Ride Guide: Spring 2018 in New Orleans

Mardi Gras festivities may be over, but you should know—the party never stops in New Orleans.

Whether you’re a longtime local of this beloved port town or you’re here for one of the many events happening in April, you’ll find everything you need to help you get around town right here. Let’s get started.

Meet Zena, jazz artist and driver

We sat down with Zena, a musician and lifelong New Orleans resident, to hear about her passion for music and why she drives with Uber.

New Orleans jazz music festival

The aptly named Birthplace of Jazz wouldn’t be the same without its very own jazz music festival. From blues to jazz to folky rock, nearly half a million people turn out at Fair Grounds Race Course for their listening pleasure.

Where: Fair Grounds Race Course
When: Friday, April 27 – Sunday, May 6

Get to the Fair Grounds Race Course with Uber

The jazz festival begins the weekend of Friday, April 27, and continues the following weekend, from Thursday, May 3, to Sunday, May 6. When you’re ready for the fun, just open your app to request a ride! Your driver will get you to the festivities within minutes.

Pro tip for arriving and departing

Drivers will be prohibited by city ordinance from entering the area in the map below, near the Fair Grounds Race Course. Please keep this prohibited driving zone in mind when connecting with your driver and try contacting your driver to meet in an appropriate area.

Planning to drive for Jazz Fest?

You’ll find a full schedule of events, as well as a map of the festival grounds, here. As we know from years past, ride requests will likely be high following the festival at 7pm, and riders will depend on driver-partners like you to get them to their next weekend destination.

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Prohibited driving zone & pickup points around Jazz Fest:

A prohibited driving zone has been put in effect by the City of New Orleans, which will make navigating the fairgrounds different than usual. TNC drivers will be prohibited from entering the above zone surrounding the Fair Grounds Race Course—including for pickups or dropoffs. TNC drivers who enter this prohibited driving zone may be subject to fines, possible vehicle impounding, and/or other enforcement by the City of New Orleans. Please keep this prohibited driving zone in mind when connecting with your riders and be sure to follow the instructions of any law enforcement, traffic officials, and signage.

Please be aware that roads in the prohibited driving zone may not be clearly marked as closed by traffic officials. You should avoid entering the zone even if the roads are not clearly marked as closed. See the City of New Orleans’ official traffic advisory.

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Extended Pit Stop hours (bathroom & coffee) at the Greenlight Hub (2520 Bayou Road):

• Friday, 4/27, 6pm – midnight
• Saturday, 4/28, 2pm – midnight
• Sunday, 4/29, noon – midnight
• Friday, 5/4, 6pm – midnight
• Saturday, 5/5, 2pm – midnight
• Sunday, 5/6, noon – midnight

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Driver’s Breakfast at the Greenlight Hub (2520 Bayou Road)—beignets and coffee will be provided, while available:

• 10am until food runs out
• Friday, 4/27
• Saturday, 4/28
• Friday, 5/4
• Saturday, 5/5

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Festival Driver Kits at the Greenlight Hub (2520 Bayou Road)—Drivers will be able to grab festival kits beginning:

• Thursday, 4/26 until supplies run out

• French Quarter festival: April 12 - April 15

  As one of the largest free festivals in the country, the Big Easy’s French Quarter festival sees over 780,000 attendees each year. The festival’s sampling of a variety of local sounds takes place across 20 stages, and music-lovers from all over can enjoy 4 days of food, culture, and fun.

  Where: Historic French Quarter
  When: Thursday, April 12 – Sunday, April 15

  Get to the French Quarter with Uber

  Treating yourself to a generous helping of crawfish is that much closer when you get to the French Quarter using Uber. When you’ve had your fill of food and fun, choose a pickup location along Canal St or Esplanade Ave, and your driver will meet you in minutes.

  Planning to drive? With hundreds of thousands of people likely attending the festival, demand is expected to be higher on the road in New Orleans—more ride requests could mean more earnings. You can find information on the festival grounds and event locations here.

• Pro wrestling: April 4 - April 10

  Lights. Camera. Action. WWE celebrities come to the Ernest N Morial Convention Center from Thursday, April 5 through Tuesday, April 10, but the biggest wrestling extravaganza takes place on Sunday, April 8 at the Superdome.

  Schedule:

  • Thursday, 4/5 – Sunday, 4/8: WWE Axxess at Ernest N Morial Convention Center
  • Friday, 4/6: WWE Hall of Fame at Smoothie King Center
  • Saturday, 4/7: WWE NXT Takeover at Smoothie King Center
  • Sunday, 4/8: WrestleMania 34 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
  • Monday, 4/9: Raw at Smoothie King Center
  • Tuesday, 4/10: SmackDown Live at Smoothie King Center

  Get to the action with Uber

  Attending the shows? Getting to the ring is a win when you request a ride with the Uber app. Skip the parking lot and get conveniently dropped off by an Uber driver-partner.

  If you’re leaving one of the Axxess events at Ernest N Morial Convention Center, you can choose your pickup spot along Convention Center Blvd when you request a ride—your driver will meet you at the selected spot within minutes.

  Following the events at Smoothie King Center and Mercedes-Benz Superdome, you can head to Lot 3A to request a ride. Your driver will meet you there!

  Planning to drive? WrestleMania is a great opportunity to hit the road! With tens of thousands of WWE fans in town for the spectacle, New Orleans will likely be bustling with ride requests. Feel free to mark your calendar—you can find information about traffic and road closures here.

We hope you have a great time riding to these events, and more, in New Orleans this spring!