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Trip to New Orleans in June

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by ItsVegasTime, Mar 18, 2016.

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  1. ItsVegasTime

    ItsVegasTime Vegas Addict

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    I see another thread was posted about New Orleans today but I didn't want to piggy back on it.

    My husband has a convention to go to in June for work in New Orleans at the convention center. I have the chance to possibly tag along. I know nothing about New Orleans really but would like to go. I know there are casinos, but are they like in Vegas where they are all in one general area, or are they spread all out around the city?

    Are there even any casinos new the convention center, and where near the convention center would be a good place to stay?
     
  2. greekjim

    greekjim King Gyro

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    I know one of the casinos is owned by Caesars and you can use your total rewards card there
     
  3. NandJfrmNJ

    NandJfrmNJ VIP Whale

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    Harrah's is the only casino in downtown NOLA. There are two others, Boomtown and Treasure Chest, but they are about 15 miles away from downtown so you would need a car to get there.
     
  4. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    Harrah's is near the convention center. It's in the Central Business District but it's location is right near the French Quarter. Harrah's is a good place to stay and they have partner relationships with many hotels that service the convention center. And honestly, there is so much else to do that one casino is more than enough.
     
  5. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    There is one casino near the French Quarter, pretty near Ernest N. Morial Convention Center which runs parallel to convention center blvd. Harrahs New Orleans is in walking distance of convention center and hotels. Around 2 blocks from convention center. Doublletree, Hilton, and Harrah's Hotel are all adjacent. NOLA has legalizing gaming like VP machines in bar / restaurants to a few devices so its not uncommon to walk into a bar and find 3 or 4 VP machines. Outside of French Quarter there is a Racino at Fair Grounds Race Course. That would be all the casinos in Orleans Parish and you would have to travel outside of New Orleans proper to find more casinos.

    Where to stay depends on what you like in a hotel. Solid mid tier hotels would be Hilton Riverside, Doubletree, Marriott, and Sheraton. I have stayed at all these places and they are clean and nice, but uninteresting. If you can afford to step up a little bit and don't mind a slight walk or trip by streetcar then I would fully recommend JW Marriot on canal, Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street (Beautiful Historic Hotel), or Bourbon New Orleans (It's further in French Quarter, but another historic hotel).

    While there is gambling in NOLA and Harrahs New Orleans is a nice casino (both aesthetically and by size) don't waste a lot of time there. You are visiting one of the most interesting cities in the world. Great food, friendly people, lots of history, and if you appreciate Jazz incredible music. Definitely get out and explore the city.
     
  6. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Go. For Sure.

    There is lots to see and do in New Orleans. Hope you have enough play history to maybe even get a room at Harrahs.

    There are tons of excellent resources, ideas and maps online to help you out.
     
  7. ItsVegasTime

    ItsVegasTime Vegas Addict

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    Room and husbands airfare and food are all covered by work. All we need to buy is my plane ticket, and we can pick our own hotel. BUT here is the catch. We have a trip planned end of May to Vegas on a really nice offer from Cosmo. I can't get away twice so close together (end of May and Mid June) with 2 aging parents and 4 children of our own. SO I can only do one. My husband will be going to New Orleans with or without me since its a work trip so I need to decide now if I want to do Vegas (on a nice offer from Cosmo) end of May (I did just go in Feb) or go somewhere I've never been and probably would be my only chance to go to (New Orleans).

    I'm kind of leaning towards New Orleans since I doubt we would ever go otherwise without this work convention. And as much as I love love love Vegas- it will always be there and we have gone 14 times, plus we are just a short flight away (Seattle). But its a good offer from the Cosmo I hate to pass up also.

    Decisions decisions.
     
  8. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    Go to New Orleans. Hands down a great city and you are going around the best time of the year. The only other time I like better is two weeks before Mardi Gras when I can see the city decked out and parades without the crazyness.
     
  9. ItsVegasTime

    ItsVegasTime Vegas Addict

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    New Orleans is booked- we are (i believe- his work booked it) going to be staying at Loews hotel right across the street from the Harrahs Casino.

    For now I'm keeping Vegas booked just in case I can find a way to make both happen.
     
  10. ItsVegasTime

    ItsVegasTime Vegas Addict

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    Update on this, I found out we aren't staying where I thought. We will be at the Omni Royal hotel in the French Quarter, on St. Lewis and Royal about a block from Bourbon street. So now I am trying to figure out things to do in that area that would be safe on my own during the day. I was looking forward to playing at Harrahs during the day but its 1/2 mile and a bit further then I feel comfortable taking off on my own. I suppose I could Uber it there.

    Does anyone have any suggestions for this area of New Orleans? Any must sees? We will only have 2 evenings so I want to make the most of it.
     
  11. fenway68

    fenway68 VIP Whale

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    I walked there and back by myself in the rain last April. Easy walk. I encountered no issue and I walked from 930p to and 1230a back. I lived in a city before so I just walked like I knew where I was going. Didn't take long. No one bothered me at all. Uber will cost you way more than it's worth. I think I recall readily available bike rickshaws if you don't want to walk.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  12. deansrobinson

    deansrobinson VIP Whale

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    Sounds like you're doing a quick in-n-out in New Orleans, so you may be limited in what you can do (assuming you're on your own during the day - husband @ convention). Unfortunately, there's so much to see and do, eat and drink, I fear you won't be able to do but a few things. Remember this, however: Bourbon Street is a miles-long tourist trap. Assuming you love the early morning scent of urine wafting on the breeze, feel free to avoid this place. Seen one drunk tourist, you've seen them all. However, not all touristy stops are bad: a cocktail at the Hotel Monteleone is nice, Cafe Du Monde in the French Market is a nice stop for coffee and beignets , and there's no shortages of phenomenal restaurants. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (which does have VP), the Napoleon House are nice spots for a drink. And swing by the Central Grocery for a muffaletta for lunch. Again, there's just so much to see and do, it's tough to do much in just a day or two. We never got around to going to Harrah's, but I assume it's on par with the rest of the franchise.
     
  13. Dr Nostron

    Dr Nostron VIP Whale

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    It's a super easy safe walk from your hotel to the casino - will be tons of foot traffic everywhere
     
  14. bigalbr

    bigalbr VIP Whale

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    I just pulled up a map of the French Quarter to review. I'm a man, but during the day I would have no issues going anywhere between Dauphine and Decatur/North Peters one direction and from Poydras (the street Harrah's is on) to the French Market on Decatur/North Peters. St. Philip street is the start of the gay section if you're walking Bourbon/Royal toward Esplanade. This isn't a problem, but there isn't a lot of tourist stuff past that corner. Once you get to Esplanade, you're in a sketchy area. By sketchy I mean I saw people bleeding from stab wounds with police all over the corner the first 3 times I went down to NO in the early 90s.

    The best route to get to the casino from your hotel is to walk toward the river from your hotel, take a right on Decatur and bear left when North Peters splits off from Decatur. Walk down N Peters, cross Canal Street and then continue on N Peters to Poydras. The casino is right across Poydras. You can't miss it.

    To get to the French market from your hotel, go left on Decatur and bear right on North Peters when they split. You'll go by Jackson Square before the split. That's an interesting place with a lot of artists selling their products. The French market is like a flea market to me, but shoppy people seem to like it.

    Cafe du Monde is 800 Decatur. You should go there. It's across the street from Jackson Square.

    Generally, the main shopping streets are Royal and Decatur/North Peters. The main drinking street is Bourbon.
     
  15. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    No worries. North Peters / Decatur street is completely safe during the day and you get to stretch your legs with the walk. Just head down Decatur street, and follow the split for North Peters to get to casino. Your hotel is right over by the old courthouse nice area in the quarter.
    Lots of shops along the way, Jackson Brewery (mall / shopping). You are also close to Jackson Square, You could also walk over to the Toulouse St. Station near Woldenberg park and ride it to Canal street station to save yourself a few blocks of walking.

    Personally I love walking around this city. Like any urban area you just want to be cautious after sundown, stick with main lighted streets, and near crowds.
     
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