New Orleans Parking (Tow vehicle)

[Boondocker]

I am heading to New Orleans in a couple days for a conference and today I get a notice telling me that the hotel cannot accommodate oversize vehicles. So, what I need to know is where can a guy safely park a tow vehicle size truck overnight in NO close enough to walk or cab to Canal St. Thanks!

[DaveFL]

Reg. PU not an oversized vehicle, unless you have dually, they are banned in some cities with narrow streets. I found I was able to park MH at the Zoo and take the trolley into town, and ride the ferry back to the Zoo.

[Boondocker]

F250 extended cab, 8ft bed. tall shell

[HiHoAgRV]

Worst case...park at the airport, go inside and call the hotel shuttle

[SilverRanger]

Hope this applies. We were just down there last month in a F250 Crew, flat cap. Parking is pretty scarce downtown. I also recall seeing an outdoor ground level self-serve commercial parking area near the Quarter.
We mostly parked in Algiers, and took the ferry (free, $1 for a vehicle).

New Orleans Parking | Central Parking System > Riverwalk Marketplace Parking

http://neworleans.centralparking.com...t-Parking.html

[Overlander & Sea]

Originally Posted by Boondocker

I am heading to New Orleans in a couple days for a conference

Conference? Don't forget Mardi Gras is a week from tomorrow, Feb. 21, so be careful where you park your truck.

[Janie Q]

You have a conference during Mardi Gras? Try and catch a parade or two. There are some great parades at night this week... Wed, Thurs. and Friday...
and of course, all the way until Tuesday, Mardi Gras Day.
There is a lot of ground parking around the Convention Center, maybe give them a call and see if you can park there.
Jane

[Protagonist]

Where in town is your conference, exactly? Without knowing that, it will be tough to give you the best recommendation, but in general terms, you can try:

Park N Ride
900 Howard Avenue
(504) 307-5726
There are two Howard Ave Park and Ride shuttles that run every 6 minutes between 6am - 9:30am and 4pm - 6:30pm. The shuttle driver is also on call between 9:30 am - 4 pm at 504-307-5726.

The shuttle leaves from the lot at 922/932 Howard, next to WDSU Channel 6, and costs $4/day. It makes 3 stops:

1. O'Keefe and Poydras
2. St. Charles and Poydras
3. Girod and St. Charles

Being outside the French Quarter, it's less likely to be full, or closed, for the Mardi Gras weekend. After shuttle hours, you'd have to take a taxi back to the lot.
By the way, you're from Montgomery, Earth? Does that mean there's a Montgomery, Mars?

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

Hope this applies. We were just down there last month in a F250 Crew, flat cap. Parking is pretty scarce downtown. I also recall seeing an outdoor ground level self-serve commercial parking area near the Quarter.
We mostly parked in Algiers, and took the ferry (free, $1 for a vehicle)

If Algiers isn't too out of the way, this would be a perfect solution, IMO.

Parking on week days at the ferry lot is $5, and the ferry across the river drops you off at Canal Street at the RiverWalk.

We have left the Interstate there many times, there is always at least one man on duty, and never had any problems.


Maggie

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

We mostly parked in Algiers, and took the ferry (free, $1 for a vehicle).

So is the parking there overnight/multi-day? would it be a safe place to leave my truck?

[Protagonist]

I am SUCH an idiot! Why didn't I think of this sooner? Starting tomorrow up to Ash Wednesday, the WBCCI is holding its Mardi Gras Rally at the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena. Right alongside the Good Sam Club Rally, in fact.

You can find the Airstreamers on the north side of the Arena, between the Arena and the lakefront levee. Look for the big white tent surrounded by shiny trailers. Surely the Arena parking lot, near the rallies but not in their reserved areas, will be a safe place to leave your tow vehicle overnight, even if you don't belong to WBCCI or Good Sam. Can't hurt to stop by and ask, anyway.

If you want to park there, and ask anyone for directions, be sure to say "UNO Lakefront Arena"; we have another Arena down by the Superdome.

By the way, if you take taxis to and from where you park (safer and more reliable than the RTA bus), choose United Cabs. They have a better reputation around town than most of the other taxi companies.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Boondocker

So is the parking there overnight/multi-day? would it be a safe place to leave my truck?

This lot is open 24 hours a day, don't know why you couldn't leave it there several days in a row. You'd have to speak with the guy who takes your $ once you got there.

We have found it very safe. The area is lighted, right next to the ferry, and there is always someone there.


Maggie

[Steamy1]

There is a good size parking garage behind the Sheraton on Canal St. I have not heard of any problems in this garage. I believe you can self-park, or the Sheraton valet can park for you.

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by Boondocker

So is the parking there overnight/multi-day? would it be a safe place to leave my truck?

It's a very informally run private business. Basically, a couple of guys, and a shack with some homemade signs. It's not fenced in, and the attendant bugs out sometime in the afternoon. If this is Mardi Gras week, they will likely double, or triple, the rates, as they did this New Year's Eve. As Maggie said, it's next to ferry terminal, and across from a residential area. I was a bit leery the first time, but we've since parked there into the wee hours several times since with no problems.

If I were going to be in New Orleans during any festivities, I would try to arrange something in advance with one of the commercial parking garages. We've found the price of just about everything there rises proportionately according to the magnitude of the event. Just my opinion, based on a little experience.
Best of luck, and NOLA is a blast.

[Overlander & Sea]

Rodney,

There is a parking lot behind the Westin Hotel at the end of Canal St close to the ferry & aquarium. It should be safe. I have parked my truck there.

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

By the way, if you take taxis to and from where you park (safer and more reliable than the RTA bus), choose United Cabs. They have a better reputation around town than most of the other taxi companies.

Great advice.
After a memorable celebration in the Quarter one night, our group caught a cab (not United) from the ferry back to the campground at Bayou Segnette. My memory is a bit fuzzy on some of the things we did that night, but I'll never for get the ride. Imagine 9 people in a minivan hurtling down Westbank Expressway at 80 MPH.