

Also make sure you stand between the track and the curb or the cars will not stop for you.

Answer 5

It depends on what you want to do and where you need to go.  The streetcars are great but don't go everywhere and switching to a bus may be necessary.  

You don't need a car to get around in the French Quarter, Central Business District, or Warehouse District. Also, the parking regulations are Byzantine and there are lots of Parking Control Agents. If you do rent a car, leave it in a lot or garage unless you are traveling away from downtown. Best is to only rent a car for the days you need it and use other transportation the rest of the time.

The regional transit authority (www.norta.com) sells 1 and 3 day passes that offer unlimited use of buses and streetcars for the day or days you select. There are also lots of taxicabs.

Travel between the airport and downtown can be by the Airport Shuttle or by taxicab. The Shuttle is the least expensive if you are by yourself, but taking a taxi is the same as taking the shuttle for 2 people.  You save a bit if there are 3 in your party and you take a taxi.  There is public bus service between the airport and downtown but it is not convenient and there is no baggage assistance.

The Saint Charles Streetcar is the oldest continuously operating street railway in the world and is a "tourist attraction" in its own right. It is part of the public transit system, as are the Canal Street and Riverfront streetcar lines.

Things to do in New Orleans:

Mardi Gras and the Jazz Festival are world famous events, but New Orleans hosts many festivals and celebrations throughout the year: http://www.nola.com/festivals/

There are many sightseeing opportunities in the greater New Orleans area, including carriage rides/tours, plantation tours, swamp tours, ghost tours, and even Katrina disaster tours. The steamboat Natchez also does a harbor tour. There are numerous tour companies and your hotel can help with the arrangements. Try to avoid scheduling an outdoor tour until you know the weather forecast for the day in question.

Preservation Hall has traditional live Jazz, and doesn’t serve alcohol so all ages are welcome: www.preservationhall.com

There is always music, but the bands change: Go to www.bestofneworleans.com and click on Music then Listings or to www.offbeat.com and click on Listings, then Music.

Note that music clubs often advertise "No Cover", meaning there is no charge for entering. However, clubs with "No Cover" often require that customers buy a beverage each for every "set " of music (which can be every 20 minutes) so KNOW THE PRICE before you sit down. Clubs do that because some people will sit in the club all evening drinking nothing (clubs only make money from the drinks they sell - not from the music). It is also a good idea to pay for each round of drinks (in clubs on Bourbon Street) as it is delivered so there can't be any confusion at the end of the evening.

Wander around the French Quarter, enjoy the architecture, watch the street entertainers (do tip), and visit some of the historic buildings that have been turned into museums (go to www.frenchquarter.com and click on Historic Attractions).

The first 5 blocks of Bourbon Street (starting at its intersection with Canal Street) are where almost all fo the strip clubs are located. The clubs have outside advertisng that is R-rated and pushes being X-rated. The rest of the FQ is fine, but I wouldn't recommend taking kids to the first 5 blocks of Bourbon Street.

Assuming the weather is good, you can collect a sandwich lunch and eat in the riverfront park (watch the shipping) or in Jackson Square (a very nice park).

The Riverwalk shopping center has an air-conditioned food court with dining overlooking the river (www.riverwalkmarketplace.com). The Canal Place shopping center is in the French Quarter and has a cinema and higher-end shopping (Saks 5th Avenue, Brooks Brothers, etc.)

The lobby for the Westin Canal Place Hotel is on the 11th floor and overlooks the French Quarter. It is a great place for an afternoon drink/snack:(www.westin.com).

Cafe du Monde is in the French Quarter and you shouldn't miss having cafe au lait & beignets (www.cafedumonde.com).

Another great coffee shop is the Croissant d'Or (at 615 Ursulines Street), which is open from 7:00am to 2:00pm and has food in addition to pastry (usually closed from late July to sometime in August).

The Palm Court restaurant is very nice, has moderate prices, and traditional live jazz starting at 8:00pm: 1204 Decatur Street, tel [phone] (reservations are important and they are not open every day). The Palm Court is closed from about July 25th to about September 25th each year.

Maximo's Italian Grill has great food and atmosphere: 1117 Decatur Street in the French Quarter, [phone].

All of the famous restaurants (Antoine's, Arnaud's, Brennan's, Commander's Palace, etc.) have reopened. The Pelican Club (on Exchange Alley in the FQ) is not as well known but is the same type experience. Reservations are a good idea, and probably essential on weekends. Tujaques Restaurant (823 Decatur Street) is very traditional and has moderate prices: www.tujaguesrestaurant.com

Cafe Degas is a very French restaurant near City Park at 3127 Esplanade - which is not within walking distance of downtown (5 to 10 minutes by taxi). They are closed on Mondays & Tuesdays (504-945-5635).

The Napoleon House restaurant is at 500 Chartres Street in the FQ, and has a menu of great local dishes: www.napoleonhouse.com

New Orleans has ballet, opera, a symphony orchestra, and theatre (seasonal):

www.nobadance.com

www.neworleansopera.org

www.lpomusic.com

www.lepetittheatre.com

There is a free ferry across the Mississippi at the "foot" of Canal Street. It is a short trip but like a harbor cruise w/o a guide: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/canal_stree...

The Aquarium, Audubon Zoo, and the new Insectarium are world-class attractions (www.auduboninstitute.org) and you should see them if you can. The Zoo is several miles from downtown. You can drive to the Zoo (which has free parking) or take public transit from the French Quarter.

The Louisiana State Museum is in the French Quarter: http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/ New Orleans is also home to a number of other museums, such as the National World War II Museum (www.ddaymuseum.org) and the New Orleans Museum of Art (www.noma.org). Both can be reached by public transit: The WWII museum is in the central business district but a long walk from the French Quarter. NOMA is not within walking distance of downtown but has free parking. Go to www.neworleansmuseums.com for info on more museums.

New Orleans City Park has a variety of attractions, including an amusement park with rides and attractions for children plus free parking: (www.neworleanscitypark.com).

Check www.frenchquarter.com for ideas about other things to do. The website also has an interacitve map.

Hope you have a great time!