How many people have lived or been to New Orleans in the past year?|114391

I_m moving down there in august and I just wanted to know what it_s like living there and what the schools are like.

NOLA is one of the world_s special places with an ambience unique in North America, and remains so even after Katrina devastated it in 2005.

Katrina flooded about 80% of New Orleans with salt water, and the water stayed for almost a month. Much of the city is still struggling to recover and all you have to do to see devastation is drive around. It will take years for NOLA to fully recover from Katrina.

However, the parts of the city that tourists usually visit were not flooded. It_s not a coincidence - the French Quarter and other old parts of the city were built on relatively high ground and only suffered wind damage from Katrina. Almost all of the damage has been repaired and you have to look closely in the FQ and city center to see that Katrina happened at all. You should visit and see for yourself.

You can drink the water, the electricity _ phones work, and services like the post office, hospitals, schools, police/fire/EMS, and stores _ shopping centers are operating.

Municipal services like street cleaning _ trash collection collapsed after Katrina and that is why you may see answers warning about the ��smelly�� or _dirty_ French Quarter. However, those services were fully restored in late 2006 and it is no longer an issue.

Acccording to the info on your profile you will only be in New Orleans for a few months. If you don_t already have a place to stay, I recommend staying in the French Quarter (Vieux Carre_) if you can. There is a very wide range of selections available, from moderate guest houses to very exclusive _boutique_ hotels. Search Yahoo Travel and Travelocity for ideas + check the hotel websites. there are also fully furnished apartments available through New Orleans Bed and Breakfast (nobba@cox.net)

New Orleans has a mild climate from October to May. We pay for that with hot and humid summers, particularly during July _ August.

You don_t need a car to get around in the French Quarter, Central Business District, or Warehouse District. Also, the parking regulations are Byzantine and there are lots of Parking Control Agents. If you drive or rent a car, put your car in a lot or garage and leave it there unless you are traveling away from downtown.

The regional transit authority (www.norta.com) sells 1 and 3 day passes that offer unlimited use of buses and streetcars for the day(s) you select. There are also lots of taxicabs.

Regarding crime, use the same common sense you need in every major city in the world and there is little chance you will be a victim of anything except a need to visit the gym: Pay attention to your surroundings. Stay away from anywhere dark _ deserted. Pay attention to your feelings - if anyone or anywhere gives you a bad feeling, leave the area. Don_t leave something like a camera-bag or backpack unattended on a park bench while you wander off to take photos. Etc.


Things to do:

There is always music, but the bands change: Go to www.bestofneworleans.com and click on Music then Listings or to www.offbeat.com and click on Listings, then Music.

Wander around the French Quarter, enjoy the architecture, watch the street entertainers (do tip), and visit some of the historic buildings that have been turned into museums. Most of them charge admission but some are free (go to www.frenchquarter.com and click on Historic Attractions).

Assuming the weather is good, you can collect a sandwich lunch and eat in the riverfront park (watch the shipping) or in Jackson Square (a very nice park).

The Riverwalk shopping center has an air-conditioned food court with dining overlooking the river (www.riverwalkmarketplace.com).

The lobby for the Wyndham Canal Place is on the 11th floor and overlooks the French Quarter. It is a great place for an afternoon drink/snack:
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/MSYCP/main��


Cafe du Monde is in the French Quarter and you shouldn_t miss having cafe au lait _ beignets (www.cafedumonde.com). Another great coffee shop is the Croissant d_Or (at 615 Ursulines Street), which is open from 7:00am to 2:00pm and has food other than pastry.

The Palm Court restaurant is very nice, has moderate prices, and traditional live jazz starting at 8:00pm: 1204 Decatur Street, tel 504-525-0200 (reservations are important and they are not open every day).

All of the famous restaurants (Antoine_s, Arnaud_s, Commander_s Palace, etc.) have reopened. Reservations are a good idea, and probably essential on weekends.

Cafe Degas is a very French restaurant near City Park at 3127 Esplanade - which is not within walking distance of downtown (5 to 10 minutes by taxi). They are closed on Mondays _ Tuesdays (504-945-5635).

There is a free ferry across the Mississippi at the _foot_ of Canal Street. It is a short trip but like a harbor cruise w/o a guide:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_Stree��


The Aquarium and Audubon Zoo are world-class attractions (www.auduboninstitute.org) and you should see them if you can. There is a shuttle boat (not free) between the Aquarium (which is next to the French Quarter) and the Zoo (which is several miles away). You can also drive to the Zoo (which has free parking) or take public transit from the French Quarter.

New Orleans is home to a number of other museums, such as the National World War II Museum (www.ddaymuseum.org) and the New Orleans Museum of Art (www.noma.org). Both can be reached by public transit: The WWII museum is in the central business district but a long walk from the French Quarter and NOMA is not within walking distance of downtown but has free parking if you choose to drive there.

New Orleans City Park has an amusement park with rides and attractions for children:
http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/
- free parking.

Hope you have a good visit!

Don_t bother with Orleans Parish Public Schools...they just turned them over to Charter Schools. They_re not how they used to be.

I will go with Catholic Schools and/or Private.

It_s fun as HELL. There_s always something to do and places to go and different stuff to eat. Yes, crime is high...but don_t be no fool, use common sense, that_s all.

are you going to be in high school or college, i guessing high school and i went to Mcdonogh #35 and its by far one of the best schools in new orleans. its a public school but its also the first black high school in the city and is full of school pride and alot of schools in new orleans ever before katrina couldn_t say that. its all about the marching bands in new orleans and 35 has the best. go and check it out it may seem ghetto but its not. there is also st. mary academy and xavier prep with is all girl schools i wouldn_t too much bother with any ther public schools execpt maybe Warren Easton and Ben Franklin which is sort of a privatly funded public school. its were some people wouild say the _smarter of the smart_ people go i guess. i went to public and private schools in new orleans and i loved public the best. check out 35 i know you will love it. the tecahers actually care watch out for Chap through, lol you_ll see what i mean. as for the city its self its most ack to normal its still has a ways to go but its fine. you won_t get sick or shot or anything like that. if u want more into on schools email me. oh and btw most of the charter schools are elem. schools not the high schools, some are charter schools but not all. 35 is not.

Lived in N.O. during Katrina. Evacuated to Texas. Then moved to ATL, when it was determined that we were not able tojust go back home. Then in Jan 2006, my job in N.O. was ready for us to come back, I moved back to N.O., and got a trailer until I was able to finish repairing my home.

Then when I realized that the Road to Home monies that were promised to try to help us repair the home, would not be fortyhcoming for a very long time (still have not recievd a dime from it); I knew it was going to take me a while to get back in my home. My daughter was i the third grade, I put her in a top private education program; and she came home on several occasions complaining that she was not learning a thing. She had surpassed them while in ATL; keep in mind ATL education is not the tops, but it is much higher than LA. Over that, I was now paying for what I was getting free in ATL.

There were very minuim organized programs and activties for children. More than that, my job kept messing up my check.

That was it, I moved back to ATL. Now I am happy and my child is happy. I could no longer take living in a trailer when I was so used to living in a large home.

From New Orleans moved to Atlanta. I_ve been back and it_s growing, but it_s hard with everything that needs to be worked on. It will take time. The people have been taken care of, for the most part, but it_s gonna be hard for the city itself because of the money that it_s gonna take to clean and fix everything that was ruined and demolished. The coast (Waveland, MS Bay St. Louis, MS) was hit hard, as well. We used to have an old house on the beach, but it ain_t there anymore and all of its contents? GONE Started from scratch here in Atlanta and making it, but I want to get back as soon as I can.

School wise: I grew up in New Orleans and lived there my whole life, minus college years; I was in private schools my whole life. I was always safe, taught very well and enjoyed those years, so unless things have changed stick with private schools. Good education and safe. Public schools are scary, depending on where in NO you live and if you didn_t know already the education in most of them was very low before the hurricane. There was a lot of talk about what they were going to do to make them better, but nothing ever happened, as far as I know.

nawlins is great. i love it there, but i don_t think i would live there. not because of hurricane katrina but because i only like visiting. the weather is unbelievably hot and its one big party place. however it_s rich in culture and diversity. not sure on the schools.

How is the kayaking and canoeing in Seward, Alaska?|124422

I am planning a visit to Anchorage in late July with my wife and 7 year-old daughter. We_re planning a day trip to Seward for a sled dog tour, but the train back to Anchorage leaves late that afternoon, leaving us with time to kill in Seward. Is Seward and Resurrection Bay a good place to kayak? Can anyone recommend a good kayaking tour or rental company? I_m looking at Backcountry Safaris right now, so if anyone can comment on that company in particular, that would be especially helpful. Thanks!

Backcountry is a good company accordingly to some friends who used them in 2005. They took a trip that lasted most of the day and were well satisfied. We spent a week in Seward last year, I wanted to try the kayaking thing but my wife wasn_t capable. We canoe in the lower 48, but kayaking was to demanding for her. Resurrection Bay is pretty large and your time might be limited to really do a good trip. Check their short trips and maybe you_ll find something you like. Have a good trip if you do.

Alaskan Girl had a good idea with the Sea Life Center. There are enough things to see and do to keep you busy for a day. You_ll see many animals and birds that you might miss otherwise.

If you can catch a ride out to Exit Glacier there_s many hours to be spent out there. There_s several trails to different sections of the glacier.

I dont know if kyacking is good but when your down there in Sewerd the Sea Life Center is always a good place to visit.

not too sure about seward, but kayaking in Whittier is absolutly wonderful.. I live in Anchorage, and I_ve kayaked Whittier several times.. There are rentals right there on the water, but I can_t remember the name of the company.. Enjoy

What is the best hotel to stay at in Vegas on a budget?|150592

I_m turning 21 in a month and I_m driving to Vegas. Unfortunately, it_s labor day weekend so hotel prices are higher. What is the best hotel to stay in that is the cheapest and closest to the strip?

So far, I_ve found Sahara and Las Vegas Club hotel to be cheapest. But are they any good? I_ll take any suggestions. Thanks!

The Sahara is pretty decent for the price. I always stay at Circus Circus because I have a kid, but I would stay there anyways because the rooms are SOOOO cheap. Also try Imperial Palace.

I can recommend Luxor and Bally_s from personal experience, I_ve been a guest at both properties. Right now Sahara has major construction going on next door ( here_s a photo I shot in June
http://www.urbanphotos.net/images/las_ve��
) so I would avoid Sahara. Las Vegas Club is on Fremont Street downtown which is a whole lot different than staying on the strip. Everything is less expensive and closer together but it_s also a much smaller area and has a more urban feel to it compared to the strip which feels like Disneyland.

SInce you_re driving and will have a car, I totally recommend Palace Station, South Point or The Orleans. All are a really short, easy drive to the main spots. South Point is 4 miles away but on LV Blvd. It_s a really nice hotel with clean rooms, good affordable food and safe.

Palace station is really cheap but make sure you get a room in the tower and not in the courtyard. They send me free offers all the time but I really prefer the tower rooms even if I have to pay.

Sahara is a hole! People only go there because the buffet is dirt cheap!

as a former travel agent these hotels I used to book for clients when there were conventions and rates were high

Flamingo Hilton

Imperial Palace

luxor or NY NY sometimes have specials
go to a travel agent see if they can book you a 2 or 3 night package. have a great time and hope I helped you

Have you looked into the Luxor? They have a coupon special right now when you stay 2 nights you only pay for 1. Best deal in Vegas right now.

Just go to the Luxor website and look for coupon special and it_ll lead you through a series of steps or just go to the direct link here
http://www.freehotelcoupons.info/luxor-h��


Good luck and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Well there are a number of hotels in Las-Vegas that would suit you in different ways. Here is the list that you can check. Hope you would find it helpful:


http://www.hotels.beginbooking.com/City/��

Go on lasvegas.com and find some labor day specials. Sahara is not near the airport. Tropicana, MGM, NY,NY, Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay are right there by the airport.

Excalibur, Monte Carlo and Circus Circus have reasonable prices. The best is to check the current hotel promotion codes on
http://www.vegas-hotels-online.com
- with these codes you can save a lot of money.

Excalibur, Monte Carlo and Circus Circus. (all on the Vegas strip)To get the best deals at these hotels, you will need to book using discount promo codes. Here are some codes.

http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/special.p��

Imperial Palace would be your best bet. Not the best place so far as luxury but for price and location it can_t be beat. You can get some great hotel prices on this site.

Alexis Suits or Conf Center is reasonable. Check it out with the web site, may be in your budget. Station Casinos also has some real deals. Labor Day you may have to pay the premium.
Enjoy

Here is a website that specializes in cheap!

What is the maximum clearance of the quot;Needles Eyequot; in the Black Hills of SD?|148104

We are planning a family trip to South Dakota later this year and I need to make sure we will be able to enjoy the same things I did when traveling there as a child. What are the heigth and width restrictions when traveling on the roads around Mt. Rushmore that have all the tunnels?

Several years ago we drove most of the roads in that area with a Chevy full size van, and had no problems with clearances. If you are driving a very large motor home, or pulling a big camping trailer, you may have a problem. Try the web site for the National Park Service, and click on that area. It might give you the info you are looking for. Have fun, it_s a beautiful area. Also, Devils Tower Wyoming is close.