New Orleans Travel Tips
You’ve spent weeks putting together the perfect New Orleans vacation itinerary. Whether it’s your first time in the Big Easy or your annual Mardi Gras ritual, there’s so many places to visit in New Orleans that you simply can’t afford to lose time figuring out transportation or researching group vacation packages. While we have complete faith in your vacation-planning abilities, figuring out the details of a big getaway is always stressful.
So do yourself a favor. Keep these travel tips in your back pocket, and we promise your stay in the Crescent City will be a little more relaxing. This is your cue to log out of the travel app, close your Frommer’s Guide, and spend more time enjoying live jazz and oysters on the half shell.
It’s a vacation – you deserve it!
Schedule an airport pickup in advance.
You may not know this yet, but the New Orleans airport is a hike from downtown – well beyond the scope of easy public transportation. Sure, you can hail a cab or call an Uber. But why wait the extra 20 minutes? Especially for late-night arrivals, calling a reliable transportation service in advance and scheduling an airport pick-up will be safer, faster, and more convenient. It’s one of those travel tips many people forget when they’re vacation planning. But you’ll thank us when your car service arrives while everyone else is checking their iPhones wondering where their Lyft driver is.
Call Audubon Coach before take-off, and they’ll be there to greet you when you land. Audubon drivers are local residents who are professionally trained and know the city like the back of their hand. You can opt for a Mercedes Sprinter van for smaller groups, or order an executive bus or motor coach for larger groups. Whatever your needs, Audubon Coach has you covered!
Let someone else deal with your luggage.
You just arrived and you’re anxious to get right to the main event, whether it’s a conference, festival, cruise, or just exploring the city at your leisure. But what to do with that bulky roller bag? It won’t do well on the bumpy streets of the French Quarter; we will tell you that much.
Instead of weighing yourself down with a week’s worth of clothing for one minute more than you need to, remember to book a courier service like Advance Check-in. They’ll pick up your luggage at the airport or cruise terminal for you, and deliver your bags right to your hotel, so you can get to the fun stuff hassle-free.
On your last day in Nola, they’ll pick up your bags from your hotel and bring them right to the airport, giving you enough time to enjoy one more order of beignets before catching your flight home. Call in advance to make your reservation so you don’t have to worry about a thing once your plane hits the pavement.
Rent the stroller when you get there.
Maybe you really enjoy getting that extra workout lugging your stroller around the airport. If so, then by all means, go ahead and pack up your stroller. But for the rest of us visiting New Orleans with little ones, we recommend traveling light and renting the stroller when you arrive.
New Orleans Rental Services is right in the French Quarter, walking distance from most hotels, and offers plenty of strollers to choose from (as well as mobility scooters and wheelchairs). Just drop in, and someone will be ready to help you find the equipment you need and get you on your way.
Ways to plan New Orleans tours
You’re 24 hours into your New Orleans vacation. You’ve had a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s, beignets at Café Du Monde, and accidentally joined a Second Line for a few minutes (sorry, newlyweds!). Now what? If you’re having trouble deciding between the plantations, bayou boat excursion, or historic walking tour, stop into one of the many New Orleans Visitors Centers on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, and let someone else figure it all out for you. With some assistance, we promise you’ll be able to fit it all in (or most of it, anyway).
If you’re traveling with a corporate group or bringing some friends, contact a travel professional in advance to help plot out your adventure. Group travel planners like Pelican New Orleans specialize in giving large groups an authentic New Orleans experience, complete with the perfect activities, meals, and private tours.
If you’re agonizing over setting up dining reservations and tour options for your family reunion or Bachelor party, you don’t need to! Let someone else do the heavy lifting and figure out the ideal New Orleans vacation packages for you.
If you want to explore more of the city, then a walking tour through the French Quarter is an amazing way to experience the history and culture the city has to offer. So don’t wait, book a tour with New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours today.
