We are the Saints, shufflin' crew/Makin' your vacation less relaxing for you!
February 5, 2010 12:01 AM Subscribe
How will the French Quarter in New Orleans be affected by Superbowl weekend?
My girlfriend and I are headed to New Orleans for a brief vacation that we cleverly planned to happen at the point in the year at which we are most tired of winter. We thought that was clever, but we weren't clever enough to consider: What happens if the Saints make it to the Superbowl?
As soon as I heard that they won, I was like, "Aw, shit." But maybe it's not going to be that bad?
We're OK with the kind of crowds you see in touristy places like Vegas, but we want to avoid spaces jam-packed with apeshit sports fans. We're going to be in the French Quarter without a car. Is it going to be Saints Central? If so, what are some quieter, more relaxed enclaves we could hit?
My girlfriend and I are headed to New Orleans for a brief vacation that we cleverly planned to happen at the point in the year at which we are most tired of winter. We thought that was clever, but we weren't clever enough to consider: What happens if the Saints make it to the Superbowl?
As soon as I heard that they won, I was like, "Aw, shit." But maybe it's not going to be that bad?
We're OK with the kind of crowds you see in touristy places like Vegas, but we want to avoid spaces jam-packed with apeshit sports fans. We're going to be in the French Quarter without a car. Is it going to be Saints Central? If so, what are some quieter, more relaxed enclaves we could hit?
Oh, and Coop's is a place I expect to find some peace and quiet - New Orleans style :-)
posted by xammerboy at 1:50 AM on February 5, 2010
posted by xammerboy at 1:50 AM on February 5, 2010
Best answer: "Aw shit" is probably the most appropriate response you could have had. New Orleans is a huge party town almost any time of the year, so imagine that magnified by a factor of say, 100. Seems safe to say the French Quarter is indeed gong to be jam-packed with apeshit sports fans, and Saints fans are exceptionally devoted. Pretty much anywhere in Louisiana is going to be nuts, but more so within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans. Maybe Detroit would be far enough away to avoid the insanity, with the added benefit that the Lions have never even aspired to winning the Superbowl, so you got that going for you. Which is nice.
posted by motown missile at 1:54 AM on February 5, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by motown missile at 1:54 AM on February 5, 2010 [2 favorites]
Go on a swamp tour of the bayou and hang out with the alligators?
Seriously. There are three places you don't want to be this weekend: Indiana, New Orleans, and Miami.
posted by dfriedman at 2:00 AM on February 5, 2010
Seriously. There are three places you don't want to be this weekend: Indiana, New Orleans, and Miami.
posted by dfriedman at 2:00 AM on February 5, 2010
Last time I was in the French Quarter, it was any ol' Wednesday in October. It was still very, very busy.
posted by The Potate at 2:08 AM on February 5, 2010
posted by The Potate at 2:08 AM on February 5, 2010
If Saint's win, I doubt even having a car will find you someplace quiet. I doubt a swamp tour would find you someplace quiet. It's just not going to happen, so get that out of your head right now.
Not everyone you'll see wearing a black-and-gold jersey is a "apeshit sprots fan." Most people you see wearing jerseys are just proud of their city (I know it's been written about to the point of cliche, but it's pretty much true.) My advice, honestly, is to go the other way. Embrace the fact that by a happy accident of history, you're about to witness something EPIC.
posted by Cyrano at 3:36 AM on February 5, 2010 [4 favorites]
Not everyone you'll see wearing a black-and-gold jersey is a "apeshit sprots fan." Most people you see wearing jerseys are just proud of their city (I know it's been written about to the point of cliche, but it's pretty much true.) My advice, honestly, is to go the other way. Embrace the fact that by a happy accident of history, you're about to witness something EPIC.
posted by Cyrano at 3:36 AM on February 5, 2010 [4 favorites]
It is going to be busy every where. Saturday is election day in Orleans parish, mayor, etc, and the parades really start up this weekend. Only time it isn't going to be busy? During the Super Bowl. Everyone will be either at home, at parties or in the bars watching the game. Once we win then it will get even crazier. Welcome to New Orleans. GO SAINTS!!!
posted by govtdrone at 4:17 AM on February 5, 2010
posted by govtdrone at 4:17 AM on February 5, 2010
You know, they also have an intimate little gathering scheduled for this time of each year too.
posted by Pollomacho at 4:27 AM on February 5, 2010
posted by Pollomacho at 4:27 AM on February 5, 2010
Best answer: ...I wasn't there on Super Bowl weekend, but I have been there on Mardi Gras. Arguably, the French Quarter on Mardi Gras is comparatively busy -- but I was fine; most of the mayhem concentrated itself in one (largish) section, and it was easy enough to skirt that or duck out of the crowd in the street if I wanted a break.
I mean, there were still a lot of people about, but it wasn't American-Embassy-during-the-fall-of-Saigon crazy.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:28 AM on February 5, 2010
I mean, there were still a lot of people about, but it wasn't American-Embassy-during-the-fall-of-Saigon crazy.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:28 AM on February 5, 2010
Here's a little video after they won the Championship game. Multiply this by a couple thousand if we win the Superbowl. But that's Bourbon Street, the center of the mayhem. I'd say go with it - it'll be loud, but when they won the last game, there wasn't any dangerous mayhem - no reports of vandalism, no cars set on fire or anything, like I have seen on the news in other cities.
posted by artychoke at 5:38 AM on February 5, 2010
posted by artychoke at 5:38 AM on February 5, 2010
You are pretty much screwed.
I live nearby, and visit once or twice a year.
This weekend will be insane, and there will be nowhere you can go without throngs of people drinking and going nuts. You can still have fun in the French Quarter, just stay on the streets parallel to Bourbon.
posted by Lownotes at 5:41 AM on February 5, 2010
I live nearby, and visit once or twice a year.
This weekend will be insane, and there will be nowhere you can go without throngs of people drinking and going nuts. You can still have fun in the French Quarter, just stay on the streets parallel to Bourbon.
posted by Lownotes at 5:41 AM on February 5, 2010
You may find people asking you "Who is that?" in a regional fashion and with great regularity. You are under no obligation to respond "That is my girlfriend," as the question should be construed as rhetorical.
posted by rlk at 7:37 AM on February 5, 2010 [9 favorites]
posted by rlk at 7:37 AM on February 5, 2010 [9 favorites]
You are not screwed. You can walk to Fauborg Marigny or take a taxi if you are afraid of getting mugged. Lots of restaurants, bars, old beautiful buildings, &c and very few tourists.
posted by bukvich at 8:50 AM on February 5, 2010
posted by bukvich at 8:50 AM on February 5, 2010
Best answer: If you explore different parts of the quarter and the city, you'll be fine. There will be an epicenter of craziness, but you'll be able to maneuver around it.
I hope.
posted by umbú at 9:51 AM on February 5, 2010
I hope.
posted by umbú at 9:51 AM on February 5, 2010
One thing you could do would be take a streetcar up St. Charles.
posted by umbú at 9:52 AM on February 5, 2010
posted by umbú at 9:52 AM on February 5, 2010
Last time I was in the French Quarter, it was any ol' Wednesday in October. It was still very, very busy.
I was there earlier this week and it was totally eerie dead quiet, no one anywhere, for breakfast at cafe du monde, dinner, or later. I am convinced it is the CALM BEFORE THE STORM.
French Quarter hotels are reporting 90% occupancy for the weekend, a large number of them held for locals who want to be there for the rioting. (This was in one of the New Orleans papers.)
posted by whatzit at 5:41 PM on February 5, 2010
I was there earlier this week and it was totally eerie dead quiet, no one anywhere, for breakfast at cafe du monde, dinner, or later. I am convinced it is the CALM BEFORE THE STORM.
French Quarter hotels are reporting 90% occupancy for the weekend, a large number of them held for locals who want to be there for the rioting. (This was in one of the New Orleans papers.)
posted by whatzit at 5:41 PM on February 5, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks, guys. The aggregate impression I get is that it's going to be Saints Central, but not entirely so, and that we can get around it with some effort. Good enough for me!
posted by ignignokt at 9:13 PM on February 5, 2010
posted by ignignokt at 9:13 PM on February 5, 2010
Best answer: Hey...I got paged to this thread by a couple people because I drove a cab in New Orleans for eight years. Whatever your plans are, you need to make sure they don't involve relying on taxis. The chances of you being able to get one at all, much less one that doesn't try to charge you some ridiculous (and illegal) flat fee, are so close to zero as to be indistinguishable. That includes getting back to the airport if you're leaving on Monday.
There really isn't a part of town where you're going to be able to escape, even if you could get to it. The Marigny is full of slumming post-college bougies pretending to be born-and-raised yats, and one of the primary affectations of this pose is a rabid Saints fandom. A swamp tour? There aren't gonna be swamp tours on Sunday. There isn't gonna be anything. Trust me, you're not going to be able to get away from it.
It's hard enough to describe Mardi Gras to someone who hasn't experienced it, but imagine the day long drunk of a good July 4th but with a Halloween at night. Now add the Saints in the Super Bowl and you have an entire city completely immobilized.
I'm not trying to scare you or discourage you...I just want you to have a reasonable idea of what you're getting into. As a previous poster said, if you're the sort of person who can handle that kind of chaos and you just roll with it, you'll have a good time. If you go with anything like an agenda, you'll be frustrated and miserable.
(MeMail me and I'll send you my cell number. I'm not in the city, but I might be able to talk you out of a jam if you get stranded somewhere.)
posted by Ian A.T. at 10:14 PM on February 5, 2010
There really isn't a part of town where you're going to be able to escape, even if you could get to it. The Marigny is full of slumming post-college bougies pretending to be born-and-raised yats, and one of the primary affectations of this pose is a rabid Saints fandom. A swamp tour? There aren't gonna be swamp tours on Sunday. There isn't gonna be anything. Trust me, you're not going to be able to get away from it.
It's hard enough to describe Mardi Gras to someone who hasn't experienced it, but imagine the day long drunk of a good July 4th but with a Halloween at night. Now add the Saints in the Super Bowl and you have an entire city completely immobilized.
I'm not trying to scare you or discourage you...I just want you to have a reasonable idea of what you're getting into. As a previous poster said, if you're the sort of person who can handle that kind of chaos and you just roll with it, you'll have a good time. If you go with anything like an agenda, you'll be frustrated and miserable.
(MeMail me and I'll send you my cell number. I'm not in the city, but I might be able to talk you out of a jam if you get stranded somewhere.)
posted by Ian A.T. at 10:14 PM on February 5, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks, Ian! We didn't really have much of an agenda beyond tooling around until we find something we want to hang around. Screaming fans aren't going to ruin our day. I lived in the Chicago area for a long time, so drunk fans are something I've dealt with. We'll avoid them if we can, but if not, at least we're somewhere not freezing.
posted by ignignokt at 6:41 AM on February 6, 2010
posted by ignignokt at 6:41 AM on February 6, 2010
I read Ian A.T.'s answer and am going to reconsider my own. I lived in New Orleans for many years and I visit there all the time. Mardi Gras day itself is the only day I would say to avoid the the downtown and Quarter completely. I have on two occasions seen complete gridlock that was not Mardi Gras day. These were Grambling-Southern football games at the Superdome where there was an additional 100 000 or so tourists without tickets who poured into the city to get drunk. So it is possible the city will be so packed with tourists it will be impossible to find any spot to relax. I don't think that is going to be the case. The Saints were not in the game until two weeks ago; everybody who hasn't scheduled vacation needs to be at work Monday morning, and the game is Sunday night. The logistics look off for there to be a complete gridlock.
I do not believe there is any such thing as a pretend-to-be-yat. Maybe there is, but I have never seen one and I am 100% sure I would recognize one. Yat is one of those terms which is generally avoided unless you are one. It is close to the same level as redneck.
posted by bukvich at 6:54 AM on February 6, 2010
I do not believe there is any such thing as a pretend-to-be-yat. Maybe there is, but I have never seen one and I am 100% sure I would recognize one. Yat is one of those terms which is generally avoided unless you are one. It is close to the same level as redneck.
posted by bukvich at 6:54 AM on February 6, 2010
Bukvich - the problem with this Superbowl thingy is that all the tourists are here as usual, but the locals have lost their minds in addition. Regarding pretend-to-be-yats, I wouldn't usually say I'd heard of such a thing, but for the last two weeks or so, everybody has gotten all, "WHO DAT DAWLIN'!!!" And then the NFL tried to claim copyright. Everybody is a pretend Yat lately. Even people who should know better. They were talking about closing all Orleans Parish public schools on Monday. I hate football, but am trying to make a one year old a black and gold tutu for tomorrow. (The other two kids and husband already have costumes.)
posted by artychoke at 9:27 AM on February 6, 2010
posted by artychoke at 9:27 AM on February 6, 2010
It's freakin nutso here. I'm one of those pretend Yats and proud of it! I even shelled out for a freakin jersey. If you're stuck in the quarter, go buy a cheap knockoff 'black and gold' shirt and just join in the fun. If you can't beat em join em!
Oh, and Barkus is tomorrow. You should go. If I wasn't working I'd be there!
posted by radioamy at 8:28 PM on February 6, 2010
Oh, and Barkus is tomorrow. You should go. If I wasn't working I'd be there!
posted by radioamy at 8:28 PM on February 6, 2010
well, now we need an update to make sure you're still alive.
posted by desjardins at 7:11 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by desjardins at 7:11 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
artychoke: "And then the NFL tried to claim copyright. "
The NFL tried to copyright a linguistic phrase that has been documented in dialect books? Freaking insane. Now I have to go look it up and see where it is in the courts, because that overreaching grab for a bit of Americana cannot be allowed to stand.
That said; ignignokt, touch base and let us know how the party was after the Saint's win!
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 6:44 AM on February 8, 2010
The NFL tried to copyright a linguistic phrase that has been documented in dialect books? Freaking insane. Now I have to go look it up and see where it is in the courts, because that overreaching grab for a bit of Americana cannot be allowed to stand.
That said; ignignokt, touch base and let us know how the party was after the Saint's win!
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 6:44 AM on February 8, 2010
SecretAgentSockpuppet, I think the latest is that the NFL has backed off on the copyright thing, with the immediate outcome being that instead of several unlicensed counterfeit Saints/Who Dat t-shirt makers, there are now a gazillion. My own sister is cranking out "Who Dat Say We Gotta Cease and Desist" shirts, but they're selling so quickly that I haven't managed to score one. (Although, I have to say, I don't think I've ever seen a licensed official NFL Who Dat shirt.) I think the NFL were also trying to say that they hold the copyright for the fleur de lis.
posted by artychoke at 7:34 AM on February 8, 2010
posted by artychoke at 7:34 AM on February 8, 2010
Response by poster: We're alive! Ten minutes before the end of the Superbowl, we ducked back into the hotel room. I went out during the celebration to look for food, and it wasn't really that bad. Certainly, there wasn't as much as a crush as in Grant Park when Obama won or during the exit of any concert.
(There seems to be a lot of merchandise that doesn't get the original "Who Dat?" idea and says things like "Who Dat? We Dat!" and the like, which is even funnier than the rest of it.)
Anyway, today's been super peaceful, and we've enjoyed strolling about, looking at things.
posted by ignignokt at 2:03 PM on February 8, 2010
(There seems to be a lot of merchandise that doesn't get the original "Who Dat?" idea and says things like "Who Dat? We Dat!" and the like, which is even funnier than the rest of it.)
Anyway, today's been super peaceful, and we've enjoyed strolling about, looking at things.
posted by ignignokt at 2:03 PM on February 8, 2010
Response by poster: I'm pissed we missed Barkus, though! We did meet the owner of a daughter of the King of Barkus, though. She's the one who told us we missed it.
posted by ignignokt at 2:05 PM on February 8, 2010
posted by ignignokt at 2:05 PM on February 8, 2010
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posted by xammerboy at 1:48 AM on February 5, 2010