There are towns around the city that have been effected as well. Support the area, find the little mom and pop shops and restaurants in the surrounding area as well if you have time. My dad lives there. He was VERY lucky. Many friends down there were not so lucky. My brother was riding around with his buddy in a boat, rescuing folks from roof tops when it happened. He works for the state wildlife and gaming commission. There is alot that these folks need.
I will be driving down so I will be contributing to the local economy all along the way. I am also a too often donator to the casinos in the Shreveport/Bossier area. I plan on leaving Dallas & spending the night in Bossier to break up the drive then finish my drive the next day. Dan is getting others in his krewe to join us after we do their parade on Friday so you can bet our group will eat & drink plenty.
I recently talked to Joe Bennett on the phone that plays at Margaritaville. He was begging people to come back to the city. If anyone goes to Nola, please stop by & see his show. It's always fun at Margaritaville.
Now if I can just get Harrah's open & Lucky Dogs back I'll be a happy camper.
In addition to the cruise ships Canarymoon mentioned, you can take a riverboat cruise on one of the ships run by the Delta Queen Company. Although they are not running the ships out of New Orleans yet, they are cruising out of Baton Rouge, about 50 mile upriver. So you can fly into New Orleans, take a tour of the Mississippi plantations on the River Road, and end up in Baton Rouge for your cruise.
Just got a call from my friends from Houma, LA. They are on Bourbon Street celebrating a birthday. From the sounds of it.....they have been making a sizeable contribution to the local economy. I can't wait to get back there. Said the crowds are getting larger but not many locals...most are relief workers. Glad to know they are getting some much deserved timeoff to have a little fun among all the chaos & destruction they are dealing with.
A co-worker of mine drove home to Louisiana for Thanksgiving. Many restaurants along I-10 near the Texas border and of course near New Orleans are still not open. Some of the fast food restaurants are only open for drive-thru and others are only open for a few hours each day.
This is because so many people are living elsewhere that there aren't enough people around to work in these places. Until infrastructure and living spaces are up and running again, there will not be many places to stop along the way. So plan your bathroom breaks carefully!
A co-worker of mine drove home to Louisiana for Thanksgiving. Many restaurants along I-10 near the Texas border and of course near New Orleans are still not open. Some of the fast food restaurants are only open for drive-thru and others are only open for a few hours each day.
This is because so many people are living elsewhere that there aren't enough people around to work in these places. Until infrastructure and living spaces are up and running again, there will not be many places to stop along the way. So plan your bathroom breaks carefully!
Thanks for the tip but I will be driving to Shreveport, gambling stop overnight, & then heading down Hwy 49. Just gotta remember to watch for those crooked cops in Desoto Parish. Been there...done that. In that state you are guilty, no if and or buts about it.
They sell N.O.-themed gift baskets that would be perfect for some people I know. One is called "New Orleans Vacation in a Box". Instead of ordering one, I am buying the things listed, and will put together my own box. But since it's a week before Xmas, store shelves are being emptied, and I think I won't save any money (except postage) when I am done.
Watch this thread when we get closer to Mardi Gras for suggestions for supplies, etc.
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Some of our most FUN times have been at Pat O'Brien's! 
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