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

Nilly, for you, I'd even get rid of all of the bacon in my house, now that's love.

Seriously, I'd feel bad even having Nilly over to my house -- she'd be bound to be contaminated by bacon, or ham and cheese sandwiches, or something.

Seriously, I'd feel bad even having Nilly over to my house -- she'd be bound to be contaminated by bacon, or ham and cheese sandwiches, or something.

Well, see, you could turn this into a positive by having a pre-Nilly, eating-everything--bad-in-the-house Party. Just lay all the food out on a table, invite a few close friends, and have at it!

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.

I've stayed at the Clarion before, and wasn't impressed. (It wasn't spectacularly bad, but we can probably do a lot better for the same price.) The Pallas, also on Canal, is to be avoided at all costs - it's a rathole.

New Orleans Pt II- Stuff to do

I, of course can’t list all the resturaunts, clubs and bars. So, I’m just going to mention a few.

Clubs and Bars

Cat’s Meow fun karaoke- Plus Burbon Cam. Wave hi to your friends and family online, if you dare.

Chris Owens Club If you’ve never heard of Chris Owens, you’ve never heard of New Orleans. Such a fun show. (Also available for private parties)

Funky Pirate Jon and I had a hotel room across from here. Great music and cheap drinks.

O’Flaherty’s Great pub. Shows soccer matches in the afternoons, good drinks, have a room for private parties. Good drink prices.

Pat O’Brians See above re:Chris Owens

Rick’s Cabaret I know it’s a strip club, but it’s georgeous

Three Legged Dog I sooooo want to have a party here. Late night happy hour from 3am to 8am.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar My very favorite place in New Orleans. Over 200 years old. Quiet. You have to go there.

Tipitina's Go there. Good prices, good location, good everything.

Food

The Bombay Club Entertainment, good atmosphere. Kinda pricy for NO, but they serve until 1 or 2.

Napoleon House World famous muffalettas. Great inexpensive drinks. Great atmosphere. I know Hec loves it. (Also about a block down from the Silversmith’s where my friend Cyn works)

Crescent City Brew House Touristy, but nice balcony- like much of Decatur

Cafe Gumbolaya Four words. All. You. Can. Eat. Good seafood.

K-Pauls Pricy, but Cyn’s husband works there, so I’m plugging. Food is so good it’ll make your mamma cry.

Commander’s Palace Incredible place for lunch, but dinner can get pricy. You will never have better service ever.

Herbsaint Not in the quarter, which can be a plus. Cheap. Also has private dining room for parties.

Muriel’s My other favorite place. Everything rolled up into one. Streetside cafe, courtyard bar, fancy dining room, and cocktail lounge. If you’re scared of creole or cajun cooking, this is good food you’ll recognize with a New Orleans twist.

Other/Kid friendly, non-drinking or eating stuff

Casinos
Cafe Du Monde
IMAX theater (when we were there they were showing Harry Potter)
Street Artists and Musicians
Museums (too many to name)
Gorgeous old theaters in the Garden District and on the edge of the Quarter
Zoo
Aquarium

Tours

Riverboat Tours
Cemetary Tours
Carriage Tours
- You name it there’s a tour for it.

Shopping Riverwalk
Shopping on Royal
Jackson Square
Louisiana Music Factory
Jackson Brewery
The shops at Canal
Voodoo Shops, mask shops, junk shops
Beckham’s Bookshop (We’re talking 2 floors of old books and stuff)
Blue Marble Music

Any questions?

I didn't stay there, but I went in and looked around and talked to the people. I'll take your word for it though. They were just a little more definate without knowing specifics.

Well, see, you could turn this into a positive by having a pre-Nilly, eating-everything--bad-in-the-house Party. Just lay all the food out on a table, invite a few close friends, and have at it!

I don't even mean the actual food in the house -- just the leftover essence of trayf!

And Heather didn't even get into Galatoire's (ummm, blackened pompano) or Commander's Palace, or....