|
Pub
Crawl Aboard the St. Charles Street Car!
The St.
Charles Ave. Street Car is a great way to visit the locals' favorite
bars.
• The
Bars of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter
• Off
Bourbon Street – The Locals' Favorite Bars
|
– St.
Charles Street Car Update –
Unfortunately, the St. Charles Street Car was a casualty of the
storm. The lines were badly damaged and they are still under repair.
Thankfully, the lines have been fixed to Lee Circle. In a few
months it will run to Louisiana Avenue (near the Columns bar).
At the end of the year it will take it's old route to Carrollton.
As background, the brand new red, air-conditioned street cars
flooded at the barn in Mid-City. But the tracks still work. The
tracks don't work on St. Charles Avenue but the antique and much
loved green cars weren't damaged. The green ones were put to work
on the Canal Street Line.
|
One of the most famous street cars in
America is the St. Charles Streetcar. It is 150 years old and is a favorite
tourist attraction.
Indeed, it's a wonderful way to spend a few daylight hours in New Orleans.
It treks patiently along beautiful St. Charles Ave., past the stately
Old South-style houses, Tulane University and the zoo.
The cars also pass by some of New Orleans' best bars and run 24 hours
a day. So it's possible to utilize this mechanical wonder to do some
local sightseeing PubClub style!
Our journey begins just before lunch. Catch it around St. Charles and
Canal. In about half an hour, the car will make a 90-degree turn onto
Carrolton Ave. This is the first stop (at Riverbend). It's Camilla's,
which claims to be be the subject of Jimmy Buffet's "Cheeseburger
in Paradise." It isn't, but Jimmy does indeed love Camilla's cheeseburgers.
This stop should take a couple of hours. While there, walk around the
area, then jump back on the car to the end (about 15 more minutes).
The rail line just ends, the car stops and all passengers must exit.
The conductor then moves to the other end of the car, flips a few seats
and viola!, the car is reversed and you're on your way again.
 Tell
the conductor you want to stop at Superior Grill. If it's Wednesday
and you time it right (6ish), then you're golden. If not, don't worry.
The Columns Hotel (pictured) is only two blocks away. Even closer
is the Mayfair. After a couple of cocktails with Ms. Gertie at
this true New Orleans dive, get back on the car to Samuel's.
The final stop is the Circle Bar, located at the Robert E. Lee
Circle.
Streetcars run every 15 minutes. At 10, it's approximately every half
hour and from midnight-6 a.m., it's down to once an hour. If you just
miss one, or get tired of waiting, simply go back to the bar. Or, if
it's the end of the night, have the bar call a taxi. St. Charles Ave.,
is generally safe, but small groups of inebriated girls should take
caution and not wait on a car for more than a few minutes. Drinking
is okay while waiting but is not allowed on the street cars.
It costs $1.25 per stop, so we suggest getting the $5 day pass. Exact
change is required.
Cheers!
 Next
Stop on the Party Bus – Post Party Sightseeing Guide!
|