I went back in Feb/Mar for Mardi Gras (and my birthday) and it was fairly normal- albeit the crowds were much smaller. The French quarter was still pretty packed on Tuesday night.

All of the utility services are restored, but every now and then you will see a vacant slab where a building once was, or a collapsed EasyServ that hasn’t been cleaned up. There is a lot of camper trailers setup by FEMA in people’s yards…

The one really noticeable thing to me was the lack of restaurants wiht workers/help; there were several places (A TGI Fridays and a Copeland’s were the two we tried) that were still closed for renovations/repair, and the others closed very early due to lack of people to work there (Taco Bell and Wendy’s closed at 6:00pm!). We went to a Semolina’s on Veterans Blvd. and they had opened the day before and only had a limited menu options for the time.

It was very similar across the lake in Mandeville/Covington; all of the restaurants were closing at 6:00pm or so…

A friend of mine was down there in June and had an experience of the owner of a breakfast place apologizing (in tears) to her as she had to help to serve her as no one showed up that day- save the cook who was pretty irate in the kitchen.

Other than the above, it was the same New Orleans that I lived in a few years before- just make sure if you want to dine out that you do it before the places closes!

You should definitely go back – for any reason!

I was finally able to go back this past weekend (it was over a year before I felt I could handle it). The French Quarter looks ok, and I didn’t feel I was unsafe at any point. I saw many police around, and they were constantly questioning any suspicious looking people hanging around the streets.

The sad thing is, though, the lack of people/tourists – the small shops, cafes, resturants, the artists, the musicians, etc. that are the heart of New Orleans are struggling SO hard. Tourism was the main income for New Orleans, and without it, she’s a struggling city. She needs her visitors and tourists now more than ever.

The outlying parts of New Orleans are still heavily damaged, but the French Quarter (the main tourist spot) wasn’t that badly damaged and is looking good these days. I encourage you – and everyone – to visit as often as you can, to eat out, to buy souvenirs, purchase some sidewalk art and drop a few dollars in a musician’s box. It seems small, but if everyone just starts going back and supporting the local community again, this wonderful city can thrive once more.

I went back last April for Jazz Fest. It was so amazing to finally be home after watching everything on TV/radio/internet during and post Katrina.

You should definitely go back. It isn’t how it was, obviously, but it’s certainly still alive. The best thing you can do is go back, spend your money, and support the local culture in whatever way you can.

There’s still lots to do, and in a much different way, lots to see.

Now is as good a time as any… so start planning a trip!

I live in Nashville now. But I have been back several times. Everyone should go and see it. Don’t just visit the Quarter or Uptown. I lived Uptown but I grew up in MidCity right next to the Fairgrounds where Jazzfest is held. I had family all over the city, including New Orleans East and the Ninth Ward. If you have been to these parts of the city before, you’d appreciate the devastation and how bad it was and still is now—a year later. What’s hit me the most is New Orleans is (was) made up of several distinct neighborhoods each with their own spirit and life. To see neighborhoods where kids were always playing in the street and grandmothers sat on porches and corner groceries where everyone gathered are now deserted.

Go for Mardi Gras, go to Jazzfest….those help drive the tourism economy that has been the lifeblood of the city. She’s hurt, she’s a lot sadder and weary but, she’s still there and will welcome you…maybe not quite in the fashion she is used to doing….but she will nonetheless….

I just hope that all that called her home will return. More than the food, music and architecture…New Orleans is her people. The people made all the things that make her great. I live in Tennessee now but, my heart and soul belongs to New Orleans…I will return one day.

just as a point of order, all of the utilities are not restored. They are restored in the Quarter and the garden districts. But they still don’t have electricity in many parts of the ninth ward.
please go back, they NEED you to go back.

I was in NOLA from March thru June this year, 2006. The situation there is incredibly complicated emotionally, logistically and more. Believe me that words and pictures will NEVER adequately help the unitiated understand “what it’s like.” Sure, it get’s “better” every day and every week since Katrina but “better” is very different then it ever was. It’s evolving into a different world.
That said, the Quarter is still there, Uptown and the Garden District too. Vomit on Bourbon Street, Fried Green Tomatoes at Jacquimo’s. Camellia Grill is closed, bummer.
The people are as nice as ever though there’s a sense of quiet desperation, fear, uncertainty and doubt- EVERYWHERE. I would NEVER EVER go to Jazz Fest. Why? Because you can go to NOLA any other time of year for GREAT music at local clubs, great food abundant and you can have it ALL with less crowds, dust and worse. I would ALWAYS opt for a unique weekend than JAzzFest with the masses. You can get the Gospel music on Sundays ALL over town, great Jazz in the Marigny, Tips and HOB not to mention Republic and the rest ALWAYS have the best acts rolling through. Dinner at Jacquimo’s (again), lunch at Gus’, coffee at DuMonde, ahhhhh.
Just be grateful for what you have and sorry for what most of NOLA lost.

I absolutely recommend going back to New Orleans. i was there this past June and yes there are a lot of areas that are in rough shape but the city badly needs revenue to rebuild. The French Quarter and downtown are in great shape and the people are so very happy to have visitors in their great city. Bourbon Street is still very much alive and hopping- it was fantastic when I went on a Saturday night! I’ve never been to Mardi Gras or the Jazz festival but have heard both are amazing and I bet the Jazz Festival would be particlurly incredible. Get some beniets and cafe au lait from Cafe Du Monde and some good beer and food at Cresent City Brewery. Mothers is another excellent place for local awesome food. Even better- especially for a special dinner is Olivier’s….amazing food and atmosphere: http://www.olivierscreole.com/
There were some restaurants that seemed understaffed but most seemed fine and I was in the city for a conference. I found the city to be as safe as any other- I mostly walked with others but travelled a bit by myself during the day.

Hope this helps!

New Orleans is fantastic. I went before Katrina and also traveled to Biloxi and just outside of New Orleans last April- about 6 months after Katrina. I will attach a link to my pictures of Biloxi and the Louisiana coast line and you can check it out.
The areas near the coastline are still very much in disrepair and the process of rebuilding.

New Orleans is awesome. The food is fantastic and I’m sure that part remains unchanged. I’m sure you will still see many storm damaged areas if you go- but I would still recommend a visit. The people there are very resilient- so I’m sure the atmosphere of New Orleans remains festive despite the damage. I have never been during Marti Gras- however I found that the atmosphere of the French Quater to be very fun regardless (just much less crowded). Great music, great drinks, great food. Hurricanes at Pat O’Briens is always a good way to start an evening.

Here is the link for the pics…

lesliesplace.snapfish.com

I moved back to New Orleans the day before Mardi Gras this year. I just had to come support my city. I encourage you to do the same. It’s different in many ways, but the spirit is still here. And there are places to stay, and many restaurants have reopened. A lot of the city’s struggles have to do with money and bureaucracy, but I think a lot of it is also tied into the emotions of living here. Every visitor, by coming, is saying, “I believe in you. I believe that New Orleans will live.” That goes a long way, and I think you’ll find that you’re treated well as a result.

I was back for a visit the first week of April. Most areas had power back, but there were a lot of areas – mid city maybe? – that were still without power. I stayed with a friend in Bywater, and we drove around the Lower 9 by where the levees broke and into Jefferson Parish. You can see some pics at my friend’s site: http://www.printroom.com/ghome.asp?domain_name=fairytale

As for the Quarter, most businesses were back open – Bourbon on Friday night had a respectable crowd. Light for pre-Katrina Friday, more like a good weeknight crowd. But still fun, and good to see things getting back towards normal.

I want to second pretty much everything said by shokufeh, too. In addition to the morale boost visitors bring, the money you spend is a boost to the local economy, and that helps in ways even the best-managed donations can’t. So go whenever, but go – enjoy, shop, eat out, and hit Lafitte’s for a Voodoo Daquiri for me, OK? :-)

PLEASE, PLEASE GO!!!
I was there last month (August) and they really need tourists to go. I spoke with lots of people that own restaurants, bars and stores there and they say that if the tourists don’t come back, they’ll have to close in a few months.
The French Quarter is coming back to life and it didn’t suffer much with Katrina. The only real problem is that there aren’t many tourists around.
As for the rest, be prepared for a shock, some areas seem to be just exactly the same as after Katrina went by: completely destroyed. It’s really sad and makes you wonder where the money is going…

If it’s a place you love, then simply go.

I was a NOLA resident from 1991-1997. My last pre-K visit was for JazzFest 2000. To date, I have visited three times this year (mid-February, May for the 2nd weekend of Jazzfest, and just a few weeks ago in August); I will be visiting again during the end of October/early November, as well.

What to expect is a big question with lots of variables. If you are thinking of visiting before January 2007 (when a fair portion of the convention business will be back again, due to the major hotels having completed repairs), then you will likely enjoy the benefit of fewer tourists being present, but also the likelihood of fewer open and fully-staffed businesses/restaurants. The key is to be patient (service at a restaurant can range from your food arriving in as little as 15 minutes’ time after ordering or as much as an hour’s time). After the new year begins, the visitor presence is likely to begin building up again.

My visit during Mardi Gras this year was for the Krewe du Vieux parade (the “locals’ parade” with a route through the French Quarter). Back then, the city was still very visibly damaged; no residential mail service in effect, 70% of the streetlights and traffic signals not operating, only about 25% of the visitor-related businesses up and running, etc. JazzFest was significantly better - much more clean-up had occurred, more businesses were open (albeit with reduced staffing), etc. In August (just before the anniversary), things were pretty quiet – but that’s typical. The sad news was that 50+ businesses in the French Quarter had closed since my last visit in May - the lack of convention business is really hurting the sole proprietors and family-owned businesses/restaurants.

Will it be “just like you remember”? No. Will it be a war zone or a ghost town? No. Has most of the worst damage at least been cleared away? Yes. Is there still great music and food? Yes. The best comparison I can offer at this time is that it’s an area that has experienced a significant economic depression that hasn’t yet abated. Everyone you encounter will be happy and grateful to see you there.

When to visit? My strategy is to visit as often as possible (as evidenced by four trips during eight months’ time).

If you want to go for an event, I always recommend JazzFest over Mardi Gras.

Best regards—xok.

Just wanted to chime in and encourage you to go…at any time, for any reason.

I went in March to volunteer for three weeks, then again in July for a week. I fully intend on going back next winter for an extended visit, then again and again to do as much as I can to help. And for Mardi Gras.

Go! Just go! NOLA needs every person possible to go and support the city. I have been back three times since Katrina and it seems to be “suck” right now…some people are back but there are so many more that are not.

Our first time back was for Mardi Gras, then we went down in August and I just got back from a trip volunteering with the Arabi Wrecking Krewe.

THe FQ is desolate at times. There is not a fraction of the tourism going on. Restaurants and businesses close early, they are short on help. Our hotel only had three maids. be patient.

Dont limit yourself to the FQ, take a drive thru the 9th ward, lakeview see how little has been done there. Volunteer with a group for a day to help rebuild a house. Spend some money.

I have been telling everyone I know to plan a trip there, NOW, the city needs money pumpiing into it! The only people that are going to save it are the folks who fell in with with it.

You wont regret going.

Go! go go go go go. New Orleanians are upbeat people with great spirits. The town isn’t exactly the same, but there’s a feeling of making the best of a shitty situation. I went for mardi gras ‘06 and though I didn’t hit the french quarter Tuesday I still had a great time Monday night and Tuesday (all day). My mom went to jazz fest and had a great time. If you saw (or heard about) the Saint’s first game in the superdome that should give you an idea of what these events will be like – celebrations to bouy the natives spirits and prove to the rest of the country that they may be bruised, but they will not be broke.