Halloween in New Orleans

Halloween is one of the very best times to visit New Orleans. The weather is at its most pleasant for walking in the French Quarter or taking the streetcar out to see be beautiful old mansions of the Garden District. You get a feel for the revelry and masking of Mardi Gras but without the enormous crowds. It is one of the locals' favorite holidays, and many people put a lot of work into their costumes. Saturday night (October 27, after the tournament), will probably be the peak night of the celebrations.

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Some places to stay

Here are a number of accomodations of varying price and location.

Contact me if you have any questions or need help choosing among the various options.

If you have trouble with a link, copy and paste it into your browser.

Schiro's Balcony Guest House
http://www.balconyguesthouse.com/

Bywater Bed & Breakfast
http://www.bywaterbnb.com/

Olde Town Inn
http://www.oldetowninn.com/

Ambassador Hotel, 535 Tchoupitoulas Street,
1 (800) 455-3417
$80/night through priceline.com
http://www.ambassadorneworleans.com

St. Charles Guest House, 1748 Prytania, (504) 523-6556
Single- $75/night (with private bath), $65/night (with shared bath)
Double - $85/night

India House, 124 South Lopez, (504) 821-1904
$45/night

Joe and Flo Old Candlelight Hostel, 1129 N Robertson, (504) 581-6689
Private room - $50/night
Shared dorm room - $25/night

Kit Senter Bed and Breakfast, Carollton area, (504) 866-8257
Single - $35/night
Double - $45/night

Terrell Guest House, 1441 Magazine St, (504) 872-9502
Carriage House Room - $100/night (mention for Bookfair)

more bed & breakfasts
http://www.gumbopages.com/no-bnb.html

more youth hostels
http://www.gumbopages.com/no-hostels.html

Things to do

The French Quarter and nearby Frenchmen Street are great places to go at night to see costumers. Here are some other events going on the weekend of Oct 26-28. For more information, visit The New Orleans Convention and Visitors' Bureau

Voodoo Music Experience
October 26, 2007 - October 28, 2007
http://www.voodoomusicfest.com
Location: City Park
Rage Against the Machine, The Smashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy, Wilco, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Sinead O'Connor, Plain White T's, the Black Crowes, Kings of Leon, Common, and Gym Class Heroes
Other announced acts include Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Spoon, Toots & the Maytals, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Tiesto in Concert, Ghostland Observatory, La Coka Nostra featuring Everlast and members of House of Pain, JJ Grey and MOFRO, Coheed and Cambria, and M.I.A.
The Voodoo Music Experience also includes performances from New Orleans musicians such as Dr. John, Galactic Featuring Mr. Liff and Lyrics Born, Mute Math, Marc Broussard, Rotary Downs, Ghost, the New Orleans Social Club, Henry Butler, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the New Orleans Bingo!, Show, Liquidrone, Chant, Clint Maedgen, George Porter Jr., Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Theresa Anderson featuring Johnn Vidacovich and Arthur Mintz, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Ivan Neville's DumpstaPhunk, Dan Dyer, Porter-Batiste-Stoltz, the Morning 40 Federation, the Hot 8, the Soul Rebels, and many more.

Incredible Victory: The Battle of Midway
June 2, 2007 - October 28, 2007
Times: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
http://www.nationalww2museum.org
Location: The National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St.
Phone: (504) 527-6012
Special Exhibit In June 1942 the fate of the nation was still very much in doubt. Still suffering the effects of the defeat at Pearl Harbor and not having had time to mobilize, the US Navy was in a precarious position. The Imperial Japanese Navy developed a plan to draw the remains of the Pacific Fleet into a decisive and final engagement. The Battle of Midway intended as a decisive victory by the Japanese became an incredible victory for the United States. The National World War Two Museum will present a special exhibition examining this turning of the war featuring artifacts, images and personal accounts from participants.

Tattoo VooDoo Expo
October 25, 2007 - October 28, 2007
Location: Best Western Landmark Hotel, 2601 Severn Ave.
Phone: (504) 888-9500
The Tattoo VooDoo Expo will feature national and international award winning artists from all over the globe. Artists displaying and creating some of the phenomenal work you have seen in many different publications as well as on tv. This year there will be an art fusion, live music, a Haloween costume contest, tattoo contests, with more trophies added, plus more categories! Seminars will also be available.

Smithsonian Culture Fest
October 26, 2007 - October 28, 2007 y
Smithsonian magazine and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism formed a partnership to host Louisiana CultureFest this fall in New Orleans. Experience the heart and soul of Louisiana culture at this spectacular, weekend-long festival, featuring an array of events, seminars, performances, and excursions led by experts from the Smithsonian Institution. Discover the diversity of this unique state as you enjoy historic tours, culinary tastings, art seminars, live music and more. It's all happening at Smithsonian CultureFest 2007. The events spotlights the state that counts jazz, Jambalaya and architecture among its cultural gems. This year's celebration, featuring 18 events over three days, invites residents and visitors to sample the state's art, music, history, architecture and cuisine. CultureFest draws several thousand visitors from throughout the United States and beyond, and is one of Smithsonian magazine's signature events. For complete event descriptions and to register for events, visit www.smithsonian.com/culturefest .

Arts Market of New Orleans
October 27, 2007
Times: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
http://www.artscouncilneworleans.org
Location: Palmer Park (at the corner of S. Claiborne Ave. and S. Carrollton Ave.
Phone: (504) 523-1465
The Arts Market features handmade, affordable art from local and regional artists and artisans. Styles of art include Painting, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Jewelry, Wood, and Printmaking, plus handmade clothing, soap, candles, and other delights. Between 50 and 100 artists display and sell their wares each month.
The Arts Market also features live entertainment, food and beverage booths, and a children's activities area.

Fresh Art Festival
October 27, 2007 - October 28, 2007
http://www.artscouncilofneworleans.org
Location: 700 block of St. Joseph St, Warehouse Arts District
Phone: (504) 523-1465
Annual fall outdoor arts festival showcasing one-of-a-kind works of art by 65 juried artists in the following categories: sculpture, drawing, painting, metal, prints, fiber, mixed media, wood furniture, baskets, glass, photography, ceramics and jewelry.

The Krewe of BOO benefit for employees of the New Orleans Police, Fire, and EMS
September 29th 2007 at Mardi Gras World.
This exclusive event formally kicks off our celebrations of the Halloween Season! Our Vampire King Lestat, Voodoo Queen Marie Lavaux, and their loyal court of Counts, Countess, and Squires will be announced to the public annually at this grand event.
Come party with us, honor our first responders, and celebrate the Krewe of Boo’s Halloween Season! Food, music, drinks, and celebration will be provided. Black Tie or Police, Fire, or EMS uniform required for entry.
The Krewe of BOO Halloween Expose’ Bash will be our annual Halloween celebration on Halloween night beginning 2007! This Halloween-themed costume party will unite imagination with alter-ego to produce a Halloween celebration yet to be seen.
Although Mardi Gras World will again graciously host this event, it will hardly be recognized. This 22,000 square feet of space will be outfitted in first-class Halloween décor! Mr. Skip Sherman, the creator of Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, will design and construct the space while Kern Studios outfits it with props and figurines.
The 2007 Expose’ Bash will be will be an experience free for members; however, the public may purchase tickets for $125/couple by calling the Krewe of BOO contact line at 504.394.KOFB (5632).
Nothing less than a fabulous costume is required for admittance and all proceeds from the event benefit the Greater New Orleans First Responders Fund.

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