The Complete Idiot's Travel Guide to New Orleans

by Ray Jones

Easy-to-follow, down-to-earth coverage of some of the most popular destinations in the world. In the candid, conversational tone of a friend who's already been there, the CIGs provide step-by-step pointers for everything from budgeting your trip and packing, to learning your way around a city or hanging out with the locals. Unlike other daunting text-heavy guidebooks,the Idiot's Guides feature: Interactive quizzes and worksheets, quirky cartoons,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0028623037
• ISBN13: 9780028623030
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: MacMillan Publishing Company
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

made my trip great!

i went to new orleans last spring break with five friends, and we used this book as our primary guide to the city. it helped us pick a fantastic (and fantastically inexpensive) hotel and some really great things to do. we ended up having the time of our lives. this book is so helpful and well-organized! if it could help a bunch of clueless kids plan a great trip, it could be great for anyone.

Good Start

I purchased this book from the front seat of Big Rays cab in the Big Easy . He is a wild driver but his book is right on . It is a good start ,lots of "Local Tips" ,and if you also ask locals who are friendly and helpful you will have a great time and will stay out of trouble . Ann Rice fans stay out of the graveyards at night!

Writer really knows his stuff

The author is also a cab driver in New Orleans (and has his own web page), and he really knows his stuff. It's obvious that he had to constrain his enthusiasm and knowledge to conform to the "Idiot's Guide" editorial format. Vast compilation of street smarts and long-time resident information is contained in this book. I used it before the trip, and brought the mini Rough Guide on the trip, and had a great-and-safe time. This is a city that you don't even want to look lost in, so use these two books and you'll be fine.

Conveys what's important with clarity and good judgment

I used this book on buisines trip to New Orleans. I found it extremely helpful, especially because I had not traveled much previously. The information comes from a long-time resident, cabby, & carriage-driver. I found his food recommendations invaluable, and I liked the background information he provided.

Generally good overview, but missing details

We found the book to be a good start for planning our New Orleans trip, and once there, a good reference for addresses, phone numbers, and basic services. It falls short on some of the details, such as not even mentioning Tipitina's or some other well-known places that we found recommended in other sources (yes, I know it isn't totally comprehensive, and maybe it's just a little out of date). The reviews and advice were right on. We used several walking tours we got from out travel agent, as well as a review in an American Airlines magazine as a guide, and between the three of them we had a great vacation. Also, NO is quite spread out, so an index or something by area (French Quarter, Garden District, Metairie, etc.) would have been very helpful.