New Orleans, Louisiana
Everywhere you go in New Orleans you will find enthusiasm for food, music, and life itself. Uniquely American, New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and the American cocktail, as well as Cajun and Creole cooking. Our Spanish, French, African and Caribbean influences create a cultural gumbo of distinctive architecture, cool jazz and celebrated cuisine that only New Orleans knows how to dish out.
What’s New in New Orleans:
New Orleans is a lively and progressive city where new developments are always underway to keep the city moving forward. The newly reimagined Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium recently reopened after its biggest renovation since the Aquarium opened in 1990. The renovation makes the Audubon campus the only aquarium/insectarium under one roof in the world. The National WWII Museum opened the highly anticipated Liberation Pavilion. This marks the completion of the Road to Victory Capital Campaign that has propelled the extraordinary growth of the Museum’s campus. Liberation Pavilion explores the end of World War II, the Holocaust, the postwar years and how the war continues to impact our lives today.
With the addition of new and exciting things, New Orleans is ready for the future. From second line parades to centuries-old streetcars, this timeless, non-stop city offers something amazing around every cobblestone corner. Start creating your New Orleans story today!
HIGHLIGHTS:
The streetcars in New Orleans are one of America’s only mobile national monuments.
St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest operating cathedral in the United States.
Take a cemetery tour and learn about the above-ground tombs and the traditions behind them.
If you’re not in town during Mardi Gras, make sure to visit the Mardi Gras museums to get a taste of the festivities!
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and the cocktail. You can enjoy both 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in the French Quarter.
In New Orleans, it’s legal to take your drink, put it in a plastic “to-go” cup and walk down the street with it.
New Orleans has impromptu parades called second lines and anyone is welcome to join!
Order your po-boy “dressed” if you want it piled high with lettuce, tomato and pickles.
New Orleans is nicknamed the “Crescent City” because the city is built in the crescent curve of the Mississippi River.
Visit the French Market to be able to see local New Orleans vendors and artists put their work on display for others to enjoy and purchase. It is the perfect place to walk away with an authentic New Orleans souvenir.
Discover what New Orleans has to offer:
Let a Streetcar Take You for a Trip Around the City
Streetcars are a charming and convenient way to experience the many areas of New Orleans. Four distinct lines, each originating Downtown, will take you through the French Quarter and beyond to places you might not otherwise get to see. LEARN MORE >>
Learn About the History of the Dead on a Cemetery Tour
Burying the dead in a place built below sea level was a problem that faced the earliest residents of the French settlement that became New Orleans. The solution agreed upon, to entomb the departed in elaborate marble chambers above ground, created one of the city’s most lingering attractions: cemeteries that are both historic and hauntingly beautiful. Many cemeteries offer guided tours, others you can explore on your own. LEARN MORE >>
Sign Yourself Up for a Swamp Tour
If you’re visiting Louisiana, there’s no doubt you’ve heard about the region’s mossy swamplands. Just a short drive outside of the heart of New Orleans, tour companies offer swamp and airboat tours on boats, where you can see – and even feed – gators and other wildlife. Plus, many companies offer transportation to and from hotels, making it even easier to access these nearby swamps. LEARN MORE >>
Visit One or More of the Many Music Clubs
A music lover’s paradise, home to jazz, zydeco, R&B and soul, the city has produced its share of musical giants, from greats like Louis Armstrong to contemporary acts like Trombone Shorty. Follow the locals beyond the French Quarter to Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, an original Creole neighborhood housing a mecca of nightclubs, bars and restaurants. LEARN MORE >>
Make Authentic Cajun and Creole Dishes
Cooking schools in New Orleans offer hands-on learning, allowing you to master your skills and gain an appreciation for our culture and traditions. If you’re looking to make authentic Cajun and Creole dishes, our chefs will walk you through the process with tips on flavoring dishes with versatile ingredients and spices. You’ll also pick up some interesting and useful facts about the history of New Orleans, and how the cuisine has changed over time. LEARN MORE >>
Float Down the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the life force that has shaped New Orleans history forever, defining and literally shaping the city into its famous Crescent outline. Take in beautiful views of the city aboard a relaxing boat ride on daily and nightly riverboat tours. LEARN MORE >>
Celebrate Carnival Year-Round
To get the feeling of Mardi Gras year-round, visit Mardi Gras World, the largest float designing and building facility in the world. Here more than 80 percent of the floats that journey down New Orleans' streets during the Carnival season are designed and built. If you take a tour, you’ll get to taste some king cake as a bonus! LEARN MORE >>
Sip your way around the Crescent City
Indulging in a drink is serious fun in the city that was the inspiration for iconic drinks including the Vieux Carre, Sazerac, and Ramos Gin Fizz. Experience neighborhoods with the neighbors at their local hang outs or take in some of the more famous New Orleans bars on a cocktail-themed tour. LEARN MORE >>
Experience Rich History and Culture at a Museum
New Orleans museums are dedicated to the simmering gumbo of history and diversity that has inspired cultural creatives for centuries. Whether you hunger for art, history or a deeper understanding of the New Orleans’ cultural scene, there is a museum that will deliver a more profound sense of place and past. LEARN MORE >>
Travel Back in Time on a Plantation Tour
The Antebellum south comes to life at the many plantations that line the Mississippi River, a throwback to the city’s agrarian past. Located as close as an hour outside of New Orleans, you can tour these stately mansions and hear stories from the families that lived there. LEARN MORE >>
Check out our Featured Hotels in New Orleans!
Hotel Monteleone
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 3123
NO RESORT FEE
Known as the grand dame of Royal Street, Hotel Monteleone is one of the last great family-owned and operated hotels in New Orleans. Guests will enjoy relaxing in one of the luxurious rooms and easy access to iconic amenities like the Carousel Bar & Lounge, the exclusive rooftop pool, the on-site spa Aria, and so much more within blocks of the hotel.
The Eliza Jane, in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt
3 Stars | Hotel ID: 8485
Once a printing house and bitters factory, The Eliza Jane is a decadent respite between the French Quarter, Central Business District, and Arts District. It’s where centuries-old history and impeccable style meet - a place where guests want to stay awhile and take it all in, from the garden courtyard to the literature-themed lounge.
Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 1691
NO RESORT FEE
Start your client’s trip to New Orleans in the luxurious Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans, which is right in the middle of the buzzing French Quarter. Guests will discover that the pleasure never stops thanks to the city’s elegant architecture, innovative food, and vibrant Bourbon Street culture.
The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 1453
NO RESORT FEE
An unforgettable experience awaits guests in The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans. Unwind in the hotel’s unforgettable guest rooms and suites in the city, each dressed in rich, warm decor with contemporary amenities. Explore the French Quarter one block from the hotel. Take in city views from the rooftop pool and discover authentic New Orleans flavors at the hotel restaurants.
Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 1566
Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans is more than a place to meet or stay, Elegant guest rooms and suites, authentic hospitality, a Food is Art philosophy, wrought-iron balconies, and a lush courtyard create a unique atmosphere of timeless refinement.
Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 3542
NO RESORT FEE
Mixing the historic charm of the French Quarter with the modern services and amenities guests need for the perfect Big Easy getaway, Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter pairs a heart-of-everything location steps from Bourbon Street with 374 spacious rooms and many with views of the Mississippi River.
