What quarter of new orleans is the Morial Convention Center located in and what else is in that area?

I am attending a conference at the Morial Convention Center next month and am trying to figure out where to stay, where to go, etc. I'd also appreciate it if anyone knew what parking was like in that area, how much it costs to park, is parking difficult to find, etc.? If there are any really good restaurants, for someone watching her budget and going to New Orleans for the first time?

The Convention Center is downtown along the riverfront. Note that the CC is huge (almost a mile long).

The CC is close to the French Quarter (which also fronts on the river) but is in an area of the city center known as the Warehouse District. The WD was light to medium manufacturing 100 years ago and is now museums, art galleries, upscale restaurants, condos, some shopping, and law offices.

There are numerous hotels very close to the Convention Center, and the Ambassador Hotel (several blocks from the CC) is the closest of the ones mentioned in one of my previous answer.

Parking isn't difficult to find around the CC, but is expensive - usually around $20 per 24 hours. The least expensive parking I know of in the city center is at the Amtrak/Greyhound station, which is $3.50 per 24 hours. You have to pay cash up front (you get a receipt) for your estimated days, but the lot has a human attendant 24/7.

Note that you don't need a car to get around in the French Quarter, Central Business District, or Warehouse District. Also, the parking regulations are Byzantine and there are lots of Parking Control Agents. If you drive here or rent a car, leave it in a lot or garage unless you are traveling away from downtown. The Riverfront streetcar line (www.norta.com) provides public transit between the CC and the French Quarter.

There are many restaurants in the area of the CC, but most are relatively expensive. Two exceptions are Deanie's Restaurant at 1016 Annunciation Street and the Ugly Dog Saloon at the corner of Higgins and Annunciation. Deanie's does breakfast & lunch cafeteria style and - despite the name - the Ugly Dog is nice, clean, and has good food + barbeque. A more upscale restaurant that is still reasonable is the Sun Ray Grill at 1051 Annunciation Street.

The Riverwalk shopping center has a food court and it is attached to the CC.

There is food for sale inside the CC, but it is basically football stadium quality hamburgers & hot dogs at stadium prices. Pack your own sandwiches if you won't have time to get away for lunch.

Note that the first answer is not correct about the size of New Orleans. New Orleans' city center is relatively compact, but the metro area covers about 700 square miles and has a population of well over a million.

Good luck!

check this map

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?cou...

the convention center is in New Orleans

on the river not far from the Superdome.

New Orleans is not a big city like Atlanta or Dallas
everything is located fairly close together.

you can stay anywhere and not be far from the center.
just make a reservation in advance if they have a big convention or many of them at once rooms and rental cars go fast.

parking is expensive but they have some around the center.

the riverwalk has a food court if your in a hurry but you'll find cheaper and better places all over the French Quarter

It is in the warehouse district by the river.