New Orleans Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap New Orleans Travel & Tourism, Free New Orleans Travel Guide Online
New Orleans Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap New Orleans Travel & Tourism, Free New Orleans Travel Guide OnlineNew Orleans is proud of its well-known nickname, "Big Easy", because it so aptly describes the relaxed, hospitable attitude of this lovely city, steeped in history and intertwining cultures. Today, New Orleans continues to flourish. It is one of the largest ports in the United States and in the world. Millions have been invested in development and renovation. Yet, with all its modern innovations, the city retains an Old World charm, carefully preserving its history, its reputation for world-famous jazz and outstanding cuisine, and its romantic Creole heritage Most visitors to New Orleans, begin their sightseeing at the French Quarter (Vieux Carre. This is the oldest part of the city: a mix of clubs, souvenir shops, restaurants, voodoo vendors, and beautiful homes. Some of the most attractive cast-iron balconies can be seen along Royal Street. Royal Street is known for its antique shops and art galleries. Bourbon Street and its cross streets house most of the tourist bars and clubs, but the place where most peope head for music in the French Quarter is in teh area around North Peters, Decatur and North Rampart streets. Another French Quarter center of activity near the river. is Jackson Square, the hub of that area. It was built as a parade ground for the French Army and was later used by the Spanish, the Confederate and the U.S. armies for the same purpose. Take a break and climb a board the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar (at the intersection of Carondelet and Canal), which passes by the Garden District. This area is home to beautiful 19th-century mansions that evoke the Old South. A stroll around the Garden District with its quiet, oak-shaded sidewalks is a welcome contrast to bustling Bourbon Street. Among New Orleans' peculiarities, and unexpectedly popular tourist stops, are the cemeteries, which are aboveground because the city is well below sea level. The whitewashed tombs look like tiny houses, embellished with ornate ironwork and statues of lambs and angels. The Belle of Orleans, Harrah's New Orleans, and the Treasure Coast Casino offer 24 hour gaming, live music, and live entertainment. At Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World you can watch artists preparing floats for Mardi Gras at the workshops and warehouses of the world's largest float builder. Towering figures of Caesar, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Godzilla set the scene.. To get there, take the free ferry at the foot of Canal Street. A free shuttle meets the ferry across the river. Two of the best places to bike or run are Audubon Park, which has a bike trail, and the peaceful streets of the Garden District. One of the residents' favorite places to jog is along the streetcar lines. If you do this, watch out for cars making quick turns on the short cross streets. Golf is popular in New Orleans year-round. Visitors can play at a number of public courses, including those in Audubon Park and City Park. For boating and sailing, head over to Lake Pontchartrain. From art galleries and museums to professional sports, from the high life on Bourbon Street to enchanting riverboat casinos, New Orleans offers every visitor hundreds of entertaining and enjoyable attractions. No wonder New Orleans is known throughout the world as a city where hospitality never ends! New Orleans Attractions: New Orleans Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap New Orleans Travel & Tourism, Free New Orleans Travel Guide Online
1850 House
523 St. Ann St
504-568-6968
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 9-5
This house is one of the loveliest old homes in New Orleans. The well-preserved town house and courtyard features lovely ironwork on the balconies, a gift shop and a bookstore.
Aquarium of the Americas
Foot of Canal St
504-581-4629
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 9:30-6, Fri.-Sat. 9:30-7
More than 7,000 aquatic creatures swim in 60 displays in this world-class aquarium. There are four major exhibit areas: the Amazon River Basin, the Caribbean Reef, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf Coast, each with fish and animals native to that environment.
More Info<
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Foot of Canal St
This park surrounds the aquarium, and it is a great spot for viewing the active Mississippi. Water tours leave from the park frequently.
Audubon Park
Once a plantation, the park is now one of the largest (340 acres) and most acclaimed metropolitan parks in the United States. It has a world-class zoo, picnic and play areas, a golf course, a miniature train, riding stables, a tennis court, and a river view.
Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine St
504-581-4629
Daily 9:30-5, summer weekends til 6 pm
This wonderful zoo is a great place for families to visit. The zoo has a tremendous number of exhibits, including a Louisiana Swamp, tropical-bird house, butterfly exhibit, flamingo pond, sea lions, and white tigers. More Info
Beauregard-Keyes House
1113 Chartres St
504-523-7257
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-3
This grand 19th-century mansion was once the home of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard. The famous novelist Frances Keyes wrote 40 novels here. A beautiful walled garden is another feature of the home.
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
233 Newton St
504-361-7821
Hours: Daily 9:30-4:30
As the name suggests, this attraction is dedicated to the most famous party in America, Mardi Gras. Visitors can watch floats being made, view a film about Mardi Gras, and buy Carnival memorabilia in the gift shop. Kids will enjoy trying on a trunk full of costumes.
Bourbon Street
This famous street takes you past some of the typical bars, restaurants, music clubs, and novelty shops that have given this strip its world-famous reputation. Families will enjoy the street during the day, while revelers will enjoy the night scene.
Carousel Gardens
City Park
504-483-9356
Hours: Hrs may vary by season; closed in winter except for Christmas season
The carousel was built in 1906 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the park is just as good. The park includes a roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and other rides.
Brennan House
2507 Prytania St
Built in 1852, this house is a wonderful example of the Greek Revival style. Magnificent columns support the outside structure, and the inside features a magnificent gold ballroom.
Brown House
4717 St. Charles Ave
The Brown House was finished in 1902 after five years of construction. It is the largest mansion on St. Charles Avenue, and it is a model of Romanesque Revival architecture.
City Park
Bordered by City Park Ave, Robert E Lee Blvd, Marconi Dr, and Bayou St. John
City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Within its 1,500 acres, the Casino, Botanical Garden, Storyland, Carousel Gardens, New Orleans Museum of Art, tennis courts, and a golf course attract and entertain visitors. More Info
Confederate Museum
929 Camp St
504-523-4522
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-4
This imposing building, covered in ivy, houses an extensive collection of artifacts and records from the Civil War. This museum is the oldest in Louisiana.font face="Arial" size=2>More Info
Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St
504-523-1216
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5
Admission: Varies with event
The center has won prizes for its own good looks, and the art inside is even better. The center also hosts concerts, films, theatrical and dance performances, and art-related workshops and seminars.
Custom House
423 Canal St
Built in 1849, this staunch structure occupies the whole block and is a major city landmark. The building has identical entrances on all four sides, and visitors are welcome to look around.
Elms Mansion
3029 St. Charles Ave
504-895-5493
Hours: Weekdays 9:30-5
Built in 1869, this magnificent home features marble fireplaces and stained-glass windows. The house has been carefully restored and furnished with period pieces.
Energy IMAX Theater
Foot of Canal St
504-581-4629
Hours: Shows daily
With a screen 5-1/2 stories tall, this is one of the most thrilling cinema experiences around. The theater shows breathtaking nature films related to the sea, Earth, and outer space that are meant for the whole family to enjoy. More Info
French Market
Ursulines St
The French Market contains shops, offices, and eating places, and it is an important part of the life of New Orleans. Street performers enliven the marketplace, and visitors can choose from the best of New Orleans delicacies.
Hermann-Grima House
820 St. Louis St
504-525-5661
Hours: Tours Mon.-Sat. 10-3:30
This house is one of the French Quarter's largest and best examples of American architecture. Cooking demonstrations, held in the city's only open Creole kitchen, delight visitors all day long.
Jackson Square
Hours: Daily 8-6
Occupying the heart of the French Quarter, the square was built in 1718. A statue of Andrew Jackson commemorates his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Artists hang their paintings on the park fence and set up outdoor studios, as do musicians, dancers, and magicians.
Louisiana Children's Museum
428 Julia St
504-523-1357
Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30-4:30, Sun noon-4:30; in summer open daily
One of the best children's museums in the country, the Louisiana Children's Museum has lots of hands-on activities. It also features a playscape for very young children, and lots to do for the whole family.
Musee Conti Wax Museum
917 Conti St
504-525-2605
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5:30
This wax museum features famous residents and natives of Louisiana. More than 100 wax figures are featured. More Info
New Orleans Botanical Garden
City Park
504-483-9386
Hours: Tues-Sun 10-4:30
While the garden may be relatively small (10 acres), it is a lovely spot to visit and has lots to offer. The gardens include a tropical conservatory, a water-lily pond, a formal rose garden, azalea and camellia gardens, and horticultural gardens. Fountains and sculpture are found throughout, and everything can be seen during a guided tour. More Info
New Orleans Museum of Art
City Park
504-488-2631
Hours: Tues-Sun 10-5
One of the best museums in the country, the NOMA has a large permanent collection that specializes in pre-Columbian, African, and local art. World-class traveling exhibits also come frequently to the museum. More Info
Robinson House
1415 3rd St
The house was built in the 1850s, and it is one of the largest and most elegant in New Orleans. The architecture is styled after an Italian villa, and it may have been the first house in New Orleans with indoor plumbing.
Storyland
City Park
504-483-9381
Hours: Hrs vary by season
This theme park is designed almost exclusively for children. It features 26 storybook exhibits built around fairy-tale characters. Child Magazine has rated Storyland one of the ten best playgrounds in the country.
The Casino
City Park
504-483-9371
Hours: Daily 8-4
Built to be a casino, this Spanish-style building is now an enlarged concession stand selling New Orleans delicacies, including the world-famous po'boys. A band stand has frequent performances, kids enjoy the playground, and paddle boats are available for rent in the lagoon.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Hours: Weekdays 6 am-10 pm, weekends 6 am-midnight
Offering an incredible view of the Mississippi, the park has a wooden promenade and many stores and restaurants. It is easily one of the best river front developments in the nation.
New Orleans Events: New Orleans Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap New Orleans Travel & Tourism, Free New Orleans Travel Guide OnlineEvents
January
Celebration in the Oaks Location: City Park 504-482-4888 Admission Charged Celebration in the Oaks lights up City Park's collection of ancient live oaks with millions of lights. Visitors can walk the two-mile stretch or drive or ride a horse drawn carriage. Nokia Sugar Bowl Classic Held in early January Location: Superdome 504-587-7713 New Orleans' oldest annual sporting event, originating in 1935. Antiques & Collectibles Appraisal Day Held in late January Location: Lakeside Shopping Center on Veterans Blvd. 504-835-8000 The "Antiques & Collectibles Appraisal Day, "a one-day event similar to PBS' "Antiques Road show " is one of the Louisiana State Museum's most popular activities. It's presented in conjunction with the Friends of the Cabildo and is sponsored by Neal Auction Company.
February Mardi Gras Held in late February - Easter Location: A variety of locations throughout New Orleans New Orleans' Mardi Gras is the world's most famous street party... and with good reason! The annual celebration of excess overtakes the French Quarter and crowds the streets with wildly costumed revelers! March Mardi Gras Held in late February - Easter Location: A variety of locations throughout New Orleans New Orleans' Mardi Gras is the world's most famous street party... and with good reason! The annual celebration of excess overtakes the French Quarter and crowds the streets with wildly costumed revelers! St. Patrick's Day Festival Held on St. Patrick's Day Location: Downtown New Orleans See the city go Green for this annual event Tennessee Williams Literary Festival Held in late March Location: Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré 985-876-4278 The festival is an annual five-day celebration held in late March, which showcases national and regional scholars, writers, and performing artists. Programs include panel discussions, theatrical performances, a one-act play competition, lectures, literary walking tours, musical performances, and a book fair. April French Quarter Festival Held in mid April Location: French Quarter You can't get more New Orleans than this showcase for hundreds of local musicians on 14 stages throughout the historic Vieux Carré. There's jazz, from Dixieland to contemporary and brass bands, classical, Cajun and Zydeco, rhythm and blues, gospel and everything else in between. One can sample classic New Orleans cuisine from nearly 60 food and drink booths, tour private patios, enjoy fireworks over the Mississippi River, participate in children's activities, join in a second-line parade, attend art exhibits & music workshops and lots more. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Held in late April – early May Location: Fair Grounds Race Course 504-943-2200 Jazz Fest celebrates a passion for a style of music wild yet disciplined, chaotic yet ordered… a musical gumbo of tastes authentically New Orleanian in the number and variety of its ingredients. The 10-day cultural and musical festival has grown into the nation's premier jazz showcase, welcoming over 500,000 visitors to the Big Easy every year. May New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Usually held in late May Location: French Quarter New Orleans is a place of pilgrimage for foodies and wine enthusiasts throughout the year, but never more so than during the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience... this non-stop celebration of the joys of the grape and the sublime ecstasies of fine food. The Wine & Food Experience constitutes five basic events - Vintner Dinners, The Royal Street Experience, Seminars, Grand Tastings, and Brunch. Each of these is an event unto itself, and all are eagerly anticipated. June Great French Market Tomato Festival Held in early June Location: French Quarter Only in a city as consumed with food as New Orleans could you have an eagerly awaited festival honoring the tomato. The city's chef's- amateur as well as professional- will be out in force to sample and rate the first crop of native tomatoes. Silliness you say? Just another excuse for New Orleans natives to party? Well, there may be a hint of truth to those sentiments, but there's also no denying the importance of the tomato to the city's culinary culture. July Go 4th on the River Held on July 4 Location: Woldenberg Park 504-378-2694 When New Orleans throws a party, everybody shows up! Expect this Go Fourth on the River celebration to be more of the same, as thousands flock to the Crescent City to watch a truly spectacular display of fireworks echoing off the man-made canyons of downtown New Orleans and reflecting off the Mighty Mississippi. New Orleans celebrates our nation's Independence with a full day's worth of events. The entire riverfront gets into the act, with many area businesses hosting special Independence-themed shows.
Essence Music Festival Held over the July 4 weekend Location: New Orleans, Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 504-587-7713 The annual Essence Festival not only zeroes in on African-American-oriented forms of music but also offers "empowerment seminars" that help educate and inform the African-American community...and there's no shortage of attendees! August Satchmo Summer Fest Dates vary in August Location: French Quarter Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint 504-568-6972 It truly is a "wonderful world," as jazz great Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong told us in his haunting 1968 hit song. Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong gained fame through his incredible musical talents and through these talents, increased New Orleans' standing as a city of international cultural significance. New Orleans repays this debt with the Satchmo Summer Fest, a three-day celebration of the life, legacy, and music of "Satchmo."Satchmo Summer Fest is a weekend's worth of musical performances, lively seminars, captivating exhibits, children's activities, great New Orleans food, and partying New Orleans-style!
White Linen Nights Usually held in mid August Location: French Quarter Named for a long tradition of trying to beat the summer evening heat, White Linen Nights has become a staple in late-summer activities for the people of New Orleans. Wearing white linens, as the name would suggest, travelers and locals take to a friendly stroll down the streets of the Art District. And the artwork on display in New Orleans' fabled French Quarter is stunning. One is able to view a wide selection of art; from the most avant of avant guarde to traditionalist paintings in a dozen styles. September Southern Decadence Held in early September Location: New Orleans, Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 504-587-7713 Would you miss a party called "a happening of haberdashery fit for an LSD Alice in Wonderland?" What started out as a going away party for some friends, has now transformed the first Sunday before Labor Day into one of the largest, albeit "oddest," parties you may ever attend. Southern Decadence! Indeed, the images conjured up when one thinks of the term, "southern decadence," could include tobacco, plantations and such. Maybe even the flowing dress of a southern debutante. Though you may find the flowing dress at the Big Easy's Southern Decadence celebration, it will most likely be on a MAN!
Meat Pie Festival & Triathlon Dates vary in September Location: Ntachitoches Natchitoches has always been Hot and it's about to get Hotter! Famous Natchitoches Meat Pies celebrate with a cook-off, demonstrations, entertainment, eating contests and more. The Meat Pie Tri is held on Sunday: run, swim and bike through the National Landmark Historic District. The festival takes place at the downtown riverbank along the fabled Cane River Lake and features big name talent, a Meat Pie Eating Contest, a Meat Pie Making Contest and a Triathlon, aptly named the Meat Pie Tri, are just some of the events lined up.
October Louisiana Swamp Festival Dates vary in October Location: Audubon Zoo 504-861-2537 See swamp critters; chow down on Cajun jambalaya and gumbo and dance to Cajun and Zydeco music. Bring home a piece of Louisiana's rich arts and crafts heritage from the Craft Village! New Orleans' Audubon Zoo hosts the Annual Louisiana Swamp Festival...a mélange of the artistic craftsmanship and good-time philosophy of the Cajun way of life. It's become one of the largest fall festivals in the city and one of Audubon Zoo's major yearly events. New Orleans Film & Video Festival Held early – mid October Location: Landmark Theatres at Canal Place, Contemporary Arts Center, Prytania Theatre, Entergy IMAX Theatre at the Aquarium of the Americas 504-452-1216 The festival attracts record-breaking crowds and offers year-round programs including the French Film Festival each spring. Labeling the festival, "Cannes on the Mississippi," the Times-Picayune movie critic David Baron confirmed its importance as a permanent part of the City's cultural landscape.
Voodoo Music Experience Held in mid October Location: City Park 504-482-4888 The producers of the Voodoo Music Experience in City Park bring you some of the hottest bands for this 2 day event. The New Orleans Media Experience Held in late October Location: French Quarter The New Orleans Media Experience is a ground breaking, first of its kind media convergence festival featuring the best available content in the areas of film, advertising, videogames and music. This weeklong celebration highlights the interrelation of content in each of these disciplines and present continuous screenings, exhibitions, panels, special events and nightly theme parties in grand New Orleans style. Halloween in New Orleans Held on October 31 Location: French Quarter On the corner of Bourbon and Conti you might stumble upon (literally) a gaggle of Elvi out for a stroll... just down the block you could run into howling, growling werewolves... and of course, there's generally just a bit too much skin exposed in many a costume! Another great costume-watching spot is around Frenchman and Chartres streets, and of course the local parties are the absolute best place to find costumes sinister and sublime. November Louisiana Renaissance Festival Held weekends all of November – early December Location: Nearby Hammond, LA The most exciting holiday shopping and entertainment in Louisiana! Open rain or shine every weekend, the "Louisiana Renaissance Festival" brings to life what an English village and festive market place could have been like, mixed with a little bit of Louisiana spice! Annual Run Through History Held in early November Location: Metairie Cemetery 504- 486-6331 The New Orleans Track Club and Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries hold their annual run through history at Metairie Cemetery. When the first race was run on the site where the Fair Grounds is today, Millard Fillmore was President of the United States! That was in 1852 and Fair Grounds was known as Union Race Course. In 1872, the Metairie Association abandoned racing at the legendary Metairie Race Course and transferred racing to the Fair Grounds, where they formed the Louisiana Jockey Club. Since its beginnings, Fair Grounds, as it came to be known just after the Civil War, endured the adversities of changing ownerships, wars, floods, fires, epidemics, hurricanes, economic hardships, racing prohibitions, politics and all forms of gaming competition. Celebration in the Oaks Held late November – early January Location: City Park 504- 482-4888 See New Orleans' historic City Park transformed into a holiday wonderland. Its ancient oak trees are aglow with massive ornaments along the two-mile driving tour that is spangled with over two million sparkling lights and lighted displays. Celebration in the Oaks is one of the most beautiful holiday light exhibits in the country, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually. The Driving Tour features scenes appropriated from the season and South Louisiana including a 52-foot paddle wheeler, jazz musicians and a recreation of an Acadian Village alive with Zydeco music. December Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes and Landmarks Held most of December Location: French Quarter Feel the romance and heritage of New Orleans on a tour of 19th-century homes and landmarks. It is possible to walk through much of New Orlean's rich history and stunning architecture on a self-guided tour of historic landmarks. The fascinating tour includes the Beauregard Keyes House, Gallier House, the Louisiana State Museum's 1850 House, the New Orleans's Pharmacy Museum and the Old Ursuline Convent.... most decorated in the style of Christmas past. New Year's Eve Held on December 31 Location: Jackson Brewery 504- 566-7245 A large street party, a lit ball dropping from the sky, thousands counting down to the next year - no you're not in Time Square, but rather Jackson Square! Every year, a week following the relaxation of Christmas, hundreds of thousands pour out to the Jackson Brewery to welcome in another year of living and partying in New Orleans. Arts & Entertainment Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
225 Baronne Street
New Orleans, LA 70112 504-523-6530 Call for schedule of performances Season runs from September – May New Orleans Opera 305 Baronne St. New Orleans, LA 70112 504-529-2278 Call for performance schedule The history of opera in New Orleans is the history of Opera in America. Evolutionary progress through heredity is reflected in a great culture transplanted from Mother France to the Paris of America, New Orleans, where the first resident opera company in America was founded. New Orleans Ballet 225 Baronne St. New Orleans, LA 70112 504-522-0996 Call for performance schedule Anthony Bean Community Theater 1333 S Carrollton Ave. New Orleans, LA 70118 504-862-7529 The theater was established to meet the demands of New Orleans residents interested in learning about and participating in dramatic art. Marquee de Marigny Theatre 2301 Chartres St. New Orleans, LA 70117 504-943-8929 Two outrageous, gender-bending, camp comedies are performed in the Marquee de Marigny Theatre. Saenger Theatre 143 North Rampart St. New Orleans, LA 70112 504-569-1533
Broadway shows, musicals, and movies are performed at the theatre. The Shakespearean Festival at Tulane 215 McWilliams Hall Tulane University New Orleans, LA 70118 504- 865-5105 Call for performance schedule Louisiana's professional Shakespearean Theatre invites you for a stellar season of Shakespeare.
Southern Repertory Theatre 365 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70118
504-522-6545 Live Theater Professional regional theater that produces regional and world premieres of new plays by Southern playwrights and new plays set in the South. Sports New Orleans Hornets Professional Basketball Games played at the New Orleans Arena New Orleans Arena
1501 Girod Street
New Orleans, LA 70113 504-301-4000 Season runs October – April New Orleans Saints Professional Football Games played at the New Orleans Superdome 1500 Poydras St. New Orleans, LA 70112 504-587-7713 Season runs September – January New Orleans Facts: New Orleans Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap New Orleans Travel & Tourism, Free New Orleans Travel Guide Online
Population: 484,674
Elevation: 11 feet above sea level
Land Area: 180.6 square miles
Location: Located on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico in southern Louisiana
Time Zone: Central Time Zone (when it's noon in New Orleans, it's 1pm in New York City and 10am in Los Angeles). New Orleans observes Daylight Savings Time from April - October
Weather:
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | | Averagetemp.(°F) | 53.7 | 56.9 | 63.4 | 69.0 | 76.3 | 81.4 | 83.1 | 83.0 | 79.5 | 71.0 | 62.4 | 56.1 | | Hightemperature(°F) | 62.5 | 65.9 | 72.6 | 78.4 | 85.2 | 89.9 | 91.4 | 91.4 | 87.6 | 80.2 | 71.5 | 65.1 | | Lowtemperature(°F) | 44.9 | 47.8 | 54.1 | 59.6 | 67.4 | 72.8 | 74.8 | 74.7 | 71.4 | 61.7 | 53.2 | 47.1 | | Precipitation(in) | 5.7 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 2.8 | 4.8 | 4.4 |
Climate:
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | | Dayswithprecipitation | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 10 | | Windspeed(mph) | 9.3 | 9.8 | 9.9 | 9.4 | 8.1 | 6.8 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 8.7 | 9.0 | | Morninghumidity(%) | 85 | 84 | 84 | 87 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 91 | 89 | 87 | 86 | 85 | | Afternoonhumidity(%) | 68 | 65 | 63 | 62 | 62 | 65 | 68 | 68 | 67 | 62 | 64 | 68 | | Sunshine(%) | 46 | 50 | 56 | 62 | 62 | 63 | 58 | 61 | 61 | 64 | 54 | 48 | | Daysclearofclouds | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 8 | | Partlycloudydays | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 7 | | Cloudydays | 17 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 16 | | Snowfall(in) | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | | | | | | |
Local Seasons:
Spring tends to be the busiest time of year in this festive city due to Mardi Gras, although, with the exception of the summer, most seasons have a high volume of tourists. Spring and fall tend to offer the most comfortable weather, allowing visitors the opportunity of enjoying the many historic and unique sites of the city. With daytime temperatures averaging near 60 F in the spring, and near 70 F in the fall, it's a perfect time for exploring everything the city has to offer. Whether strolling through the French Quarter, stopping at the world famous Café du Monde for coffee and beignets, or partying on Bourbon Street, New Orleans offers a multitude of choices for any taste.
Getting There:
By Air
New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY)
900 Airline Highway Kenner, LA 70062 504464-2650 Located approximately 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans and Bourbon Street, the airport is served by many of the national and internationally known airlines as well as by certain local and regional carriers.
Ground Transportation
Car rental, taxi, and limousine service is readily available at both the airport as well as downtown.
By Train
Amtrak 1001 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70113 800-USA-RAIL By Bus: Greyhound 1001 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans LA 70113 504- 524-7571
Getting Around:
Depending on where the visitor is staying, walking can be an easy method of transportation, particularly in the French Quarter. Other forms of transportation are available as well:
Bus
Regional Transit Authority (RTA) 504-248-3900
St. Charles Streetcar
A national historic monument The Streetcar rambles along a 13 mile loop from Canal Street, along St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District, past Audubon Park to Carrollton uptown. There is also a streetcar along the riverfront, where trolleys make ten stops between the Convention Center and Esplanade Avenue.
National Holidays:
New Year's Day, January 1 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January President' Day, the third Monday in February Memorial Day, the last Monday in May Independence Day, July 4 Labor Day, the first Monday in September Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25 New Year's Eve, December 31 New Orleans Kids Activities: New Orleans Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap New Orleans Travel & Tourism, Free New Orleans Travel Guide OnlineNew Orleans Kids
Aquarium of the Americas
Foot of Canal St
504-581-4629
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 9:30-6, Fri.-Sat. 9:30-7
More than 7,000 aquatic creatures swim in 60 displays in this world-class aquarium. There are four major exhibit areas: the Amazon River Basin, the Caribbean Reef, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf Coast, each with fish and animals native to that environment. More Info
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Foot of Canal St
This park surrounds the aquarium, and it is a great spot for viewing the active Mississippi. Water tours leave from the park frequently.
Audubon Park
Once a plantation, the park is now one of the largest (340 acres) and most acclaimed metropolitan parks in the United States. It has a world-class zoo, picnic and play areas, a golf course, a miniature train, riding stables, a tennis court, and a river view.
Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine St
504-581-4629.
Daily 9:30-5, summer weekends til 6 pm
This wonderful zoo is a great place for families to visit. The zoo has a tremendous number of exhibits, including a Louisiana Swamp, tropical-bird house, butterfly exhibit, flamingo pond, sea lions, and white tigers. More Info
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
233 Newton St
504-361-7821
Hours: Daily 9:30-4:30
As the name suggests, this attraction is dedicated to the most famous party in America, Mardi Gras. Visitors can watch floats being made, view a film about Mardi Gras, and buy Carnival memorabilia in the gift shop. Kids will enjoy trying on a trunk full of costumes. More Info
Carousel Gardens
City Park
504-483-9356
Hours: Hrs may vary by season; closed in winter except for Christmas season
The carousel was built in 1906 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the park is just as good. The park includes a roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and other rides.
City Park
Bordered by City Park Ave, Robert E Lee Blvd, Marconi Dr, and Bayou St John
City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Within its 1,500 acres, the Casino, Botanical Garden, Storyland, Carousel Gardens, New Orleans Museum of Art, tennis courts, and a golf course attract and entertain visitors. More Info
Confederate Museum
929 Camp St
504-523-4522
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-4
This imposing building, covered in ivy, houses an extensive collection of artifacts and records from the Civil War. This museum is the oldest in Louisiana. More Info
Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St
504-523-1216
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5
The center has won prizes for its own good looks, and the art inside is even better. The center also hosts concerts, films, theatrical and dance performances, and art-related workshops and seminars.
Custom House
423 Canal St
Built in 1849, this staunch structure occupies the whole block and is a major city landmark. The building has identical entrances on all four sides, and visitors are welcome to look around.
Elms Mansion
3029 St. Charles Ave
504-895-5493
Hours: Weekdays 9:30-5:00
Built in 1869, this magnificent home features marble fireplaces and stained-glass windows. The house has been carefully restored and furnished with period pieces.
Energy IMAX Theater
Foot of Canal St
504-581-4629
Hours: Shows daily
With a screen 5-1/2 stories tall, this is one of the most thrilling cinema experiences around. The theater shows breathtaking nature films related to the sea, Earth, and outer space that are meant for the whole family to enjoy. More Info
French Market
Ursulines St
The French Market contains shops, offices, and eating places, and it is an important part of the life of New Orleans. Street performers enliven the marketplace, and visitors can choose from the best of New Orleans delicacies.
Hermann-Grima House
820 St. Louis St
504-525-5661
Hours: Tours Mon.-Sat. 10-3:30
This house is one of the French Quarter's largest and best examples of American architecture. Cooking demonstrations, held in the city's only open Creole kitchen, delight visitors all day long.
Jackson Square
Hours: Daily 8-6
Occupying the heart of the French Quarter, the square was built in 1718. A statue of Andrew Jackson commemorates his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Artists hang their paintings on the park fence and set up outdoor studios, as do musicians, dancers, and magicians.
Louisiana Children's Museum
428 Julia St
504-523-1357
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30-4:30, Sun. noon-4:30; in summer open daily
One of the best children's museums in the country, the Louisiana Children's Museum has lots of hands-on activities. It also features a playscape for very young children, and lots to do for the whole family.
Musee Conti Wax Museum
917 Conti St
504-525-2605
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. noon-5:30
This wax museum features famous residents and natives of Louisiana. More than 100 wax figures are featured. More Info
New Orleans Botanical Garden
City Park
504-483-9386Hours: Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30
While the garden may be relatively small (10 acres), it is a lovely spot to visit and has lots to offer. The gardens include a tropical conservatory, a water-lily pond, a formal rose garden, azalea and camellia gardens, and horticultural gardens. Fountains and sculpture are found throughout, and everything can be seen during a guided tour.
New Orleans Museum of Art
City Park
504-488-2631
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 10-5
One of the best museums in the country, the NOMA has a large permanent collection that specializes in pre-Columbian, African, and local art. World-class traveling exhibits also come frequently to the museum.
Storyland
City Park
504-483-9381
Hours: Hrs vary
by seasonThis theme park is designed almost exclusively for children. It features 26 storybook exhibits built around fairy-tale characters. Child Magazine has rated Storyland one of the ten best playgrounds in the country.
The Casino
City Park
504-483-9371
Hours: Daily 8-4
Built to be a casino, this Spanish-style building is now an enlarged concession stand selling New Orleans delicacies, including the world-famous po'boys. A band stand has frequent performances, kids enjoy the playground, and paddle boats are available for rent in the lagoon.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Hours: Weekdays 6 am-10 pm, weekends 6 am-midnight
Offering an incredible view of the Mississippi, the park has a wooden promenade and many stores and restaurants. It is easily one of the best river front developments in the nation.
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