Okay, so we made it through Sugar Bowl/New Years......We made it through Mardi Gras shortly thereafter, and then this past weekend was the NCAA Final 4 Championship for b-ball.
I played golf with the NCAA Mens Basketball Coaches Assn yesterday which was a blast. Although, I have to confess that several of the coaches were terrible golfers.....
A few hours later I made my way to the Championship game....The Superdome was filled with 55,000+ and we were all pleased with a good-game. Close. It came down to the last shot which has become typical of all NCAA Basketball Championships played here.
Now......we're rolling into April which is THE BEST time of year! Why? Well, the weather is great (not today...it's pouring rain) and the French Quarter Festival starts this weekend. FW Fest is FREE!! Not the food, which is delicious, but the music is, and the food is cheap-cheap-cheap with booths set up all over the Riverfront. That's this weekend (April 10-13).
Get in your car and drive here for it. Hotel rates are reasonable if you do a little research. Don't give up...there are good deals out there for those who invest a little time in checking out different locations besides the FQ for your hotel.
Then...the 2 weeks following that are (my favorite)...JAZZ FEST!!!
The lineup is fantastic and the vibe is always (relatively) laid-back and cool. The ticket prices for Jazz Fest are always reasonable for an entire day of music, fun and people-watching out at the Fairgrounds! Take one of the shuttles from downtown/FQ. Parking and cabs are both nightmares!! Trust me on that one!!
I've been to about 20 Jazz Fests.....I usually take my bike because parking nearby is almost non existent.

The social calander for the locals are filling up and there's always something fun, and interesting, to do in N.O. this month.
Hope that anyone out there gets a chance to come to N.O. this month....the party never stops from now through the first week of May....
-Gene

Great post Gene! Sounds like there's plenty to do in NOLA this month. If you want some more info on the events Gene mentioned, check this out:
Jazz Fest 2003
French Quarter Festival 2003

And don't forget about The Essence Music Festival in July!!!

Everywhere I look it's free music this month. Pontchatoula Strawberry Fest, French Quarter Fest, the D.D.C Wednesday Concert Series, and the newest outdoor music series in the Warehouse district I keep hearing about on Thursdays. Anyone else know where to listen cheap?

Hi Gene-
It's Stephanie in Myrtle Beach! I was wondering... what other special events are fun during the rest of the year? I know Spring is the New Orleans 'season' but what else are locals' favorites?

Hi Stephanie,
Lots to do in N.O. during the summer.
There's Essence Fest every 4th of July weekend. Tens of thousands of people flock to N.O. for some of the best music you can possibly imagine. Concerts at the Superdome/N.O. Arena and the Convention Center too.
Also, summer is a great time to get good rates at hotels. Typically, you can find one (depending on demand, of course) for less than $100/nt in a centrally located hotel (FQ or downtown).
The fishing is great too during the summer. So sports-persons can get their fill of The Sportsmen's Paradise quite easily. Charter fishing and trips to Jean Lafitte National Park are a couple of things that aren't on the usual tourist agenda that I'd suggest to check out during the summer
Have a nice trip! Bring your summer clothes!
-Gene