My husband and I are planning to stop in New Orleans for a few days. We would like to see the French

My husband and I are planning to stop in New Orleans for a few days. We would like to see the French Quarter and other sites but would prefer to avoid the craziness of Bourbon Street. Do you recommend any nice hotels which are within walking distance but quiet and set back from all of the action? We want to be able to get some sleep!
Also, we are planning to go mid-late Feb. Will mardi gras be in full swing by then? I looked at their website and it appeared the parades are on the weekends in Feb but I wasn't sure if it was just generally more crazy than usual, regardless travel ireland web sites of the parade schedule.
I adore the Dauphine Orleans. Absolutely travel ireland web sites adore it. Just got back in fact. The rooms at the Hermann House are across the street from the rest of the hotel and nestled around a tranquil courtyard with the noise from a fountain. The rooms are gorgeous. The rooms in the hotel are fine too. The Holiday Inn is just a little bit further down the street. You're only a bit more off Bourbon but a complete world away from that craziness. We only walked a couple of blocks on Bourbon before detouring travel ireland web sites off. Most of the time we felt we were wandering the streets of Paris vs what most folks think of when they think of NOLA. I have a trip report on last week's visit. Check out the rooms at www.dauphineorleans.com .
Also does anyone know about Mardi Gras? If I go ~ 2/15-2/28 will I be in the thick of it or will things travel ireland web sites be less crazy if I just avoid the weekends when they are having the parades? (I wasn't sure if the parades are the main events or if there are other things going on all around town during travel ireland web sites that time. We are not really into big crowds!
The Provincial Hotel, Hotel La Marais and Place D Armes Hotel are all in good locations in the FQ that you would enjoy. They are within walking travel ireland web sites distance of anyplace in the FQ. The Provincial would be the quietest and Hotel La Marais the closest to Bourbon. All three are nice and highly rated. They are all near great restaurants such as Galatoire's, Irene's, Stella, Mr. B's, Acme Oyster Bar, Felix's, Bayona, Antoine's, Johnny's Po Boys, Central Grocery, et al.