Community Forums

printernot · 03-23-2014, 03:18 PM

Having never been there...we are planning a trip to New Orleans via Louisville, Nashville, and Memphis in April. We'd like to see all the important food and music sites, and wondering if we need the toad... and if there are any places that we shouldn't miss while there would be appreciated....

trackman · 03-23-2014, 05:50 PM

Save the money and worry on the toad. Site seeing trips are reasonable and the excursion guides come to the campground. Would not think twice about leaving the toad at home unless you want to venture way off

jdwky · 03-23-2014, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by printernot

Having never been there...we are planning a trip to New Orleans via Louisville, Nashville, and Memphis in April. We'd like to see all the important food and music sites, and wondering if we need the toad... and if there are any places that we shouldn't miss while there would be appreciated....

Are you stopping to see the sites in Louisville, Nashville and Memphis? Or are you just referring to sightseeing in 'Nawlins?

Mochisme · 03-23-2014, 06:23 PM

My self, I would take the toad without a second thought about it. But I like to do my own thing and would rarely if every take a guided tour, that is what Maps, GPS and AAA Tour Guide Books are for, plus book from the sites such as New Orleans.

printernot · 03-23-2014, 06:43 PM

Yes, we are looking to see the sites in all 3 cities....

jdwky · 03-23-2014, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by printernot

Yes, we are looking to see the sites in all 3 cities....

Louisville: You really need a toad to get around. The sights and city are spread out. Public transportation is lacking. You can overnight in town at the Fair & Expo center or stay in one of the small campgrounds just south of Louisville or just across the river in S. IN.
Don't miss: Louisville Slugger Museum, while by there check out the free museum at 21C hotel (and check out the one-way mirror in the bathrooms!), also KY Derby Museum and tour of Churchill Downs, a lunch or dinner cruise on the historic Belle of Louisville, a Hot Brown from the Brown Hotel, the Frazier History Museum, and finally, if you like some action, the Underground Zip Lines at the Mega Caverns.

I think Nashville is the same with needing a toad but when we go there we park at the fairgrounds which is centrally located and take a short taxi ride downtown.

jdwky · 03-23-2014, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by printernot

Having never been there...we are planning a trip to New Orleans via Louisville, Nashville, and Memphis in April. We'd like to see all the important food and music sites, and wondering if we need the toad... and if there are any places that we shouldn't miss while there would be appreciated....

Also, depending on when you're here in April, the KY Derby Festival will be gearing up, lots of special events going on leading up to the Derby. Like April 12, we have an awesome air show and N. America's largest fireworks show.

Kentucky Derby Festival

traveler of california · 03-24-2014, 10:24 AM

Take the toad and be on your own schedule. Agree with jdwky on Louisville and don't miss that Brown at the Brown. Go a little south and do the Bourbon Tour as that is great.

In Memphis the musts include Sun Studios, Stax, Rock & Soul Museum, and of course Beale St. Make sure you eat at the Blues City Cafe on Beale is you like BBQ and entertainment. You must also do Graceland, I never thought I would enjoy that tour but really did.

In Nashville tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and Studio B. Very nice. Of course there is the music scene on Broadway and the Blue Bird Cafe, Bellemeade Plantation. All worth your time.

Nick

Geaux Tigers · 03-31-2014, 05:21 PM

Jazz Fest Weekends in New Orleans are April 25-27th and May 2-4th. The City will be full of tourists around those weekends. Most of the campgrounds are on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain or on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but New Orleans is only about an hour car ride from either place (non-rush hour). If you are planning to be in New Orleans near those Jazz Fest Weekends, be sure you have reservations because many tourists will stay the whole time.

offshore · 04-01-2014, 11:24 AM

Take the toad...never leave home without it.

topdownman · 04-01-2014, 11:40 AM

Agree. You don't want to take this trip without the toad. No way, no how. I live in Louisville and there is a lot of violence on public transportation at this time. It's not safe.

While in Memphis we stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel Campground and drove to see the sites. Beale Street, Graceland and the Loraine Hotel to name a few.

In New Orleans we stayed a bit outside the city proper. There is a campground smack dab in the middle of the French Quarter, but it looked sort of like a prison. Also, be sure to hop in the toad and take an airboat tour and a also a self-guided tour of the old Plantations. Well worth it.

Mizzly · 04-01-2014, 05:38 PM

I would take the toad. We just left NO thursday. Stayed at the Ponchatrain landing camp ground/Rv park. The only thing I didn't like about the camp ground was they used recycled crushed concrete. The day we left they were spot filling with this stuff and I did find a few pieces of steel from the reinforcing steel used in concrete.
Anyway we have been in Baton rouge for 6 nights now broken down. Developed a coolant leak and Capital freightliner was not able to find the part we needed ( lower coolant pipe) obsolete part. They also refuse to work on RV's. We did find a place that will work on RV's. Probably 10 of them in the lot. (G. M. Vernado and son's)
Anyway the toad has proven to be invaluable to us.
Ponchatrain Landing has a shuttle that takes you to the French quarter twice a day. Driving in New Orleans is not fun but I live in Sioux city, IA and am not used to crazy big city driving.

topdownman · 04-02-2014, 06:22 AM

Mizzly makes a great point. For me, my Jeep is invaluable insurance on any trip. The only time I don't take mine is if I'm going only say 50 miles from home and am sure I won't need it. That still doesn't mean you won't break down on the side of the road somewhere and wish you had it. I tow 4-down, so it's a piece of cake to setup to tow and I don't even know it's back there.