Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiots Travel Guide to New Orleans - 1998 publication.

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought the title of this book was a joke. It's not: this book really is for idiots! I can do without all the silly worksheets for picking a hotel or deciding on an airline, or advice on what to wear on the plane or how to pack my bag! And this goes on and on, page after page... The type of information I do want (New Orleans' history, culture, etc.) is very limited. The book is full of hints on how to save money. Well, here's mine: don't buy this book and save $12.76! Get a Lonely Planet Guide or The Haunted City by Joy Dickinson (specially for Anne Rice fans), which is great fun to read and really gets you into the right mood...

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.

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.

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that we found recommended in other sources (yes, I know it isn't totally comprehensive, and maybe it's just a little out of date).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.

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!

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.

A friend of mine loaned me this book prior to our visit to New Orleans. The information was complete and concise. The restaurant reviews were right on and the information about the city in general was very helpful. We used this book and the Lonely Planet guide to New Orleans and had an excellent vacation. I plan to look into other versions of this guide for future vacations.