I'm a "local." My mom lives just a few blocks from Jack's house and we were coming home for the holidays - so I already knew the neighborhood was great. People come to New Orleans for many reasons - the food, the culture, the music - but you want to feel safe. This is one of the safest neighborhoods in New Orleans. Jack's place is just blocks from Magazine Street with boutique shoppes, great local food, and drinking establishments that stay open. Just a few block further down to Tchoupitoulas Street is the world famous Tipitina's music venue. In the other direction a few block is St. Charles Avenue (often voted one of the best avenues in America!) that you can catch the St. Charles Street Car - this will bring you to Canal Street and the edge of the French Quarter. (At Christmas, the street car is one of the best ways to see all the avenue lights).
Jack's home is a large, two-story New Orleans Italianate double. The guest rooms are on the second floor (so be aware that you will need to climb some stairs). The front room has a large, lovely bed with a walk-through window out onto a balcony. Great for an evening cocktail. The room has its own small refrigerator and tv, should you want to watch instead of do. The bathroom is large with a great super-hot shower. Jack makes sure that you stay hydrated, providing local Kentwood water (this is important if you are visiting during the summer months when boil advisories are in effect). Coffee is available in the kitchen downstairs, and kitchen privileges are available (Jack is very generous with his kitchen! and will allow you to cook if needed - we ate at my mama's most often).
Jack is super friendly and really, we felt that we gained a friend rather than a "host." He has had an exciting, adventurous life and has been an art dealer for many years. The home is decorated with beautiful pieces and features posters from Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras. Jack is involved in the local music, art, and festival scene so if you are in town for any of those things, be sure to ask him what is going on!
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