FUSE TV - Voodoo Music Experience 2012 Survival Guide

Can't wait for the music and magic of New Orleans' Voodoo Music Experience? Neither can I! That's why I've already sifted through the festival’s FAQ, Yelp, the 2012 fest map, and more, saving you hours of painful research. Consider this your Voodoo Fest cheat sheet, detailing how to get there, where to stay, what to wear, what to bring and, most importantly, the inside tricks to maximize your fun. Oh yeah, and we also got tips on the best hang spots from Preservation Hall Jazz Band leader, Ben Jaffe. You’re welcome.

GETTING THERE

Driving
If you purchased the LOA Experience pass (AKA VIP) then you can get a $50 on the grounds parking pass for the entire weekend. General admission ticket holders will have to use street parking. But beware – there will be a plethora of street closures with fines for those who don’t heed signage. Oh, and if you’ll have space in your car or need a ride, look into Voodoo’s rideshare program.

Taxis
Taxis are allowed access near the festival entrance/exit, but given the festival's massive attendance, be prepared to fight for them.

Public Transit
There’s a streetcar stop located by the festival entrance in front of the Museum of Art. The only problem? There are only two cars that leave after the headliner finishes, so by our calculations that means .10 percent of the crowd can squeeze onto them. We've reached out to the transit authorities to see if extra cars will be running Voodoo weekend, but as of publication date have not received a response.

Biking
Voodoo recommends biking and provides bike racks by the entrance (in front of the Museum of Art). You’ll get to your next destination quicker and skip the traffic jams you’re likely to face leaving by car. New Orleans has plenty of bike rental shops too. Here’s a list of Yelp's most highly rated:

• The American Bicycle Rental Company – 3 miles to the Voodoo entrance
  325 Burgundy St.
  New Orleans, LA 70112
• Bicycle Michael's – 3.6 miles to the Voodoo entrance
  622 Frenchmen St.
  New Orleans, LA 70116
• Confederacy of Cruisers Bicycle Tours – 3.8 miles to the Voodoo entrance
  634 Elysian Fields
  New Orleans, LA 70117