Community Forums

Ray,IN · 01-02-2009, 06:03 PM

This summer is our 2nd graduation trip(of 14-so far)

. We decided a few years ago our graduation (HS) present to each grandchild would be a 3 week trip to their choice of destinations.
Our 2nd one to graduate from high school is this May, and she has picked New Orleans. We have never been in that part of the U.S., so are clueless at this point. I'll gladly accept any advice given for an RV park nearby, things to see/do, how to get around without driving a 1T,CC,LB, dually into the city, etc.

Don (W5IT) · 01-03-2009, 02:15 AM

Ray, if you want to stay close to New Orleans my suggestion is Bayou Segnette State Park. ( LA State Park website for park

If you don't want to stay "Close in" one of my favorites is across Lake Ponchartrain. "Fairview Riverside" is the name of that park. We used to go there regularly when I was growing up. Cathy and I went there pretty often with our daughters when they were "younger". There are a couple great places to eat within a few miles of the park too! (You KNOW how I am about good food

)Fairview Riverside State Park on website park website

Of course you do know IF you do stay at Fairview you will have to let me know when you will be there don't ya???? It is about a hour and a half from my front door. So if ya do go there I'd have to make a drive over to visit.

As far as what to do IN New Orleans....... I tend to avoid the New Orleans tourist trap stuff. But there is ONE thing I do enjoy in New Orleans. That is on Sundays near the Riverfront near the French Market. Ya gotta go to "Cafe Du Monde" for some "Beignet's" .

Then afterwards mosey around Jackson Square. There are all sorts of craftsman and street preformers around the square on Sundays. Doesn't cost ya anything and is quite interesting. (Family type of interesting not the "Adult stuff" down on Burbon Street)

Something else you would enjoy (Not too sure about the grand kids) is the "D-Day Museum" . I have been to it sevral times with friends visiting. (And with Dad too)

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 01-03-2009, 01:28 PM

We stayed at Pine Crest RV park in Slidell LA for one night, Jan. 1, 2009. There is no restroom /shower facilities, there is a very noisy (all night) high pitch noise from the waste water treatment facility that is on site, the sites that were available were pretty soft, the interior roads are paved but extremely narrow, and because of the Sugar bowl the rates were jacked up from a rate of $28 to $41.

Ronnie

Ray,IN · 01-03-2009, 02:07 PM

Thanks Don and Ronnie. This exactly the type information I'm seeking- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don, I'll sure make contact when we decide a time window. I still have drooling dreams of your crawfish stew at the Branson rally!

I have an uneasy feeling the granddaughter desires to visit Burbon street tourist hangouts. Wife says it ain't gonna happen. Man, it's ugly to be caught in the middle.

Don (W5IT) · 01-04-2009, 03:57 AM

Ray Bourbon Street can be done without too much problem. BUT, do not I mean DO NOT go at night. All kinds of "Critters" come out at night there.

I have taken folks there (Customers when I one of the owners of the dealership) that just HAD to do Bourbon Street. There are some good places to see and eat in the area. Ya just gotta know what/where to stay away from.....

Downtown near the casino there is a little place named "Mothers". Some of the best po-boys around. A Mom and Pop institution of the area that has been there forever it seems.

Or if yall decide to ride the streetcars and are out and about there is a place named "The Camellia Grill" along the line. Another nice lunch place/deli styled place. But it has been before Katrina since I have gone there...

Ray,IN · 01-05-2009, 08:22 PM

We have decided if granddaughter accepts Grandma's limits we will stay at Pontchartrain Landing; the park is 1 1/2 yeas old. It's kinda spendy at $40/night, but the temperature and humidity will be in the mid 90's in June according to the man I spoke with today. FHU and a swimming pool will be on Grandma's must-have list.

If she's happy - I'm happy!

Pubtym · 01-08-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ray,IN:
This summer is our 2nd graduation trip(of 14-so far)

. We decided a few years ago our graduation (HS) present to each grandchild would be a 3 week trip to their choice of destinations.
Our 2nd one to graduate from high school is this May, and she has picked New Orleans. We have never been in that part of the U.S., so are clueless at this point. I'll gladly accept any advice given for an RV park nearby, things to see/do, how to get around without driving a 1T,CC,LB, dually into the city, etc.

Wear a gun...carry extra ammo...a vest would be nice...frag grenade in both vest pockets...have fun.

Ray,IN · 01-09-2009, 03:21 PM

Nope-left all that stuff in Nam. I avoid such situations at great length now, that's one point of my questions. I'm getting more comfortable about this proposed trip, with the help of my RVing comrades here. Ponchartrain Landing(was New Orleans RV park)with shuttle bus for excursions.

bthomforde · 01-12-2009, 07:49 PM

We stayed here last fall for a few days, http://www.fqrv.com/ very nice place, very clean. a bit on the pricey side but if you want close to the French Quarter it's within walking distance.
They have a golf cart and will drop you off and pick you up at the edge of the FQ.
We went to the FQ a couple nights and never felt unsafe, we'd stay there again if in the area.

Ray,IN · 01-13-2009, 09:07 AM

I checked on the fqrvpark too spendy for me. I'm not going to do any more walking than necessary outside the french quarter, the weather will be in the mid 90's for both heat and humidity in June. I don't need another stress test for my rebuilt heart.

offshore · 01-13-2009, 11:41 AM

I won't tell you to carry a weapon, but be very careful where you go, especially at night. The quarters is nice to visit.

Roam America · 01-14-2009, 07:26 AM

When I went to N.O. I stayed at a KOA not far from downtown. That was before Katrina so I don't even know if it is still there. They ran a shuttle into town and came back for you. It wasn't a big park, and I've been in nicer parks. But it was clean, had plenty of room on my site, and I felt safe. Couldn't ask for much more.

MCDDY · 01-21-2009, 04:36 AM

Ray IN
Bayou Segnette SP on the Westbank is the best deal going in the Metro New Orleans area. All paved roads and sites, all 50A w/ water. Easy dump station. Fee is $18 or $9 w/Golden Passport. 15/20min. to downtown or French Quarter. Ask the front desk for directions to the Algiers Ferry, park your truck there for $5 and walk on the ferry. You get off at the foot of Canal St. right at the entrance to the French Quarter.
New Orleans gets a bad rap on crime but it's mainly in the ghettos, dope dealers killing off competetion. The Quarter is pretty safe in daylight hours. Just stay within the boundaries of Canal St., Burbon St., St. Ann St. and the river. Upriver side of Canal St. is safe as it's the main business section or CBD.
By all means do the Trolly thing really nice and cheap.
Near the SP is an excellent Pizza Place, Moe's that your granddaughter will love. Lots of good restaurants on the WestBank and 1/4 mi. from the park entrance is a retail seafood dealers lot with fresh shrimp, crabs and fish right off the boat for you to take home in your freezer.
Look up Gambit Weekly on the net or NOLA.com/Lagniappe. Both are weekly guides to dining, entertainment and shopping.
Not sure where you're coming from but do not take your RV across the Huey P. Long bridge, US 90W. Very narrow and under construction at present.
Enjoy and come hungry.
Dave

offshore · 01-22-2009, 07:55 AM

Be very careful, even in the French Quarters.

2nd teen charged in French Quarter robbery and murder
Associated Press Reporting

A second 15-year-old on Tuesday (1-20-09) was booked with first-degree murder in the weekend death of a French Quarter bartender.

Police say the two teens both confessed to killing 39-year-old Wendy Byrne on Saturday in an armed robbery gone awry.

A third 15-year-old is still being sought.

Police say the two boys turned themselves in after their mothers recognized them in sketches released by police. The boys' names are being withheld because of their ages.

The victim was a service industry veteran who worked at the French Quarter lounges Aunt Tiki's and Starlight by the Park.

Police say Byrne and a middle-age man strolled along the sidewalk when two teenagers, one carrying a gun, approached them and demanded money.

At some point, the teenager holding the gun fired, striking the victim in the torso.

Paramedics rushed her to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.