I am planning to visit Tulane this summer. We will have an extra day to do touristy things but I would like our home base to be on campus or as close as possible. We usually try for somewhere within walking distance so we are getting the feel of the campus rather than another part of the city. I’ve tried searching but even on tulane’s page the hotels listed are all over the city. So, is there anywhere to stay near campus? What is that part of the city called? And if not, where do parents stay when they are visiting their kids there? Thanks for any suggestions!
The campus is in the “Garden District” and the 2 closest hotels are the Hampton Inn St Charles and the Hotel Indigo. Both are on St Charles but not walking distance to the campus (a short streetcar ride will take you there!). Both are nice. There is one bed and breakfast that is across the street from the campus, I believe it is Park View Guest House. I’ve heard it’s fine but have never been there myself.
Try to stay at the Park View Hotel. It is next to Audubon Park and easy walking distance to Tulane. Ask for the Tulane rate. The hotel was built sometime in the 1800’s, has a great breakfast and really nice rooms that are all different. Recommend getting one of the balcony rooms facing St Charles or the park. You can get right on the streetcar and go downtown and it is the perfect spot for seeing uptown and Tulane. I think it only has something like 21 rooms so sometimes it is full. They have wine, beer and snacks included as well as a nice breakfast often with a local twist - crawfish, shrimp etc in a breakfast casserole of some sort.
If you can’t get into the Park View (it is small and often fully booked and difficult to get a room) the Alder hotel is newer and within walking distance to campus. It’s not a short walk (slightly over a mile, about 20 mins) but it’s a very pleasant stroll along Freret Street which has quite a few restaurants, shops, bars, etc. and is a frequent destination for Tulane students. It also allows you to get a feel for the residential areas around campus. I’ve made the walk from to and from the Alder and campus three times and I discover something new each trip.
Not to correct other posters, but to help you find a hotel that works for you, campus is in “Uptown” as opposed to the Garden District. If you search for Garden District hotels, as was previously pointed out, they won’t be very close to campus and would likely require an Uber or Streetcar ride (which is a great way to see beautiful St. Charles Avenue). Good luck and enjoy your visit!
Thanks so much! I think we will stay at the Hampton Inn. In July it will be super hot so I like the idea of being right on the streetcar line.
If we head to campus the day before our tour is there a good student center where we can people watch or eat? Or popular restaurant near campus? I have the official tour set up but we will have some additional time. We also have one day to head to the French Quarter. I’m looking forward to everything except the heat!
Well, in July campus won’t be hopping with people to watch but the student center is the Lavin-Bernick Center (known as the LBC). The best people watching may be along McAlister Place, a pedestrian walkway through the central part of campus and just outside the LBC. Again, though, may be slim pickings due to timing.
Make sure you take some time to walk across St. Charles from the front of campus over to Audubon Park. It is so close to campus to be a valuable resource to students. 1.8 mile jogging/biking path, live oaks, green space, golf course, etc. Beautiful just to stroll through and adjacent to the Audubon Zoo. It’s also what the kids walk through when they head to The Fly, a popular student hangout spot along the Mississippi during downtime. These are places your student would be frequenting should he/she attend and so are worth a peek. https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-park
With regard to restaurants, there are plenty of options depending on how far you want to get from campus. The closest to campus would be along Freret and Maple, but it may be worth it to head to Magazine St. for a stroll and you can take your pick among many. Another student destination worthy of a visit in and of itself. https://gonola.com/things-to-do-in-new-orleans/gonola-neighborhood-guide-to-magazine-street. If you would like specific recommendations, feel free to message me and I am happy to provide my 2 cents!
I am very familiar with New Orleans, with much family history there and many hotel visits. I agree with a previous poster that Tulane is in the Uptown neighborhood. The Garden District is closer to downtown.
I have stayed at the Hampton Inn on St. Charles 2 times and it is a good choice. It doesn’t have any real NOLA flavor, but it has a good location, free parking, great air conditioning, and is just a nice place. The area several blocks away from Hampton Inn (across St. Charles) is not good and should be avoided. Just stick to St. Charles and it is great–I have walked alone several times from that Hampton Inn to Audubon Park and back with no problems.
I have also stayed at the Park View Guest House, which I really love. Perfect location for Tulane and Audubon Park, lots of character, and good food. The giant porch is terrific. It would be especially great for visits at other times of year when it is not so hot. Walking/running in Audubon Park in the mornings is wonderful!
Years ago I stayed at Maison Perrier B&B, which is toward downtown (from Tulane area). Very nice.
There is a New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Co. restaurant on St. Charles, not too far from Tulane. It is a casual local chain that I have patronized for years. Love the catfish po’ boys!
FYI-- The Hampton Inn is a good choice, they include breakfast (but there are much better available nearby) and afternoon cheese, crackers and grapes. There is a small pool that might come in handy for cooling off in July. The last time we stayed at the Hampton Inn they charged for parking (something new!) but it is still worth it because they have a large lot and you park yourself, unlike the Indigo which has valet parking and often people line up waiting for the valet to get their cars.
I have found Air BnB or VRBO (vacation rental by owner) to be quite useful in the area. A much better way to get a sense of the neighborhood than a hotel.