Trip to New Orleans - Any suggestions

[DanOh]

The wife and I are planning a 10 or 11 day ride from the Washington DC area to New Orleans and back the end of May and could use some advice\suggestions on routes and things to do while there. We've never been down that way before.

 

All we have decided so far is to head from home to the north end of the Blue Ridge Pkwy, taking approximately 2 days to ride to the southern end. We will then either take a quick lap on the Dragon (been there done that, as a passenger the wife finds it boring) or the Cherohala.

 

From here we haven't decided anything. Suggestions on an interesting route from the Dragon\Cherohala area on down to New Orleans would be most appreciated.

 

Also, suggestions on things to see and do while there along with best places to stay would be great.

 

Thanks very much in advance for your thoughts.

 

Cheers,

Dan

[colmike]

You might consider a ride up the Natchez Trace (400 plus miles with no trucks) on your return trip. Just a thought.

[etcswjoe]

Stay outside the City near the airport, parking downtown is scarce and expensive. Unless you are a party type person the French Quarter is a 1-2 day max visit hit Cafe Dumond and The French Market. The steam boat rides are ok and the River Walk is a Mall like attraction that is ok. The Plantations are a nice to see but the roads to them are not the greatest. If you like Tabasco ride down to Avery Island and see how they make it. Crawfish will just be out of peak season but you should still be able to find some. To me the food is the main attraction I can send you some of my favorite places if you want but most are off the beaten path. If you are into Gambling Biloxi is about 2 hours east of NOLA and has a ton of casino's on the beach Harrah's is in NOLA but do not park at the casino.

[DanOh]

You might consider a ride up the Natchez Trace (400 plus miles with no trucks) on your return trip. Just a thought.

 

I've never heard of this road before. Just checked it out online. From what little I've read so far, it looks like a great motorcycle route and running it from south to north end could easily fit into our return trip.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. This will most likely be added to our itinerary.

[wes0778]

I've never heard of this road before. Just checked it out online. From what little I've read so far, it looks like a great motorcycle route and running it from south to north end could easily fit into our return trip.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. This will most likely be added to our itinerary.

 

Get my cell number off my profile and gimme a shout on your way through the Jackson, MS area. One word of caution about "The Trace", It is a federal park and the speed limits ARE the limit, no "cushion"! The Rangers don't play!!!

Oh and watch out for Bambi, especially after dark.

[Pegasus1300]

Royal Street is cool lots of antique shopes with real old (1700,1800) antiques.Be sure to do Jackson Square,Cabildo and other sights around St Louis Cathedral.Barateria Bay,Be sure to ride down St Charles Ave from Canal to Carrolton Ave and see the Garden District If the traffic is to bad ride the Street Car. Ride the River Road up to Baton Rouge.Ride around Lake Ponchatrain and if you have time take the road south that follows the Miss. all the way to the end in(I think) Port Sulpher. Other restaurants to think about are Antoines,Court of Two Sisters,Commanders Palace.Preservstion is Great for real New Orleans Jazz.

I envy you your trip.I grew up in New Orleans but haven't been back in a long time.

[Rick Haywood]

I've never heard of this road before. Just checked it out online. From what little I've read so far, it looks like a great motorcycle route and running it from south to north end could easily fit into our return trip.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. This will most likely be added to our itinerary.

 

DO NOT go over the speed limit by more than about 4 mph on the Trace. They watch it and WILL write you a ticket. It is really tempting to speed up because of how nice the road is. The speed limit is only 50 mph and in a few places 45mph

[BoomerCPO]

You can go across the river and visit the Blaine Kern Mardi Gras Museum. They have on display all the BEST Krewe Floats from years past.

Don't expect to see any of the Mardi Gras Floats that are newly built for either this year's Mardi Gras or next year's as well...that building is off-limits and has tight security.

Keep your guard up...the murder rate has spiked so bad in New Orleans that residents are asking the National Guard to come in.

Boomer....a former native who will NEVER live in New Orleans again.

[etcswjoe]

You can go across the river and visit the Blaine Kern Mardi Gras Museum. They have on display all the BEST Krewe Floats from years past.

 

Don't expect to see any of the Mardi Gras Floats that are newly built for either this year's Mardi Gras or next year's as well...that building is off-limits and has tight security.

 

Keep your guard up...the murder rate has spiked so bad in New Orleans that residents are asking the National Guard to come in.

 

Boomer....a former native who will NEVER live in New Orleans again.

 

 

I hear Algiers is about the same as when I lived there.

[DragonRider]

Born and raised in the NOLA area for 55 years, had to get out for a change of scenery. If I told all of the great places to go, you would have to have a couple 3 weeks to do it. Here a few.

French Quarter, St. Louis Cathedral, Cafe DuMonde for Beignets and Cafe au lait, thats french donuts covered in powered sugar and Chickory coffee. Visit the D Day museum, very worth while. A ride down River Road through St. Charles Parish past a couple of old plantation homes is a must. Destrehan Plantation and Ormond Plantation, they are the closest one to NOLA. Have a great trip.

[1joeranger]

Rode the Natchez Trace South to North returning from Texas last March. Good weather and maybe 10 vehicles along the entire route. Didn't know about the speed limit adherence but I must have been within limits cause 3 of the 10 vehicles were park officials. It was a great scenic ride!!

 

Stayed in N.O. for a week camping at Bayou Segnette State Park! http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ibyusegne.aspx Had no problems while there. Highlights was the Blaine Kern Mardi Gras Museum, the Trolley ride down St. Charles Ave. to the Audubon Zoo across from Tulane University, and the Zoo itself. Did not enjoy the Aquarium, go figure?! Please keep in mind N.O. is a rough place!

 

I currently live 70 miles from the Dragon's Tail and we have room is you need a place for the night!

[DanOh]

Thanks for all the great ideas and helpful info. We are very much looking forward to this trip.

 

I'll be sure to post an update of our plan as we get closer to the date and finalize things. I'll also definitely share pictures. One of the reasons the wife prefers to be a passenger than riding a bike of her own is so that she is free to take all the pics she wants from back there.

 

Cheers,

Dan.

[eds]

We are planning the same trip end of June, heading out from Western NY. Natches Trace will definetly be part of trip home. I'll be looking forward to read about your trip and pictures.

[OldBear]

I've never heard of this road before. Just checked it out online. From what little I've read so far, it looks like a great motorcycle route and running it from south to north end could easily fit into our return trip.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. This will most likely be added to our itinerary.

 

The Trace IS a nice ride. Very little traffic, no trucks. It is not a "technical" ride, just nice and easy going. I enjoy it. Start at Natchez and take it all the way to Nashville. (Be sure to check out the Loveless Cafe on the Nashville end and the old homes/restaurants in Natchez. Once you get to Nashville, check out the Grand Ol Opry and the Hermitage. Enjoy the ride!