new orleans november 2011

New Orleans trip

Mischelle and I have qualified for the 2011 Great Urban Race national championship to be held Saturday, November 12, in New Orleans! We're heading down for the weekend and would love for you to join us.

When?

Leslie, Mischelle and I will be heading to New Orleans Thursday, November 10, and coming home Sunday, November 13. Everyone is welcome to make their own individual plans and head there or head home earlier or later as they like.

How?

The three of us are planning to take Amtrak to and from the Big Easy. The current fare is $62 to New Orleans, then $78 back to Atlanta, for a total of of $140 round trip. The Crescent travels daily, arriving in both cities around 7:30 PM local time.

If you've got the ability to be flexible with your travel, then you might check out Amtrak's weekly specials page. A current special fare for travel from New Orleans to Atlanta on Mondays lowers the fare to $46.50.

There's no need to travel with us, or even on the same days as us, of course. You're welcome to join and head back home as your plans allow.

Where?

So far I've found three good options for places to stay:

This historic home on Magazine Street in the Lower Garden District is a little further from the French Quarter than the other options, but comes in at the lowest price. It's also got a hot tub for soothing race-weary legs. It runs $150 per night and has an $80 cleaning fee ($132.50 with four, $88.33 with six)
This loft on Poeyfarre Street is located in The Cotton Mill, a live/work/play development in the Warehouse District. It's closer to the French Quarter and is nicely located just 3/4 mile from the train station, and though it says it accommodates six people that might be a squeeze. It runs $185 per night and I'm confirming whether there's a cleaning fee ($138.75+ with four, $92.50+ with six)
This condo off Bourbon Street is our best bet to actually stay in the French Quarter. It's got a private balcony overlooking the street and a cute little courtyard. It runs $325 per night and has a $175 cleaning fee ($287.50 with four, $191.66 with six)

How much?

It partially depends on how many people join us. Ideally I'd like to find a vacation rental to split amongst our friends. My goal is to have transportation and lodging cost no more than $400 per person, and hopefully less.

How do I get in?

Send Dave a message letting us know you're interested no later than Friday, September 16. You don't need to be committed to the trip by that time, but we do need an initial head count so we know what sort of hotel or vacation rental to search for. That way we'll have plenty of time to look for places to stay.