Travel
Travel Note
Getting to New Orleans
Flying: New Orleans thrives on tourism, and as a result, the city enjoys the convenience of a major airport. MSY offers great flight options, and was rennovated in 2019 with modern travel comforts. MSY is about 25-30 minutes from the city center. Cabs, Uber and Lyft are all great options. Many hotels offer a shuttle service as well! As you all may know, Doug and Colleen do quite a bit of traveling together, so let us share some of our travel insights here! For specific airport and metro area tips and google flight links- scroll down! PS: Southwest has a credit card with a $69 annual fee that gives you more than enough points to make it to NOLA as a signing bonus. [not sponsored; just trying to get everyone to NOLA!] Driving: -please be mindful of the low elevation in the city; even a little rain can cause road flooding, so park on high ground if rain is expected. -the NOPD uses red light and speed cameras all over the city, so as always, please drive safely and under the speed limit! Train: If you want to make an adventure out of the journey, AMTRAK's Crescent line (linked) runs from the "Big Apple to the Big Easy". -AMTRAK also runs "The City of New Orleans" train from Chicago to NOLA. This train line is the inspiration for Arlo Guthrie's famous song by the same name.
Travel Note
Lodging
Explore this section to see some of the housing options we've earmarked for our wedding. If these options don't quite work for you, don't worry. New Orleans often hosts large events such as the Superbowl, and has no short supply of hotel rooms. New Orleans has luxury properties such as a Ritz Carlton and a Four Seasons property. It has major hotel chain properties such as Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, etc. It also has affordable motel and Airbnb options that are more budget-friendly. Search "Uptown/Lower Garden District" for the neighborhood near our ceremony/reception venue, and "Bywater" for the neighborhood near the welcome/farewell party venue.
Hotel
Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District Hotel
We have a room block here at the Renaissance Arts hotel in the warehouse district. This is a central location that's a 10-15 minute Uber from both the welcome party and the ceremony. It's a 10 minute walk to the French Quarter and an easy walk to the streetcar lines on Canal Street and in the downtown circle. The warehouse district has great food, bars, and art nearby (and one of Colleen's favorite yoga studios is nearby on Magazine st.) This is a Mariott property so Bonvoy members can earn some points!
Hotel
Avenue Plaza Hotel
Our first room block is at the Avenue Plaza Resort under "Colleen and Doug Wedding". You can book through 5/13/25 via the link below. (Don't go directly to the hotel website) The Avenue Plaza Resort is centrally located on historic St. Charles Avenue. It's right on the street car line to make exploring the city easy, and about a 10-15 minute drive/uber from both the Welcome Party and Reception/Ceremony venues. Avenue Plaza is a Club Wyndham property (for points purposes). All rooms are "suites" with a kitchenette and living space, making this a great option for families- or anyone who needs some extra space. There are both studio and one bedroom options available. There is a pool, hot tub, fitness center, rooftop deck and laundry. There is valet parking for a fee, and street parking should be available in the area as well.
Discount Code - Link below, or mention "Colleen & Doug wedding" by phone
Travel Note
Unique New Orleans Hotels
As a city of tourism, there are a few New Orleans hotels that are a piece of history and have a fun local flair that you might not find at a major chain. For those who want to check out a historical NOLA hotel, these would be our suggestions (room availability may be limited as these are popular, and prices may be more expensive) : Hotel Monteleone: Located in the French Quarter and established in 1886, this hotel has hosted guests such as Ernest Hemmingway and Tennessee Williams. In the lobby, you'll find the famous Carousel Bar, where you can sit at a revolving bar and enjoy an espresso martini. Beware, though, it's rumored to be the home of a friendly young ghost named Maurice Begere... https://hotelmonteleone.com/ Hotel St. Vincent: this hotel, located just blocks from Colleen's old apartment, is newly-renovated. It was formerly a sanctuary for orphans and the poor, run by former orphan-turned-successful-baker Margaret Gaffney. It has quirky art on the walls, great food and a beautiful pool in the courtyard. If you go to Mojo's Coffee accross the street you might be able to imagine Colleen and friends studying at one of the coffee shop tables, as this was a favorite weekend study spot! https://saintvincentnola.com/ Hotel Peter and Paul: This hotel in the Marigny is a renovated convent. The property doubles as a restaurant, yoga studio, music space and more and the attached Elysian Bar is a great place for brunch. https://ash.world/hotels/peter-and-paul The Ponchartrain Hotel: This Lower Garden District hotel opened in 1940 and was once visited by Frank Sinatra as well as several past US Presidents. It has a beautiful rooftop bar called "Hot Tin" with panoramic views of the Big Easy. https://thepontchartrainhotel.com The Roosevelt Hotel: This downtown classic is home to a beautiful Christmas light display in the winter, the famous Sazerac Bar, and a fantastic Italian restaurant, Domenica https://therooseveltneworleans.com/
House Or Rental
Uptown/Carrollton Airbnb Options
Here is a list of Airbnb's in the Uptown area close to Audubon Park where the ceremony and reception will be! This is a quieter neighborhood with some architectural quirks so please review the bedroom options thoroughly. There are a range of options for different sized groups!
House Or Rental
AirBnB Options in the Bywater
This is a list of homes in the Bywater Neighborhood that are all walking distance/a few blocks away from The Mazant. This is where the Bride/Groom/Family will be staying, and it will be the location for the Welcome Party and Farewell Party! There are a range of homes on this list that range from modestly priced smaller units to luxury priced homes that would accommodate up to 16-20 guests if you want to coordinate with a group of friends or family! There are also a number of units in the same condo building available for those who want to coordinate with a group but still would like their own space
House Or Rental
Great for Groups! Check Out These Larger Airbnb Options in New Orleans
For those wanting to coordinate travel with friends and family, a large Airbnb can be a great home-base for the weekend. All Airbnb's on this list house at least 10 people (in an actual bed) and most have at least 6 bedrooms plus large living spaces. These are scattered throughout the city so take note of the location when booking.
Flight
From PHL
-American Airlines and Frontier have several daily direct flights to MSY. They have almost-hourly direct flight options on Saturday mornings if you choose to fly down the day of the wedding. Southwest has easy connections through BNA/Nashville and Delta has connections through ATL.
Flight
From Baltimore/DC Area
For all airports, Delta has an easy connection through ATL. They also all have Saturday morning options to allow for travel the day of the wedding as well. BWI: Southwest and Spirit Airlines both have direct flight options DCA: American and Southwest offer direct flights. IAD: United is the best bet for a direct flight
Flight
From New York Area
JFK: multiple nonstops per day on JetBlue and Delta. Saturday morning flight options are available as well. LGA: Southwest and Delta have Friday afternoon/evening nonstops. Options for Sat AM as well. EWR: Spirit and United have direct flights
Flight
From New England
BOS: JetBlue and Delta have direct flights on Fridays and Saturday mornings for the option for day-of travel. Southwest and American have routes with layovers for Friday evening travel. PVD: All the TF Green flights have layovers. Delta has a great "after work" Friday flight and Southwest has an "after work" option as well. Southwest, Delta and American have flights you could take Saturday AM.
Flight
From Salt Lake City
Delta has a daily nonstop flight! Otherwise Southwest, Spirit and Fronteir have options with layovers.
Flight
From SF Bay Area
OAK: Lots of Southwest options with easy connections, including a few Saturday options. SFO: United has a direct flight daily. Delta, American and Southwest have connecting flights. SJC: no direct flights but Southwest and Spirit have a number of non-direct options.
Flight
From Southern California
LAX: Direct flights on Delta, Spirit, Southwest with a number of connecting options also BUR: Direct options on Southwest SNA: No direct but a number of flights on American with connections SAN: San Diego has a direct flight options on Southwest. American, United and Delta all have reasonable connections
Flight
From Texas
While some may choose to drive from Texas, almost everywhere in Texas has easy "after work" and Saturday AM flight options! AUS: nonstops on Southwest and American. IAH: nonstops on united and spirit HOU: a bunch of nonstops on southwest DAL: numerous nonstops on southwest DFW: spirit and american have nonstop options