Nilly should come to DC! It's 4 hours by car (I'm sure a buffista could oblige) or bus ($20 each way on the Chinatown express) to NYC. Or 3 hours-ish by train (more expensive) or 45 minutes by plane (sometimes you can get cheap fares, and there are departures every half hour or hour!).
Plus, DC has tons of (free!) museums, and Buffistas aplenty to offer places to stay (I offer!). There's...uh...I have no idea on the number or quality of kosher restaurants. But stuff that's so quintessentially American--the monuments! the White House!
Kosher restaurants in the DC area
I can also offer lodging, and I think that maybe the DCistas might be able to kick in a few bucks for a ticket (if you haven't already)
Nilly, for you, I'd even get rid of all of the bacon in my house, now that's love.
I already offered Nilly lodging if she's going to be here after August 27th. Kosher restaurants around here aren't that great -- within DC, there are a few delis. The suburbs have more.
DCistas might be able to kick in a few bucks for a ticket
Oh I totally would! I was too late to get on the plane ticket wagon. And it will be right around my birthday. Bonus!
I love taking the train between here and NYC. It is more expensive but so easy and comfortable. And I love the industrial North East landscape you ride through. And the bridge sign in Trenton "Trenton Makes, the World Takes." So resentful. I love it!
I hate to interrupt the Nilly-visit talk, but this seemed like the right place to ask -- what's the best way to get from San Diego to LA without spending a ton of money? Is there a train?
Jessica,
Amtrak does run between the two cities. I just did a quick search, and it looks like it woud be $29 one way, and take about 2 hours 45 minutes.
Oh, that's terrific. Thanks, Lee.
New Orleans Pt. I Accommodations/ Transportation
Transportation
Taxis from airport to downtown- $24 for 1-2 people, $10 for 3 or more
Bus/streetcar- $1.25/ .25 for transfer
St. Charles streetcar 24 hours a day from Canal to Claiborne
Riverfront 8am to 12midnight from Canal to Riverview (about the convention center to the French Market
streetcar maps
Vieux Carre bus 5am to 7 or so pm around the perimeter of the Quarter.
Pretty much everything is within walking distance.
Accommodations
Before I list these I want to say that this is just a sampling- Ones I called or visited- There are over 120 hotels and guest houses in those areas alone. It’s just too much ground to cover without knowing how many people will be coming, what area people would like to stay in etc. Most are priced without bloc reservations and seasonal deals. The visitors bureau did say that around that time of year we should be able to get rooms for between $60 to $80 without hassle or having to hunt.
French Quarter
Best Western Landmark
920 Rampart
$100-$125
Hotel St. Marie
827 Tolouse
$100-$125
-Has limited (94) rooms so early booking might get us a really good deal at a beautiful hotel.
Saint Louis Hotel
730 Bienville
$100-$125
-same as Hotel St. Marie with 83 rooms
CBD
Baronne Plaza
201 Baronne
$75-$100
Clarion Hotel New Orleans
1300 Canal
$60-$100
This is my favorite because of location and they have assured me on price breaks for group reservations.
Cotton Exchange
231 Carondolet
$100-$125
Probably not the best for deals, but it is beautiful so I threw it in
Days Inn Canal
1630 Canal
$75-$100
Will discount for groups, good location- not as nice as the Clarion
W New Orleans
333 Poydras
We can’t afford it- but if you’re ever down there check it out
Convention/Arts and Warehouse
Ambassador
535 Tchoupitoulas
$70-$90
I’ve stayed here before- the rooms are slightly smallish, but It’s nice and close to everything.
Le Cirque
#2 Lee Circle@ St Charles
Prices vary wildly- they can come down to $80 depending on number of people in our group and length of stay
Hilton Garden Inn
1001 South Peters St.
$79 for 50 or more with free meeting space
Garden District
Avenue Garden
1509 St. Charles
$100-$125
Huge rooms with kitchenettes- will work with groups- No suites because they’re all suites
Maison St. Charles
1319 St. Charles
$60-$90
This is another that looks like a good deal. Their prices as listed are usually around $100, but they cut their rates all the time- sometimes as low as $56 or so. Good location too off the streetcar line.
Next up- entertainment/possible prom locales/attractions
