For our second anniversary we booked a flight down to 'Nawlins' for the second weekend of Jazz Fest! We're looking for accomodations now, and are plenty psyched. First time for both of us.
Anyone have any advice? Pro-tips? Places to eat (DHJ, I'm looking in your direction)?
We're flying in Wednesday and out on Monday. We took Tuesday as a recovery day.
So we're going to Jazz Fest. (!) Advice?
Started by
B. Diddy
, Jan 18 2012 02:29 PM
138 replies to this topic
#4
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 02:56 PM
do as many late nights as you can. have it all scheduled, with a few backup options for things that aren't MUSTS, in case you feel like changing your mind, staying closer to where you are, cant find a cab, etc
as far as night shows, buy your show tickets now for your MUSTS. you can hit a 7pm show, an 11pm show, a late night show and a latenight/early morning show. that is, count them, FOUR shows in a night, some might even have openers or be multibands.
if you must go TO jazzfest
go early, stay for the day (talk to someone else baout what to bring....chairs? blankets? etc??), be prepared for an obnoxious (but manageable) wait to grab a cab home, dont plan on going back/forth etc etc.....if you go to the fairgrounds, leave lots of extra time for getting there and getting back to your hotel/next destination. like hours.
find teo.
get drunk. cuz everyone else is and they will just annoy you if you arent drunk. as ali and i dont get drunk, this is where 'ugh we hate new orleans' comes in.
stay away from the big room of house of blues as often as possible. you have never been to an oversold concert til you have been to the house of blues in nola during jazzfest.
when in doubt, head down to the french quarter with no plans and just walk...and walk...and walk.....and sit by the water...and people watch.
when you walk by harrahs, go in, fake gamble and get a free drink! woot!
sidenote: this is the one place you will actually want to FIND and HANG OUT with vegas
as far as night shows, buy your show tickets now for your MUSTS. you can hit a 7pm show, an 11pm show, a late night show and a latenight/early morning show. that is, count them, FOUR shows in a night, some might even have openers or be multibands.
if you must go TO jazzfest
go early, stay for the day (talk to someone else baout what to bring....chairs? blankets? etc??), be prepared for an obnoxious (but manageable) wait to grab a cab home, dont plan on going back/forth etc etc.....if you go to the fairgrounds, leave lots of extra time for getting there and getting back to your hotel/next destination. like hours.find teo.
get drunk. cuz everyone else is and they will just annoy you if you arent drunk. as ali and i dont get drunk, this is where 'ugh we hate new orleans' comes in.
stay away from the big room of house of blues as often as possible. you have never been to an oversold concert til you have been to the house of blues in nola during jazzfest.
when in doubt, head down to the french quarter with no plans and just walk...and walk...and walk.....and sit by the water...and people watch.
when you walk by harrahs, go in, fake gamble and get a free drink! woot!
sidenote: this is the one place you will actually want to FIND and HANG OUT with vegas
#5
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 03:03 PM
Have mnt dew and redbull on ice in the room.
Grab food for the cab stand on the way out of the festival grounds for the wait. crawfish monica and strawberry lemonade.
Ask your cab driver for a card since many just live in their cabs durring jazzfest and when you get a good one you can call them to pick you up from anywhere.
I used local gypsy cabs to leave the festival grounds and get dropped off at the end of bourbon street to walk back to my hotel the hojo's on Royal.
It worked out for me and i didnt have to wait in a line.
4 shows a night sounds right plan on sleeping from 7am till 11am then going to fest grounds and starting all over again.
Go to mothers resteraunt downtown.
Stay away from the Bangkok spa and most of the bars near there due to whores and pick pockets.
Hit the grungiest seediest latenight joints.....they rock!!!
Grab food for the cab stand on the way out of the festival grounds for the wait. crawfish monica and strawberry lemonade.
Ask your cab driver for a card since many just live in their cabs durring jazzfest and when you get a good one you can call them to pick you up from anywhere.
I used local gypsy cabs to leave the festival grounds and get dropped off at the end of bourbon street to walk back to my hotel the hojo's on Royal.
It worked out for me and i didnt have to wait in a line.
4 shows a night sounds right plan on sleeping from 7am till 11am then going to fest grounds and starting all over again.
Go to mothers resteraunt downtown.
Stay away from the Bangkok spa and most of the bars near there due to whores and pick pockets.
Hit the grungiest seediest latenight joints.....they rock!!!
#8
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 03:10 PM
4 shows a night? Jebus!! Plus the festival? Double-Jebus!
I'm going to need more than red bull.
we never went to the fairgrounds the first year we went. we actually planned on NOT going. we hit so many good late nights its not even funny. one of the nights went something like "trey band w/ gordo sit in>umphreys opening for mule>didnt even stay for mule>karl denson>benevento/russo>umphreys late night" or something similarly ridiculous.....
)
#10
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 03:14 PM
also, if you are heading in a cab to say, tips or a seedy late night room, and you begin to wonder where the F you are and think your cab driver is possibly kidnapping you, chances are he is not and you are heading to the right place
#11
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 03:21 PM
we never went to the fairgrounds the first year we went. we actually planned on NOT going. we hit so many good late nights its not even funny. one of the nights went something like "trey band w/ gordo sit in>umphreys opening for mule>didnt even stay for mule>karl denson>benevento/russo>umphreys late night" or something similarly ridiculous.....
i lied! we stayed at mule long enough to see bayliss melt our faces sitting in with mule. yes it was the first time we saw BAYLISS pull a jake:Phishfolk:WITH warren
#13
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 03:31 PM
Hookers and Hustlers are awesome and if you dont eat beef and pork what the hell are you doing in Nawlins.
Bet you dont like the heat or hot sauce too.
Chicken and Red Beans & Rice at Coops place and the jambalaya supreme.
Get online and befriend a local and go to an actual boil if you can they are awesome!!!
Read this
http://www.nojazzfest.com/info/faq.php
Bet you dont like the heat or hot sauce too.
Chicken and Red Beans & Rice at Coops place and the jambalaya supreme.
Get online and befriend a local and go to an actual boil if you can they are awesome!!!
Read this
http://www.nojazzfest.com/info/faq.php
#14
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 03:39 PM
Hookers and Hustlers are awesome and if you dont eat beef and pork what the hell are you doing in Nawlins.
Bet you dont like the heat or hot sauce too.
SEAFOOD!!!
I have never complained about the heat in NOLA, nor will I.
And you HAVE had my hot wings.
#19
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 04:08 PM
There are a lot of places that people rent out for Jazz fest, much cheaper than a hotel. I happen to like the neighborhood of faubourg marigny. It borders the quarter, it is a funky neighborhood with colorful locals. Good clubs, and good restaurants too. You should easily find a place there or the Garden District. There are plenny of places in the quarter too, but I just don't like staying there.
When in the quarter at night, stay on Bourbon or Royal. DO NOT VENTURE onto side streets, esp in the lower quarter. Very unsafe. The theives there carry guns.... You will be safe on Bourbon or Royal, and it safe all the way to Jackson Sq.
Make sure you have cafe au lait and beingets at Cafe du Monde in Jackson Sq. Open 24 hours...
Try a muffuletta from Central Grocery (on Decatur St.)
Also, As Mel says, don't feel bad about missing some stuff at the fairgrounds. The real fun is the nighttime shows. Tipatinas, The Maple Leaf, Howlin Wolf, and HoB will all have good shows. There will be bigger events too. 4 shows a night doesn't leave much time for sleep....
You will be pleasantly surprised at how good a frozen drink is while walking home at 4:00 AM....
Don't get a car. cab rides to/from airport are reasonable.
When in the quarter at night, stay on Bourbon or Royal. DO NOT VENTURE onto side streets, esp in the lower quarter. Very unsafe. The theives there carry guns.... You will be safe on Bourbon or Royal, and it safe all the way to Jackson Sq.
Make sure you have cafe au lait and beingets at Cafe du Monde in Jackson Sq. Open 24 hours...
Try a muffuletta from Central Grocery (on Decatur St.)
Also, As Mel says, don't feel bad about missing some stuff at the fairgrounds. The real fun is the nighttime shows. Tipatinas, The Maple Leaf, Howlin Wolf, and HoB will all have good shows. There will be bigger events too. 4 shows a night doesn't leave much time for sleep....
You will be pleasantly surprised at how good a frozen drink is while walking home at 4:00 AM....
Don't get a car. cab rides to/from airport are reasonable.
#21
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 05:03 PM
One of the things I remember from being down there in '98 was that the surcharges at the cash machines were RIDICULOUS!! Back then they were between $3.50 and $5.00 (when back in NY they were like $1.00-$1.50). I can only imagine what they're up to now.
Oh..and I had the most AMAZING BBQ Shrimp Po'boy from the food vendors at the fairgrounds!
Oh..and I had the most AMAZING BBQ Shrimp Po'boy from the food vendors at the fairgrounds!
#22
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 05:12 PM
Walking home at 4am is for sissys most latenight shows go to 7am and some provide breakfast.
again i stress lots of redbull and mnt dew for the evening hours.
You dont have to think much so sleep isnt to important.
definately do this...............Make sure you have cafe au lait and beingets at Cafe du Monde in Jackson Sq. Open 24 hours...
Try a muffuletta from Central Grocery (on Decatur St.)
I went to the cvs in the quarter and bought a styrofoam cooler for the room loaded it with redbull, mnt dew, water and beer.
I also had a cab driver that would pick me up wherever and whenever i needed a pick up. He was awesome and a valuable source of info.
Dont be shy......ask the locals where to go and what to do......your hotel concierge at least mine took good care of me.
again i stress lots of redbull and mnt dew for the evening hours.
You dont have to think much so sleep isnt to important.
definately do this...............Make sure you have cafe au lait and beingets at Cafe du Monde in Jackson Sq. Open 24 hours...
Try a muffuletta from Central Grocery (on Decatur St.)
I went to the cvs in the quarter and bought a styrofoam cooler for the room loaded it with redbull, mnt dew, water and beer.
I also had a cab driver that would pick me up wherever and whenever i needed a pick up. He was awesome and a valuable source of info.
Dont be shy......ask the locals where to go and what to do......your hotel concierge at least mine took good care of me.
#23
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- VibeGuide
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- 125 posts
VibeGuide
Posted 18 January 2012 - 07:31 PM
accept the fact that you will miss great music...but you'll still be having a blast or taking a needed nap.
lot's of good advice above. yes, you can catch four killer shows in the course of one night, and with so many musicians in town, the musical gumbo is plentiful and everywhere. but don't forsake the fairgrounds. you don't need to be there at 11, or stay all day...but go. the music is extraordinary; beyond description...and the food is better. eat the pheasant quail and andouille gumbo while listening to some zydeco at the fais do do stage. try a soft shell crab po'boy; crabmeat stuffed shrimp; crawfish enchilada; boudain balls; crawfish monica...everyone has their favorite and it's all over the top! bring a folding chair and sunblock. check out the jazz tent or the gospel tent. see if there are a few bands you want to see at one stage, and set up your chairs. hang. meet your neighbors. mine have never disappeared when i've gone to get food. most of all be prepared for a fusillade of music, food and craziness!
lot's of good advice above. yes, you can catch four killer shows in the course of one night, and with so many musicians in town, the musical gumbo is plentiful and everywhere. but don't forsake the fairgrounds. you don't need to be there at 11, or stay all day...but go. the music is extraordinary; beyond description...and the food is better. eat the pheasant quail and andouille gumbo while listening to some zydeco at the fais do do stage. try a soft shell crab po'boy; crabmeat stuffed shrimp; crawfish enchilada; boudain balls; crawfish monica...everyone has their favorite and it's all over the top! bring a folding chair and sunblock. check out the jazz tent or the gospel tent. see if there are a few bands you want to see at one stage, and set up your chairs. hang. meet your neighbors. mine have never disappeared when i've gone to get food. most of all be prepared for a fusillade of music, food and craziness!
Edited by insolent cur, 18 January 2012 - 08:40 PM.
#26
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 09:09 PM
the grids are your key to evening and latenight club (and daytime store) appearances.
http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/
they'll start updating soon.
so excited for you guys!!! Jazzfest is highly addictive, bigtime fun.
http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/
they'll start updating soon.
so excited for you guys!!! Jazzfest is highly addictive, bigtime fun.
#28
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 09:23 PM
the grids are your key to evening and latenight club (and daytime store) appearances.
http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/
they'll start updating soon.
so excited for you guys!!! Jazzfest is highly addictive, bigtime fun.
#35
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 01:25 AM
bring a folding chair.......fold up water bottle full of vodka in it for the strawberry lemonades.
i've done this too. gah, i've been craving that lemonade!!!
and sweet potato pone. and crawfish monica. and a stuffed puff. and and and and EVERYTHING!!!
#36
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Posted 19 January 2012 - 02:43 AM
When you're at the fairgrounds, make sure to check out the tents. We usually got something to eat, then headed to the tents to eat it so we could grab some shade and cool down. Nice way to escape the sun. Definitely some quality stuff there.
#42
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Posted 25 April 2012 - 02:12 PM
Oh BOY!!!
We drop-shipped a couple camp chairs to our hotel after finding out they go for $20 a pop locally around Jazz Fest. We fly in a week from today, and fly back on Monday. We're planning on attending the fairgrounds Thurs, Fri, and Sunday, with Saturday as our explore NOLA day (neither of us have ever been). We bought tickest to Ani's after show at Tipitinas for Saturday night!
Thanks for posting the map, James!! It's stating to hit me that we're really going.
We drop-shipped a couple camp chairs to our hotel after finding out they go for $20 a pop locally around Jazz Fest. We fly in a week from today, and fly back on Monday. We're planning on attending the fairgrounds Thurs, Fri, and Sunday, with Saturday as our explore NOLA day (neither of us have ever been). We bought tickest to Ani's after show at Tipitinas for Saturday night!
Thanks for posting the map, James!! It's stating to hit me that we're really going.
