This is my fourth year running the Jazz. Among the many Half's if ran this is one of my favorites…read more It starts and ends at Lafayette Square. Jazz music at the square with great food and beer at the end. The race benefits the children's hospital and this year they had an overwhelming response to both races the half and the 5K.

This race was featured in a running magazines and when my boyfriend and I saw that the race which…read moresupported a great charity landed on Halloween we thought that it was two good reasons to go to NOLA. First, this race is small and made up of mostly locals from what we could tell. We thought it would be bigger but oddly this did not appear to be a popular destination run. Second, the course is awesome. I'm not sure how it could be better as it takes you from the heart of downtown near the grand courthouses, through the gorgeous homes of the jaws dropping Garden District, in and through Audubon Park. There was at least one, maybe two, points where you are making a uturn so you see all the people ahead of you but that would be the only negative. Third, there was definitely less music along the course than I was expecting which is why I took off stars. I was really hoping for at least 5-6 jazz bands - hello "Jazz" is the race's namesake - but there wasn't so that was a little disappointing. There were 2 bands that I remember and a heavenly gospel choir singing on the steps of a church. That's all. Oh, and a radio was playing on one stop. One would think they could have gotten some high school bands to play or something but alas, there was not enough to make me want to run this race again.

Ok so I know a lot of people were mad about the seemingly last minute changes that were made to…read morethis event due to Covid, but I think Rock n Roll handled it well and we were still able to have a successful and fun event. I know the race was supposed to be run through downtown and French Quarter, and while that's also why I signed up, the location change to Lake Pontchartrain/University of New Orleans was also a pretty race course. Less potholes too! My only complaint was that the only shuttles available from downtown to the start line were at the Convention Center which is quite a hike from most French Quarter hotels. Maybe next time, if the race has to be moved again, we could have shuttles departing 2 or 3 different locations downtown? Otherwise many if us had to decide between walking 1 to 1.2 miles each way to/from the Convention Center vs a $40 Uber/Lyft each way!

My entry into Rock 'n' Roll Marathon New Orleans came after a few deferrals starting with 2020…read moreChicago, 2021 Nashville, and 2021 Seattle due to circumstances in those particular cities. The date of Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon New Orleans fit perfectly with my work schedule, plus a visit to New Orleans has been on my bucket list for a few years now. So, seeing it on my deferral list was an opportunity I could not pass up. The expo venue was at the New Orleans Ernest N Morial Convention Center within walking distance of my hotel. With all of the deferrals that came before me running New Orleans, the staff was very organized and took care of me during the process of registering. During the expo, I adored the New Orleans culture-themed outfits decorated on manikins along with the Rock 'n' Roll series displays. A huge shout out to all of the volunteers who gave the time to help out on course; it is very appreciated! There were a few water stations along the run course that were short-handed. It was to the point where many runners had to stop just to wait for drinks to be filled with water. On course, every mile was marked in spite of there being a 5k, 10k, and half marathon going on at once. It was easy staying on course being that there were signs that kept all three races on its course. And the course had medical support all throughout it; it warmed my heart seeing the 'Biofreeze' set-up going into the final mile of the course. I must say the rough part for me was the final three miles of the course. My body at that point was ready to check out, but my mind pushed me through every cruising step to the finish. The course had many spread-out rolling hills, but none that were brutal enough to make me walk up them. The dullest part of the course was from mile 10 to mile 12 because there was little support, given the fact that it was further out. The scenery was beautiful along this course which started on the University of New Orleans campus. I kept thinking to myself is this really New Orleans. Gorgeous! Oddly I had Huey Lewis And The News 'Stuck With You' stuck in my head, as I ran along the coast of Lake Pontchartrain which distracted me by taking my mind off how many more miles are left. I enjoyed the jazz bands along the course! Even though they were not rock bands, they were yet another reminder that this is the city of New Orleans. It was relieving to see the finish line which was followed by a tunnel where volunteers handed out medals, and there were tables that were filled with drinks and snacks. I loved the event shirt! It is yet a solid reminder not only of Rock n' Roll New Orleans, but the culture of the city. Very Mardi Gras like design as like the medal which is in the form of a Mardi Gras mask with necklace beads. You best believe I would do Rock n' Roll New Orleans again because it is an excuse to visit New Orleans as the city builds up for Mardi Gras. Doing it again I would plan wiser because I had planned for it starting at Lafayette Square. However, it ended up starting on the University of New Orleans campus which was five miles away from my hotel. After having dealt with so many deferrals, it feels good to be done with Rock 'n' Roll Running Series in the meantime. I was amazed at how responsive Rock 'n' Roll Running Series was with deferral replacements. For that, I ended this experience on a good note. ~Blessings~   Thomas G

GREAT PLACE! Very family oriented. Staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. Even cheered on my…read moreboy while he went around the track.

Didn't even know a place like this existed in Hammond! My daughter had a great time! Can't wait to…read morego back again!

The second year and it's bigger! Great food places from all over the state! A great way to try new…read morethings and find new friends. Great that it coincides with the LA marathon, so after a run, you can eat!

I've never been to Celebration Station. They had one in Memphis when I was younger but I've always…read moreheard about how fun it was. We decided to come here today, Sunday for the kids after it just briefly rained. A couple of my co workers and their children joined. As soon as we walked in here we were hit with a bit of heat because the ac seemed to not be operating. In addition a couple of the employees were walking with make shift fans. We decided on one of the packages they offered for around 30$ dollars. Of our choosing this included mini golf,go karts, and a $10 game card. We weren't told how the mini golf here worked and had to walk around and figure it out. Again it had just rained so not holding it against them but we choose not to play in particular areas due to the puddles of rain. Digging golf balls from the holes filled with water isn't fun or the cleanliest. The fountain outside wasn't working and didn't appear to be working for some time. It got a bit hot so we went inside to deal with hot ac.. Our kids rode on one game for "8.0" credits and immediately it said "insufficient funds." We went back up to the counter and she had to adjust both of our cards. After our cards had been adjusted they participated in maybe 5-6 games and the cards were empty. Most of the games weren't working so the kids could play together. I asked if all of the games were 8.0 credits she stated it was mixed throughout the arcade. Most of those games are 8.0 credits and the cards went fast. Yet, they want you to continue to put money on these cards for games that are working. The pizza is decent here no complaints. Our other party had arrived and was turned away due to open toed shoes policy. However we weren't told anything for our kids that were wearing opened toed. She went home anyways to change shoes. She also had the same issue with the cards not being loaded properly. It was time to ride the go karts. We make our way over and we see that only 1 family Kart was working and about 3-4 singles riders. We of course had to ride with 3 of our kids and we had to go one at a time due to this which took away the fun and enjoyment out of it. They also seemed to be hosting a birthday and weren't able to accommodate those riders either. The go karts starting stopping in the middle of the rides. We had only rode 1 time due to the large party and were turned away the second time because the karts were down now. Make our way over to the kids karts for 1 kids kart to be working!!! Oh and we had to pay for the kids go kart package for them to only have 1! Kart working. The train wasn't working apparently and the batting cages weren't either. The prizes are trash and you don't get many tickets from the arcade. The money we spent here today would've been a fortune at Chuck E. Cheese, were we will be going moving forward. I don't understand why this place is open this experience wasn't enjoyable for the kids and they all agreed to never come back and they are under the ages of 8. I would like to be contacted for a refund not only for myself but for the other 2 moms in company.

Me and my wife decided to take our babies to celebration station. When we arrived the cashier…read morepolitely gave us our card. We decided to go there for the go karts. The go karts was fun, but the young guys working the track wasn't very attentive. I also went use the restroom only to walk in and there is a pile of vomit on the floor. (DISGUSTING) To be honest celebration station is a shell of what is use to be. It's completely run down now. No building upgrades. I even tried the batting cages. That there was just poor all around. It's just so old and everything needs to be renovated. Until then they just need to shut it down. We didn't even get food because I can only imagine how that kitchen is back there. This is will be my last time. Great memories from back then. Now just close it down!

Color Run Mardi Gras 2013!!!!!…read more Im still thinking of how much fun fun fun this was. I mean first things first, go pick up your packet EARLY, like not the day of the race, but the days leading up TO the race. Those lines are atrocious. 2nd thing, get there early & get to the front of the line as they let you go to "run" in waves. So the race may begin at 9a, but you may not get to start your course for 30 minutes after start time. 3rd thing, look for the balloon arches as those are the areas where you get "colored" (close your mouth when you walk or run pass... You've been warned). And lastly, be careful on these uneven NOLA streets. Have fun.