Visiting Fairgrounds

[IrishS]

You will have a great time. My husband and I went to to the Louisiana Derby the March before Katrina, spending 2 days at the track and 2 days eating and siteseeing. We had a fabulous time and intended to make it a yearly visit until Katrina and then just never got back, but NOT because of fear. We were careful and then enjoyed the wonderful city and great food and tarrot card readers and artists and book galleries and street markets and...The racing was great. On Derby day we did get a table in the clubhouse--call the track for reservations--for a great meal and the balcony is good. The access is easy to the paddock, and the local race fans are lots of fun.

Go and have a wonderful time. I wish I were going too.

[Crown@club]

Be early!

Haven't been there since Katrina, but parking seem to be kind of limiting. You would definitely have a long walk still even early enough. Probably would definitely take the valet. My preference at the time was to be able to walk to the paddock and perch myself at the top step of the stands behind the entrance to the walkway to the track. You can see the whole race up there except for a small section where the tote board blocks view.

Don't recall restaurants, but if you want to watch from inside (clubhouse and enclosed grandstand), I would try to make reservations as soon as possible.

The clubhouse and grandstand does have outside overlook access to the paddock which is a must see. Then visit the quads, and party on Royal and Bourbon streets.